Having all the required travel documents is essential for entering the countries you would like to visit. Make sure you have the required permits before you leave!
We present you with a brief check-list of pre-departure rail travel documents:
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR NON-EU NATIONALS (travelling with Eurail Pass)
Eurail Passes are available to all travellers who are NOT in possession of a passport/identity card or residence permit of any of the member states of the European Union and the countries listed hereafter: Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vatican City.
As you prepare for your great rail adventure, don't forget:
- Valid Passport
Passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years the day you enter the EU on condition that it is valid until the end of your stay plus an additional 3 months (also applies for children and minors).
- Possibly Visa
The EU has a common set of visa rules which apply to short stays (that is up to 90 days in any 180-day period) and for transit through international transit areas of airports in the Schengen area.
To find out if you need a Schengen visa, you can visit the official website of the European Union or contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. If you need a visa, you will need to follow the application procedures and submit all required documents.
* Once you have crossed the external Schengen border and border guards have verified that your documents satisfy the entry requirements, you will not be subject to further checks when travelling within the Schengen area. In exceptional circumstances, Schengen countries may introduce temporary checks at their internal borders.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR EU NATIONALS (Travelling with Interrail Pass)
As an EU national, you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member countries as well as countries within the Schengen area, but what documents do you need?
Identification document
- Valid ID or passport
Proof of residency
- For Interrail pass holders, restrictions on travelling in their country of residence apply, and during your travel, you can be asked to prove that you reside in the selected country. Your country of residence can be proven by means of a valid passport or ID.
- If the country you live in does not match the country indicated on your ID card or passport, then you must be able to prove your residency with other residence documents issued by the government*, e.g., a physical residency permit (an electronic permit is not valid).
*Click to here to find examples of accepted proof of residency documents (documents may vary per country):
If you do not have the necessary travel documents, the authorities can refuse your entry. With careful planning and preparation, you can have a memorable and hassle-free trip to the beautiful continent of Europe.