DIY: How to set up an Interrail pass

Once you’ve booked your Interrail pass and all your seat reservations, you can begin setting up your pass. For digital passes, this involves searching and saving all the individual train journeys onto the Interrail Rail Planner app. You can do this well in advance of your trip, but you should not activate it before you begin your trip. Interrail also offers a paper pass for an additional fee.

If you book with Byway, we handle all of the complexity behind the scenes, so you can leave the logistics to us and enjoy a seamless journey. All Byway travellers are also invited to our Interrail pass workshop. But if you're planning your own DIY adventure, our guide will help you set up your Interrail pass.

Interrail

What is Interrail? What is Eurail?

As of September 2026, Eurail and Interrail have merged into a single brand: Interrail. The Eurail name has been retired, and the pass is now sold as Interrail everywhere, regardless of where the traveller lives.

Previously, the two passes were the same product sold under two different names. Interrail was for UK and European residents, while Eurail was for residents of countries outside Europe and the UK. If you bought a Eurail pass before the switch, nothing about your trip changes. Your pass, bookings, and account carry over as normal, just under the Interrail name.

Both versions have always run through the same app, now simply called the Interrail Rail Planner. The setup, terminology, and day-to-day use remain identical. The merger is a branding change, not a change to how the pass works.

Interrail terminology

‘Trip’

‘Trip’ refers to your entire holiday. In the Rail Planner app, you’ll need to create a new ‘trip’, where you’ll add your train ‘journeys’ for each day. Each traveller will need to create their own ‘trip’ - but these can be set up on one device and shared.

‘Journeys’

‘Journeys’ are the individual trains you’ll take as part of your ‘trip’. Once you’ve set up your ‘trip’ in the app, you’ll be able to add each individual train journey you plan on taking. 

‘Travel days’

'Travel Days' are the days you’ll be travelling on your pass for your ‘trip’ (for example, 4 days, 5 days, 7 days, etc.). 

Interrail Mobile vs Paper Pass

Interrail also offers a paper pass, which can be posted to you (at a £30 admin cost), and must be carried while travelling. Choosing between a digital Interrail mobile pass and a traditional paper pass comes down to a choice between flexibility and physical reliability. Mobile passes are generally a more reliable option, with increased flexibility and protection against loss.

Mobile Pass:

• Pros: paperless and easy to manage; flexible start date in case your plans change; free replacement if phone is lost/damaged/stolen; if you face travel disruption, you can easily change trains. 

• Cons: requires smartphone, app, and internet access at times; dependent on phone battery; Interrail Rail Planner app can be challenging to navigate at first; time needed to manually add your journeys.

Paper Pass: 

• Pros: no reliance on technology; tangible document—ideal for those who prefer physical tickets.

• Cons: must be carried throughout your journey; takes time to fill out by hand; fixed start date with fees to change; no free replacement from Interrail for lost or stolen passes; £34.50 admin and postage fee.

How to use the Interrail app

Setting up your digital pass involves linking it to a new "Trip" in the Rail Planner app and saving your planned train times well before departure. Once on your journey, simply toggle each train journey on to generate a daily ticket QR code for station barriers and ticket inspectors.

Before travelling

1. Download the Interrail Rail Planner app from the app store

2. Add your pass to the app and create a new ‘trip’

3. Manually add your ‘journeys’ by searching for the trains and times you plan on taking

4. Activate your Interrail pass a day or two before you travel, then it’s ready to use!

While travelling

1. Activate each ‘journey’ just before boarding

2. Scan the ‘journey’ QR code at the ticket gates to board

3. Show your ‘journey’ QR code and any seat reservations to the ticket inspector on the train

If you book with Byway, you’ll have access to our online Interrail pass workshop, with live Q&A from our experts. On your journey, you’ll also have access to our on-demand support team who can assist you with any issues. 

Read the DIY slow travel blog series

This guide covers one part of planning a flight-free trip. Here's the rest of the series:

• Six steps to DIY slow travel

• Plot your route

• Plan your tickets

• Book your Interrail pass

• Book your tickets

• Book your accommodation

Or, if you'd rather leave the logistics to the experts, book with Byway and we’ll handle everything for you. Each booking includes all transport, hotels and personal trip guide, all wrapped up with ABTA-protection, free disruption replanning and in-trip support from our experts while you’re away. 

You can watch the video tutorial 'How to use the Interrail Rail Planner app' here, or sign up below for our full DIY video course delivered straight into your inbox.