Different types of Eurail passes allow travel in different areas and for different amounts of time. A Global pass allows you to travel in all 21 countries that accept Eurail passes. Select passes offer travel within three to five adjoining countries of your choice, while Region passes are used in a certain predetermined area (for example, you can buy a Portugal-Spain or Denmark-Sweden Eurail pass). A One-Country pass is valid inside one European country. The more areas you can visit, the more expensive the pass. If you're planning a backpacking trip across Europe, the Global Pass is an obvious choice, but if you're planning to visit just one or two countries and stay awhile, a Select or One-Country pass may work best.
If you're planning to travel with another person or with a group of up to 5 people, consider a Saverpass. The Saverpass will be printed with all of your names, and you can all travel together for a lower fee (individual members can use the pass as well if other travelers leave early).
Every type of Eurail pass has options for length of travel, so you can buy passes that are valid for a longer amount of time or contain more valid days, depending on the length of your vacation.
Eurail passes may be available in first or second class. Depending on your age, you may not be able to choose the class of travel--Eurail Global passes are available in first class only for people over 26 years old, for example. Youth discounted tickets may be available only in second class. If you have the choice, first class travel is more comfortable but more expensive; second class travel shouldn't be dangerous or dirty, just more cramped.
The Eurail pass doesn't cover every train in Europe. Some routes need reservations, and your Eurail pass won't automatically guarantee you a seat--check before you go. Reservations are usually needed for high-speed trains, and you might also need them for scenic rail routes. You'll also have to pay extra for a sleeper car on an overnight train. Eurail also doesn't cover Britain (although you can get a discount on the Eurostar train from the Continent to England using your Eurail pass, you'll be stuck once you get into London). You'll have to buy a special BritRail pass to get the same sort of benefits if you want to travel in Britain.
