1. Once I have my inter-rail pass do I have to book a train ticket in advance or can I just turn up at the time of departure?
In some cases its possible to just turn up and get on the train however recently many routes have made it compulsory to make reservations. Such routes include prestige, cross border and overnight trains. It is always a good idea to make reservations during peak seasons.

2. How long can I stay in a country for, without using any trains, once I’ve purchased an inter-rail pass?
Once you have the pass you can stay in and travel around that country until the validity of the pass expires.

3. Does my inter-rail pass enable me to go to Morocco?
The inter-rail pass does not cover free ferry crossings between Spain and Morocco but discounts of up to 30% are offered by some operators.

4. What discount do I get with my interrail pass for the ferry crossing between Italy and Greece and how do I book a ferry ticket?
If you have a zone G pass then you can get free DECK transportation on the EA/HML ferry between Brindisi (Italy) and Patras (Greece) which goes via Corfu & Igoumenitsa. You are liable for port dues, potential accommodation upgrades and high or shoulder season surcharges.
To book, you just go to the departure port and show your interrail ticket. Some ferry operators might be able to book for you over the phone but you will have to call their port office. For more discounts click here.

5. Is it possible to buy different passes for different zones at the same time?
It is possible to buy the global pass, which covers all 8 zones, (except for your country of residence) which is the best option if you are planning to cover a variety of countries. The global pass lasts for 1 month.

6. Is it true that even once you have purchased an inter-rail pass some trains make you pay extra to use them?
This tends to be true on some of the high-speed services but if you are on a strict budget it is very likely that there will be slower trains taking the same route, which you would not have to pay additional costs for.

7. Is it true that with the pass I can get Euro star discounts as well?
Yes, with any type of inter-rail pass, it is possible to get a one-way trip to Paris or Brussels for £50 or £100 for a return trip. This offer is only available during the period of validity of your pass.

8. To what extent do the staff speak English and how easy will it be for me to communicate with them?
As a general rule, The Northern countries of Europe tend to be better at speaking English then the Southern countries.

9. Is it possible to travel with my bike?
Only bikes that fold up and can fit into a bag can be brought onto the train and easily stowed away. Regular non-folding bikes tend to be disallowed on the vast majority of trains but some off-peak services will allow them on.

10. How safe is it to travel alone?
If you travel in the summer you will always find other people inter-railing around Europe and lots of the time you will end up traveling to different countries together. This is especially good if you don’t want to be walking around foreign cities on your own. It is also advised that you check out government websites of cities that you have any doubts about visiting to see if they are advising people to avoid them or not.