An Interrail pass gives unlimited travel on all the train services run by the national train operator in all of the countries it covers - except in your own country of residence, more about that in a minute.

An Interrail Global Pass is a "wholesale" rail ticket that covers the base fare for travel on nearly all national railways in 33 participating European countries. This includes high-speed trains, regional trains, and some private railway companies, as well as certain ferry routes (like those between Italy and Greece). However, it is a common misconception that the pass covers everything. On many high-speed trains (like the French TGV or the Spanish AVE), international routes (like the Eurostar), and overnight sleeper trains, you are required to pay an additional mandatory seat reservation fee. These fees can range from €2 to over €100 for a private sleeper cabin. The pass also grants you "One-Way" travel from your home country to the border and back, but it is primarily intended for travel outside your resident nation. Beyond the trains, the pass provides "Interrail Perks," which include discounts on hostels, city tours, and boat rentals. You manage the entire pass through the Rail Planner app, where you log your journeys to create a digital ticket. Essentially, the pass is your "license to ride," but the specific seat on a fast train often requires a small extra investment.