The Eurail and Interrail rail passes have officially been brought together under a single brand, with Interrail becoming the one European rail pass for travellers worldwide from today, 9 September 2026.
The change ends a distinction that had existed for more than 50 years. Interrail was traditionally available to European residents, while Eurail was marketed to travellers from outside Europe. Both products were managed by the same organisation, Utrecht-based Eurail B.V., which changed its name to Interrail B.V. in May in preparation for the merger.
The unification means that travellers will now use the same Interrail Pass regardless of their nationality or country of residence. According to Interrail, the change is intended to make its offer “simpler and more consistent for travellers around the world”.
The merger was first reported by Mark Smith, The Man in Seat 61, which notes that the two products had already been gradually brought into line in recent years. Pass types and prices had increasingly converged, leaving the principal difference between Eurail and Interrail as the name and eligibility rules.
“Today, 9 September, Eurail passes merge with Interrail passes to become Interrail,” The Man in Seat 61 reports. “From now on, Interrail is the single European railpass range for everyone, regardless of nationality or country of residence.”
One brand instead of two
The move is intended to eliminate the confusion surrounding the previous system, particularly for people with complex nationality and residency situations. Travellers will no longer have to work out whether they qualify for Eurail or Interrail based on where they live.
It also simplifies the organisation’s marketing and digital presence. Rather than maintaining two largely identical brands, websites and sets of information, Interrail B.V. can now promote one product worldwide.
The decision to retain the Interrail name rather than create an entirely new brand was not automatic. Both names have long histories: Eurail was established in 1959, while Interrail dates back to 1972.
According to The Man in Seat 61, Interrail B.V. consulted stakeholders about the future branding before deciding to make Interrail the surviving name. The choice also means that the historically lower-priced Interrail product effectively becomes the global standard.
Historically, Eurail passes were often more expensive than Interrail passes, reflecting the assumption that overseas visitors were prepared to pay more for European rail travel. With the merger, travellers worldwide now receive the same Interrail product and pricing structure.
Existing Eurail passes remain valid
The change is primarily a branding exercise and does not alter the travel rights of existing Eurail customers.
Travellers who already hold a Eurail Pass do not need to exchange it. Existing mobile and paper passes will continue to display the Eurail name and remain valid until their normal expiry date.
Existing seat reservations and other bookings are also unaffected. Travellers can continue to use the same trains and railway companies as before, under the same travel conditions.
Eurail customers can also use their existing accounts on the Interrail website. Previous passes, reservations and trips should remain available after logging in.
The Rail Planner app continues to work as before. Existing Eurail mobile passes will still be identified as Eurail passes in the app, although the app itself has received a new look.
From youth pass to global rail product
Interrail has evolved considerably since its launch in 1972 as a rail pass exclusively for people under 26. Today, passes are available for youths under 28, adults and seniors aged 60 and over, while children under 12 can travel free when accompanied by an adult with a pass.
The pass also covers much more than the traditional image of a young backpacker travelling between Europe’s major cities. It can be used on a wide network of European railways and, with the appropriate reservation, for services such as Eurostar.
The merger therefore marks the end of the Eurail name as a separate rail-pass brand rather than the end of the Eurail product itself. The railway network, participating operators, travel benefits and basic way of using the pass remain unchanged.
As The Man in Seat 61 puts it, the result is a simpler proposition: one Interrail pass for everyone travelling around Europe, regardless of where they live.
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