Choose your destinations. Study a map of Europe and compile a list of the places you wish to visit. Eurail issues four types of tickets: Global, covering 21 countries; Select, covering three to five countries; Regional, covering one or two countries; and Single, which confines travelers to one country. Compare your list of destinations and the available pass options to determine which pass suits your needs.
Book the tickets. Go to the Eurail website and select the pass you need. You can choose how long the pass will be valid, with variously priced options ranging from 10 days to three months. Enter your credit card information to buy the tickets. Select from the list of ticket shipping options and enter a delivery address.
Plan your itinerary. Decide how long you plan to stay in each city and use a map to determine the most logical order in which to visit the chosen destinations. Read the online Eurail timetables to determine which train routes and times will best fit your needs. Take note of other available trains in case reservations on your first choice trains are not available.
Research reservation requirements. Not all European trains require seating reservations, but many do, especially on overnight journeys. The German Railways sells reservations online and over the phone, Swedish rail also allows online reservations, and Austrian Railways have English-speaking representatives to help you purchase tickets over the phone. The Eurail website provides links to travel agents who sell advance reservations. Some booking offices require your passport number before taking your order. Not all rail systems facilitate advance bookings, so in some instances passengers must pay in person on the day of travel.
Book your reservations. European rail networks allow passengers to reserve seats up to 90 days before traveling. Book your seats early, especially if traveling on the French high speed trains that limit Eurail passengers. For routes that do not allow online or over the phone reservations, make your reservations as soon as your arrive. Do not wait until you are ready to leave town before you book your seats, as trains quickly fill up. It is a good practice to buy your outbound ticket as soon as you arrive in a city.
