Eurorail, also called Eurail, is a train pass sold to non-European residents for use on certain trains and ships within the Eurorail system which cover most of Europe. Many students are familiar with Eurorail, because it offers inexpensive train passes that allow travelers to explore many countries on a limited budget. Eurorail is considered by many train aficionados to be one of the finest rail and ship passes in the world, usable on an extensive train and shipping network covering Belfast to Athens and all points in between.
Eurorail is based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and has been managed there since 2001. The company is owned by a consortium of rail and shipping companies, known as Partners. Eurorail also contracts with other providers, called Bonus Partners. These affiliates often extend discounts to Eurorail Pass holders, honor their passes for travel, or provide other special benefits. Before 2001, Eurorail was handled by the Eurail company, which held the property from 1959.
In addition to an extensive network of trains, Eurorail also covers some shipping lines, honoring passes on board many Mediterranean ferries, as well as ship travel to and from the Scandinavian countries. This expansion of Eurorail beyond the traditional train coverage was an excellent move for the company, allowing a wider range of customers to participate in Eurorail offerings. Countries covered by Eurorail include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. If you ride a train in any of these nations, you are probably riding one that is covered by the Eurorail Pass.
Eurorail isn't just a great travel solution for students and other budget travelers. It has long been considered a fabulous way to see Europe, with excellent service, a range of accommodation options, and superb dining cars that often feature local cuisine. The Eurorail Pass is famous all over the world, allowing unlimited train travel within a certain amount of time between three to five nations. Passes for additional countries can be added, usually at a minimal cost. Eurorail offers an excellent travel pass for those who are unsure about their plans or reluctant to commit to a firm schedule, allowing travelers to hop a train any time they feel like it.
Eurorail, like many companies within the European Union, is constantly growing and evolving. The fleet of trains covered by the pass is growing newer and more rapid all the time, and it seems unlikely that travelers will ever stop using Eurorail, thanks to the extensive and growing rail and sea coverage of Europe, combined with a stylistic flare and ease of use that makes traveling with the pass a pleasure.