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Passes

rail travel

More and more travelers of all ages appreciate the independence and flexibility gained by traveling on their own or with a small group of friends or family: no pressure imposed on you by a rigid itinerary as offered in the generic 'package' tour. The various passes offered by the European rail network are truly a great deal. You can save up to 65 percent over point-to-point tickets.

GENERAL QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
HOW AND WHEN DO I VALIDATE MY RAILPASS?
Passes are to be validated within 6 months after the day of purchase and prior to the first day of usage. Validity starts only when the pass is endorsed by a railway official at a railway ticket office - not a conductor on the train! Your passport number as well as the first and last days of rail travel will be entered in your rail pass.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 'EURAIL PASS' AND A 'EUROPASS' ?
The EURAILPASS is valid in these countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. NOTE: Britain and some countries in Eastern Europe are not part of this network. Separate passes for these countries (such as the "BritRailPass') can be purchased. The EURAILPASS is good for travel on 1st Class.

The EUROPASS is valid in these five countries (France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland) and is the more economical choice if your travels will take you through these countries only. However, additional passes for associate countries (Austria, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Portugal) can be purchased. The EUROPASS is more flexible as it lets you choose the exact number of travel days you want.


WHAT AGE GROUP IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE 'YOUTH' PASSES ?
You must be not over 26 years on the first day of your train journey(s). No need to be a student!
(Children aged 4 - 11 pay 50% of the fare on all European rail passes, children under age 4 travel free, but are not entitled to a proper seat if the train is crowded.)

HOW DO 1ST AND 2ND CLASS DIFFER ?
1st Class is quieter and spacier with fewer seats per car/compartment than 2nd Class. In 1st Class you have more room for your luggage. On some high-speed trains a meal will be included in the 1st Class fare. Both 1st and 2nd Classes offer non-smoking compartments.

WHAT DO THE INTERIORS OF TRAINS LOOK LIKE IN EUROPE ?
DAY TRAINS
Day trains could have one or both of the following:
  • Compartment car seating: the car is separated into cabins which open to a corridor along one side of the car. Cabins accommodate up to 6 passengers in 1st Class, and up to 8 in 2nd Class.
  • Coach car seating: the car is open with a center aisle and seats on either side. In 1st Class there are two seats on one side of the aisle and one on the other. In 2nd Class there are two seats on either side of the aisle.

NIGHT TRAINS
Night trains are for overnight travel and you should consider sleeping accommodations such as a sleeper or couchette.
  • Sleepers contain berths, with a private washstand, fresh linens and towels. 1st Class accommodates 1 or 2 people. 2nd Class accommodates from 2 to 4 people. Couples, families and travelers of the same sex can share a sleeper. Sleeper charges are per person and depend upon the accommodation requested, and the distance and route traveled.
  • Couchettes are open bunks in a compartment, each with a pillow and blanket. Usually located in 2nd Class, they accommodate up to 6 people. There is no distinction by sex, so you should expect to sleep in your daytime clothes.


IS THERE BAGGAGE SERVICE AVAILABLE AT TRAIN STATIONS ?
At major train stations porters may sometimes be available to assist with luggage. Luggage carts are available in most main-line stations. They are often coin operated. It is always best not to travel with more luggage than you yourself can handle.

ARE TRAIN STATIONS WELL CONNECTED TO AIRPORTS ?
Train stations are located within many European airports. The airports with train stations are: Amsterdam, Schiphol, Barcelona Prat, Berlin Schoenefeld, Birmingham, Brussels National, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Geneve Cointrin, London Stansted, Manchester, Munchen, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome Leonardo da Vinci, Stuttgart Echterdingen, Wien Schwechat and Zurich Kloten.

WHERE CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE ?
In the Station:
Most train stations have lockers or luggage checkrooms where you can store your bags.
On the Train:
Trains have either overhead storage racks throughout the car or luggage areas at each end of the car.


WHAT IF MY RAIL PASS GETS LOST OR STOLEN?
There is no refund/replacement for passes or point-to-point tickets if they get stolen, lost, or destroyed. For such an event we recommend travel insurance. You will receive an application for travel insurance with your travel documents.

Passes

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