The digits on the calendar may change, but one thing stays the same each year: rail is the most "European" way to see Europe. And when it comes to exploring Europe by rail, the legendary Eurail Pass offers an unrivaled combination of convenience, flexibility and adventure.
Since being formed over 65 years ago, the pass has now expanded to cover 33 countries and over 30,000 destinations, but it's still offering one ticket to cover your whole European rail adventure.?
In time for the travel year ahead, the following are 10 things that you or your client should know about traveling with one of these passes in 2025, including new connections and trip possibilities.?Then, read on for some product insight from Silvia Festa, Senior Business Development Manager at Eurail.?
Traveler at a European rail station (Photo Credit: Eurail)
Seamless Connections Have Arrived in the Baltics
As of January 6, Eurail pass holders can now enjoy a much smoother journey across the Baltic region¡ªan area that just so happens to be one of Europe's most underrated. The railways of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have now aligned their timetables to make it possible to travel all the way from Tallinn (Estonia) to Vilnius (Lithuania) in just one day via Riga (Latvia). While it would be ideal to linger in the destinations along the way instead of doing it all in one day, this is great news as it shows that the region's rail lines are committed to connectivity and encouraging Baltic adventures.?
Traveler using a Eurail Mobile Pass. (Photo Credit: Rail Europe)
The Eurail Pass Has Gone Digital
If it's been a while since you've used a Eurail pass, the digital evolution of the product could have passed you by, so you'll want to know that in 2025 the Eurail pass has now taken a digital form. Once their pass is activated, passengers now use the Railplanner app to find their journeys in the timetable and download tickets. In addition, the Railplanner app offers access to country-specific information and details of all the extra benefits you can enjoy with a Eurail pass, like discounts on attractions and access to lounges. ??
There¡¯s a New Berlin-Paris Daytime Train
Last year saw the debut of a new Berlin-Paris night train, but 2025 brings the arrival of a new daytime service between the French and German capitals. The journey will come in at just over eight hours, and stop along the way at intriguing destinations like Strasbourg and Frankfurt, which both offer A-list European experiences with fewer crowds than other cities with similar profiles. There's no question that you could fly between the cities quicker, but you'll get a much richer travel experience on a train than the one offered at 30,000 feet, especially if you take a detour along the way.
Historic buildings along a canal in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Noppasinw)
And One Between Amsterdam and Munich, Too
A new daytime service between Amsterdam and Munich is now operational, taking just under seven hours and cutting through such destinations as Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, again all places that are perfect stop-offs where you can break up the journey and get to know an overlooked destination. ?
Serbian Rail Is on the Upswing
Faster, smoother travel has arrived in Serbia, as the soon-to-open Novi Sad¨CSubotica line will reduce travel between the two cities from four hours to a breezy 40 minutes (Subotica will then be reachable from the Serbian capital Belgrade in only 1 hour and 15 minutes). Why is Subotica a key destination to reach? From there you can ride a local train from its shiny new rail station over the border into Hungary and onto Budapest via Szeged. While the launch date of the Novi Sad¨CSubotica line is yet to be announced, it's still important to know that underrated Serbia is quickly improving its rail service.?
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland (Photo by Lauren Breedlove)
A Popular Swiss Line Is Now Part of the Network
The Jungfrau region¡ªhome to Interlaken, Grindelwald,?Lauterbrunnen and other acclaimed peaks & villages¡ªis one of Switzerland's most popular, and now it's fully covered by the Eurail Pass. Previously, travelers had to pay a supplement to ride past Interlaken as the local rail company there wasn't part of the Eurail network, but that's all changed, making exploring this breathtaking region easier than ever.?
Eurail Isn't Just For Trains
Nope, that's not a typo, your Eurail pass also offers access to other modes of transportation, most notably ferries. A valid Eurail pass gets you healthy discounts on ferry crossings all over Europe and there's even a Eurail Greek Islands Pass which is a pass made exclusively for those whose European travel dreams are all about island-hopping.?
Old Town, Warsaw, Poland. (Photo Credit: Mike Mareen/Adobe)
Poland Is More Connected Than Ever
Poland is trending as more and more travelers are discovering its history and off-the-beaten path charm and now the nation is even more integrated into the Eurail Pass network as regional carrier Koleje Ma?opolskie has joined up. This addition opens up connections to some of Poland¡¯s most alluring destinations like romantic Krakow, alpine Zakopane and Oswiecim, the latter being the best base from which to contemplate Auschwitz-Birkenau.
In addition, there are now direct trains from Prague to the coastal Polish town of Gdynia via attractive cities like Wroc?aw, Poznan, Gdansk and handsome beach town Sopot.
The Railplanner App Has Gone Real-Time?
New enhancements to the aforementioned Eurail Railplanner App mean that Eurail Pass holders can now see live information regarding platforms and potential journey disruptions from many major rail carriers¡ªall on their phones. The list of participating railways includes major ones in Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Austria, France, Belgium, and the cross-channel railway operator Eurostar. There is no doubt that the Railplanner app will become more and more advanced as each year goes by.?
Bernina Express train in Switzerland (Photo Credit: Lauren Breedlove)
Iconic Scenic Swiss Trains Are Always Included
The Bernina Express. The Golden Pass. The Glacier Express. These spectacular rail routes in Switzerland are known around the world for their ability to take your breath away, and you can use your Eurail pass to board all of them. Like some other special rail lines, you may have to pay a small additional reservation fee to confirm a seat, but the panoramic views you'll enjoy are priceless and will stay with you for a lifetime.?
Insight From Inside
Now, for a look into the US market from Silvia Festa, Senior Business Development Manager at Eurail:
Key Highlights for the US Market
The top five countries visited by US travelers in 2024 were Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.?The US remains our number one overseas market for B2B sales, achieving the highest volume of Passes sold and experiencing an impressive growth of over 30% (+30% of net number of Passes sold in the US).?
Insights on B2B Sales Channels
Demographics: 69% of travelers are adults and seniors. Product preferences: The most popular validities for our top-selling Global Pass are 4, 5, and 7 days within 1 month. However, there is a growing demand for longer durations, such as 15 days continuous, particularly among senior travelers.
Focus for 2025: The US will continue to be a key focus market in 2025. We aim to strengthen our presence further, building on the valuable collaborations with our trusted partners. We aim to inspire more travelers to explore beyond the most iconic cities, uncovering Europe¡¯s hidden gems with our unique Eurail Pass that suits the needs of every type of traveler.
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