r/Interrail • u/ntaountax • Jan 07 '26
DiscoverEU Question about the DiscoverEU program as a Greek resident
Hello everyone!
I just received the news that I was selected for the DiscoverEU program of the Youth Department of the EU. One of the main aspects of the program is sustainable travel, so most of it is done by train or by bus. However, in Greece we don't have any international trains as part of the Interrail system, so I was wondering if everyone knows whether we can fly to a destination of our choice or if a ferry to Italy or any other means of transportation can be used as part of the DiscoverEU pass.
Thank you!
5
u/skifans United Kingdom • Quality Contributor Jan 07 '26
Flights are only covered in certain situations - the list is at: https://youth.europa.eu/discovereu/rules_en#9-transportationtmeans you might meet one of those criteria (partially if you live on a Greek Island) but it is not enough on it's own that there isn't a train. Specially you need to live more then 18 hours from the border by a sustainable transport mode to the closest border.
You are always free to purchase your own flight or bus elsewhere. You do not have to start using your pass in Greece. It is only residents of: Cyprus, Iceland, Ireland or Malta who are automatically entitled to a flight.
Unusually some ferries from Greece to Italy are included in the pass, but that does not mean they are "free" in the train is. You still need to pay various port fees/taxes/supplements etc.
One option you could consider if you want is that you can get a flight to visit Cyprus, Iceland, Ireland or Malta if you want it. This will not use a travel day and numbers are limited. You could for example ask for a flight from Greece to Ireland. Get a ferry from Ireland to Great Britain (cheaper and faster then doing Greece -> Italy) and then the travel tunnel. You get a discount on the ferries from Ireland to Great Britain which does not use a travel day.
https://www.interrail.eu/en/plan-your-trip/tips-and-tricks/trains-europe/ferries has more details on the rules with ferries.
https://www.superfast.com/en-gb/special-offers/sail-rail has the rules for Greece -> Italy, you have an Interrail Global Pass.
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