Britain is pulling out of a rail travel scheme seen by many young people as a “rite of passage”.

From the start of 2020, UK train companies will no longer accept Interrail and Eurail passes, which allow people to travel across Europe on a single ticket.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is recommending that tourists use the separate BritRail pass instead, describing it as the “best option”.

Eurail Group – which manages Interrail and Eurail – has decided to end Britain’s membership of both schemes after UK train operators recently stopped selling Eurail passes in favour of the BritRail pass, the RDG said.

It added that there would be no difference for British travellers, who will still be able to buy an Interrail pass and use it on the Eurostar.

Britain has been part of Interrail since its launch in 1972.

Rail expert Mark Smith said it was a “backwards step” to withdraw from what has been seen as a “rite of passage”.

The move would be “bad news for the regions”, he said, and would put people off visiting destinations such as Bath, York and Edinburgh.

Mr Smith, who founded popular rail travel site Seat61.com, added: “I used it in the 80s when I was in my late teens. You buy a pass and you explore.

“Although we now have budget airlines, you can’t travel on the surface having the same experiences if you use air.”

The Interrail pass offers numerous options, such as two months’ unlimited travel for £460.

The RDG’s director of nations and regions, Robert Nisbet, said the BritRail pass was recommended by Visit Britain and “offers two for one deals on 200 attractions across the country”.

He added: “British people will feel no difference – they can still buy an Interrail pass, get the Eurostar and travel by train across Europe.”

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