Australia remains Eurail’s second-largest market globally. Meanwhile, new European night trains are on the way, and a 15 per cent off sale runs until 31 March.
More than 52,000 Australians traversed Europe by rail with a Eurail Pass in 2025, according to data released by the company, with Australia remaining Eurail’s second-largest market globally behind the United States. A further 6,000-plus New Zealanders also used Eurail Passes during the period.
The figure represents a slight dip from the 57,000-plus Australian passholders Eurail reported for 2024, with Eurail’s own Senior Research Analyst Jody Bauer acknowledging “ongoing cost-of-living pressures” in her analysis of the 2025 data.
Who’s driving the numbers?
Youth travellers aged 12 to 27 accounted for 40 per cent of all Australian Eurail passholders in 2025, according to Bauer, up from 32 per cent in 2019, pre-COVID.
That eight-percentage-point jump makes Youth the largest single demographic segment. Adults aged 28 to 59 made up 38 per cent, Seniors (60-plus) 19 per cent, and Children (4 to 11) four per cent.
“Australians remain hugely important travellers for Eurail,” Bauer said. “Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures at home, Australian Youth travellers led the way, accounting for 40% of all Australian Passholders last year.”
Discounted pricing for Youth, Senior and Child passes, along with free travel for children under four, appears to be a draw. The most popular pass category among Australians in 2025 was the 10 Days within 2 Months Global Pass, which Bauer said reflects Australian travellers’ “longer length of stay and their curiosity to explore different parts of the continent.”
Where are Aussie Eurail passholders heading?
According to Eurail’s data, the most popular city destinations visited by Australian passholders in 2025 were Milan, Zurich, Rome, Florence and Amsterdam, while the most visited countries were Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.
That aligns with recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing a surge in Australians travelling to Portugal, France and Spain in 2025 compared to the previous year, with travel to the UK and Italy continuing to lead. All five countries sit within Eurail’s 33-country pass network.
What new routes have joined the network?
Eurail, now in its 67th year, has added several new connections to its pass network. A direct rail link between Riga in Latvia and Tallinn in Estonia opened on 12 January 2026, eliminating the previous requirement to transfer in Valga. Cross-border services between Poland and the Baltics have also improved following new line openings to Poznan and Szczecin in Poland.
In Austria, the opening of the Koralm railway line in December 2025 has reshaped rail travel across Austria, north-eastern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The company says this has enabled ÖBB/HZPP to reinstate direct trains between Munich and Zagreb via Vienna, as well as a new direct Railjet service from Vienna to Trieste.
What about night trains?
European Sleeper, which joined the Eurail network in 2023, will launch a Paris to Berlin night train from 26 March 2026, stopping at Brussels and Aachen. A Brussels to Milan service follows from 9 September 2026, with an Amsterdam to Milan route expected in 2027.
Meanwhile, Czech operator Leo Express has launched direct services from Prague to Warsaw as of 1 March 2026, with Prague to Bratislava following from 30 April. Czech and Danish national railways will also commence direct Comfortjet services between Prague and Copenhagen from mid-year, according to Eurail.
How can advisors access the 15 per cent off sale?
Eurail is offering 15 per cent off all Global Passes and One Country Passes in both first and second class from Tuesday, 11 March until Tuesday, 31 March 2026. Additional discounts apply for Youth and Senior travellers, and up to two children aged 4 to 11 can travel free. Purchasers have an 11-month window from the date of issue to activate their pass.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The Youth segment’s growing share of Eurail sales is a signal for advisors working with gap year, university-age and young professional clients. With 15 per cent off until 31 March and an 11-month activation window, the current sale is a practical hook for European summer planning conversations.
