New Interrail Plus pass: With seat reservations mostly included

[signed]

Interrail has released a new offering, Interrail Plus

Interrail Plus Pass | Interrail.com

Discover the new Interrail Plus Pass – enjoy all the benefits of our standard Pass without worrying about seat reservation fees.

plus.interrail.eu

Train travel made easier​

Introducing the new Interrail Plus Pass – everything you need to explore Europe, all in one place.

With this all-in-one rail Pass, you can hop on most trains across Europe and enjoy the added benefit of having your seat reservation costs covered for high-speed and popular routes.

By purchasing a Plus Pass, you're helping us test a future where flexible travel across Europe is simpler than ever. Be sure to read the FAQs and T&Cs carefully for a smooth trip.

For now in beta, two passes exist :

Global Plus Pass – 7 days within 1 month​

• Visit your dream European destinations in 1 trip
• Travel on any 7 days within 1 month
• Seat reservation fees included: Book your seats on most trains for free + 3 reservation credits for high-demand trains
• To be activated within 3 months of purchase
• 100% refundable within 7 days – 90% after
• Flexible travel on reservation-free routes – travel wherever you want, whenever you want
• Travel sustainably and affordably across Europe

Get the Global Plus Plass

Italy Plus Pass – 4 days within 1 month​

• Explore Italy in depth, from the Dolomites to the Amalfi Coast
• Travel on any 4 days within 1 month
• Seat reservation fees included: Book your seats on most trains for free
• To be activated within 3 months of purchase
• 100% refundable within 7 days – 90% after
• Flexible travel on reservation-free routes – travel wherever you want, whenever you want
• Travel sustainably and affordably across Italy

For an additional 99€ (Standard/First) compared to the Global
Adult: €480/€583, Youth: €385/€462 for the Global + (Adult: €381/€484, Youth: €286/€363 for the regular Global)

Mostly useful in France, in Spain, on Nightjet/European Sleeper, Eurostar, a bit harder to justify compared to the Italy-only but still great value.

Where can I make seat reservations with the Global Plus Pass?	Carriers that can be booked with the Global Plus Pass	How many credits will a seat reservation require?
International	Eurostar	1 credit
	ÖBB Nightjet (seats only, sleeping accommodations cannot be booked)	0 or 1 credit, depending on demand
	European Sleeper (seats only, sleeping accommodations cannot be booked)	0 or 1 credit, depending on demand
Austria	ÖBB	No credits needed
Belgium	SNCB/NMBS	No credits needed
Croatia	HŽ (International trains are bookable, but not all domestic trains are available)	No credits needed
Czech Republic	ČD	No credits needed
Denmark	DSB	No credits needed
France	SNCF TER	No credits needed
	SNCF	0 or 1 credit, depending on demand
	SNCF International	1 credit for most trains (1st class seat reservations from France to Italy require 2 credits)
Germany	DB	No credits needed
Hungary	MÁV	No credits needed
Italy	Trenitalia	No credits needed
The Netherlands	NS	No credits needed
Poland	PKP Intercity	No credits needed
Romania	CFR Călători (International trains are bookable, but not all domestic trains are available)	No credits needed
Slovakia	ZSSK (International trains are bookable, but not all domestic trains are available)	No credits needed
Slovenia	SŽ	No credits needed
Spain	RENFE	No credits needed
Sweden	SJ	No credits needed
	Vy Tåg	No credits needed
	Snälltåget	No credits needed
Switzerland	SBB	No credits needed

Last updated: 15 May 2025

Note: To enhance our travellers' booking experience, we are continuously working towards adding more countries and routes to our reservation system

I would assume the SNCF quote:

0 or 1 credit, depending on demand

Will be mapped to whether there still are 10€ reservations available (on every TGV there is a limited 10€ quota and a unlimited 20€ quota for IR passholder reservation)

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For an additional 49€ (Standard/First) compared to the Italy
Adult: €244/€296 Youth: €195/€244 (Adult: €196/€248, Youth: €147/€186)

If more than 4 Frecce train are taken accross the 4 days (normally 13€ per train) it is very worth it. It is worth even more if changing trains since it's 13€ per train.

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Note that just the reservation price is included, you still need to get the reservation itself on the Interrail reservation portal

 

[30907]

So well worth it from/to the UK -
Eurostar x2 EUR70-90 so long as you make a couple of TGV journeys, extremely good value if you factor in Spain/Italy.
Far better than I had expected when it was first announced.

 

[NCT]

This does change things considerably ...

 

[mad_rich]

I've been using one for the last couple of weeks.

It certainly has some benefits - especially considering UK users will make back a lot of the extra cost with two Eurostar bookings, and it was nice making reservations on German ICEs etc without thinking about the cost. But there are also some big downsides.

You have to use the (poor IMHO) Eurail reservations platform. This means fewer options for seat selection, and most importantly means you're stuck with their own refund/ change options (which are basically zero).

This becomes a problem when you make early reservations (because that's necessary on a lot of routes) and then change your plans later on. You fall foul of their fair use policy by having overlapping reservations.

The uncertainty over French TGVs is very noticeable. If you're booking lots of €10 reservations, then they're all free. If you have to make €20 reservations, then they cost 1 credit each. (Or you end up reserving them on a third party site, so as to avoid using a credit that you might be saving for the future.)

It's also noteworthy that it doesn't get discounted during sales. (Or it didn't in the last sale.) So the price difference is a lot higher if you would be buying your pass in a sale.

 

[signed]

It's also noteworthy that it doesn't get discounted during sales.

Noting that it's in beta, that may change if/when that becomes a mainline product (and I guess it will)

 

[STINT47]

I use Interrail mainly in Benelux and Germany.

Whilst the Eurostar would be beneficial I'm not impressed that I'll now have to pay more for something I don't need.

If I take the ferry or plane them its just extra cost.

 

[Trainbike46]

I use Interrail mainly in Benelux and Germany.

Whilst the Eurostar would be beneficial I'm not impressed that I'll now have to pay more for something I don't need.

If I take the ferry or plane them its just extra cost.

Then get the regular interrail pass if that suits your use better?

 

[shredder1]

Sounds great especially in countries like Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway

 

[mad_rich]

Sounds great especially in countries like Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway

Yes, I think those are they key countries where the pass is good value.

Especially since the AVI between Lyon/ Marseille and Spain is zero credits.

 

[Paul AC]

Based on my recent InterRail usage I'd say NOT great for Spain - because of the need to use the InterRail reservations site, allied to almost any useful train in Spain being mandatory reservation. I have consistently found the InterRail reservations site completely useless for recent trips, with far better results from using the RailEurope site instead.

For example the InterRail site won't allow you to get reservations at all on medium distance services (Media Distancia on the broad gauge, Avant on the standard gauge). I've found quite a number of Alvia (most main line variable gauge services) services also not reservable. A problem I had with booking a specific train on a recent trip was, I think, down to there being no 'first class' reservations available (or limited by quota) for use with my First Class InterRail. All of these problems are/were solved by using the RailEurope site, including getting a 'second class' reservation on the train I couldn't get a first class res for; getting the specific train was of more interest to me than making the journey in first class.

Not just all that, the prices and change conditions are better on the RailEurope site.

 

[JB_B]

Just looking at the details of the Italy Plus Pass here

Interrail Italy Plus Pass | Italy by Train | Interrail.eu

Explore Italy by train with the new Interrail Italy Plus Pass. Enjoy unlimited travel without worrying about seat reservation fees as you discover Italy's iconic beauty.

plus.interrail.eu

under

"Conditions of this Pass"

It says:

"Most high-speed ... trains require a reservation at an additional cost." (!)

 

[mad_rich]

"Most high-speed ... trains require a reservation at an additional cost." (!)

Bad copy & paste from the Interrail web team I guess!

 

[Route115?]

Presumably quotas still apply.

 

[mad_rich]

Yep, all the usual quotas apply. The only difference is that Eurail is covering the cost.

 

[rvdborgt]

Presumably quotas still apply.

I'd think so indeed, but most trains don't have pass holder quota. They're only on Eurostar (all routes) and TGV Brussels-France. Possibly now also on the AVE to/from France but that may also be a Renfe booking issue. Eurail are looking into that.

For example the InterRail site won't allow you to get reservations at all on medium distance services (Media Distancia on the broad gauge, Avant on the standard gauge). I've found quite a number of Alvia (most main line variable gauge services) services also not reservable. A problem I had with booking a specific train on a recent trip was, I think, down to there being no 'first class' reservations available (or limited by quota) for use with my First Class InterRail. All of these problems are/were solved by using the RailEurope site, including getting a 'second class' reservation on the train I couldn't get a first class res for; getting the specific train was of more interest to me than making the journey in first class.

Which MDs were you able to book via Rail Europe? I haven't seen any MD reservations on Rail Europe yet.
It looks like Interrail have just started selling them, e.g. I see them now on Cádiz-Sevilla. Happyrail have been selling them for some time now, including the free ones, for which you then only pay their €2 booking fee.

Not just all that, the prices and change conditions are better on the RailEurope site.

That is certainly true.
As to Spain I have noticed that the Interrail, Rail Europe and Happyrail websites all behave a bit differently and which trains work where can vary from week to week. Renfe also like to make unannounced changes so for the developers I guess it's a moving target...

 

[37201xoIM]

Really useful thread, this.

Probably stating the obvious, but given that Interrail say the product is "in beta", it would probably be worth it if those of you who've posted problems or misgivings above let Interrail / Eurail BV know, as hopefully there might be changes /improvements yet? I have in mind things like the Spain issues (to be fair, god help anybody trying to work with RENFE!), but also the poor return / exchange conditions - definitely something which in my experience Rail Europe handle better.

 

[Paul AC]

Which MDs were you able to book via Rail Europe? I haven't seen any MD reservations on Rail Europe yet.
It looks like Interrail have just started selling them, e.g. I see them now on Cádiz-Sevilla. Happyrail have been selling them for some time now, including the free ones, for which you then only pay their €2 booking fee.

I've just re-checked and now agree with you regarding MDs/Avants on RailEurope - it says "book at station". I didn't use one of these on my most recent trip, so perhaps I managed to do something wrong in the past. I apologise for possibly confusing the situation.

I'm old enough to have a Tarjeta Dorada (Senior Railcard for Spain) and can book discounted MDs etc. on the RENFE app or site (I nearly said 'easily' but that adverb doesn't exist in RENFE terms) However sometimes if I'm doing a lot of long journeys an InterRail can be cheaper.

 

[tony6499]

Will be a bargain if it's in one of the sales they do