How many European cities can you hit up in two weeks with just one magic train ticket in your pocket? 

With the Eurail Global Pass, your freedom to zip from country to country is even bigger than your list of places to visit. 

Let’s plan the ultimate two-week, train-based frolic across Europe! 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Sasipa Muennuch. Image Location: Lucerne, Switzerland

What’s a Eurail Global Pass? 

The Eurail Global Pass is basically an all-in-one train ticket for 33 European countries, or your backstage pass to the continent, letting you jump on and off trains like you own the place. 

What countries are included in the Eurail Global Pass? 

The Global Pass has you covered from the beer halls of Germany and châteaux in France to the sunny shores of Spain and fjords of Norway. If it’s in Europe, you’re most likely in for a treat. 

How much is a Global Eurail Pass? 

The cost of a Global Eurail Pass really depends on how many days you’re planning to travel and what kind of pass you’re looking at.  

A Continuous Pass lets you hit the rails every day it’s valid, while a Flexi Pass allows you to pick your travel days. For example, a Flexi Pass for 4 days within a month will set you back about $233, while the same pass for 15 days over two months goes for $457. On the other hand, a Continuous Pass for 15 straight days costs $393. Plus, there are discounts for young folks and seniors, while kids aged 4 to 11 travel for free. Check Trainline for up-to-date details. 

What are the Eurail Global Pass benefits? 

The Eurail Global Pass is the Swiss Army knife of travel tools. It’s not just about the rides (which are pretty epic, by the way), but also the discounts on everything from ferries to museum tickets, and the sheer joy of spontaneous travel. 

How does the Eurail Global Pass work? 

It’s simple. Decide where you want to go, check if you need a reservation, and then just hop on the train. Your pass is your ticket to ride, so keep it handy for train staff to check. 

Can I use the Eurail Global Pass on the Eurostar services in Europe? 

Yes, your Eurail Global Pass has got you covered, just make sure to book your seat in advance. Eurail Pass holders can score some pretty sweet deals, like fares starting at $21 for Brussels—Amsterdam or $27 for Brussels—Cologne. 

You can use your Eurail Global Pass for cozy rides across Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany, though the Eurostar’s beach and ski routes are off the menu. Fares come with the flexibility to swap your ticket once if your plans change—just keep in mind they’re non-refundable. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Dejan Marjanovic

Any pro tips for crafting a perfect Eurail Global Pass itinerary? 

Get yourself a map, a highlighter, and start dreaming big. Get inspired by our travel guides and mix the must-sees with the “who knews?” for the ultimate adventure. And, a heads-up: snag a seat reservation for those popular high-speed trains to avoid standing-room-only scenarios. 

Before you go: 

  1. Plan smart. Map out a route that hits countries close to each other. Central and Eastern Europe are great for this because countries are smaller and closer together. 
  2. Be like water. Flexibility is your best friend, and the Eurail Global Pass is your magic all-in-one ticket—shuck it any way you like. 
  3. Night trains are your best friends. Save on accommodation and travel time by sleeping on the train. Plus, waking up in a new country? Priceless. 
  4. Light is right. You’re on the move, not moving in. Pack smart and stay agile. 
  5. Use Trainline’s app live updates. It works as your personal travel concierge. Never miss a beat (or a train). 
  6. Log it, love it. Every train hop, every journey, make sure it’s in Eurail’s Travel Diary. It’s how you keep your travels easy and ticket inspectors happy. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, a_Taiga. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Eurail Global Pass challenge: how to visit the most number of countries in two weeks 

Let’s start in the west and zigzag our way eastward, maximizing country count and experiences. 

Week 1: Western and Central Europe 

Day 1-2 

Day 3 

  • Evening train to Luxembourg. A dash of fairytale castles. 

Day 4-5 

  • Munich, Germany. After a scenic train ride, dive into beer gardens and the vibrant culture. 
  • Overnight train to Vienna, Austria. Waltzes, schnitzel, and stunning architecture await. 

Day 6 

Image Credit: Getty Images, MasterLu. Image Location: Budapest, Hungary

Week 2: Eastern Europe 

Day 7-8 

Day 9-10 

  • Krakow, Poland. A day in Auschwitz for reflection and exploring the Old Town. 
  • Overnight train to Ljubljana, Slovenia. A hidden gem with a dragon bridge and a castle overlooking the city. 

Day 11 

  • Quick detour to Zagreb, Croatia. Enjoy the café culture and museums. 
  • Train back to Ljubljana for the night. 

Day 12, 13 & 14 

  • Venice, Italy. Canals, art, and finishing with a pizza. 
  • Train to Rome to marvel at the Colosseum and catch the flight back home. 

That makes it to 13 countries in two weeks! Wow. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Paris, France

Two-week Alpine adventure: travel-ready Eurail Global Pass itinerary 

Day 1 & 2: Paris, France 

What to do in Paris: 

  • Try to decode Mona Lisa’s smile. It’s an age-old enigma that keeps everyone guessing. Maybe she simply cracked the recipe for the perfect croissant? 
  • Become a pastry critic. Croissants, macarons, éclairs—why choose? Embark on a self-guided pastry tour and declare your own winner. Remember, calories consumed in Paris don’t count (if only). 
  • More ideas for your trip to Paris. 

Day 3 & 4: Zürich, Switzerland 

Train travel time from Paris to Zürich: from 4h 4m 

What to do in Zürich: 

  • Explore the Old Town (Altstadt). Wander through the cobblestone streets of the Altstadt, where every corner tells a story and every pub insists you’re just in time for one more round. 
  • Discover the vibrant street art scene in Zürich West on a guided tour. It’s a colorful rebellion against the city’s polished image, and you might just get inspired to leave your own mark (legally, of course). 
  • More ideas for your trip to Zürich. 

Day 5: Lucerne, Switzerland 

Train travel time from Zürich to Lucerne: from 41m 

What to do in Lucerne: 

  • Ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to Pilatus Kulm. Challenge gravity on your way to Mount Pilatus—it’s like a rollercoaster, but with better views and less screaming. 
  • Seek out the saddest lion. The Lion Monument is more emo than you can imagine. Pay your respects and maybe play some Adele to keep it company. 
  • More ideas for your trip to Lucerne. 

Day 6 & 7: Milan, Italy 

Train travel time from Lucerne to Milan: from 3h 59m 

What to do in Milan: 

  • Set off on an adventure to uncover the genius of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan by tracking down his masterpieces. Start with the iconic The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Then, head to the Castello Sforzesco to marvel at the Sala delle Asse, where Leonardo went wild with a tree mural. Your quest might lead you to lesser-known works scattered around the city, like sketches hidden in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. 
  • Accept the challenge of finding the best aperitivo in Brera. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. 
  • More ideas for your trip to Milan. 

Day 8: Venice, Italy 

Train travel time from Milan to Venice: from 2h 13m 

What to do in Venice: 

  • Dive into Venice’s answer to the tapas tradition with a Cicchetti safari. Navigate the backstreets to track down these bite-sized delights, from sun-dried tomato and basil spreads to squid ink polenta.  
  • Get lost in the maze of books at Libreria Acqua Alta, where books are kept in bathtubs and gondolas. 
  • More ideas for your trip to Venice. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61. Image Location: Innsbruck, Austria

Day 9 & 10: Innsbruck, Austria 

Train travel time from Venice to Innsbruck: from 4h 47m 

What to do in Innsbruck: 

  • Marvel at the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), Innsbruck’s most famous landmark, adorned with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. Built by Emperor Maximilian I in the 15th century as a royal box for festivals, it’s a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. 
  • Take the Patscherkofelbahn to the top of Patscherkofel Mountain for breathtaking views and hiking trails. While there, try your vocal cords at yodeling. The mountain’s acoustics make it an unforgettable experience. 
  • More ideas for your trip to Austria. 

Day 11: Munich, Germany 

Train travel time from Innsbruck to Munich: from 1h 46m 

What to do in Munich: 

  • Find the most pretzel-shaped pretzel. This is a quest of utmost importance in Bavaria. The twistier, the better. 
  • Become a beer connoisseur in a day. Visit as many beer gardens as you can and declare yourself an expert. Lederhosen optional but encouraged. 
  • More ideas for your trip to Munich. 

Day 12 & 13: Stuttgart, Germany 

Train travel time from Munich to Stuttgart: from 1h 57m 

What to do in Stuttgart: 

  • Hit the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museums for a double dose of automotive awesomeness. Debate with your friends over which brand wins the crown for coolest car, but let’s be real, the real winner is anyone who gets to visit both. 
  • Wander through Bohnenviertel, the bean quarter, with its quirky shops and cafés. It’s like a treasure hunt for foodies and shopaholics, with plenty of Instagram-worthy spots. 
  • More ideas for your trip to Stuttgart. 

Day 14: Strasbourg, France 

Train travel time from Stuttgart to Strasbourg: from 1h 25m 

What to do in Strasbourg: 

  • Turn your stroll through Petite France into a quest for the quirkiest photo angles, from wonky houses that look like they’ve had one too many to ducks photobombing your canal scenes. 
  • Go stork-spotting in Orangerie Park. It’s like bird watching, but with birds that could technically babysit your kids. Don’t forget to make some snaps; they’re quite the local celebrities. 
  • Find out all you need to know about Strasbourg train station and get inspired by our Strasbourg city guide. 

Now you can hop on a quick 1-hour-45-minute train ride from Strasbourg to Paris, where catching direct flights back to the US is a breeze. What a ride, huh?

Challenge accepted!

These two-week train route suggestions across Europe are ambitious and utterly special. You can take them as a template or get inspired to craft your own journey starting in Amsterdam, Rome, or any other European gem. With the Eurail Global Pass, Europe is your oyster. Crack it open and dive in; the memories will last a lifetime!

Looking for more Eurail info? Check out our comprehensive guide to all things Eurail. 

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, SCStock. Image Location: Strasbourg, France

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