Interrail and night trains: how to combine them

What the pass covers

Your Interrail or Eurail pass covers transport, but not the compulsory couchette or sleeper reservation. That supplement is separate, usually 20 to 100 euro per night.

Seats in night trains sometimes carry a lower supplement, but reservation remains mandatory on international night services.

The night train travel-day rule

If your night train departs after 19:00 and runs past midnight, Interrail only requires the departure day as a travel day, provided you end the journey at the first destination after midnight.

That makes night trains efficient with a limited-day pass: you cover a long distance for a single travel day.

Book reservations early

Berth supplements are capped in number and sell out in summer. Book as soon as sales open, via the operator or the Interrail reservation service.

Without a reservation you may not board a couchette or sleeper — a pass alone is not enough.

Smart routes from the Low Countries

Brussels or Amsterdam to Berlin or Prague with European Sleeper, then Prague–Vienna or Berlin–Zurich with Nightjet, gives a tight loop with few daytime trains.

Plan at least one rest day after two consecutive nights on board; most travellers sleep poorly on the second night.

Frequently asked questions