Ten inexpensive rail passes for traveling across Europe (and the world)

Travel unlimited by train and discover an entire country?

Austria has just taken the plunge by setting up a "climate pass" (Klimaticket) which, for € 1,095, allows you to travel at will on all public trains and buses in the country for a year.

While primarily aimed at Austrian citizens, similar tickets designed especially for foreign travelers are offered by several rail companies in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

These "passes" entitle the holder either to unlimited travel over a given period (such as the JR Pass in Japan), or to a number of journeys at a fixed price.

Each trip is therefore much cheaper than reserving tickets one by one.

Regardless of the train taken, whether it is booked last minute or not, the price paid remains the same.

An excellent way to travel through a country step by step while controlling your travel budget.

Our selection of particularly advantageous rail passes.

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In Germany

The

allows unlimited travel within Germany on Deutsche Bahn regional (RB, IRE, RE) and city (S-Bahn) trains.

Valid one day, it can be used from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the next day and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

This ticket becomes particularly advantageous if you are traveling in a group: if it costs € 42 for the first person, each additional passenger only pays € 7 (within the limit of five people).

Or, for example, € 63 for a group of four travelers.

Note that each of the 16 Länder (Bavaria, Saxony ...) also offers regional passes valid within their territory (from € 22 per day, supplement of a few euros per accompanying person).

Information from Deutsche Bahn.

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In Belgium

The

card

allows you to make ten one-way trips in Belgium for € 86 (in 2nd class).

Each trip thus costs € 8.60 regardless of its distance.

Non-nominative, it is valid on all SNCB trains and can be used by several people;

ideal for a getaway with friends in Antwerp, Bruges or Brussels.

This ticket is also available in 1st class (€ 131) and for young people aged 12 to 25 (Youth Multi, € 55).

Note that a reduction of € 3 applies if you use this pass in dematerialized version on the SNCB application.

Information from SNCB.

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In Spain

Spain has the largest network of high speed trains in Europe ahead of France.

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Connect the big Spanish cities (Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Seville ...), but also discover more remote corners like the desert of Bardenas or the green valleys of Asturias ... The

, reserved for people not residing in Spain , allows you to make 4, 6, 8 or 10 journeys at a fixed price.

Fares range from € 195 for four trips to € 410 for ten Standard class trips for an adult, or between € 41 and € 49 per trip.

The subscription, valid for three months after first use, gives access to regional (Media Distancia) and long-distance (Larga Distancia, including AVE high-speed trains).

The reservation of a wheelchair, compulsory but free, can be done online or at a Renfe counter.

Information from Renfe.

To read also In Spain, the SNCF offers a Ouigo with first class and bar

In Italy

Reserved for foreigners, the

allows you to make 3, 4, 7 or 10 journeys over a period of 7, 15 or 30 days on the Trenitalia network.

It gives access to the Frecce (high-speed trains), FrecciaLink, Intercity, Intercity Notte and EuroCity Italy-Switzerland trains (on the Italian sections), subject to having reserved a seat free of charge.

For three journeys over a period of seven days in Easy class (equivalent to 2nd class), count € 129 for an adult, € 115 for a senior or € 106 for a young person under 28 years old.

For each adult Trenitalia Pass purchased, it is possible to combine up to two children aged 4 to 12 free of charge.

Information from Trenitalia.

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In Great Britain

Scottish trains are included in the BritRail Pass (here Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Highlands).

Lukas Bischoff - stock.adobe.com

The

allows

travel in England, Scotland and Wales over a period ranging from two days to one month (consecutive or not).

This ticket can also be used on board the rail shuttles serving the airports (Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, etc.) as well as on the Caledonian Sleeper and Night Riviera night trains (provided you reserve your seat).

On other trains, reservation is simply recommended.

For example, count € 141 for a three-day pass or € 254 for an eight-day pass for an adult in Standard class (2nd class).

Note that there are variations of this pass valid only in Scotland, South West England or the Greater London area.

Information from Visit Britain and ACP Rail International.

Read also5 good reasons to go to Scotland by train (even when you're not green)

In the Nederlands

43 € is the price of the

, a sesame allowing unlimited travel on all public transport in the Netherlands (trains, buses, metros and trams) for one day.

It can be used every day, except during peak hours (between 6.30 am and 9 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm from Monday to Friday).

If you still want to travel during peak hours, the pass costs € 63.

It is not valid on the Thalys, and a supplement is required to take the ICE and Intercity direct.

Information from NS company and Discover Holland.

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In Swiss

Some mountain trains require a reservation and / or a supplement, such as the Jungfraubahn which serves Europe's highest station.

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With some 5,100 km of track, Switzerland has one of the densest networks in Europe.

To explore it, nothing better than the

.

This sesame reserved for travelers allows an unlimited number of journeys by train, coach and boat for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days, consecutive or not.

High-end panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express are subject to reservation and / or supplements.

Count between 232 and 563 Swiss francs for an adult in 2nd class.

This package also offers free access to 500 museums and public transport in 90 cities.

Information from the Swiss railways (CFF) and Switzerland Tourism.

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In Canada

The Trans-Canada Highway connects Toronto to Vancouver (4,466 km) between four days.

ERIC MARTIN / Le Figaro Magazine

Crossing the provinces of Ontario or Quebec, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific in four days with the Trans-Canada Highway ... The

, set up by the national company VIA Rail Canada, allows you to make six or twelve trips or an unlimited number of trips over a period of 15, 30 or 60 days.

An example ?

For 12 journeys over a period of 15 days in economy class, count 714 Canadian dollars, or about 500 €.

An upgrade to Business class or sleeping cars is possible with a reduction of 25 to 40% on the usual rate.

Information from VIA Rail Canada.

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In the USA

Making ten trips for 499 dollars is possible with the

, offered by the national company Amtrak. Valid for 30 days from the first trip, it can be used in economy class on all trains in the network, except the Acela Express high-speed train. New York, Boston, Chicago ... Almost 500 destinations are accessible throughout the United States. Reservation (free) is required for each journey.

Amtrak also offers the

which, for $ 159 (or $ 79 for children ages 2 to 12), provides seven-day travel over a 21-day period in California.

This pass is valid on major state lines (Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner, and Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and Dunsmuir) and most buses operated by Amtrak.

Here too, a reservation is necessary to get on board.

Information from Amtrak.

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In Japan

Reserved for foreign tourists, the JR Pass gives access to the Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed train (here in front of Mount Fuji).

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Reserved for foreigners with a “temporary visitor” visa, the

is all the more advantageous given that rail transport in Japan has the reputation of being expensive. Lasting 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days, this ticket is valid on all trains of the six companies making up the public group Japan Railways (JR), including the Shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho services). It is not valid on private company trains, with some exceptions. Count € 235 for seven days, € 374 for 14 days and € 479 for 21 days of unlimited travel for an adult in 2nd class. The railway company also offers regional JR Passes valid on the island of Hokkaido or the Kyoto and Kansai area.

Information and sales from travel agencies approved by the Japan Railway, such as Japan Experience (formerly Japan Experience).

It is advisable to buy the ticket before its departure as it is sold up to 20% more expensive in Japan.

Once the purchase is made, a coupon is issued and must be redeemed at a JR office located at airports and train stations in Japan.

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