Youth & Student Discount Train Pass & Rail Tickets In Europe (2024)

Travelling Europe by train is still the best way for students and young people to experience the continent. But getting the right discounts can be baffling with so many different passes and ticket options.

We’ve made things easy for you and have brought together all the ways to get cheap European train travel with student and youth rail passes.

Europe Student Rail Pass Promotions

Before I jump into country-specific cheap train tickets and rail passes for students, don’t miss out on these deals ending soon. Please, take note:

• Interrail is for European citizens and residents of Europe (you’ll need to show proof, like an official residency card)
• Eurail is for non-European citizens and non-European residents

If you’re a student or young person planning to travel by train in the UK, look no further than the 16-25 Railcard or 26-30 Railcard, whichgive 1/3 OFF discounts on rail travel.

Student and Youth European Train Pass Discounts and Cheaper Rail Tickets – Quick Links

• – Interrail Italy, Eurail Italy, Green Card (Carta Verde)
• – Interrail Spain, Eurail Spain, +Renfe Joven 50 Card, Renfe Joven Card and European Youth Card
• – Interrail Benelux, Eurail Benelux, Benelux Youth Tickets
• s – Interrail France, France Rail Pass, Carte Avantage Jeune
• – Interrail Germany, German Rail Pass, BahnCard 25

Before you dive in, a word of caution. You should carefully assess your situation and travel plans to ensure you get the best possible savings.

For example, Interrail and Eurail passes might not always give you the best deal. They’re great if you want the flexibility to travel where you want on your trip and are not taking trains with many supplements. But in many cases, buying individual tickets can work out cheaper.

Similarly, longer-term annual passes can get great discounts if you plan to stay in a European country. You’ll need to weigh these options against getting cheap advance tickets that may exclude youth discounts.

Italy: Youth & Student Train Passes & Rail Discounts

• Interrail Italy: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes
• Eurail Italy: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes
• Green Card (Carta Verde): 10% OFF trains in Italy

There are three options for discounted youth train passes and travel in Italy. Interrail (for European citizens) and Eurail (non-European citizens) are best for shorter-term trips.

For young people staying in Italy for a longer time, the Green Card (Carta Verde) offers discounts on rail travel for one year.

Interrail Italy: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes

The Interrail Italy Youth Pass is for European citizens travelling in Italy by train for up to one month.

Interrail Italy Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 18% OFF second class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• European citizens or residents only
• FREE delivery with Interrail

Get 28% OFF Interrail Italy Youth Pass with Interrail

* Average savings of Interrail Italy Youth Pass compared to adult prices on the Interrail website

Eurail Italy: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes

The Eurail Italy Youth Pass is for non-European residents travelling in Italy by train for up to one month.

Eurail Italy Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 17% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a Youth Pass
• available for 3, 4, 5 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• non-European residents only
• FREE delivery with Eurail

Get 20% OFF Eurail Italy Youth Pass with Eurail

* Average saving of Eurail Italy Youth Pass compared to adult prices on the Eurail website

Green Card (Carta Verde): 10% OFF trains in Italy

If you’re spending more time in Italy, you should consider buying a ‘Carta Verde’ (Green Card), which gives discounted rail travel to students and young people.

Green Card (Carta Verde) essentials:

• youth travellers get 10% OFF base fares (Standard, Premium and Business class) on all national trains, including sleeper and couchette services
• 25% OFF base fares for international trains and trains participating in RailPlus
• you must be aged between 12 and 25 years to qualify for a Green Card
• passport or valid ID needed for identification
• Green Card can be bought at a railway station or authorised agent in Italy
• costs €40 for a one-year Green Card

Green Card base fare discounts explained

The Green Card only discounts the base fare (full fare without other discounts). This means it’s great for students and young people who travel at short notice. If you plan ahead and purchase tickets in advance, you’re more likely to get bigger savings.

Discounts are only valid on national trains and do not include regional trains.

The Green Card wins over the Interrail or Eurail Passes if you’re a student or young person spending a year in Italy and intend to do some travelling both in Italy or neighbouring countries.

Find out more about the ‘Carta Verde’ (Green Card) at Trenitalia

Spain: Youth & Student Train Passes & Rail Discounts

• Interrail Spain: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes
• Eurail Spain: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes
• +Renfe Joven 50 Card: Up to 30% OFF trains in Spain
• Renfe Youth Card (Carné Joven) and European Youth Cards: 20% OFF trains in Spain

In Spain, there are four discounted youth train passes and travel options. Interrail (for European citizens) on shorter trips. Then there’s Eurail (non-European citizens), which does not offer specific discounts for young people.

There are a few options for younger people staying in Spain to get discounted train tickets for a longer time. Firstly there are European Youth Cards: the type you get depends on whether you buy them in Spain or before you travel. You can also use an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) in Spain.

There is also the +Renfe Joven Card.

Interrail Spain: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes

The Interrail Spain Youth Pass is for European citizens travelling in Spain by train for up to one month.

Interrail Spain Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 13% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• European citizens or residents only
• FREE delivery with Interrail

Get 20% OFF Interrail Spain Youth Pass with Interrail

* Average savings of Interrail Spain Youth Pass compared to adult prices on the Interrail website

Eurail Spain: SAVE 20% on Youth Passes

The Eurail Spain Pass is for non-European residents travelling in Spain by train for up to one month.

Eurail Spain Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 13% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• young people must buy an adult pass: there are no Eurail Spain student or youth passes
• available for 3, 4, 5 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• non-European residents only
• FREE delivery with Eurail

Get 20% OFF Eurail Spain Youth Pass with Eurail

+Renfe Joven 50 Card: Up to 30% OFF trains in Spain

The +Renfe Joven 50 Card offers the best discounts of up to 30% OFF train travel in Spain. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 25 can apply for a +Renfe Joven 50 Card. It’s an ideal option for young people or students who travel by train in Spain.

You’ll automatically be signed up for the Renfe loyalty programme, where you can exchange points for discounts on train tickets or hotels.

+Renfe Joven 50 Card essentials:

• youth travellers get 30% OFF base rate fares on AVE (high-speed) and long-distance trains in Spain
• 25% OFF Avant (mid-distance high-speed), mid-distance and regional trains
• you must be aged between 14 and 25 years to qualify for a +Renfe Joven Card
• +Renfe Joven 50 Card costs €50

Find out more information here and order from here.

Renfe Youth Card (Carné Joven) and European Youth Cards: 20% OFF trains in Spain

If you’re on a longer stay in Spain, there are a few options available for discounted student and youth rail travel:

• Renfe Youth Card (Carné Joven): Available to Spanish residents
• European Youth Card: Available to all young people worldwide
• International Youth Travel Card (ITYC): Available to students worldwide

All of these card quality for these discounts:

• youth travellers get 20% OFF domestic mid-distance high-speed, mid-distance and regional trains
• 5% OFF domestic long-distance high-speed trains
• 25% OFF international high-speed trains between Spain and France
• you must be aged between 14 and 25 years old to qualify for Youth Card (Carné Joven) discounts

Find out more about the Renfe Youth Card (Carné Joven) discounts

How to get a Renfe Youth Card ‘Carné Joven’?

The Renfe Youth Card (Carné Joven) gives a range of offers at regional, national and international levels.

To get hold of a Renfe Youth Card (Carné Joven) you must be a Spanish national or a foreigner doing business or employment in Spain. You can’t get hold of a Carné Joven until you have an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), a Spanish tax identification number for foreigners (similar to a British National Insurance number).

So the Carné Joven will only be applicable if you’re a foreigner living and working in Spain.

Find out more information about getting both a Carné Joven (Youth Card) and NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero).

How to get a European Youth Card?

It’s also possible to get a European Youth Card if you’re under the age of 30 (26 in some countries). You do not have to be a student or resident of any European country.

The European Youth Card differs in price from €5 to €19. Find out more on the EYCA website.

Regardless of the different types of European Youth Card, the important thing is that anyone under the age of 30 can get it and you get discounted youth train travel in Spain.

Get a European Youth Card today and save on train travel in Spain.

How to get an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC)

The International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) will also get you the same discounts in Spain as if you had a Renfe Youth Card. You must be a student to qualify for an IYTC.

The International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) can be ordered locally, depending on where you live.

Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg): Student and Youth Rail Passes and Discounts on Train Travel

• Interrail Benelux: SAVE 28% on Youth Passes
• Eurail Benelux – SAVE 20% on Youth Passes
• Benelux Youth Tickets – 35% OFF trains in Benelux countries

In the Benelux countries, there are three discounted youth train passes and travel options. Interrail (for European citizens) and Eurail (non-European citizens) are best for shorter-term trips.

For young people staying in any of the Benelux countries for a longer time, Benelux Youth train tickets offer discounts all the time.

Interrail Benelux – SAVE 28% on Youth passes

The Interrail Benelux Youth Pass is for European citizens travelling in the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) by train for up to one month.

Interrail Benelux Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 28% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• European citizens or residents only
• FREE delivery with Interrail

Get 28% OFF Interrail Benelux Youth Pass with Interrail

* Average savings of Interrail Benelux Youth Pass compared to adult prices on the Interrail website

Eurail Benelux – SAVE 20% on Youth Passes

The Eurail Benelux Youth Pass is for non-European residents travelling in the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) by train for up to one month.

Eurail Benelux Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 18% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 5 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• non-European residents only
• FREE delivery with Eurail

Get 20% OFF Eurail Benelux Youth Pass with Eurail

* Average saving of Eurail Benelux Youth Pass compared to adult prices on the Eurail website

Benelux Youth Tickets – 35% OFF trains in Benelux countries

If you’re travelling within the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) you can get cheaper ‘Benelux Youth’ tickets for young people and students. Unlike other European schemes, you do not need a special card to purchase tickets.

Benelux Youth train tickets essentials:

• youth travellers get 35% OFF standard (second class) fares on journeys between stations in Belgium, the Netherlands andLuxembourg (see * exclusions below)
• you must be 25 years or younger to qualify for Benelux Youth tickets
• passport or valid ID required for proof of age while travelling
• advance, on the day, seat reservation and non-seat reservations travel available
• tickets valid for travel on the day and up to two months for return journeys
• Benelux Youth tickets can be purchased online and at ticket machines and train stations

Benelux Youth is a great deal, and with no card required an easy option to get cheaper train tickets.

How to buy Benelux Youth tickets online?

All Benelux Youth tickets can be bought online from the following rail organisations:

Get Benelux Youth tickets from SNCB Europe (Belgium)

Get Benelux Youth tickets from NS International (Netherlands)

* Benelux Youth exclusions – tickets are unavailable on Dutch trains departing on weekdays before 9 am (except weekdays in July and August and most public holidays).

France – Student and Youth Rail Passes and Discounts on Train Travel

• Interrail France – SAVE 26% on Youth Passes
• France Rail Pass – SAVE 28% on Youth Passes
• Youth Card (Carte Jeune) – up to 60% OFF rail travel in France

In France, there are three discounted youth train passes and travel options. Interrail (for European citizens) and Eurail (non-European citizens) are best for shorter-term trips.

For young people staying in France longer, the SNCF Youth Card (Carte Jeune) offers discounts for one year.

Interrail France – SAVE 26% on Youth Passes

The Interrail France Youth Pass is for European citizens travelling in France by train for up to one month.

Interrail France Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 26% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• European citizens or residents only
• FREE delivery with Interrail

Get 26% OFF Interrail France Youth Pass with Interrail

* Average saving of Interrail France youth pass compared to adult prices on the Interrail website

France Rail Pass – SAVE 28% on Youth passes

The France Rail Pass is for non-European residents travelling in France by train for up to one month.

• youth travellers get 28% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 15 days of travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days

Unfortunately, the France Rail Pass is longer available. I recommend theEurail One Country France pass for non-European citizens or residents.

Carte Avantage Jeune – up to 30% OFF rail travel in France

If you’re spending a long time in France, you should consider buying a Carte Avantage Jeune (an SNCF rail discount card). It is exceptional value for discounted youth and student rail travel.

Compared to other European youth rail travel schemes, the Carte Avantage Jeune is an excellent deal.

Carte Avantage Jeune essentials:

• youth travellers get 30% OFF on first and second-class tickets on travel on TGV Inoui and Intercites trains.
• 25% OFF TER (local trains) and up to 50% OFF
• 30% OFF on some TGV international services
• get the discounts for you and up to three children
• benefit from last-minute deals reserved for Carte Avantage Jeune SNCF discount cardholders
• up to 15% OFF the train bar and Avis rental car
• costs €49 for one year
• you must be aged between 12 and 27 to qualify for a Youth Card

How to buy a Carte Avantage Jeune?

Get a Carte Avantage Jeune (SNCF discount card).

Germany – Student and Youth Rail Passes and Discounts on Train Travel

• Interrail Germany – SAVE 26% on Youth Passes
• German Rail Pass – SAVE 20% on Youth Passes
• BahnCard 25 – 25% OFF train travel in Germany

There are three options to get discounted youth train passes and travel in Germany. Interrail (for European citizens) and Eurail (non-European citizens) are best for shorter-term trips.

For young people staying in Germany for longer, a BahnCard 25 offers discounts for one year.

Interrail Germany – SAVE 26% on Youth Passes

The Interrail Germany Youth Pass is for European citizens travelling in Germany by train for up to one month.

Interrail Germany Youth Pass essentials:

• youth travellers get 26% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days
• European citizens or residents only
• FREE delivery with Interrail

Get 26% OFF Interrail Germany Youth Pass with Interrail

* Average savings of Interrail Germany Youth Pass compared to adult prices on the Interrail website

German Rail Pass – SAVE 20% on Youth Passes

The German Rail Pass is for non-European residents travelling in Germany by train for up to one month.

• youth travellers get 20% OFF standard class and 20% OFF first class *
• you must be 25 or under to qualify for a youth pass
• available for 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 or 19 days of travel within one month
• unlimited trains on travel days

Get a German Rail Pass.

Alternatively, you can buy a Eurail Germany Youth pass for non-European citizens or residents.

BahnCard 25 – 25% OFF train travel in Germany

If you’re spending more time in Germany, you should consider buying a BahnCard 25 (from Deutsche Bahn) which gives students, and young people discounted travel. The BahnCard 25 is aimed at occasional travellers and families and isn’t just for young people.

BahnCard 25 essentials:

• youth travellers get 25% OFF normal train fares (Normalpreise) and Saver Fares (Sparpreis)
• 25% OFF normal train fares (Normalpreise) and Saver Fares (Europa Spezial) on international trains departing Germany
• second class and first-class BahnCard 25 options are available
• includes ICE high-speed train services
• there is no age limit to qualify for a BahnCard 25
• the BahnCard 25 can be bought online or at train stations in Germany
• costs €62 (second class) or €125 (first class) for a one-year card

BahnCard 25 discounts explained

The BahnCard 25 offers 25% OFF discounts on domestic and international full fares, and advanced purchase Saver Fares (Sparpreis). Plus you can use your BahnCard 25 on ICE high-speed train journeys.

You can soon rack up some big savings if you purchase advance Saver Fares (Sparpreis) and use BahnCard 25.

How to buy a BahnCard 25?

You can buy a BahnCard 25 online and deliver it to a UK address. You’ll need some proof of your age during the booking process. While waiting for the BahnCard 25 to arrive, you’ll get a temporary online card that you can use immediately.

Get a BahnCard 25 online from Deutsch Bahn

Jugend BahnCard 25

Travellers between the age of 6 and 18 can get a Jugend BahnCard 25, which gives the same discounts as the BahnCard 25. A parent or guardian must provide their signature to order a Jugent BahnCard.

Find out more about the Jugend BahnCard 25

Discounted European Train Passes for Youth and Students

As you’ve seen, there are plenty of ways to save on train fares in Europe for students and young people. Ensuring you get the right pass or tickets for your situation is important.

Start saving today and enjoy Europe’s cheaper rail tickets and youth train passes.

And if you’re a student or young person travelling to the UK, check out discount code reductions with a 16-25 Railcard. The card gives young people 1/3 OFF train travel in Britain and is a must if you’re visiting the country for a few months or more and planning to travel by train.

Ways to SAVE on Train Travel and Rail Passes in Europe

Travelling Europe by train is easy due to the comprehensive and up-to-date rail network. With these discount codes and deals, SAVE money on train travel and rail passes.

• The Train Hacker Europe Deals – get the latest discount codes and deals on rail travel in Europe
• Eurail – cheapest deals and discount codes on train pass in Europe (for non-European residents)
• Eurostar – SAVE on rail travel from the UK to Paris, Brussels, Lille, the South of France and beyond
• Interrail Passes – compare Interrail prices, discount codes and offers on train passes in Europe (for European residents)
• SNCF Connect – cheap tickets and offers on train travel in France and the rest of Europe

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