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Is there any way we can go in the summer of 2027?

Available travel period for 2025-2nd round winners is between 1st March 2026 to 31st May 2027 (being the latest possible end date of the travel).

When will be the final booking date? If I am planning to go visit a country in December, should I apply now or later on? / Are the dates we choose by the March deadline fixed? or can they be changed or altered as we go along? /

If you don't "activate" your pass by March 15th, you might lose it. Activating your pass doesn't mean you have to start travelling by 15th March, you can schedule for later on (and if your plans change, you can revise it).

As long as the travel period has not started, you can easily reschedule the 1-month validity period in the DiscoverEU Travel App. It is advised to set a reminder sometime before the start of the selected travel period, so that it can be adjusted in case plans change. But this is for trains, if your flights aren't already booked.

Do we have to keep to a fixed schedule, or can we change train times whilst abroad?/ What happens if someone is unable to make it, can we change the dates? How does the travel card work?

You can cancel any train booked 24 hours before your trip starts. For more information and a step-by-step video, please refer to the "Mobile app" section :)

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Do not forget to activate your Interrail Pass by August 31, 2026; otherwise, you might lose it!

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Do not forget to activate your Interrail Pass by August 31, 2026; otherwise, you might lose it!

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Your travel period does not need to start on August 31, but can be scheduled to start anytime between 1 July 2026 (first possible start date) and 30 September 2027 (last possible return date), while 31 August 2027 being the latest possible start date.

Not sure when to travel yet?

As long as the travel period has not started, participants can easily reschedule the 1-month validity period in the DiscoverEU Travel App. It is advised to set a reminder sometime before the start of the selected travel period, so that it can be adjusted in case plans change.

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https://helpcentre.start-discover.eu/hc/en-gb/categories/5768640549393-Booking-process

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An image related to travel booking procedure and/or ID verification

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hello@start-discover.eu

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You have 7 travel days out of 30 days. You can book your ticket for each travel day between 00:00 and 23:59.

For the night trains, only the departure date will count as a travel day.

Your destination does not require you to proceed from A to B and B to C. This means, if you prefer, you can cover the cost of short destinations between the long distances, which will allow you to use your travel pass more.

You can use as many trains within the same travel day.

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Once you start travelling with your Pass, the Interrail system will need to verify your mobile Pass at least once every 3 days to ensure its validity and prevent fraud.

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The application round is currently closed. There are two applications rounds per year, one in spring and one in autumn. Keep an eye on this space so you can apply in the next round!

Are you 18 years old and a resident of one of the EU Member States or third countries associated to Erasmus+? Get ready to explore Europe!

What is DiscoverEU?

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ programme that offers you the opportunity to explore Europe's diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent.

You will be offered a travel pass and travel predominantly by rail. Check out the rules for people living on islands or in remote areas.

As a selected traveller, you will receive a DiscoverEU European Youth Card for a wealth of discounts on cultural visits, learning activities, sports, local transportation, accommodation, and food.

How does it work?

To be eligible, you need to:

be 18 years old on the first day of the travel period;

complete the correct identity card (ID), passport or residence card number on the online application form;

be citizen or resident* of one of the following countries:

one of the Member States of the European Union including Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), or

one of the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye.

* For more information see the Rules section "2. Eligible applicants"

Then you will need to participate in a quiz (unless you apply as a group member).

If you have a disability or a health problem that makes your travel challenging, you will receive assistance and support. Check our C.13 to know more.

Can I travel with my friends?

Yes, you can! You can go solo or add up to 4 friends in your group provided they meet the eligibility conditions above. They will use your application code to submit their own application. Check out our B.5 to B.11 to know more.

You can also combine travel plans with other DiscoverEU travellers! TheDiscoverEU Facebook Groupis a good platform to do this. Join the Group now to chat with other participants.

Once you are selected, the Erasmus+ National Agencies will help you connect and learn, with the organisation of pre-departure meetings and travellers Meet-ups.

Share experiences

Selected participants automatically become DiscoverEU Ambassadors. As an ambassador,we will invite you to share your travel experiences on social media using #DiscoverEU. You may even decide to give a presentation at your school or local community.

I want to know more!

Interested in the previous application rounds? Check the DiscoverEU factsheets to read more about the action and the experiences of some of our young DiscoverEU travellers.

Europe is at your feet. Take the first step.
Inspiring TedX video from Vincent-Immanuel Herr

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The application round is currently closed. There are two applications rounds per year, one in spring and one in autumn. Keep an eye on this space so you can apply in the next round!Are you 18 years old and a resident of one of the EU Member States or third countries associated to Erasmus+?

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Help Center to Submit Any Query / Request

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Help Center to Submit Any Query / Request

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Submit a request – DiscoverEU Help Centre

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DiscoverEU Official has 36,303 members. Welcome to DiscoverEU, a community of young travellers aged 18 years old focused on preparing their travel journeys, sharing their stories while or after...

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Use "Planner" to look up train routes and time schedules.

You can use the button "Options" to filter (ex., direct routes, trains that do not require seat reservations, etc.).

When you find the train you would like to use, click "Save Journey" and add it to "My Trips".

All journeys need to be visible under the "my trips" section.

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Save all your trips to "My Trip".

Use the Pass symbol to register for your travel pass.

The journey will be visible on the day of travel.

Create a day ticket, which the pullman porter is going to ask for.

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You will find the available journeys that you have already saved in this section.

If your travel pass is activated, you can book the ticket by sliding the QR code sign. Once purchased, you will see a QR code under the section "My Pass".

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Go to "My Pass" and click on your first day's journey. Click "cancel travel day" and your pass will be deactivated.

Then, you can reactivate your travel pass.

! You can modify your first travel day a maximum of 24 hours earlier than the train hour !

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Trains which are not visible through the App

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Trains which are not visible through the App

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You can use the section "Travel Guides" under the "More" button. Or you can check the website of Interrail.

Choose the "Add the journey manually" section under Planner and fill out the form. Following that, it will appear under the My Trip section, and you need to activate it just like other trains.

Some countries are not in the Planner: Turkiye, Spain Estonia, Lithuania, and some Eastern European countries.

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Travel Documents & Insurance – DiscoverEU Help Centre

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Deutsch Español Français Italiano Nederlands Polski

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Go to "Planner" and find the train that you would like to use. Click the option "Save Journey to Your Trip" for the preferred train. Then you will find it in the "My Trip" section.

If you are sure that you would like to use that train, you need to add it to your Pass from "My Trip". To do so, slide the button near the journey, and you will see a QR code under the "My Pass" section. All activated journeys will be subject to that QR code, and this QR code will be your ticket for that day.

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You can use this link to plan; however, always book your trains from the DiscoverEU App!

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Show the QR code you created on that travel day. You will find your QR code under the My Pass section.

Prepare your ID or Passport in case the pullman porter might ask for verification.

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A platform ticket controller is checking the tickets of a group of young people on the train in Europe. Young people are travelling with backpacks and there is a friendly environment

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Travel disruptions in Europe (to check before & while travelling)

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Travel disruptions in Europe (to check before & while travelling)

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If you enabled service notifications on your DiscoverEU Travel App, you will receive a push notification whenever we hear of a major strike on the European rail network. You can then check the website of the railway company, to see if (and how) your journey is affected. This should hopefully allow you some time to explore your options, and adjust your travel plans accordingly.

Unfortunately, railway companies are generally exempt from any impact of strikes. Therefore, if you get stuck somewhere because of a strike, you will have to pay for any costs that arise from this yourself. If you have travel insurance, though, you could file a claim with them to cover these costs.

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It's important to know if there are disruptions or planned works on the tracks and stations that may affect your travel plans. Some railway companies offer dedicated pages with updates and detailed maps. Below you can find the details, per country. A few railway companies only offer this information in their own language. We've also included those links, as you may want to use a translation plugin to read the updates.

We do our best to keep the information on this page accurate and up-to-date. However, we cannot influence train disruptions or strikes, and there are occasions when a trade union cancels a planned strike action at the last minute without our knowledge.

Please take into account the travel restrictions being applied in some countries in Europe. Follow the updates regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects on train travel on this page.

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It's important to know if there are disruptions or planned works on the tracks and stations that may affect your travel plans. Some railway companies offer dedicated pages with updates and detailed maps. Below you can find the details, per country. A few railway companies only offer this information in their own language.

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Flexible travel in Europe

With an Interrail Global Pass you can travel between all these cheap destinations, even at the last minute. If one place doesn't take your fancy, our unique Pass makes it easy to go somewhere else without spending more cash.

When it comes to flexibility, Interrail makes finding cheap destinations easy and adventurous!

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With an Interrail Global Pass you can travel between all these cheap destinations, even at the last minute. If one place doesn't take your fancy, our unique Pass makes it easy to go somewhere else without spending more cash. When it comes to flexibility, Interrail makes finding cheap destinations easy and adventurous!

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A guide to exploring upcoming activities country by country

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A guide to exploring upcoming activities country by country

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1. Exploe France: https://www.france.fr/en/

2. Explore Austria: https://www.austria.info/en

3. Explore Belgium: https://www.belgium.be

4. Explore Bulgaria: https://bulgariatravel.org

5. Explore Croatia: https://croatia.hr/en-gb

6. Explore Czechia: https://www.visitczechrepublic.com

7. Explore Denmark: https://www.visitdenmark.com

8. Explore Estonia: https://www.visitestonia.com

9. Explore Finland: https://www.visitfinland.com

10. Explore Germany: https://www.germany.travel/en/

11. Explore Greece: https://www.visitgreece.gr/en

12. Explore Hungary: https://visithungary.com/

13. Explore Ireland: https://www.ireland.com/en/

14. Explore Italy: https://www.italia.it/en

15. Explore Latvia: https://www.latvia.travel/en

16. Explore Lithuania: https://www.lithuania.travel/en/?lang=en

17. Explore Luxemburg: https://www.visitluxembourg.com/ 18. Explore Netherlands: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism.htm

19. Explore Poland: https://www.poland.travel/en

20. Explore Portugal: https://www.visitportugal.com/en

21. Explore Romania: http://romaniatourism.com/index.html 22. Explore Slovakia: https://slovakia.travel/en/

23. Explore Slovenia: https://www.slovenia.info/en

24. Explore Spain: https://www.spain.info/en/

25. Explore Sweden: https://visitsweden.com/

26. Explore Turkiye https://padlet.com/ulusalajans/discovereu-travelling-to-t-rkiye-7scc3i85jniwf58z

27. Explore Norway: https://www.visitnorway.com/

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What you need to know for your DiscoverEU travel before you pack!

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What you need to know for your DiscoverEU travel before you pack!

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Europe is packed with people to meet, culture to experience, languages to learn and history to discover. To help you get started, we're sharing accessible travel tips and practical advice, which will help you on the way.
Before you travel

Reduce the chance of surprises! Try to book your trip in advance so you have time to research accessibility in and around the place you want to visit.

The more organised and prepared you are for your trip, the less stressful it will be because you'll know what to expect. Have a plan be ready just in case.

Must know-s for your trip

Make sure you keep your belongings safe and know your passenger rights.

Look after yourself, bring your European Health Insurance Card.

Act sustainable, buy a reusable water bottle to avoid excessive waste.

Take your time, don't rush everywhere and keep track of your spending.

And of course, trust yourself, you know more than you think. Meet local people and learn more about their culture, try new food and wander off the beaten track, you never know what you might discover!

Keep it safe

Preparation is key to minimizing risk. Make sure that you research your destinations well, book all your accommodation in advance and keep spare, printed copies of all reservations and other important documents just in case. You should also keep your family and friends informed about your full itinerary so they know where you are at all times. If possible, it's best to travel within a group of people that you know and trust so that you can look out for each other. Don't forget to pack a first aid kit too! Most importantly, pay attention to your surroundings and use your judgment when it comes to anything suspicious.

Your documents and checklist

It may not be the most exciting part of the trip, but the paperwork is one of the most important aspects. Make sure you don't leave any crucial documents at home by ticking them off on our document checklist! Also do not forget to check the A-Z of preparing for DiscoverEU.

Let's go! Adventure awaits!

DiscoverEU is all about embracing new countries and cultures, stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. So why not put yourself to test the steady noise of the wheels on the track, the irresistible charm that comes from sitting next to the window thinking about the mysteries of Universe, the satisfaction of being able to read without getting dizzy?

And you know what they say, the journey itself is the destination, so why not discover Europe passing through some of the most amazing train routes?

Travel info pack at your disposal:
a) A guide to the rules / specifications of DiscoverEU in the form of infographics b) Things to see and do while travelling
Guide to provide inspiration for travellers on where to go and what to do like off the beaten path, off-season travel, virtual culture, train trails, etc.
c) Travel hacks d) Points of reference e) Safety FAQ f) How to prepare

A guide with a check-list of things to prepare from A-Z for DiscoverEU
g) Next steps

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What you need to know for your DiscoverEU travel before you pack! | European Youth Portal

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Europe is packed with people to meet, culture to experience, languages to learn and history to discover. To help you get started, we're sharing accessible travel tips and practical advice, which will help you on the way. Reduce the chance of surprises!

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Do not share the photo of your boarding pass on your social media accounts.

Do not share your route on social media.

Do not share your passport information on social media.

Always keep your family and friends updated about your route and the places where you will stay.

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Young people are seeing their phone. The content is using social media safely

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Some other travelling apps that you can compare and try to find the best fares

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Some other travelling apps that you can compare and try to find the best fares

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OMIO

BOOKING

IDOS

INFO TRAIN

REGIOJET

LEO EXPRESS

WIZZ AIR

RYAN AIR

SKYSCANNER

FLIXBUS

BlaBlaBus

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Travelling young people with a backpack. Some transportation icons such as bus, train and an airplane

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Some apps / website to search accomodation

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Some apps / website to search accomodation

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BOOKING

HOSTELWORLD

HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL - https://hihostels.com/

A&O

AIRBNB

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A youth hostel where there are bunk beds. A group of young people are laughing while some are listening music or sleeping

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Lidl

Tesco

Aldi

Eurospin

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Map of DiscoverEU Meet-ups all around Europe

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Map of DiscoverEU Meet-ups all around Europe

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DiscoverEU Meet ups | European Youth Portal

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European Youth Card (EYCA) - Discounts and Benefits

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European Youth Card (EYCA) - Discounts and Benefits

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One man's trash is another man's treasure

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One man's trash is another man's treasure

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As we announced during our pre-departure meeting, we invite you for a challenge!

So the rules are easy:

Get a roll of toilet paper and exchange it for something else!

You can keep exchanging the new object.

You are required to film your exchanges, so we will be watching these fun moments together during the post-travel meeting.

The winner will be who exchanged the toilet paper roll with the most unique or interesting object (or service ;) )

We have a great surprise prize for the winner ✈️

Apart from the toilet paper challenge, we will be announcing some questions before the meeting such as the most unusual place you slept during your travel, the most funny travel memory, the most interesting person you met, etc. For more prizes....

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Can we get ferries to countries not in EU mainland?

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Can we get ferries to countries not in EU mainland?

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With your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, you can benefit from discounts on different ferry lines. A few are even included (almost) entirely.

Some examples of Interrail Global Passes include ferry crossings from Patras and Igoumenitsa (Greece) to Venice, Ancona and Bari (Italy), which are operated by Superfast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries (fuel surcharges, port taxes, high season supplements as well as cabin accommodation are not included in your Pass)

The way to book tickets for the ferry depends per route and operating company. Some can be purchased online, while others will require a booking by telephone, e-mail, or in-person at a ticket desk. It can also happen that the ferry company requests you to purchase a ticket at the full price, after which they will reimburse the discount back to your bank account.

You can find detailed information on making ferry reservations on the Interrail website. Each ferry route is highlighted, as well as their discount rate and booking procedure. It is not yet possible to book ferries directly in the DiscoverEU Travel App, so seat reservation credits cannot be used in making reservations for these connections.

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Add some extra adventure to your trip with a ferry crossing! Read about ferries in Europe that are discounted or free with your Interrail Pass.

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Can we go to non-EU countries in Europe (Switzerland, UK, etc.)?

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Can we go to non-EU countries in Europe (Switzerland, UK, etc.)?

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The Interrail Global Pass is valid in all of the countries coloured on the above map.

The schedules of all trains in the blue-coloured countries can be found in your Planner. This means that you can easily plan your trip within, and between these countries using the DiscoverEU Travel App. For more information on how to get started, check out this article.

Your Pass is also valid in the pink-coloured countries. These countries are not incorporated in the Planner of the DiscoverEU app, so you will have to pay a bit more attention when planning your trip here. We have compiled a very useful guide for travelling to these countries, which can be found here.

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Can I travel in summer 2026, even I will be 19 y.o by then?

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Can I travel in summer 2026, even I will be 19 y.o by then?

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For 2025 pass winners, you can schedule your trip anytime between 1 July 2025 (first possible start date) and 30 September 2026 (last possible return date). Your age is not important :)

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While we hope this won't happen to you, it is, of course, possible that you might experience this, even due to a disruption or strike. When this happens, it's good to know which steps you need to take! Therefore, here are some tips and tricks to help you manage when things don't go according to plan.

What if a train delay causes me to miss my connection?

If your original itinerary is no longer possible due to a delay, there are two things you need to do first. You need to gather some evidence of your delay (e.g. picture of the departure board, or a written delay confirmation from the railway company), and you should speak to staff of the railway company. You can ask the conductor if you're still onboard for a delay statement, and/ or go to the ticket office once your train has arrived. They can often provide you with a solution, such as rebooking you on the next available train to reach your destination.

Being a FLEX traveller: you can check the DiscoverEU Travel App for your next available connection to your final destination. If you need a new seat reservation, please speak to railway staff for assistance. They might be able to provide assistance on the spot to rebook you, or offer you other solutions in case your trip is no longer possible.
If you cannot make it to your final destination anymore due to the delay, then speak to the staff of the railway company!  Note that the passenger rights policy of the FLEX Pass applies, so the railway company might not be able to re-arrange your trip all the way to your final destination. It is always worth asking though, as many train companies will still try to arrange your onward journey for you, even if they're not required to.

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Can I travel to other countries not reachable by train (like Cyprus, Iceland)?

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Can I travel to other countries not reachable by train (like Cyprus, Iceland)?

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Cyprus, Iceland and Ireland are part of the DiscoverEU programme but not reachable by train. This is why DiscoverEU offers flights to these destinations in addition to your Flex Pass. However, places are limited and booked on the “first come, first served” basis.

If you wish to visit one of these countries, you can send your flight itinerary via the Submit a request page of the Help Centre (select "travel booking" in the first field).

Keep in mind that to ensure booking your flight on time, you need to send your itinerary at least 3 weeks before your departure.

Kindly note that once the flight tickets have been booked, they are non-refundable and non-modifiable, it is therefore important to make sure you have planned your final itinerary before requesting flights.

Note: DiscoverEU is a rail-based initiative that offers the opportunity to visit EU countries by train. Flights to Malta, Cyprus, Ireland and Iceland allow travellers to visit one of these insular countries because it is not possible to do so by train. Flight tickets are not a substitute for the DiscoverEU Pass, they are additional to the Pass.

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Does the day you take the flight count as a travel day? & Do bus trips count as travel days? 

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Does the day you take the flight count as a travel day? & Do bus trips count as travel days? 

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Flight tickets are not included in your Travel Days

The additional flight tickets provided to all the travellers living on island countries or travellers wishing to visit the island countries are not counted in the 7 travel days. However, this additional tickets need to fall within the one-month validity period of the DiscoverEU travel.

And no, if you opt to pay additional bus trip for any reason, it will not count as travel days.

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Choosing travel destinations is easy, but when it comes to budgeting, this can be overwhelming for most of us. Here are some key ways to save money while travelling and make the most out of your journey!

1. Look for free tours!

If you want to learn about the city and explore its sights, get a free walking tour! You can easily find such tours in most of the major cities in Europe. You can ask the local people, go to a local tourist office, or just do a search “free walking tour in…” in Google and you will definitely find one! Do note that a tip is expected by the end of this type of tour, though it's up to you how much you're willing to give.

2. Book attraction tickets in advance

It is very important to research and book popular attraction tickets in advance, for the simple reason that online booking often offers various discounts, whether for specific dates, groups, students, or for different offers such as 2 for 1 etc. Always take some time in advance to do this research! Some attractions even have free entrance on specific days. For example:

Paris: Free museum entry on the first Sunday of each month: The Louvre, Musée Rodin, Musée Picasso, Musée d'Orsay and others.
Always free: National museums (such as the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, etc.) are free for all persons under 26 from the European Union: proof of identity is required (passport or EU identity card).

Brussels: The first Wednesday or Wednesday afternoon of the month, museums are free to visit. Visit brusselsmuseum.be for more information.

Italy: In Italy, state-owned museums, archaeological parks, and cultural sites offer free admission on the first Sunday of each month, from October to March. (while for the Vatican Museum is the last Sunday of each month).

3. Use your European Youth Card

The European Youth Card can provide you many benefits, such as discounts on museum tickets, transport tickets, food and beverages and much more! Find your card in the Discover EU Travel App, and explore the instant discounts here!

4. Use the benefits of your Interrail Pass

During the validity of your Pass, you can make use of the Pass Benefits. You can get discounts on fun activities, city tours, hostels and public transport, among many other things.
You can search for the benefits per country on this page.

5. Find cheap accommodation

Choosing to stay in hostels is one way of getting good value for money! Airbnb is also a great choice for budget travellers, as you can take advantage of the price range feature and choose whether to rent a couch, a room or a flat. What’s more, you get a discount if you are a first time user, or anytime you invite a friend to join the Airbnb community! You can also try Couch-surfing, where your stay with the host is free and you meet some nice locals!

6. Find out the cheapest way of transport

You can save even more money by choosing the cheapest way of transport. Of course, walking is the best one as it costs nothing, and you can properly experience the local atmosphere. However, when this is not an appropriate option, the best way is to look at the discounted bus and train tickets offered. For example, you can get a daily or weekly ticket, which could turn out cheaper than buying single tickets. Another option that you could look at is whether there are discounts for travelling during non-peak hours, which is the case in many big cities. Have a look whether there are bikes or electric bikes available for rent, which is also a quick and easy way to get around.

7. Choose cheap destinations

Choose to visit cheap destinations, such as the countries in Eastern Europe or Portugal! They offer a great mix of culture, history, and landscape, and you can have a great experience without spending a fortune!

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Can I travel more than 7-days if I pay for the extra trains myself? 

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Can I travel more than 7-days if I pay for the extra trains myself? 

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First of all, your trip can be longer than 7 days (as explained above under Travel Days).

On the other hand, if during your one-month trip, you exceed your 7 days (or if you wish to extend your trip for more than a month), you can pay for the train yourself or opt for other means of transportation.

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If you need to see a doctor or get hospital treatment during a trip to another EU country, having your European Health Insurance Card with you will make administration and reimbursement for public health care much easier.

Remember that health care and social security systems vary from one EU country to another. In some countries you might have to pay the doctor or the hospital directly for treatment, even though you may not normally do that in your home country. You can find information about the healthcare system in the country you visit from a national healthcare institution, a National Contact Point, through the EHIC smartphone application.

Also, for all EU nationals travelling to Iceland, Lichtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye, we advise you to contact in advance your insurance or your health insurance system to get all the necessary information before your departure as it might be necessary to take out extra travel medical insurance.

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Only trains are paid or even buses like Flixbus?

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Only trains are paid or even buses like Flixbus?

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Participants will, as a basic rule, travel by rail. This means that the travel tickets that are bought by the DiscoverEU travel team are, as a rule, train tickets. DiscoverEU will not cover other means of transport (e.g. planes or buses) for destinations that have existing train connections between them, though you are of course free to acquire such tickets at your own expense.

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·        How can I communicate if locals do not speak English (for non-touristy places)?

·        How to not fall for tourist traps?

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When will I be contacted to give details on my flights?

When you fill out your travel form, you will be asked when you prefer to travel and from where. First of all, this question is indicative. Should you change your idea, you can always email the contractor and inform them about the change. They ask you when you would like to travel, simply because they will contact you 3 months in advance to suggest available flights based on your preferences indicated in the booking form.

Can 2 people travelling together, but applied as individuals, get on the same flight?

Yes, if you and your friend insert the same travel dates and destination in the booking form while filling it out, they will probably offer you the same flight. But just to be sure, you can email the contractor, giving both DiscoverEU application codes and informing them you wish to travel together, then it will be possible :)

Does the flight have to be Ryanair? And is the extra bag included? & Is luggage included in the flight ticket? Can we only bring a backpack, or can we bring luggage as well?

It can be Ryanair, but not only. The contractor will be offering you some available options, based on your travel date and destination preference, and you confirm with the contractor eventually. And yes, you can request an extra bag (not sure whether carry-on or checked in though) :)

Do we have flight preferences in choosing the time and seats of the flight? / When booking flights, can we pick the time of the flight as well, or just the destination?

You will be advised about the available time options based on your preferred destination. If you don't confirm, the contractor won't book your flight. So maybe if they offer you an inconvenient hour for you, you can inform them. The solution might be changing the travel date, depending on the availability :)

If the flights are more expensive (example: a Nordic country), will direct flights still be provided?

The contractor has a budget. If your preferred date and destination are above their budget, they will be contacting you to suggest an alternative day (or a connecting flight). But this is an unlikely situation, usually they manage :)

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young backpackers travelling with an airplane

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Is there a limit on the total number of trains we can take over the 30 days?

A travel day lasts one full calendar day, from 00:00 to 23:59 (Local Time). On each travel day, you have access to the train networks where your Interrail Pass is valid. With your Interrail Pass, you will have 7 travel days that you can use within your Pass’s 1-month validity period.

Night trains & travel days: When travelling on a night train, you only need to use a single travel day: your day of departure. Even though most night trains leave on one calendar day and arrive at the next, you are rarely required to use two travel days for this train. If you change trains after midnight, though, a second travel day will be required for this. If you're using the night train to get home, a second travel day might also be required. For more information on this, please check out this article, and this page

Night trains:

Overnight travelling can be very efficient, as it will keep you on the move and save you a night in a hostel. If you plan it well, it will also only cost you one travel day instead of two.

As a general rule, you will need to have an active travel day at the time of departure of your train. This means that, if you board a train on Tuesday at 10 PM which arrives the following morning, you will only need to use a travel day for Tuesday. Simply add this train to your Pass, make any necessary seat reservation, and you're ready to go! However, if you change trains after midnight you will need a new travel day regardless of itinerary. Travel days always last from 00:00-23:59, so if a connecting train is taken after midnight you will need to activate a new travel day.

What happens if we miss a train/flight due to delays or cancellations? / what happens if we miss a train or flight?

While we hope this won't happen to you, it is, of course, possible that you might experience this, even due to a disruption or strike. When this happens, it's good to know which steps you need to take! Therefore, here are some tips and tricks to help you manage when things don't go according to plan.

What if a train delay causes me to miss my connection?

If your original itinerary is no longer possible due to a delay, there are two things you need to do first. You need to gather some evidence of your delay (e.g. picture of the departure board or a written delay confirmation from the railway company), and you should speak to staff of the railway company. You can ask the conductor if you're still onboard for a delay statement, and/ or go to the ticket office once your train has arrived. They can often provide you with a solution, such as rebooking you on the next available train to reach your destination.

Being a FLEX traveller: you can check the DiscoverEU Travel App for your next available connection to your final destination. If you need a new seat reservation, please speak to the railway staff for assistance. They might be able to provide assistance on the spot to rebook you, or offer you other solutions in case your trip is no longer possible.
If you cannot make it to your final destination anymore due to the delay, then speak to the staff of the railway company!  Note that the passenger rights policy of the FLEX Pass applies, so the railway company might not be able to re-arrange your trip all the way to your final destination. It is always worth asking, though, as many train companies will still try to arrange your onward journey for you, even if they're not required to.

On the other hand, if you miss your flight, (and if you don't have travel insurance, then you probably need to purchase a new flight ticket)

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young people with backpack travelling with train

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Do we book specific train routes from now, or is the pass universal?/ What website can we use to find spesific trains from country to country and train times etc?

From the DiscoverEU app, you can access the Interrail Reservations Self-Service.

In the Reservations Self-Service, you can make reservations for almost all trains that require one. Most reservation tickets are e-tickets, but in some cases, you are required to have a paper ticket instead. Both can be ordered via self-service, and the paper ticket will be shipped by mail to your home address. Please keep in mind that the delivery of paper tickets takes extra time, so you need to order these well in advance. If there is not enough time, this will be shown during booking, and you will not be able to complete the booking. In this case, you can try to book this train directly at the train station instead (subject to availability). To check which countries required paper ticket, click here.

Are the trains completely free (as on the website it says from 8€, from 20€)?

Yes, with your DiscoverEU pass, trains are free. However, be aware of the reservation cost. You have 4 seat reservation credits included in your pass. Once those used, then you might need to pay. For more information, check the info video

If travel deep into the country side and the only travel options are bus, will be provided with a ticket or just trains?

DiscoverEU is a rail-based programme that provides a train travel pass, making rail the primary mode of transportation. Other means of transport, such as planes or buses, are not covered for routes where train connections exist. However, you are free to purchase these tickets at your own expense.

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There are no right or wrong answers for those, but you can read the Padlet and discuss with other travellers to have a better idea :)

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Are there specific hostel recommendations for us from the EU?

What is a reasonable student budget for 3 week?

What is better? A backpack or a big luggage?

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young person is preparing a backpack for travel

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When will friends on the waitlist know if they got it?

That’s a good question 🙂 Basically, there is a deadline to activate your pass (15 March) to confirm your interest. The European Commission will check who has activated their pass by this date; those who haven’t will lose it. Based on the number of unactivated passes, an equivalent number of young people from the waiting list will be lifted.

Keep in mind that Malta received over 600 applications, so selection can be quite competitive. If not selected this time, they may still have the chance to apply in the next round (depending on your friend’s age). Good luck!

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*NEW FEATURE*

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Do the DiscoverEU Meetups take up travel days?

It depends on the timing. If you join a meet-up after activating your travel pass (more precisely, after using your first train), then yes—you will still be considered “travelling” while attending the meet-up.

However, since you normally would not be using trains during the meet-up itself, your travel days would not be consumed during those days.

Let me give you an example 😊

You catch a flight from Malta to Munich on 1 September 2026. Then, you use your first train from Munich to Frankfurt on 5 September. At that moment, your pass becomes activated, and you have one month to complete your trip, meaning until 5 October 2026. You also use your first travel day, so you have 6 remaining.

Now, let’s say you participate in a Meet-Up in Frankfurt from 5 to 8 September. During those days, since you are attending the meet-up and not using trains, no travel days are used.

After the meet-up, you take a train from Frankfurt to Brussels. That train journey would count as your second travel day, meaning you would still have 5 travel days remaining.

On the other hand, you may still participate in a meet-up outside your actual travel period (either before or after), as long as you cover the flight ticket to the meet-up location yourself.

Is there a limit to the amount of DiscoverEU Meet-ups you can do?

There is currently no limit—you can join as many meet-ups as you like, even before or after your trip.

However, the European Commission is planning to introduce an age-related participation limit. Most likely, you will still be eligible to participate for the next three years.

That said, please note that some National Agencies (including ours) give priority to first-time pass winners. But you can still apply and try your luck :)

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When the DiscoverEU book the airplane tickets?

When you fill out your travel form, you will be asked when you prefer to travel and from where. First of all, this question is indicative. Should you change your idea, you can always email the contractor and inform them about the change. They ask you when you would like to travel, simply because they will contact you 3 months in advance to suggest available flights based on your preferences indicated in the booking form.

What's the furthest airport a plane can fly to?

Hmm, I’m not sure if I understood your question correctly, but let me try :) As long as your destination is within the list of eligible countries, there is no issue. Depending on the destination, you might need connecting flights (sometimes even more than two), but there is no specific list of airports that you can or cannot travel to.

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Can you travel to an island as part of your trips?

Cyprus, Iceland and Ireland are part of the DiscoverEU programme but not reachable by train. This is why DiscoverEU offers flights to these destinations in addition to your Flex Pass. However, places are limited and booked on the “first come, first served” basis.

If you wish to visit one of these countries, you can send your flight itinerary via the Submit a request page of the Help Centre (select "travel booking" in the first field).

Keep in mind that to ensure booking your flight on time, you need to send your itinerary at least 3 weeks before your departure.

Kindly note that once the flight tickets have been booked, they are non-refundable and non-modifiable, it is therefore important to make sure you have planned your final itinerary before requesting flights.

Note: DiscoverEU is a rail-based initiative that offers the opportunity to visit EU countries by train. Flights to Malta, Cyprus, Ireland and Iceland allow travellers to visit one of these insular countries because it is not possible to do so by train. Flight tickets are not a substitute for the DiscoverEU Pass, they are additional to the Pass.

When does the pass expire?

One month after your first train journey (important: not one month from your flight).

For example, let’s say you take a flight from Malta to Madrid on 1 September 2026. You spend a few days there and use your DiscoverEU pass for the first time on a train from Madrid to Barcelona on 3 September 2026. In that case, your pass becomes activated on 3 September, and it will expire on 3 October 2026.

However, 30 September 2027 is the overall expiry date for all passes awarded in this round, meaning you must activate and use your pass before that date.

Does the pass expiry after you turn to 19?

No, you can travel until 30 September 2027; 31st August 2027 being the latest possible start date.

Can you travel with someone who gets the pass in September?

I am not sure if understood correctly this one too. Someone already awarded the pass in the previous round? If so yes, no problem.

Someone who is going to apply for the upcoming round? In this case, keep in mind that Malta received over 600 applications, so selection can be quite competitive.

But anyhow, you can travel with a friend (who is not a part of DiscoverEU, a family member, etc) as long as they purchase an Interrail pass, or singular tickets.

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If we were to travel more than once in a day, are all means of transport included in the pass?

A travel day is counted from 00:00 to 23:59, and you can use as many trains as you want within the same travel day.

In some cases, ferries are also included in your pass (for example, certain routes operating between Greece and Italy). That’s actually a very good question—whether these count as a travel day or are treated as a top-up (similar to your flights). I’ll need to double-check that and get back to you on this :)

If we spontaneously want to visit another country / city, etc. would that be possible and if yes, do we contact anyone about it?

I assume you are referring to changing your plans while travelling by train. If so, yes—you can change your plans, as you have a flex pass. You can modify your booking up to 24 hours in advance, and there is no need to inform anyone.

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What's the difference between the EYCA card that DiscoverEU provides and the EYCA card from AZ?

They are quite similar. DiscoverEU one is valid for 15 months (supposedly, but I am aware once you activate can tell you 12 months), while the AZ one is until you are 30 years-old. DiscoverEU card is recently getting some updates and introducing more travel-related discounts (such as hotels, etc.)

What should I do if I activated my EYCA card to early?

You can try to contact helpdesk from https://helpcentre.start-discover.eu/hc/en-gb/requests/new

Are their hotels for Erasmus? (I am not sure if I even read correct this question)

I assume this refers to the EYCA card, you can check some discounts from here: https://eyca.org/discounts