Guide to traveling Europe with a Eurail Pass
Published on October 5, 2006 By Eurail Man In Welcome

Europe By Eurail.


Eurail Passes are by far the most economical way of traveling Europe by Rail. In many cases a Eurail pass can be cheaper than a single point-to-point fare. If you plan on traveling Europe for an extended period, however, a Eurail pass is definately the way to go.

With a Eurail Pass, Europe is there to explore! Endless miles of railway lines running across the Europeancontinent connecting one breathtaking scenery to another, connecting one exciting city to the other. All youneed to do is board a train, sit back, relax and enjoy unlimited travel in an elegant, quiet and comfortable way.

European trains are high-tech, fast and user friendly. They are also the most efficient and safest way of going from one city (or country) to the other. Forget about driving hassles in strange cars, paying high fuel costs and toll gates. Forget about the expense and inconvenience of air travel. Take the train instead and arrive relaxed and refreshed in the middle of the city centre, ready to enjoy another new destination.

Eurail is simply the best way to see Europe!


Eurail's range of Eurail Passes includes the following Pass types:

  • Eurailpass; valid in 18 countries.
  • Eurail Selectpass; valid in 3, 4 or 5 adjoining countries.
  • Eurail Regional Pass; valid in 2 countries or 2 country-combinations
  • National Pass; valid in 1 country.


Eurail passes may not be issued to residents of Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the former Soviet Union), Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, or Tunisia.

Eurail Passes

Eurail Pass - The traditional Eurail Pass. Travel in any or all of 18 countries for 15 days, 21 days, 1 month, 2 months or 3 months of consecutive day rail travel for the validity of the pass.

Eurail Flexipass - Start and stop your traveling whenever you want over a 2-month period. Travel on consecutive or non-consecutive days as you wish. The Eurail Flexipass allows you 10 or 15 days of rail travel within a 2 month period.

Eurail Saverpass - Just like the traditional Eurail Pass. However, the Eurail Saverpass is a special discounted pass for those traveling in groups of 2 to 5. Available in 15 days, 21 days, 1 month, 2 months or 3 months of consecutive rail travel.

Eurail Saver Flexipass - Special discounted pass for those traveling in groups of 2 to 5. Start and stop your traveling whenever you want over a 2-month period. Travel on consecutive or non-consecutive days as you wish.

Eurail Youth Pass The Eurail Youth Pass has been synonymous with the under 26 crowd since the first Eurail Pass designed. Eurail keeps this tradition alive with tremendous youth rates.

Eurail Youth Flexipass - This specialy discounted pass are for those age 26 and under. Start and stop your traveling whenever you want over a 2-month period. Travel on consecutive or non-consecutive days as you wish.

Eurail Select Pass

With a Eurail Selectpass you can design your own taylor-made pass selecting 3, 4 or 5 European bordering countries for a duration of either 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days within a 2-month period. If selecting 5 countries there is also the opportunity of choosing 15 travel days.

Eurail Selectpass Adult Eurail. Your way. Travel in 3, 4 or 5 adjoining countries with the Eurail Select Pass. Available in 1st class for 5, 6, 8, 10 or 15 days of rail travel within a 2 month period in participating Eurail countries.

Eurail Selectpass Saver Enjoy a 15% discount when your group of 2 to 5 people travel together. Travel in 3, 4 or 5 adjoining countries. Available in 1st class for 5, 6, 8, 10 or 15 days of rail travel within a 2 month period.

Eurail Selectpass Youth Eurail. Your way. Youths receive a 35% discount when traveling in second class. For youths under 26 years of age, enjoy 5, 6, 8, 10 or 15 days of rail travel within a 2 month period.

For more information on these rail passes go to the EuropRail site at http://www.europrail.net/

About Youth Passes

Youth Eurail passes are available to travelers who are under the age of 26 on their first day of travel. Youth passes are popular among students and backpackers. Youth fares are normally 25% off the first and second class adult fares.

Youth Eurail pass holders are entitled to the discounted 1st or 2nd class travel for the duration of their passes. This is the preferred way to travel for students and young adults.

Travelers can meet other travelers, compare experiences, get advice and form friendships; all while traveling Europe in a safe and comfortable environment.
Older adults, tourists and businessmen tend to travel in the quieter 1st class cars.

About Child Passes

Child passes in most cases are 50% of the regular adult pass. In some cases child fares have been pre-determined. Children under 4 years of age travel free in most cases. However, some passes may differ. Please read the notes at the bottom of each pass page for details.

In some cases children can travel free with an adult. For example, The BritRail Family Pass allows 1 child age 5-15 traveling with an adult or senior to travel free and half price for each additional child.

Validating Your Eurail Pass

Once you arrive in Europe and you are ready to use your Eurail pass, make sure you have it validated. This can be done at any travel center or rail station. It is very important to have your pass validated.

A railway official will simply stamp your Eurail pass in the appropriate box. Do not validate your pass yourself. Any tampering of your pass may result in it being confiscated. If your pass is unsigned, you will be asked to sign it at this time.

Eurail Passes are valid from midnight to midnight. You can come and go as you please within that time period. Your pass will be invalid after midnight on the last day of validity.

It is also very important to enter the date of your Eurail pass correctly. In North America we enter month/day/year. In Europe it is entered day/month/year.

Your pass must be presented to the conductor when asked. Always have the appropriate identification on hand so the conductor can match your passport with your pass.

Reservations

Most seats can be reserved for just about any route in Europe. Most trains don't require them but are mandatory for some. A Eurail Pass allows you to board the train but you are not guaranteed a seat.

Most reservations will cost $15 USD per person ($17 CAD). However, many trains such as the Thalys train will require that you pay an additional supplement.

Trains will have one or both of the following seating arrangements:

Coach Car Seat
The car is open with a center aisle and seats on either side. In 1st class there are usually 2 seats on one side and 1 on the other. In 2nd class there are usually 2 seats on either side of the aisle.

Compartment car seating
The car is seperated into cabins that open to a corridor along one side of the car. In 1st class, cabins accommodate up to 6 passengers. In 2nd class, cabins accommodate up to 8 passengers.

Highspeed Trains

In Europe you'll come across many highspeed trains to get you there quickly. Eurail Passes are valid on these trains. However, some trains may reguire an additional supplement.

The HighSpeed trains you'll find:

Alaris - Spain
Eurail passes are valid on the train but must pay a supplement of 22.50 Euro in 1st class and 6 Euro in 2nd class. Newspapers, video, and a meal are included in 1st class.

Altaria - Spain
Eurail passes are valid on this train but must pay a supplement of 22.50 Euro in 1st class and 6 Euro in 2nd class. Newspapers, video, and a meal are included in 1st class. Reservations are mandatory.

Artesia - France / Italy
Eurail passes are valid on these trains. Reservations are mandatory.

Ave - Spain
Eurail passes are valid on these trains. Supplement fees must be payed. 38 Euro in Club. 23 Euro in Preferant. 10 Euro in Tourist. Youth pass are valid in tourist class only.

Cisalpino - Switzerland - Italy - Germany
Eurail passes are valid on these trains. Supplement fees of 8 Euro apply. Trips into Germany are not included.

Euromed - Spain
Eurail passes are valid on these trains. 22.50 Euro in 2nd class.

Eurostar - France - Belgium - United Kingdom
Passholder fares for the Eurostar are available.

Eurostar Italia - Italy
Eurail Passes are valid on these trains. The passenger must pay a "Eurostar Italia Upgrading". Including reservation. Supplements are non-refundable.

ICE - Germany - Austria - Belgium - Netherlands - Switzerland
Eurail Passes are valid on the ICE train. No extra supplements apply except on the "ICE Sprinter"

TGV - France - Belgium - Switzerland Eurail Passes are valid on the TGV train. Reservations are mandatory.

Night Trains

Overnight trains are available on many of Europe's national and international city-to-city routes. Night trains let you add an extra vacation day to your trip.

Most overnight trains also offer sleeping accommodations, which vary quite a bit in type and price. Sleeping accommodations always require an additional fee if you are using a railpass.

Types of Accommodations:

Couchette compartments consist of four to six narrow bunks and are public -- you will share the compartment with other travelers without regard to gender. Travelers are supplied with a pillow and blanket, but are expected to sleep in their street clothes. Although couchette compartments have traditionally come in both First and Second Class -- with the First Class version hosting fewer travelers per compartment -- the trend is towards offering couchettes in Second Class only. Holders of a ticket or railpass in either class are elegible for Couchette travel with payment of the required supplement.

Sleeper compartments contain one to three more comfortable beds and are usually private -- typically travelers select a compartment size to match the number of their traveling companions. (On some trains, two Sleepers with an adjoining door can be requested to create a family-sized room.) Sleepers have locking doors and for the most part offer the same level of privacy as a hotel room. They usually feature a washbasin with hot and cold water, and some of the more deluxe versions include their own toilet and even a shower. (WCs are found at each end of the car in the more typical configuration.) Some Double Sleepers include a very small third bunk suitable for a small child. Only holders of a FirstClass ticket or railpass are elegible to reserve a First Class Sleeper. Second Class Sleepers, where available, are open to holders of either class.

Sleeperette cars, which replace or augment the Second Class Sleepers and Couchettes. These are configured like regular seating cars but offer special seats which recline for a more comfortable overnight journey. They are presently found only on the new specialty trains, but as the Sleeperette car is much less expensive to operate, it is likely that we will see more of this type of thing in the future.

Luggage Tips

It would be simplistic to say ‘don't take any' but...

Seriously, as with all independent travels the lighter the load the easier it will be.


Be comfortable with what you take and be able to manage it yourself. Those bags on wheels are a great energy saver.

Most platforms are the same height as the train carriages so weight lifting is not a requirement, however, given the generally older infrastructure of hotels, stations and so on there are still zones where steps will be encountered.

Consider leaving some baggage at your hotel to lighten your load for the real touring part of your trip and pick it up on your return.

Most principle stations have inexpensive, secure luggage facilities - do use them. Major rail stations have Left Luggage Offices that you can leave your luggage with for the day.

If you need help call the station, preferably in advance.

All main stations have luggage trolleys often with staff who will help you for a nominal charge.
Don't hesitate to take a taxi, (especially outside London) where they tend to be cheaper for journeys within the city/town or to your hotel.

Train carriages have overhead luggage racks, space between the seats and a storage area in the entrance vestibules for larger items.

Your bags need not inhibit you or cause you to worry, especially if you are reasonable in what you take.

Link recommendations. Out of a 5 star rating. 1 being the worst.

Europrail International (4 and a half stars)

Britain On Track - For BritRail Passes

2006-10-05 16:17:33

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