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German rail pass: Everything you need to know in 2025
A German rail pass allows you to take unlimited train trips in Germany, as well as a few routes in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and Austria.
Taking the train is one of the most popular ways of travel in Germany. This is made possible by the extremely well-developed rail system that makes it possible to travel both within the country and abroad. All you need is a German rail pass and a destination in mind.
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What is the German rail pass?
A rail pass, not to be mistaken with a German travel pass, is a digital pass that allows you to travel freely on the German railway. For most trains, you can simply hop on without having to reserve seats, so you don’t necessarily have to plan your trip well in advance.
These passes allow you to travel both on Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains and with private operators. No separate DB passes are available, though you can buy separate train tickets for each trip.
Eurail rail pass
The Eurail pass is available for non-European citizens only. There are Flexi and continuous passes available. Flexi passes allow you to travel on the German rails for a fixed number of days within a month. Continuous passes are a tad cheaper and allow you to travel for a fixed number of days simultaneously.
Plans are available for 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 days for both Flexi and continuous passes. Most night trains and high-speed trains require seat reservations to get on board, which come at an additional cost.
Interrail rail pass
The Interrail rail pass is available only to citizens of European countries. Other than the intended user base, it’s pretty much identical to the Eurail pass. The only real difference is that you can reserve a seat on some night trains and high-speed trains for free with a first-class Interrail pass.
Benefits of a German rail pass
The main benefit of a German rail pass is that you can travel freely without having to buy a separate ticket for every train ride and without any limit on the number of trips you can take while the pass is active.
It also allows you to take some regional trains to neighbouring countries, which include:
- Basel Badischer Bahnhof (Switzerland)
- Salzburg, Kufstein, and Innsbruck (Austria)
- Liège and Brussels (Belgium)
- Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Bologna, and Venice (Italy)
If you plan to travel more widely throughout Europe, you might want to get a Global pass instead. Both Interrail and Eurail offer global options, which allow you to travel in 33 different countries.
How to buy a German rail pass
Buying your rail pass is as simple as visiting the Interrail or Eurail website, selecting a pass that meets your needs, and paying for it. Once you complete the purchase, you’ll be able to scan the pass from your phone whenever you travel.
How much does a German rail pass cost?
Both Interrail and Eurail passes are identically priced, so there’s no discrimination for not being a European citizen. The price for the pass may seem steep, but regular train tickets start at €19.99 and go up to €100+, so it’s well worth it.
For example, a one-way train ticket from Berlin to Munich costs €113.59, so you’d already be getting your money’s worth on a 3-day pass if you just take a trip from Berlin to Munich and back.
| Flexi pass | Continuous pass | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | €223 ($234 USD) | €206 ($216) |
| 4 days | €254 ($267) | €235 ($247) |
| 5 days | €281 ($295) | €260 ($273) |
| 7 days | €326 ($342) | €302 ($317) |
| 10 days | €407 ($427) | €376 ($395) |
| 15 days | €507 ($532) | €456 ($479) |
Children aged up to 11 can get a rail pass for free, while children and young adults aged 12-27 can get a youth pass, which is around 20% cheaper than the adult pass.
Stay online while traveling the rails
Having mobile internet during your travels makes life much more convenient. Use it to buy your rail pass anywhere, spend time watching videos or scrolling social media on the longer routes, and use apps such as Google Maps to find your way around once you leave the train.
All Holafly plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, making it one of the best eSIMs for Germany. Simply get a Holafly eSIM for Germany, install it, and enjoy non-stop internet wherever you travel.
Navigate the world with ease
Use map apps as much as you wish with unlimited data eSIMs from Holafly.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
