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The Ultimate Guide to Youth and Student Discounts on Rail Passes and Train Tickets in Europe

Ultimate Guide to Youth & Student Discounts on Rail Passes & Train Tickets in Europe

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.
I’ve simplified the process for you by compiling ways to get affordable European train travel in selected countries with student and youth rail passes and discount cards.

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 fantastic deals. Please, take note:

25% OFF Interrail Global Pass

  • 25% OFF students & young people (27 years & under)
  • Buy now & travel up to 11 months later
  • Unlimited train travel throughout Europe
    Hurry offer ends soon!
    25% OFF Interrail Passes >>

25% OFF Eurail Global Pass

  • 25% OFF students & young people (27 years & under)
  • Buy now & travel up to 11 months later
  • Unlimited train travel in Europe
  • Hurry offer ends soon!

25% OFF Eurail Global Pass >>

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, which gives a 1/3 OFF discount on rail travel.

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

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

Young people and students in Italy get discounts on Interrail and Eurail train passes and cheaper rail tickets with a Green Card (Carta Verde)

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 year or more, 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:

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:

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:

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

Young people and students in Spain get discounts on Interrail train passes and cheaper rail tickets with Renfe Youth Card ( which includes a Carné Joven, European Youth Card and IYTC) and +Renfe Joven 50 Card

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:

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:

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:

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:

All of these card quality for these 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.

Students and young people get discounts on Interrail and Eurail train passes and cheaper rail tickets with Benelux Youth Tickets in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King

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

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:

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:

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:

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

Students and young people get discounts on Interrail and France Rail Pass train passes and cheaper rail tickets with an SNCF Youth Card (Carte Jeune) in France – Image credit: ironypoisoning

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:

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.

Unfortunately, the France Rail Pass is longer available. I recommend the Eurail 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:

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

Students and young people get discounts on Interrail, and German Rail Pass train passes and cheaper rail tickets with a BahnCard 25 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:

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.

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:

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.

Image credit: ironypoisoning,

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