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More
on Rail Travel
On trains you can
relax, enjoy the scenery; on the night trains you can save
on the cost of hotel accommodation and maximize
the time at your destination.The Eurail Pass and its variations
gives you freedom – the flexibility to travel across
borders, independence to stop and start when and where you
choose, the convenience of just one travel document pre-purchased
before you arrive in Europe and can give you unlimited rail
travel across the continent of Europe. Of course, if you are
planning to travel in Britain and Ireland, then a BritRail
pass may be for you.
When you choose to travel by train, there are so many different
types of tickets and passes available to you that many books
have been written on ‘Rail Travel’ as the only
subject !
You get the Eurail Pass, the Eurail Flexi Pass, a few varieties
of Eurail Select Passes as well as individual country passes,
two countries on a combined pass, Point-to-Point tickets and
Rail/drive passes. Then each of these tickets then have various
options like the number of days you want to travel in a set
period, whether you want to travel on consecutive or non consecutive
days, how many countries you want to visit and throw into the
mix, Saver Fares if two or more travel together and Youth fares
if you are under 26 years of age.
The easiest thing
to do is work out your rough itinerary and then see if there
is an individual country pass available to
you. For example if you are only travelling in Italy, purchase
a Trenitalia pass which is only valid in Italy or just pay
as you go as train travel in Italy is very cheap. Or if you
are only travelling to say, France and Spain, there is no point
in buying a Eurail 3 country SelectPass when a combined France & Spain
pass is available. Then sit down with a calculator and do the
math or of course let us know what you plan and we will do
the comparisons for you.
FREAKY FACT! Some European trains make use of ferry crossings
to connect. So, really and truthfully, the ENTIRE train is
put aboard the boat!!! … If you’d like to experience
this you have to connect between Puttgarden in Germany to
Rodby Faerge in Denmark or between Villa San Giovanni in
Italy to Messina.
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Helpful
Websites
As you may want to know more about timetables, routes etc
the following websites which are the official rail companies
for each country may be useful.
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Rail Travel - Frequently
Asked Questions
Here
you find questions and answers about Rail Travel in the
UK and Europe.
Q: What happens if I lose my pass or it is stolen?
A: Passes are non refundable if stolen or lost. As travel
insurance is strongly recommended before anyone travels
overseas, we suggest you claim on your policy and purchase
a new pass or individual tickets.
Q: Are there Senior Citizen fares?
A: There are some passes that offer special rates. Alternatively
use the Saverpass if there are two of you travelling
together. Youth and child fares are also available.
Q: Can I smoke on the train?
A: Carriages will be segregated to smoking and non smoking
so if you require a smoking seat it is recommended that
you request this at the time of booking.
Q: Is my railpass valid for local train travel in each
city?
A: Unfortunately railpasses are not accepted on most city
train systems. The Swiss Pass is one exception.
Q: I have a Eurail Pass. Can I cross to the UK using the
Eurostar?
A: The Eurostar is not convered on any pass. You do however
qualify for a discount. When in Great Britain we do recommend
one of the Brit Rail Passes.
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Rail
Passes - Train Passes for Europe - 2010
