Want to get there really fast? How does up to 300 km/h sound? Europe has a wide network of high-speed services that take you quickly to your destination.
High-speed trains only stop at major cities. The trains offer comfortable 1st and 2nd class cars and good catering services.
Seat reservations for high-speed trains are nearly always compulsory. InterRail Pass holders need to pay a reservation fee. More about seat reservations
Some popular high-speed trains:
AVE
AVE stands for Alta Velocidad Española, a network of fast quality trains in Spain. You can travel between Madrid and Barcelona in less than 3 hours.
Most AVE trains depart in Madrid from Puerta de Atocha train station. Check-in control takes place on the platform, before you board the train.
Seat reservation for AVE trains is compulsory. Reservation fees for InterRail Pass holders:
- 2nd class: € 10
- 1st class: € 23,50 (including drink and meal)
Eurostar (UK)
Eurostar operates between Great Britain and Belgium/France through the channel tunnel. The main routes are London St Pancras - Brussels Midi and London St Pancras - Paris Nord.
Check-in control takes place before you board the train. It is advised to show up at least 30 minutes before departure.
Seat reservation is compulsory. InterRailers are entitled to a special Pass holder fare, starting from €43 for a single trip. The exact fares can be found at the Eurostar website. Pass holder fares can only be booked at a Eurostar Terminal or through the Eurostar contact centre on +44 (0) 1233 617 575.
Eurostar Italia AV
Eurostar Italia AV (Alta Velocità) trains connect Italy's most popular cities. You can travel from Rome to Milan in 3 hours 30 minutes, while Milan to Venice takes only 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Seat reservation for Eurostar Italia trains is compulsory. Reservation fees for InterRail Pass holders:
- 2nd class: € 10
- 1st class: € 10 (including snack and drink)
ICE
ICE trains connect all major German cities at fast speeds. You can travel from Hamburg to Berlin in 1 hour and 40 minutes. International ICE trains connect Germany with neighbouring countries like Austria, France and the Benelux.
Seat reservation of ICE trains is possible but not compulsory*. We advise you to make seat reservations on long-distance journeys, especially on Fridays and Sundays. Reservation fees for InterRail Pass holders:
- 2nd class: € 4,50
- 1st class: € 5,50
* Reservation is compulsory for the international ICE from Frankfurt to Paris and for ICE Sprinter trains.
Railjet (Germany, Austria, Hungary)
Railjet is a high-speed train run by ÖBB between Austria, Germany and Hungary.
There are direct Railjet connections between:
- Vienna (Austria) - Budapest (Hungary) in only 3 hours
- Munich (Germany) - Vienna (Austria) - Budapest (Hungary) in 6.5 hours
InterRail pass holders are entitled to travel by Railjet. Reservation of a seat is not required, but is possible at an additional fee of €3.50. A 2ndclass InterRail pass is valid in Economy Class and a 1stclass pass is valid in First Class. 1st class Pass holders can travel in Premium Class for an additional fee of €25, which includes a reserved seat. You can make reservations in advance at larger stations, or on the train itself if there are seats left. More information on the Railjet website.
TGV
TGV trains operate all over France, with various connections to neighbouring countries. You can travel from Paris to Lyon in less than 2 hours. Paris to Cannes takes about 5 hours.
Seat reservation for TGV trains is compulsory. Reservation fees for InterRail Pass holders:
- 2nd class: € 6* / € 18
- 1st class: € 6* / € 18
* There is a limited number of seats reserved for InterRailers at the € 6 fare. If they are fully booked, you can travel at the 18 € peak price, which you can only book locally last-minute.
Thalys
The fast and comfortable Thalys trains connect France with Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. From Paris you can travel to cities like Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne.
Seat reservation for Thalys trains is compulsory. The reservation fees for InterRail Pass holders depend on the route you take and the type of Pass you have. Check fare details at the Thalys website.
