History of InterRail
2007
The InterRail Online Sales channel is part of the Eurail.Com company. Eurail.Com B.V. is located in Utrecht, the Netherlands. We distribute Eurail and InterRail Passes on a global scale.
Eurail.Com B.V. is owned by the Eurail Group G.I.E., a company which manages the InterRail and Eurail products on behalf of 26 European Railways.
2005
The InterRail Community welcomes a new participating country in zone D: Bosnia-Herzgovina! Now the InterRail Community includes 30 countries.
2001
The InterRail Community creates its own website to provide quick and easy access to up-to-date information on InterRail.
1998
The InterRail offer is extended to people over 26: now there is no more age limit on InterRail.
Three price levels are introduced:
- for young people under 26;
- for people over 26;
- for children under 12.
The participating countries in Eastern Europe are now grouped in 2 zones:
Zone D : Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia.
Zone H : Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia.
1994
A new InterRail offer is born with the creation of different zones. Seven zones are introduced:
Zone A : Great-Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland.
Zone B : Sweden, Norway, Finland.
Zone C : Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria.
Zone D: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia
Zone E : France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg.
Zone F : Spain, Portugal, Morocco.
Zone G : Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and shipping services between Italy and Greece.
There are two periods of validity:
- 15 days for the one zone pass;
- One month for the 2 zones pass, 3 zones pass or Global Pass.
Also in 1994 InterRail initiates the creation of the Solidarity Fund for Youth Mobility by the International Union of Railways and the Council of Europe. With one euro donated from each InterRail Youth card, this Fund encourages the mobility of disadvantaged young people in Europe.
1990 / 1991
After the fall of the iron curtain, the InterRail Community expands with new participating countries. InterRail now allows thousands of young people to experience the Central and Eastern European countries.
1985
The ‘InterRail + ferry’ offer is created to enhance the InterRail pass. This offer gives access to a selection of ferry companies.
1979
Travellers up to 26 years old are allowed to buy and use InterRail.
1976
The age limit of the pass is extended from 21 to 23 years old. More people can take advantage of InterRail.
1972
At the 50th anniversary of the International Railway Union InterRail is created as a rail pass for travelling in 2nd class for one month in 21 countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, West-Germany and East-Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia.
InterRail is dedicated to young people up to 21 years of age. It allows unlimited travel abroad and 50% reduction is given on journeys with the issuing railway network. From the beginning, InterRail is conceived to allow young people to travel freely at very advantageous prices.
With InterRail a new way to experience Europe is born.
