Interrail Global Pass for France: Flex or consecutive

The short answer

These four products are the same Interrail Global Pass sold four ways: a Flex pass with a set number of travel days, or a pass valid on consecutive days, each with or without a Family Card for children.[4][3][2][1] The pass is an entitlement to ride, not an itinerary. Interrail describes the Global Pass as one pass for travel in up to 33 countries, and this guide covers only what it means for France.[5]

Interrail's conditions of use list SNCF as a participating company for France, and say that list is not exhaustive and that the Rail Planner app holds the full, current one.[7] Which particular French services a trip needs, and whether each needs a reservation, is something to check in that app; XTOUR has not checked individual routes.

What the pass does not cover in France

Seat reservations are not included in the pass, according to Interrail's conditions of use. The same conditions say reservations must be booked and paid for in advance for most high-speed trains, naming SNCF TGV among them, and for sleeping places on all night trains.[7] Interrail's What is Interrail page adds that trams, buses and metros need a separate ticket, and that accommodation is booked separately.[6]

Residents of France face a limit. Interrail's conditions say a Global Pass can be used in your country of residence only for one outbound and one inbound journey, and that these use the pass's normal travel days.[7] Interrail's Global Pass page says the same.[5]

Class matters too. Interrail says a first-class pass is valid in first and second class, and a second-class pass only in second class.[5] Every SkyGate listing offers both classes for each length.[4][3][2][1]

Flex or consecutive days

Interrail's conditions define the two: a Flexi pass has a set number of travel days inside an overall validity period, and on a Continuous pass every day of the validity period is a travel day. A travel day runs from midnight to 23:59:59 local time. On a Flexi mobile pass, you activate each travel day in the Rail Planner app before boarding your first train that day.[7]

Interrail Global Pass Flex (Non-Consecutive Days) has options for 4, 5, 7, 10 or 15 travel days. SkyGate's option text says the 4, 5 and 7-day options are valid on any of those days within one month of activation, and the 10 and 15-day options within two months.[1] In XTOUR's reading, Flex suits a trip with a few long train days between stays in one place.

Interrail Global Pass (Consecutive Days) has options for 15 days, 22 days, one month, two months and three months. SkyGate's text says the 15 and 22-day options are valid for that many consecutive days.[2] In XTOUR's reading, a consecutive pass suits a trip where you expect to be on a train on most days.

SkyGate's booking form for these two listings has an adult category for ages 28 to 59, a category it labels Child for ages 12 to 27, and a senior category for 60 and over.[2][1] Interrail's own page calls ages 12 to 27 the Youth Pass and ages 60 and over the Senior Pass, counted on the date your trip starts.[5] Check the ticket type before you pay.

The Family Card listings

Interrail Global Pass Family Card (Flex, Non-Consecutive Days) and Interrail Global Pass Family Card (Consecutive Days) follow the same two formats, and SkyGate's option text says each adult may bring up to two children. Their booking forms show an adult category from age 28, a child category for ages 4 to 11, and an infant category for 0 to 3.[4][3]

The Family Card Flex options run for 4, 5, 7, 10 or 15 days, and SkyGate's text gives one month from activation for all of them, including 10 and 15 days.[3] That differs from the adult Flex listing's two months for 10 and 15 days, and XTOUR has not reconciled it, so confirm the validity with the seller.[1] The Family Card consecutive options match the adult consecutive lengths.[4]

Interrail's own pages describe children differently. Its Global Pass page says children aged 4 to 11 travel free with a Child Pass, up to two per accompanying adult, youth aged 18 or over, or senior, and that children under 4 travel free without a pass.[5] The Interrail pages XTOUR read do not use the name Family Card.

How to choose

• A few train days spread over a month or two: Interrail Global Pass Flex (Non-Consecutive Days).
• Travelling by train on most days: Interrail Global Pass (Consecutive Days).
• Either pattern with children aged 4 to 11: the matching Family Card listing, Interrail Global Pass Family Card (Flex, Non-Consecutive Days) or Interrail Global Pass Family Card (Consecutive Days).

Before you book

• Budget separately for seat reservations on high-speed trains such as SNCF TGV, which Interrail says must be booked and paid in advance.[7]
• If you live in France, Interrail limits the pass inside France to one outbound and one inbound journey.[7]
• Interrail says activating a mobile pass in the Rail Planner app requires your passport or identity document number.[7]
• SkyGate's option terms give a full refund for cancellation at least 48 hours before the travel date.[4][3][2][1]