GUIDE TO. Eurail Passes. How to choose and use the rail pass that best fits your trip and your budget. April 2018 Edition

Transcription

1 GUIDE TO Eurail Passes How to choose and use the rail pass that best fits your trip and your budget April 2018 Edition

2 Contents Part 1: Plan Your Rail Trip Sightseeing priorities...3 Using train schedules...3 Night train destinations... 8 Part 2: How Rail Passes Work Learning the essentials for choosing a rail pass... 4 Rail Protection Plan, exchanges, and refunds... First vs. second class Reservation Fees... 9 Every time I finish a train ride caught up on my research, well-rested, and unfrazzled I m thankful for Europe s fast, comfortable rail network. And it doesn t hurt to know that I ve gotten from A to B in the greenest way possible far more fuel-efficient and less polluting than the same route in a car or plane. The costliest mistake that many travelers make is underestimating how well that network can be laced together to create the trip of their dreams. Still, travelers need to be more informed than ever in order to make the best choice and that s where we come in. No one explains your options better than my well-traveled train gang staff does in this rail pass guide. Pages 3-9 will get you started on your trip, helping you learn how to make an informed choice. Then we ll describe this year s dizzying array of European rail pass prices and features. help you find the best value, we ll compare these passes to point-to-point tickets, and to deals sold only in Europe (a well-kept secret in the USA). Every few pages you ll find a money-saving analysis, matching the options to your travel dreams. Then, on pages 22-24, we ll take you to Europe, showing you the ins and outs of riding the rails. It s our hope that you ll ride your rail pass to the trip of a lifetime economical, efficient, and filled with unforgettable experiences. Happy travels, Part 3: Compare Costs Rail passes vs. tickets Fare & Time map for international trips...7 International ferries... 8 Part 4: Rail Pass Features and Prices Multi-Country Passes Eurail Global: 28 countries, best for most of Europe... Select Pass: Choose 2, 3 or 4 neighboring Eurail countries... One-country and Regional Passes Austria...20 Ireland...14 Benelux countries... 1 Italy...18 Eastern Europe Scandinavia France... 1 Spain & Portugal...14 Germany...16 Switzerland Great Britain Turkey...19 Greece...19 Part : Using Your Rail Pass in Europe Validating, stations, sleeping, & skills Reservation Fee list Important: 2018 passes are offered for sale through Dec. 30, Pass prices are subject to change without notice. Space does not allow us to describe all the fine points of each rail pass in this guide. Full legal conditions, restrictions, and instructions come with each pass. Rick Steves Europe, Inc. is an agent for Rail Europe and is not responsible for their policies nor those of the European Railways. April 2018, Rick Steves Europe, Inc. Mail: 130 Fourth Avenue North, Edmonds, WA USA Phone: (42) Fax: (42) Web: ricksteves.com Writers: Rick Steves and Rich Sorensen Managing Editor and Rail Guru: Laura Terrenzio Art Director: Rhonda Pelikan Graphic Designer: Heather Locke Marvelous maps: Dave Hoerlein, Mary Rostad The media are free to publish excerpts from this guide (provided our phone number and web address are included), but commercial use absolutely, positively requires written permission! Contact ashley@ricksteves.com for details.

3 Quick & Dirty Itinerary Planning Ever wonder how some speedy travelers can prioritize their sightseeing when they re on a tightly squeezed schedule? And stay relaxed? Wonder no more. Here s a simple itinerary-building spreadsheet, excerpted from Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door. Start with the basic sights we ve listed in the 3 Days column. If you can add more days, keep adding sights to the right. In some cases, the plan assumes you ll take a night train. In 14 days, you should be able to cover everything in that row without stressing yourself out too badly. So according to this chart, the best week in Britain would be spread between London, Bath, Cambridge, and the Cotswolds. 3 days days 7 days days 14 days Europe Forget it. London, Paris Amsterdam Rhineland, Swiss Alps Rome, Venice Britain London Bath Cambridge, Cotswolds York Edinburgh, N. Wales Ireland Dublin Dingle Peninsula Belfast Galway/Burren Antrim Coast, Aran Islands France Paris, Versailles Normandy Loire Dordogne, Carcassonne Provence, the Riviera Germany Munich, Bavarian castles Rhine Valley, Rothenburg More of Bavaria, Salzburg Berlin Baden-Baden, Black Forest, Dresden Austria Vienna Salzburg Hallstatt Danube Valley, Tirol, Bavaria (Germany) Innsbruck, Hall, Bratislava (Slovakia) Switzerland Berner Oberland Luzern Bern, Lausanne Zermatt, Appenzell, scenic rail trip Lugano, Zürich Italy Florence, Venice Rome Cinque Terre Civita di Bagnoregio, Siena Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast Scandinavia Copenhagen, side trips Stockholm Oslo Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen Helsinki, Tallinn Spain Madrid, ledo Sevilla, Granada Barcelona Andalucía Costa del Sol, Morocco Portugal Lisbon, Sintra The Algarve Évora, Nazaré Sights near Nazaré, Coimbra Porto, Douro Valley Eastern Europe Prague Budapest Kraków, Auschwitz Slovenia, Český Krumlov Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik Croatia & Slovenia Dubrovnik Mostar, Split Korč ula/hvar or Montenegro Lake Bled, Plitvice Lakes Ljubljana, Rovinj Greece Athens Hydra Delphi Nafplio, Epidavros, Mycenae Olympia, Monemvasia, Mani Peninsula Detailed Route & Schedule Planning While maps can be helpful, they can t do what a good online schedule can: instantly show you the fastest train connections, frequency, and length of train trip (and whether reservations are required). No matter where you re traveling in Europe, the German railway s website at should be your first stop for timetable information. Here s how to use it: Tips for Using the Deutsche Bahn Schedule Website Start with a station-to-station search: Enter just the city names, unless you know the name of the train station you want. Skip the extra search fields: get train schedules, there s no need to fill out any fields beyond the top ones. Once you ve entered the stations, date, and time, just skip right to Search. Spelling counts: Use the local, European spelling of town names. (You ll find these in many maps or guidebooks of Europe.) Here are some examples: Cologne = Koeln (oe replaces ö) Florence = Firenze (SMN station) Füssen = Fuessen (ue replaces ü) Prague = Praha (hl. n. station) Rome = Roma (Termini station) Rothenburg = Rothenburg ob der Tauber Venice = Venezia (S. Lucia station) Vienna = Wien Cinque Terre = Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, or Riomaggiore. If prompted, choose a station: Many cities have several train stations, and you may be asked to specify which one you want from a drop-down PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. menu. After choosing, click Refresh or Search again. Keep in mind: If the city name is listed without a station name or is shown all in capital letters, select that choice. If you choose the wrong station, the schedule results will suggest a connection by train, bus, subway, taxi, or foot to/from the main train station. Main train stations are often called central, terminus, or hauptbahnhof (hbf). A very long list probably includes bus stops in the same town. Use the plain city name or city s name plus hbf to specify the train station. Review your options: You ll be given a range of possibilities for your journey. Each one shows the start and end points (with stations specified), the departure and arrival times, the duration of the trip, the number of changes, the types of trains, and whether the train requires a reservation (indicated by a circled R ). Click the links for Earlier or Later to see more choices. Learn to use the 24-hour clock used in European train timetables. After 12:00 noon, the Europeans keep going 13:00, 14:00, and so on. convert to the 12- hour clock, subtract 12 and add p.m. (16:00 is 4 p.m.). Find more detail: Clicking the arrow symbol next to any of the trip connections will give you more detail, including all transfer points. Then, if you click Show intermediate stops, you can see every stop on that route. Clicking the train number shows all the stops for the entire route, including those before and after your stations. Check reservation rules: Compulsory reservation means what it says, while Please reserve means that reservations are recommended but optional. Some trains don t mention (or need) reservations at all. The phrase International supplement doesn t apply to people traveling with rail passes. Check prices separately: The Deutsche Bahn s site doesn t show fares for most trains outside Germany and Austria. You need not bother checking exact ticket prices on each country s own railway site; for estimates, use the ticket-cost maps in this guide. Expect updates: European train schedules are adjusted each year around June, Sept., and Dec. (changes are often small, with the most significant changes made in December). Some countries (Italy, Spain, most of Eastern Europe) don t publish full summer or winter schedules until they take effect! If train schedule results look incomplete, try an earlier date for a good idea of choices. Design a detour: DB shows the most direct and practical routes between two points. get schedules for alternate routes, such as Switzerland s famous scenic trains, it helps to add one or two Stopovers (midpoint cities specific to the route you want) on the query screen. Print your favorites: Once you ve found the train schedules and level of detail your want, click the lowest link for Print View to get a more easily printed page. Travel with the app: Download the DB Navigator app to your mobile device! Check ferry schedules separately: See to connect with most international ferry web sites. For the Greek islands, see 3

4 How Rail Passes Work Continuous, Flexi, and Passes Some rail passes allow you to choose between a consecutive-day pass or flexipass. Both types may also have a pass version for two or more people traveling together. Here are some terms: Continuous pass: If you plan to travel nearly daily and cover a lot of ground, a consecutive-day or continuous pass is the right choice for you. You get unlimited train travel for the duration of the pass. If you have a 1-day pass, you can travel 1 consecutive days, taking trains many times each day. If you have a one-month pass, you can travel, for example, from April 26 through May 2. One-month passes last longer when started in a 31-day month. Eurail Global, BritRail, German, and Swiss passes offer this choice. Flexipass: If you like to linger for a few days at various places, a flexipass is the better choice. Most passes are this type. You have a certain number of travel days to use within a longer window of time (for example, any days within a two-month period). You can sprinkle these travel days throughout your trip or use them all in a row. You can take as many separate trips as you like within each travel day. A travel day runs from midnight to midnight, but luckily, an overnight train or boat ride uses only one travel day. For details, see Using Your Flexipass (see page 24). pass: Designed to save money for groups, a pass is a single ticket printed with all the names of two to five travelers. Members of each pair or group must order the same pass together and all must be present to validate the pass in Europe. Part of the group can use the pass while others stay in town or fly home early, but those sharing a pass cannot split and go different directions by train. If you are a group of four, you can give yourselves more flexibility by ordering a separate pass for each pair. On our website, add a pass for one pair to your shopping cart, then use the Add a Trip button to add more passes to the same order. (It s OK to split payment for one order onto multiple credit cards.) German passes offer a Twin discount that works the same way, but with only two people listed on each pass. BritRail passes require three or more travelers. Reservations: Despite the freedom you have to hop on many trains with a rail pass, reservations are required on many other fast, long-distance, international, or overnight trains. Narrow Down Your Pass Choices A train traveler s biggest pre-trip decision is whether to get a rail pass, point-to-point tickets, or a mix of both. It pays to do the math. Before your trip, you ll need to sketch out your itinerary, then answer: On how many calendar days will you ride the train to connect your destinations? If you ll be on the train for just one or two days, point-to-point tickets are usually a better match. The more time you ll spend on the train, the more likely it is that you ll want a rail pass. In how many countries will you ride the train? There are rail passes for one, two, three, four or 28 countries. For some trips, you may want more than one pass. (For instance, BritRail passes are not combined with countries on the Continent.) How much would point-to-point train tickets cost? You don t have to laboriously look up exact train fares online. For longer journeys, check the Ticket Cost & Travel Time map. For shorter distances, use the ticket cost maps on each country page of this guide. Connect the dots and add up the fares to get an approximate total cost for your route. How does your point-to-point ticket total compare to the price of a rail pass? Look up the cost of the one or two passes that cover the region you ll be in and the number of days you ll be on the train. If your price comparison doesn t produce an obvious winner, consider these factors: First-class upgrade: If a first-class pass costs about the same as second-class train tickets, go with the pass for comfort. Convenience: In countries or regions where reservations are not required, a pass allows you to hop on and off trains without fussing with multiple tickets (or even a plan). If all other things are even, a pass can make sense for ease of travel, especially in Britain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe. Fast-train reservation fees: Rail passes lose their luster when fees are tacked on. In some countries, particularly in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, passholders are required to pay a seat reservation fee for each trip on a high-speed train (see page 28). These trains can also limit the number of rail pass travelers on each departure, making it more important to plan ahead. Strategies for Choosing a Cheaper Pass Both consecutive-day and flexi style Europe rail passes offer a varying number of train travel days. Once you ve planned a route for your trip, you should count how many travel days you ll need to cover everything. Rail pass prices used as examples are approximate and subect to change. Stretch a flexipass by paying out of pocket for shorter trips. Use your flexipass only for those travel days that involve long hauls or several trips. determine if a trip is a good use of a travel day, divide the cost of your rail pass by the number of travel days (or look at what it costs to add a day onto the pass s base price). If the pass you re considering costs $60 per travel day, it makes no sense to use one of your days for a trip that would otherwise cost $ in Europe. With careful juggling, a shorter, cheaper rail pass can cover a longer trip. For example, if you re on a one-month trip, you don t necessarily need a one-month Eurail pass. You may be able to get by with a 22-day continuous pass by starting and/or ending your trip in a city where you d like to stay for several days or in a country not covered by your pass. It can make sense to get a longer consecutiveday rail pass to cover a shorter trip. One long, expensive train ride at the end of a 2-day trip can justify jumping from a 22-day Eurail Global pass to a one-month pass. Flexipasses are cheaper because they cover fewer days. Let s say you re planning a 22-day trip and choosing between a 22-day Eurail Global Continous pass and a cheaper -days-in-2-months Eurail Global Flexipass. For about $70 more, the continuous pass gives you the option to travel for 11 extra days without counting or wondering if a particular trip justifies the use of a travel day. More travel days on a rail pass = cheaper cost per day. Compared to shorter rail passes, longer rail passes are cheaper per travel day. For example, for a 1-day Eurail Global Continuous pass at about $67, you re paying $4 a day. With a three-month pass for about $1800, you re paying only $20 a day. (Most one-hour train rides cost more than that.) Similarly, many single-country Europe rail passes start at a base price of three travel days for about $70 each, but allow you to buy extra days for as low as $20 each. One rail pass is usually better than two. cover a multi-country trip, it s usually cheaper to buy one Select pass or Eurail Global pass with lots of travel days than to buy several single-country rail passes with a few high-cost travel days per pass. If you decide to travel over a border (such as France to Germany) using separate country rail passes, then you ll use a day of each pass. Divide and conquer for long stays. Students spending a semester in Europe often stay longer than the two-month validity of most Eurail passes, but don t have enough free time for a three-month Eurail Global Continuous pass. More than one rail pass may be the answer, such as... A Eurail Global Flexipass for or 1 travel days within two months can cover five to eight weekend roundtrips. Take a night train to a neighboring country to maximize time at your destination. Those based further from the center of Europe (say, in Britain, Ireland, Spain, or Scandinavia) will fly on more weekends. Plan a regional focus before or after the twomonth validity of a big rail pass. Spend a month exploring your home-base country with a cheaper one-country rail pass. Consider separate rail passes for Britain, Scandinavia or Eastern Europe. Greece doesn t merit a new rail pass fly there, then get around by car, bus and ferry. 4 Buy your railpass and reservations at

5 If something goes wrong... If you decide to get Rail Protection Plan, it must be purchased at the same time you buy your pass. As rail passes get more expensive, you may want this security. Personally, I keep my pass in my moneybelt and take my chances. and you don t have Rail Protection Plan Lost or stolen rail passes are not refundable. Validated or partly used rail passes are not refundable unless you get a European railway official to certify that it was not used past a certain date. The rule applies regardless of illness, injury, death, or rail strike. Refunds: Most unvalidated passes are refundable (minus a penalty of 1% or more) if returned to the place of purchase within six months for BritRail or within one year for most other passes. Rail pass insurance, shipping fees, and some special offers are not refundable. Eurail specials with extra days or a 20% discount are typically not refundable. and you have Rail Protection Plan Rail passes lost or stolen in Europe: Coverage does not replace your pass while in Europe, but allows you to make a claim at home to recover some costs. If you have RPP and your pass is lost or stolen in Europe, paperwork will include filing a police report within 24 hours of loss, buying a new rail pass or rail tickets to continue your trip, and saving these and other documents to file a claim within 30 days of returning home. Rail Europe will reimburse you for the unused portion of the pass that was lost or stolen, or the new rail tickets you buy, whichever is less. Loss or theft outside of Europe is not covered. Exchanges: Rail Europe s coverage also allows you to file a claim to recover the full price of the pass (without paying the 1+ percent penalty) if it is wholely unused. Rather than granting a cash refund, however, Rail Europe will hold this value as a credit toward one future purchase within two years. Prices are approximately: $18 for a single-person, single-country pass $20 for a single-person, multi-country regional pass (two countries, or more options in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe) $23 for a single-person Eurail Global or Select pass $31 for any multi-person pass, Twin pass, or Party pass Insurance claims are processed by Rail Europe, subject to the full restrictions of their coverage. Details are included when you order. Fine-tune your itinerary with a one-on-one planning session Planning your dream trip should be enjoyable. If the complexities of railpass features, sightseeing priorities, or even packing are stressing you out, we can help. We ve been to Europe many times. If you have lots of questions and/or a complex trip to plan, or if you re a first-time traveler and are not sure where to begin planning, consider a personalized in-depth trip consultation with one of our experienced advisors. You can arrange a consultation in person at our European Travel Center in Edmonds, Washington, or by phone. The in-person cost is $0 per half hour (which is enough time for most trips), or $7 for a half hour consultation by phone (which also covers extra time the consultant spends before your call, looking over your itinerary). Appointments exceeding 30 minutes will be charged $2 for each additional 1 minutes. schedule a consultation, call our Travel Center at (42) ext We d love to do a little travel dreaming with you! All consultations require appointments in advance. During the busy travel planning seasons our consultants can be heavily booked. Try to make your appointment a week in advance to secure a date and time that fit your schedule. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

6 Compare Point-to-Point Ticket Costs Buying Train Tickets in Europe You can ride the rails in Europe with a rail pass, or with train tickets you purchase to specific destinations. While point-to-point tickets are sold by travel agents in the United States, you can keep your options open by buying tickets in Europe as you need them. Train tickets are sold at many travel agencies in Europe, at staffed ticket windows and automated machines in train stations, and on many countries national railway websites (see our favorites online). In person, bridge any communication gap by writing out your plan: destination city, date, time (if you want a reservation), how many people, first or second class. Sometimes paying as-you-go makes more sense than using a rail pass. More and more point-to-point train tickets now include reservations, making it complicated to change your plans. Tickets for most fast trains (such as TGV, Eurostar, Le Frecce, Thalys, AVE, or SJ Highspeed) automatically include seat assignments for travel on a specific date and time. Refund or exchange rules depend on which rate you paid, similar to how airfares work. An open (undated) ticket will be date-stamped on your date of travel, either by you at the entrance to the train tracks (required in France and Italy) or by the conductor onboard. Unreserved, one-way tickets within a single country require travel completed in a day or less but allow stops and connections along the way. Unreserved international tickets (such as may be available in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe) allow four days to complete a journey with stopovers along the most direct route, and you can pay separately for a seat or sleeper reservation when desired. Rail pass travelers can also make unlimited stops during each day of rail pass validity, but pay extra for seat or sleeper reservations before boarding any train that requires them. Discounts with More Restrictions European rail fares are based primarily on the distance traveled. Each country has its own euros per kilometer type of formula, though the type of train also affects the price (logically, slower trains are usually cheaper than faster trains). Discounts may be available based on the conditions below, but rules vary considerably from country to country and extra restrictions (such as non-refundability and limited seat availability) will apply. Many of the best local deals are not sold by U.S. travel agents. Since offers are so different, they re most manageable for travelers focused on just one or two countries. Don t limit your options by tying yourself to nonrefundable or complicated train tickets if a rail pass would be more convenient. Advance purchase (a week to several months in advance) can usually save you a lot of money; especially for faster or longer train rides. For regional trains in most places, tickets cost the same whether they re bought two months or two minutes before the train leaves. Each country s own railway website is the best place to find these discounts. Round-trip tickets can be cheaper than two one-way tickets in countries such as Britain, France, Germany and Spain, sometimes in combination with advance purchase. For many trips within Britain, for example, a day return (round-trip in a single day) can be just a bit more expensive than a single one-way ticket. Off-peak travel times (such as mid-day or midweek) can be cheaper than peak-time rail journeys in Britain, France, and Sweden. Children ages 4-11 get train ticket discounts in most of Europe (about 0% off, sometimes free with an adult) and under 4 always travel free on your lap (though if there s an empty seat, feel free to use it). A few areas (Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Scandinavia) use a different age range. Most rail passes allow kids 4-11 to travel for free with an adult. s ages do not get many point-topoint train ticket savings, but a few discount cards exist. Special youth prices for most rail passes now apply through age 27. s aged 60 and over can find a few more train ticket deals, which may require a discount card Point-to-Point Discounts for s & s Country Max. Age s Min. Age s Discount Card Needed purchased in Europe. discounts are available on BritRail and Balkan rail passes. Buying Tickets from European Web Sites Many European national rail companies allow customers to buy tickets online at the going European price (usually for faster classes of trains for which reservations are required or at least recommended) for rides within that country or some direct trains to a neighboring country. Your ticket may be a barcode on your smart phone, an ed confirmation code redeemable at the station, or a print-at-home document. Online train tickets are valid for a specific date and time and have strict refund restrictions, so read the fine print carefully. The benefits of ordering online could be a significant advance-purchase discount (perhaps 0%) or the certainty of securing a departure you can t afford to miss. These are best for travelers who need only one or two train tickets. If you re traveling longer, compare the price of a rail pass before deciding. (Most European web sites do not handle reservations with a rail pass.) Some sites will ask if you have their national loyalty-program or discount card, but since these are priced for residents who use them all year, short-stay visitors usually don t have them. Not all national-railway sites are created equal: While some are fairly easy to navigate, some are difficult (or impossible) for foreigners to use. It can be hard to contact these folks and Rick Steves Europe cannot trouble-shoot these problems. See web links and tips from our Buying European Train Tickets page online. Austria % Vorteilscard ( 19) or ( 29) with photo Belgium NA 6 For seniors, local trains 6 roundtrip -class after 9 a.m. M-F or all day Sat-Sun (Thalys not included) No card for seniors. Various card programs for youths Britain % / railcard ( 30) Finland NA 6 0% for seniors No France % off non-peak, non-tgv trains without card ( 0) or Card ( 60) can increase; up to 0% Germany % or Bahn Card ( 127 for cl) Italy % Carta Argento/ ( 30 or free for age 7+) or Carta Verde/ ( 40) Spain % M-Th + 2% F-S for seniors; 2-0% off long distance for youth Norway NA 67 0% for seniors No Other restrictions may apply. Get details at train stations or on each country s rail web site. Tarjeta Dorada/ ( ) or Tarjeta +Renfe Joven/ ( 0) 6 Buy your railpass and reservations at

7 2 4 Ticket Cost & Travel Times Connect the dots (dollars hours), and see if a rail pass will save you money. The first number between cities = approximate cost in $US for a 1-way, class ticket. The second number = number of hours the trip takes. Important: Travel times and fares are for express trains where applicable and are based on European Web sources (assuming an exchange rate of 1 = $1.1). Actual prices may vary due to currency fluctuations and local promotions. Significant advance purchase discounts are often available. For approximate class rail prices, multiply the prices shown by 1.. For shorter routes, see the many individual country rail maps we have later in this guide. 2 4 N 4 3 Rail Bus Boat City covered by Eurail Global City not covered by Eurail Global Night train only on this route Santiago Porto 0 7 Lagos 2 Lisbon Galway 30 6 Killarney Rosslare (N) (N) Tarifa Tangier 2 4 Penzance Sevilla Kyle Inverness 60 6 Glasgow Belfast 80 4 Brest 7 80 Nantes San Sebastián Madrid 13 6 Dublin Holyhead Cardiff Bath Bordeaux Granada Cherbourg 4 3 Edinburgh York Paris Barcelona Åndalsnes Bergen Stavanger Amsterdam London Col. Bruss. 4 3 Marseille Nice Trondheim Hirtshals Copenhagen Hamburg Frank. Zürich Gen Pisa Munich Milan Oslo Bodø Flor. Rome (N) Berlin Vienna 2 Ljub. Venice Palermo 70 4 Naples Narvik Stockholm Prague Split Zagreb Helsinki Gdansk (N) Warsaw 2 6 Kraków Budapest Belgrade 2 11 Dubrovnik Bar Bari Oulu Riga Vilnius Tallinn Skopje 2 Savonlinna 1 (N) Patra Bucharest St. Petersburg 6 (N) 1 Minsk Brest Lviv Chop Sofia Varna 20 (N) Thessaloniki Athens Moscow Kiev Constanta Istanbul 20 4 Ankara PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 7

8 Night Train Destinations Sleeping while rolling down the tracks can save time and money. Here s a cheat-sheet to get you started for Continental Europe. Night trains also run in Britain, Scandinavia, more of Eastern Europe, and Turkey, not reflected here, and train schedules will show all the options. If a train ride is six hours or longer, consider whether an overnight service is more convenient to your schedule (or compare the cost of a budget flight within Europe). See page 23 for discussion of sleeper options and prices and the 7 p.m. rule for travelers with a flexi-style rail pass. Basel Belgrade Bratislava Bucharest Budapest Cologne Florence Gdańsk Hamburg Istanbul Ljubljana Madrid Milan Munich Prague S. Sebastián Santiago Sicily Venice Vienna Warsaw Zagreb Zürich Berlin Budapest Frankfurt Hamburg Kraków Lisbon Ljubljana Madrid Milan Munich Paris P P Prague Rome Sofia International Ferry Costs A few boat crossings are covered by rail passes (counted the same as a train) and some offer a small passholder discount (without using a counted flexipass travel day).price ranges are listed, because fees vary with the season and for who-knows-what-reason. Research these routes and others at Ancona or Bari, Italy to Patras, Greece: 1-21 hrs, $7-$0, free deck passage with Eurail pass, except for a $ port tax year round and a peak-season (June - September) surcharge of $1-$30. Reclining seats and berths cost $30- $200 extra. See Scotland or Wales to Ireland: 2-4 hrs, $80 (free if you can talk your way into a car, which is allowed four free passengers), 30% off with Eurail pass (not BritRail) on Stena Line ferries. Cheap SailRail combo fares also sold in Britain and Ireland. See more info on our Ireland page. Italy to Barcelona: 19 hrs from Civitavecchia or Livorno, $0 for passage, cabins extra. 20% off with Eurail pass. See Ireland to France: 18 hrs, runs most days, crossing only costs from $0 (30% off with Eurail pass), add $70 and up per person for a cabin. Sails between Rosslare, Ireland and Cherbourg or Roscoff, France. See and Vienna = Direct night train. P = Private train, does not accept rail passes. All trains run in both directions & make additional stops. Read both down and across for all info. Harwich to Hook of Holland: 7-9 hours, $60-$0 for passage, 30% off with Eurail pass, cabins extra. See Dover to Calais: minutes, $0-$6 each way, no rail pass discount. See P&O Ferries at Britain to Normandy: Portsmouth or Poole to Cherbourg, 4.2 hours, from $40 one-way, no rail pass discount. Book at co.uk). Sweden to Finland/Estonia/Latvia: 20-40% discount in several cabin categories, from $12, on Tallink Silja Lines between Stockholm and Helsinki, Turku, Tallin, or Riga. Book at www. tallink.com with promo code Eurail. 8 Buy your railpass and reservations at Consciousness Wrestling with the choice between first and second class? The differences are usually less obvious than in an airplane. First versus second class: Normally, first class is configured with three plush seats per row (whether in compartment or open-style seating) and second class has four skinnier, basic seats in the same space. Remember that nearly every train has both first- and second-class cars, each going at precisely the same speed! Choosing first class: If you have the extra money, riding first class is less crowded and more comfortable. First-class rail passes can be a good value, too. While individual first-class tickets cost 0% more than second class, first-class rail passes generally bump your price up only 2% to 40%.

9 Buying Your Pass Where: Most rail passes are best purchased in advance of your trip as they re not sold at every train station. Swiss and German passes are sold at most stations in their respective countries only. When: Most passes can be purchased anywhere from 11 months in advance (if you re sure of your plans) to one week ahead (to allow time for delivery). Swiss, and European East passes are only sold six months ahead. Pass prices fluctuate during the year based on the dollar-euro exchange rate (and other variables) and are subject to change without notice. The $U.S. price you pay will be locked in at the time of ticketing, much like an airline ticket, and this rate remains in computer records of your purchase. (Your printed pass may show the price in euros only.) After you buy a pass, you have either six or 11 months to validate it in Europe. Who: Most rail passes sold in the U.S. cannot be used by residents of Europe. You are not a resident of Europe if you live on an American military base or have only a temporary student visa for Europe. You must provide proof of at least 6 months residence outside Europe (and outside the Russian Federation or Turkey) when validating most rail passes. A passport or green card is the usual proof. These passes require only proof of residence outside the countries covered by the pass: Balkan, BritRail, European East, and Swiss. Choosing second class: If you re on a tight budget, second class makes lots of sense. In most of Europe, the new second-class cars are as comfortable as the old first-class ones. First class is mostly filled with business travelers who paid 0% extra in hopes that they wouldn t have to sit with the likes of you and me. Switching classes: Those with first-class passes may travel in second-class compartments (although the conductor may give you a puzzled look). Those with second-class passes can pay the 0% difference in ticket price to upgrade to first (not possible in Britain). On international, reserved, high-speed trains, seat reservations are usually only sold in the same class as your Eurail pass. Premium class: A few of the newest high-speed trains offer a Premium or Business compartment that s more exclusive and not covered by passes. Train Reservations First class train cars generally feature bigger seats filled with business commuters and Eurail pass travelers over age 27. Europe s modern rail network makes travel easy, efficient and environmentally-friendly. Depending on the route and type of train, reservations (which guarantee you a specific seat) can be either required, a good idea, a pointless hassle, or not even an option. The Deutsche Bahn s train schedule is objective and complete it s your best resource for identifying trains that require a reservation. Subject to Compulsory Reservation means what it says, while Please Reserve is optional, and no news is good news. Reservations typically cost anywhere from $ to $3 (with a few expensive exceptions, but they re free in Britain). When a seat reservation is required, the cost is included in the price of a point-to-point ticket, but rail pass holders pay extra for it. When it s optional, it costs extra with either a point-to-point ticket or a rail pass. Slower, regional trains do not accept reservations. When reservations are required: Certain types of trains always require reservations and can sell out (much like an airplane). These include privately run high-speed trains such as the Brussels-based Thalys and the London-Paris/Brussels Eurostar, certain country-specific high-speed trains (especially in France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden), some of Switzerland s just-for-tourists scenic trains, and beds on overnight trains. These trains generally don t allow extra passengers to board. International high-speed train reservations require a pass that covers your whole trip (and the same class of service). When reservations are optional but a good idea: Most of the time, there s plenty of seating for everyone. But it s wise to reserve at least several days ahead if you are traveling during a peak time (summer, weekends, holidays); on a route with infrequent service; if you need several seats together (a family with children); or for a train you simply cannot afford to miss. If your train doesn t require a reservation, you can just hop onboard with your validated rail pass and find a seat. On crowded trains of this type, the worst-case scenario is that you may stand a while before finding a place. How soon to reserve: Dates, times, and seat assignments are built into some point-to-point ticket train tickets at the time of purchase. If you have an unreserved ticket or a rail pass, you can purchase seat or sleeper reservations anywhere from a few hours to a few months in advance. Reserving early is strongly recommended for France s TGV trains, which can sell out weeks ahead. Your decision of how soon to reserve depends on how firm your itinerary is (do you have hotel reservations or a flight to catch?), how many departures in a day could get you there on time (2 or 20?), and other factors mentioned above. Where to reserve: If you re ready to reserve specific departures, you can add them to your rail pass order at ricksteves.com. For an additional fee, you can also reserve by phone with Rail Europe at 800/ (or 800/ from Canada). In most cases, a printed reservation ticket will be shipped to you, though Rail Europe now offers e-ticketing for most reservations departing from a French or Spanish train station and for Eurostar tickets. Reservations made in the U.S. may cost a little more than in those made in Europe, particularly where they are optional (e.g., 4 - per basic reservation instead of $11-13). Most reservations are not changeable or refundable. You can also get reservations in Europe at train stations or at travel agencies there, when rail pass holder space is still available. Pay before boarding for any required fees, or the conductor will charge more en route. A reservation price list is on pages Second class costs one-third less than first. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 9

10 Multi-Country Rail Passes Eurail Global pass countries Every Eurail Global pass is valid in all 28 of the countries shown above. The price of freedom The per-day price difference between a 4-country Select Pass and a 28-country Eurail pass is about $- per day. If you like to cover lots of ground, and value keeping your options open, you may be better off buying the full-blown Eurail Global! prices prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. passes are for travelers under age 28 on date of activation, no discounts for companions. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. EURAIL GLOBAL The 28-country Eurail Global Pass allows you to travel freely through most of Western Europe, from Portugal to Finland to Turkey. Unlike the Select Pass, the Eurail Global offers a continuous version particularly convenient for the whirlwind traveler who s riding the rails almost every day. Eurail Global is also the only pass with a threemonth option, making it especially popular with student backpackers. Important Note: Our country-specific pages cover more tips and options for train travel in each area. Review this guide carefully to understand how rail passes work. Eurail Global Pass Continuous 1 consecutive days $763 $61 $613 $613 $23 $00 22 consecutive days $982 $836 $788 $788 $671 $642 1 month consecutive days 2 months consecutive days 3 months consecutive days $1,20 $1,026 $966 $966 $823 $787 $1,697 $1,444 $1,360 $1,360 $1,17 $1,7 $2,091 $1,779 $1,67 $1,67 $1,42 $1,363 prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28, no discounts for companions. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Eurail Global Pass Flexi days in 1 month $98 $ $481 $481 $4 $393 7 days in 1 month $729 $622 $8 $8 $00 $478 days in 2 months $897 $764 $720 $720 $614 $87 1 days in 2 months $1,17 $1,001 $942 $942 $803 $768 Same as above. SELECT The Select Pass offers maximum customization for more focused trips. Choose two, three, or four countries connected by rail or ferry lines. Select Passes also come in three price tiers, according to which countries you choose. Choosing at least two of the most popular countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland) will land you in the highest price tier. The lowest price tier is available to travelers choosing only among the low countries. The medium rate results from a varied mix of countries. Select Pass 3 or 4 Countries Four Countries Upper Price Range days in 2 months $46 $466 $439 $439 $37 $39 6 days in 2 months $9 $08 $478 $478 $409 $391 8 days in 2 months $693 $91 $7 $7 $47 $4 days in 2 months $791 $674 $63 $63 $42 $18 Three Countries Upper Price Range days in 2 months $03 $429 $40 $40 $346 $331 6 days in 2 months $ $474 $446 $446 $381 $36 8 days in 2 months $649 $3 $21 $21 $44 $426 days in 2 months $729 $622 $8 $8 $00 $478 Any two of these countries usually place you in this range: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland. Four Countries Medium Price Range days in 2 months $478 $408 $384 $384 $329 $31 6 days in 2 months $27 $449 $424 $424 $362 $347 8 days in 2 months $613 $23 $493 $493 $420 $402 days in 2 months $692 $90 $6 $6 $474 $44 Three Countries Medium Price Range days in 2 months $438 $374 $32 $32 $302 $289 6 days in 2 months $484 $413 $389 $389 $333 $318 8 days in 2 months $62 $480 $42 $42 $386 $370 days in 2 months $63 $42 $ $ $436 $417 This range results from mixing high, medium, and low countries on the diagram. Select Pass countries A Select Pass can be designed to connect a chain of any three or four countries in this diagram linked by direct lines. Each bubble counts as one country on the pass, although some are regions, such as Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg). KEY: = LOW = MEDIUM = HIGH Four Countries Low Price Range days in 2 months $332 $284 $268 $268 $230 $220 6 days in 2 months $36 $312 $294 $294 $22 $241 8 days in 2 months $426 $364 $343 $343 $293 $281 days in 2 months $478 $408 $384 $384 $329 $31 Three Countries Low Price Range days in 2 months $3 $26 $20 $20 $21 $20 6 days in 2 months $344 $294 $277 $277 $238 $228 8 days in 2 months $399 $341 $322 $322 $27 $263 days in 2 months $448 $383 $361 $361 $308 $29 This price range lets you choose among the low countries connected by direct lines on the diagram; Hungary is also permitted in the mix. Buy your railpass and reservations at

11 Select Pass 2 Countries Two Countries Upper Price Range 4 days in 2 months $408 $348 $329 $329 $281 $269 days in 2 months $460 $393 $370 $370 $316 $303 6 days in 2 months $07 $433 $408 $408 $349 $334 8 days in 2 months $91 $04 $47 $47 $40 $388 days in 2 months $66 $67 $34 $34 $46 $436 Choose from these pairs: Austria-Italy Austria-Switzerland Benelux-France Benelux-Germany France-Germany France-Italy France-Spain Two Countries Medium Price Range France-Switzerland Germany-Sweden Germany-Switzerland Italy-Spain Italy-Switzerland Portugal-Spain 4 days in 2 months $348 $298 $281 $281 $241 $231 days in 2 months $391 $33 $316 $316 $270 $28 6 days in 2 months $432 $369 $348 $348 $297 $284 8 days in 2 months $03 $429 $40 $40 $346 $331 days in 2 months $67 $484 $46 $46 $389 $373 Choose from these pairs: Austria-Germany Austria-Slovakia Croatia/Slovenia-Italy Czech Republic-Germany Two Countries Low Price Range Denmark-Germany Germany-Poland** Greece-Italy 4 days in 2 months $2 $218 $206 $206 $177 $170 days in 2 months $286 $24 $231 $231 $198 $190 6 days in 2 months $317 $271 $26 $26 $219 $2 8 days in 2 months $368 $314 $296 $296 $24 $243 days in 2 months $412 $32 $332 $332 $284 $272 Choose from these pairs: Austria-Croatia/Slovenia Austria-Czech Republic Austria-Hungary Bulgaria-Greece Bulgaria-Montenegro/Serbia Bulgaria-Romania Bulgaria-Turkey Croatia/Slovenia-Hungary Croatia/Slovenia- Montenegro/Serbia Czech Republic-Poland Czech Republic-Slovakia Hungary-Montenegro/Serbia Hungary-Romania Hungary-Slovakia Montenegro/Serbia-Romania **While two-country Select Passes are available for most neighboring countries, a few two-country combos aren t an option: Denmark Sweden, Greece Turkey, Ireland anything, Norway anything, and Finland anything (see the Scandinavia Pass, instead). There are, however, a Germany Poland and a Czech Rep-Poland pairing (even though Poland isn t an option on three- or four-country Select Passes, which is why it isn t shown in the schematic map on this page). Important Rail Pass Restrictions Reservations: Seat and sleeper reservations cost extra and are required on many types of train, as indicated in timetables. For example, fast trains in or from France can sell out weeks ahead, with international reservations more expensive. See more details about train reservations on pages 9 and 26. Know your route. If your train crosses a country not covered by your rail pass, you must buy a separate train ticket for that stretch before boarding, or pay a fine for purchasing the ticket on board. Examples: Crossing Austria on the Munich-Venice route costs $2 additional in second class or $40 in first, if it s not listed on your Select Eurail pass. Crossing Slovakia on the Budapest-Prague route costs about $30 extra in class if it s not listed on your Select Eurail pass. Italy and Spain can be connected by Grimaldi ferry service (20% discount with pass), or you can fly, but if you ll go by train, you ll have to include France on your Select Pass. Greece does not currently have train connections to Turkey. Flying is the best way to reach Athens, Thessaloniki, or Istanbul from any major city in Europe. Ferries still connect Greece to Italy and Turkey. Bus is more convenient for many routes within Greece and Turkey. Coverage: Travel in Britain and in parts of Eastern Europe is not covered by these passes. See the pass and ticket prices for those areas later in this guide. Although nearly all trains (fast, medium, slow, international, day, night, etc.) are covered by passes, our regional pages list a few private trains that are not covered. Direct Paris-Italy night trains do not accept any rail passes. pass prices listed include a 1% discount compared to individual first class passes. Members of each pair or group must order together, all purchasing the same pass. See How Rail passes Work (page 4). Countries and number of travel days must be selected at the time of purchase and cannot be added in Europe. Free kids Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult on a Eurail-brand pass. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 does not need a ticket. Cheap Tips Our regional pass pages describe four-country Scandinavia and European East passes which are cheaper than a Select Pass for the same four countries, but valid for travel only during a one-month window. Since the Portugal-Spain two-country Select Pass is in the upper price category, many travelers will find the three-country, medium-priced Select Pass to be cheaper for Portugal, Spain, and either France or Italy. This works if you want first class or qualify for youth discounts. Eurostar trains across the English Channel to or from London now accept Eurail Global or Select passes (for 3+ countries only) that cover Benelux (for Brussels service) or France (for Paris, Lille, or Disneyland service). Reservations cost about $3 in Standard class or $4 in Standard Premier in addition to starting use of a Eurail pass travel day. Otherwise, Eurostar ticket prices run from $70 up to $260 in Standard class, with the best rates selling out weeks or months ahead. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 11

12 GREAT BRITAIN Holyhead Liverpool Conwy Cardiff Britain map key: Portsmouth Glasgow Salisbury Chester Orkney Thurso Portree 2 Kyle Armadale 30 Mallaig 1 Aberdeen Oban Ft. Pit. 2 1 William Mull 30 Dundee Edinburgh 1 Cairnryan 30 6 Durham 30 Belfast Penrith 30 6 York Dublin Aberystwyth Rosslare Norwich Fishguard Bath 20 Harwich London Barnstaple Holland Exeter Dover Penzance 20 2 Brighton Calais & Paris Paris Normandy (via Eurostar) Inverness Cambridge Approximate point-to-point one-way class fares in $US by rail (solid line) and bus (dashed line). Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class rail fares, add 0%. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Based on Off Peak rates, 1 = $1.30. Source: Free Kids For each adult or senior pass you buy at regular rates, one child ( 1) travels with you free (specify which child with which adult when you order). This Family Pass deal is available with regular Britrail and Britrail England passes but not with Scotland Passes. Additional kids pay half the normal adult rate. Kids under free. Pass - Group Discount Not shown here, groups of three or more save 20% off the adult rate when traveling together. Cannot be combined with free kids or low season discount. Low Season Discount BritRail, BritRail England, and BritRail Southwest passes are 20% off regular adult prices for travel November- February. These are for sale September-mid-February. No discount. Best Value: Since Britain is not included on the Eurail Global or Select Pass, and pay-as-you-go train fares are among the highest in Europe, BritRail passes can be very useful. Traditional passes cover the whole island (England, Scotland, and Wales) and pay for themselves quickly if you travel from London to Scotland. Regional variations cover just England, Scotland, or southeast England. On the charts below, read beyond the BritRail brand name to choose the coverage you want and discounts for which you qualify. For those on a budget, standard (second) class is fine and first class is not worth the extra 0%. Many regional trains have only standard-class cars. If you re making just a couple of trips and can commit to dates and times in advance, look into Britain s advance purchase discounts on point-to-point tickets (right). Reservations: Seat reservations are free at stations in Britain up to 24 hours ahead, and recommended for weekends, but not required for rail passes or full-fare tickets on daytime trains. On overnight trains, a bunk in a twin sleeper costs about $0 per adult pass holder (half price for kids -1). Overnight journeys begun on your BritRail pass s final night can be completed the day after the pass expires only BritRail allows this trick. Private Trains: BritRail passes do not cover Eurostar trains to the Continent. Passes cover service by Britain s 20+ railway operators, and give 20% discount on Heritage Railway lines such as Wales Ffestiniog, Isle of Man and North York Moors Railways. London Airport Shuttles: Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted Express trains are covered by regular BritRail, BritRail England, and London Plus passes (starts use of a counted travel day on your pass). If you don t use your pass for that trip, you can buy London airport express tickets at the station for about $33 one-way or $48 roundtrip (half price for kids -1), or take the Tube. PASSES COVERING ENGLAND, SCOTLAND & WALES BritRail Consecutive Pass 3 consec. days $318 $2 $270 $179 $191 $126 4 consec. days $39 $261 $336 $222 $237 $17 8 consec. days $63 $378 $478 $321 $338 $204 1 consec. days $831 $63 $707 $478 $499 $ consec. days $1,06 $704 $898 $98 $634 $422 1 month consec. $1,21 $831 $1,063 $707 $71 $499 passes are for travelers age 60 and up. price is for under 26. One child 1 free with each adult- or senior-rate pass. For groups of 3 or more adults and youths, see Pass. PASSES COVERING ENGLAND ONLY (NO SCOTLAND & WALES) BritRail England Consecutive Pass 3 consec. days $21 $177 $213 $10 $18 $112 4 consec. days $318 $2 $270 $179 $200 $133 8 consec. days $44 $301 $379 $26 $281 $190 1 consec. days $670 $44 $70 $379 $422 $ consec. days $848 $63 $721 $478 $34 $3 1 month consec. $999 $670 $849 $70 $630 $422 Same as Britrail Consecutive Pass. REGIONAL PASSES BritRail South West Pass 3 consec. days $227 $10 $193 $127 $148 $98 4 consec. days $277 $183 $236 $16 $180 $119 8 consec. days $39 $267 $336 $227 $27 $174 1 consec. days $86 $39 $498 $336 $381 $27 22 consec. days $737 $496 $627 $421 $479 $322 1 month consec. $871 $86 $741 $498 $67 $381 BritRail Flexipass 3 days in 1 month $39 $267 $336 $227 $237 $161 4 days in 1 month $486 $334 $413 $284 $292 $201 8 days in 1 month $714 $479 $607 $407 $428 $287 1 days in 2 months $1,066 $720 $906 $612 $640 $432 Same as Britrail Consecutive Pass. BritRail England Flexipass 3 days in 1 month 4 days in 1 month 8 days in 1 month 1 days in 2 months Same as Britrail Consecutive Pass. $318 $217 $270 $18 $200 $137 $39 $267 $336 $227 $249 $169 $69 $38 $484 $327 $39 $243 $8 $79 $727 $493 $39 $36 BritRail South West Flexipass 3 days in 1 month 4 days in 1 month 8 days in 1 month 1 days in 2 mths. $277 $194 $236 $16 $180 $126 $34 $234 $293 $199 $224 $12 $02 $334 $427 $284 $327 $218 $747 $02 $63 $427 $486 $327 Covers most trains in SW England operated by First Great Western (but not east of Portsmouth), South West Trains, and Heathrow Express (see coverage map, next page) but not other operators. Includes the Newport-Cardiff-Swansea main line trains in Wales. Many trains offer Standard class only. passes are for travelers age 60 and up. price is for under 26. One child 1 free with each adult or senior rail pass. 12 Buy your railpass and reservations at

13 BritRail South West Pass Coverage See previous page for pricing. BritRail London Plus Pass 3 out of 1 month $230 $164 $19 $139 $10 $7 4 out of 1 month $266 $200 $226 $170 $173 $130 8 out of 1 month $376 $277 $320 $236 $24 $180 Covers much of SE England (see London Plus Coverage Map below). Includes the Heathrow, Stansted or Gatwick Express on counted travel days. Many trains are standard class only. The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply. price is for under 26 and for age 60+. One child 1 free with each adult- or senior-rate pass. SCOTLAND ONLY BritRail Scottish Highlands Pass 4 days out of 8 $131 Standard Covers selected train, bus, and ferry routes generally those connecting Glasgow and points north with each other, but not trains between Glasgow and Inverness, nor ferries to points beyond Mull or Skye, nor trains arriving into Aberdeen or Inverness before 9am on weekdays. The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply. Kids 1 half price; under free. BritRail Central Scotland Pass 3 consecutive days $60 Standard Passes are prevalidated at the time of purchase for a specific, 3-day travel window and cannot be refunded after that planned travel date! Covers frequent service between Edinburgh and Glasgow s Queen St Station (not Glasgow Central), some nearby side-trips (see Central Scotland Coverage Map, right), and the Glasgow Underground (on your three travel days). Standard class only. No highlands or islands. Not valid on trains that depart before 9:1 a.m. Monday - Friday, Glasgow Airport Coach Links, excursion trains, nor private railways. The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply. Kids 1 half price; under free. Point-to-Point Ticket Deals to Buy in Britain: British point-to-point tickets come in three main categories: Advance, Off-Peak, and Anytime. Generally, the earlier you book through a British agent, the better deal you ll get. Advance tickets get snapped up fast in summer, can be booked from one day to 12 weeks ahead, have limited seat availability, are non-refundable, and have exchange restrictions. Off-Peak rates (shown on our map) apply on weekends or for travel after 9:30 a.m. weekdays; roundtrip prices may be the same as one-way in this category. Both Off-Peak and Anytime fares can be purchased up until the departure of the train. For a London Edinburgh one-way ticket in Standard class, the Anytime (full) fare is 1; and the Off-Peak fare is 142. But Advance fares start from 32-40, rising to intermediate levels as seats get sold. You can find more ticket prices and buy online at www. nationalrail.co.uk or call to Britain at for 24-hour information (they ll give you another number to purchase tickets). For credit card approval online, it may help to enter a British hotel address or postal code (not for delivery). For 30, the Railcard for s ages 16 2, full-time students 26+ with ISIC, or for s age 60+, get you a third off most point-topoint tickets for a year. The Family & Friends Railcard for 30 allows adults to travel 33% cheaper while their kids age 1 get 60% off for most trips. Couples (or any two travel companions) can get a third off most train tickets with a Two gether Railcard, as long as they re both present ( 30; both travelers photos required). Not valid on Eurostar or some busy weekday morning commuter trains. See BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass 4 days out of 8 $214 8 days out of 1 $276 Standard For all of Scotland, standard class only. Not valid on trains that depart before 9:1 a.m., Monday - Friday. Covers Caledonian MacBrayne and Strathclyde ferry service to popular islands. Discounts on some P&O ferries, some Citylink buses & more. Kids 1 half fare; under free. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 13

14 IRELAND Derry Portrush Donegal 1 Coleraine Sligo 1 Bangor Belfast 1 Westport 2 2 Scotland Trim & England Rossaveal 20 2 Galway 1 1 Aran 20 2 Dublin 1 Islands Doolin 1 Wales Ennis Tralee Kilkenny Dingle 4 Wales Killarney 20 2 Rosslare & France 1 1 Cork Waterford 2 Kenmare Kinsale Ireland map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way class fares in $US by rail (solid line), bus (dashed line), and ferry (dotted line). Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail and/or bus pass will save you money. Note: For class fares, add 0%. Web-only fares shown. More discounts may be available with advance purchase. Source: and Best Value: Ireland s trains fan out from Dublin but neglect much of the countryside. The bus system is more extensive and cheaper. Paying as you go works fine for both rail and bus. Note that our map shows online-only rail fares, which must be purchased at least 90 minues before departure; tickets bought in the station can cost more. Traveling mid-day also reduces your rail ticket price. Return (roundtrip) rail fares can cost as little as % more than one-way. Reservations: Irish trains do not require seat reservations but there s a charge for City Gold class seating between Dublin and Cork ( 27). Irish Rail sells optional seat reservations online for 2.0 ($3). International Connections: Flying to either Britain or the Continent is cheap on Ryan Air and other carriers. British Rail has teamed up with ferry companies to offer competitive rates on combined Sail/Rail tickets to Britain (separate from passes, purchase ahead). Either of these options can cost about $6, as can a single ferry-only ticket to Britain. Local Rail Passes: For the Republic only, Irish Rail stations sell a Trekker rail pass covering 4 consecutive days for 1 (about $12) and an Explorer rail pass for days in 1 for 160 (about $18). Ireland Pass 3 days in 1 month $206 $176 $166 $166 $142 $137 4 days in 1 month $249 $213 $200 $200 $171 $164 days in 1 month $289 $247 $233 $233 $199 $190 8 days in 1 month $390 $333 $313 $313 $268 $26 Covers trains (not buses) in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Stena Line ferries to Britain and Irish Ferries to France are discounted 30% during the validity of the pass. prices are per person based on two or more traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Prices subject to change. SPAIN & PORTUGAL Best Value: The best public transportation strategy in Iberia is to mix it up. Buses and even flights are cheap and efficient for short hops and where train service can be sparse (such as along north and south coasts or to connect Spain and Portugal). Consider a rail pass only if you need three or more long train rides. Reservations: Spain s network of fast trains is expanding and most point-to-point tickets are sold for a reserved date, time, and seat. With a rail pass, Spanish trains require seat reservations (about $13 but sometimes more in first class) and places are limited for pass holders. From Madrid to ledo, a reservation costs as much as a ticket, so don t use the pass on that short distance. Trains can usually be booked starting 60 days ahead, but Spanish timetables may not be published much in advance of seasonal changes in mid-june, September, and December. Children under 4 also need a ticket in Spain, which is free at train stations there. In Portugal, Alfa Pendular and Inter City trains require seat assignments, available at Portuguese train stations for $6. International Routes & Coverage: Between Portugal and Spain, rail service is limited to overnight trains between Lisbon and either Madrid or San Sebastian (both with stops including Coimbra and Salamanca, sleeper fees extra) and daytime service between Porto and Vigo, where you may wait for onward connections. Private Trains: Passes do not cover coastal Euskotren service between Bilbao and San Sebastian or to the French border (bus is faster, see or nor some local service around Barcelona (run by FGC and discounted 0% for passholders) and Valencia (FGV, no discount). Spain Pass Indiv Indiv 3 days in 1 month $290 $248 $234 $234 $200 $192 4 days in 1 month $336 $287 $271 $271 $231 $221 days in 1 month $377 $321 $303 $303 $29 $248 8 days in 1 month $479 $409 $38 $38 $328 $314 prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. price is for under age 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Extra kids pay youth rate. Under 4 must get a free ticket at train station ticket counters. Portugal Pass 3 days in 1 month $18 $136 $128 $128 $1 $ 4 days in 1 month $19 $167 $18 $18 $13 $129 days in 1 month $229 $196 $18 $18 $19 $12 8 days in 1 month $32 $277 $261 $261 $223 $214 Not valid on Hotel Trains to Spain. prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. price is for under age 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Extra kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. San Sebastián & Paris Paris Oviedo Bilbao A Coruña La ur 3 30 Santiago Perp. 2 2 Vigo León Pamp. 2 2 Burgos 1 Figueres Porto 1 Pinhão Barcelona Coimbra 4(N) Sal Zaragoza (N) 1 8 Lisbon 1 Évora ledo 70 Valencia 80 0 Córdoba Sagres Seville 3 Granada Lagos Cádiz Tarifa Málaga Gibraltar Tangier Algeciras Madrid Bordeaux Marseille & Iberia map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Dashed lines are buses, dots are ferry routes, not covered by passes. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class fares add 0%. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Sources: www. renfe.es and N=Night train service only on this route. 14 Buy your railpass and reservations at

15 FRANCE England London (via Eurostar) Brussels (via Thalys) Ireland Calais Le Havre 70 Lille Cherbourg 6 2 Luxembourg MSM 30 Bayeux 70 Brest Paris Reims Strasbourg Rennes 1 Chartres Munich urs 0 Basel Dijon Nantes Vallorbe Lyon 30 Geneva Sarlat Switz. Bordeaux Chamonix 4 40 Avignon Modane 4 ulouse Carc. 3 Italy Hendaye Lourdes Nice San Sebastián La & Madrid ur Perpignan France map key: Barcelona Narbonne Marseille Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class fares add 0%. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Source: Best Value: The France pass can be a good value for several days of train travel with the borders of France. But if you only need a couple of trips and are ready to lock in travel times early, or if you re crossing borders with expensive, high-speed trains, then advance purchase discounts for point-to-point train tickets (below) can save you more money. Reservations: On unreserved regional trains, such as between Paris and Normandy, rail pass holders can just hop on and find an open seat. However, TGV high-speed trains serve most main lines and require seat reservations. Book TGV as soon as you can commit to a date and time, usually available starting 120 days in advance. Seat reservations for domestic routes start at about $11 and go up to $27 as seating gets filled Seat reservations on international High-Speed, TGV, and Thalys trains cost $20-4 in class and $3-80 in class (see more detail on pages of this guide.) These international trains limit places for rail pass holders, even if the train is not full, and require that you have a pass covering both ends of your route. There are no longer any cross-border reservation deals with a pass for just France. While TGV Lyria reservations to/from Switzerland are the most expensive, a pass for France does cover you as far as Basel or Geneva, which are both official border stations and common transfer points. Private Trains: Rail passes do not cover Paris-Italy night trains ( 2% discount possible with pass but book early for better discounts or consider a cheap flight); nor the direct Milan Genova Nice Marseille EuroCity departures that avoid a connection at Ventimiglia (also nor the rail line from Nice to Digne (trainprovence.com); nor on Corsica ( Point-to-Point Ticket Deals to Buy in France: A direct Paris Nice second-class TGV ticket costs about $160 at full fare. Advance purchase discounts can be huge, with the same Paris-Nice trains starting around $0, usually on sale starting 120 days in advance, sometimes earlier. If you break the trip with stops along the way, your totals will be higher, as shown on the map on this page. International trains also offer big advance ticket savings. The best deals have limited seat availability, sell out early, and have refund or exchange restrictions. See (but does not accept all US credit cards). France Pass 1 day in 1 month $133 $114 $8 $8 $93 $89 2 days in 1 month $197 $168 $19 $19 $136 $131 3 days in 1 month $20 $214 $202 $202 $173 $166 4 days in 1 month $29 $22 $238 $238 $203 $19 days in 1 month $33 $286 $270 $270 $231 $221 6 days in 1 month $372 $318 $299 $299 $26 $24 7 days in 1 month $406 $347 $327 $327 $279 $267 8 days in 1 month $441 $37 $34 $34 $302 $289 prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS & LUXEMBOURG Best Value: Most visits to Belgium, Luxembourg, or the Netherlands don t cover enough miles to justify a rail pass. Reservations: On unreserved regional and InterCity trains, rail pass holders can just hop on and find an open seat. Seat reservations on Thalys and international TGV trains cost $1-3 in class and $3-4 in class and only work with passes that cover both ends of the route. Benelux Pass 3 days in 1 month $206 $176 $166 $166 $142 $137 4 days in 1 month $249 $213 $200 $200 $171 $164 days in 1 month $289 $247 $233 $233 $199 $190 8 days in 1 month $390 $333 $313 $313 $268 $26 prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Groningen Alkmaar Hoorn Hamburg Haarlem & Copenhagen 30 2 Amsterdam Hengelo The Hague 1 England Utrecht Hoek Arnhem Ostend 2 2 Cologne & Rhineland Bruges Ghent Antwerp Ypres 1 Maastricht Brussels 1 Aachen urcoing Liege & Cologne 11 Lille, 0 London 0 & Paris Paris (via Thalys) Rotterdam Luxembourg Benelux countries map key: Metz, Strasbourg & Paris Trier & Mosel Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class rail fares, add 0%. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Sources: and PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 1

16 GERMANY Flensburg Stuttgart Germany map key: Copenhagen Rostock Würz. Trelleborg Sassnitz Bremen Putt. 4 Bad Bentheim 0 60 Hamburg Gdansk & 7 Warsaw Amsterdam 90 2 Frankfurt 0 1 Berlin (Oder) 140 Emmerich 4Dresden Görlitz Aachen Cologne Leipzig Schöna Koblenz Erfurt 0 Brussels Trier Frankfurt Prague Luxembourg 6 0 Roth. 1 2 Nürn. Furth Kehl 60 Baden Passau Paris Munich Basel 4 40 Lindau Salzburg Füssen Kufstein Vienna Switzerland Innsbruck Approximate point-to-point 1-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class fares add 0%. Dashed line (bus) to Prague is covered by passes for the relevant countries. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Source: Best Value: The German Pass is a great value, often saving money while allowing you to hop trains at your convenience. For about the cost of a Munich-Frankfurt roundtrip ticket at full fare, the German Pass gives you four days of transport anywhere in the country. Two people traveling together each save 2% with a Twin discount. Reservations: Most daytime routes, including fast InterCityExpress trains, do not require reservations. Overnight trains and some international day trains (such as to Paris, Brussels, Venice, or Copenhagen) do require reservations, as indicated in timetables. Coverage: All passes for Germany also cover Salzburg, Austria (the official border town) on trips to/from Munich. Buses are covered when operated by the railways. Bonuses include 20% off the private Romantic Road Bus and KD Line boats on the Rhine and Mosel Rivers (discounts do not use a flexipass travel day). Point-to-Point Deals in Germany: Kids under 1 travel free when named on one ticket with parents or grandparents. With Sparpreise discounts, you save by buying a ticket in advance for pre-selected dates and times (available up to 180 days out, availability is limited, and refund restrictions apply). For example, Frankfurt-Munich tickets start around $30 and go up to a full fare of $120 in class. Full fares are shown on our map. Search for more local German fares at bahn.hafas. de/bin/query.exe/en. Slow-Train Day Tickets in Germany give groups of up to five people unlimited second-class travel all day on regional, non-express trains. These include a wild Schönes Wochenende (Happy Weekend) ticket for 40 plus 4 for each additional traveler, valid on a Saturday or a Sunday. The weekday version is called the Quer-durchs-Land Ticket, valid after 9:00 a.m., 44 for one traveler plus 8 for each co-traveler. Länder-Tickets are a similar deal within a single region such as Bavaria, for travel after 9:00 a.m. weekdays or all day Saturday or Sunday, about 2 for first person plus 6 for each additional person. For details, see and click on Offers, then Regional Offers. 1 = about $1.1. German Pass Twin Twin 3 days in 1 month $369 $274 $294 $274 $20 $219 4 days in 1 month $397 $294 $31 $294 $219 $233 days in 1 month $424 $31 $33 $31 $233 $23 7 days in 1 month $20 $390 $424 $383 $291 $308 days in 1 month $670 $499 $33 $492 $369 $397 1 days in 1 month $943 $704 $72 $683 $13 $61 Twin price is per person for 2 traveling together. Odd-numbered groups must buy one individual adult or youth pass. passes are for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 6-11 travel free with an adult. Kids and under travel free without a ticket. Also sold at main train stations in Germany. Not a Eurail brand pass. Pass also covers select routes outside Germany on these trains or buses operated by DB (German Railways) or DB-OBB (German/Austrian Railways partnership): Brussels on ICE trains (4/day, not Thalys trains). Value on the Belgian side about $30 each way in class. Innsbruck via Kufstein on EuroCity trains (6/day). Value $20 in class. EuroCity trains to/from Italy: Bolzano, Trento, or Verona (/day), or Bologna or Venice (1/day to/from each city); not valid on Italian trains or night trains. Value $6 to Verona or $80 to Venice in class. Prague on direct DB InterCity Bus services from Munich, Mannheim and Nuremburg (not on Czech trains). Value of Czech portion $2 each way. Direct IC Buses running Berlin-Wroclaw-Katowice-Kraków, Dusseldorf-Antwerp-Lille, Berlin-Copenhagen, and more. German Consecutive Pass Twin Twin 3 consec. days $36 $263 $287 $260 $199 $212 4 consec. days $383 $287 $301 $287 $212 $226 consec. days $4 $304 $328 $301 $226 $246 7 consec. days $499 $373 $403 $369 $277 $294 consec. days $9 $444 $479 $438 $332 $36 1 consec. days $834 $622 $670 $61 $461 $492 Same as above. 16 Buy your railpass and reservations at

17 SWITZERLAND Frankfurt St. Strasbourg Marg. & Paris Singen Basel Appenzell Zürich 3 Dijon & Paris 0 Innsbruck 2 Bern Luzern Buchs 1 Vallorbe Murten Flüe. Int. Scuol Chur 3 Paris Lausanne Spiez Jung Andermatt St. Moritz 2 Mont. 40 Brig Geneva Mart. 1 Tirano Domo Lugano Lyon Chamonix Zermatt Chiasso Switzerland map key: Stresa & Milan Como & Milan Lindau & Munich Varenna & Milan Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see if a rail pass will save you money. For class fares, add 0%. Source: Free Kids The Swiss Family Card allows children under 16 to travel free with a parent who has a Swiss Travel System ticket or pass (not a multi-country pass). Request a free Swiss Family Card when you order an adult Swiss Pass/Flexipass or Swiss Transfer Ticket in the U.S. One card has space to list seven kids. Also sold for 30 SF per child at Swiss train stations (called Junior Card for non-passholders). Kids 6 1 not accompanied by parent pay half of full adult (not saver) fare; under 6 free. A Grandchild Travel Card is sold only in Switzerland for 30 SF per grandchild. Other Swiss Offers The Swiss Transfer Ticket gives you one train ride in from any Swiss airport or border station to any point in Switzerland, then one trip out to any airport or border for $270 in first class or $169 in second class. Each direction must be completed in a day by the fastest, most direct route and both trips must occur within a month. Sold only outside Switzerland. Now sold here for $132, the One-Month Half-Fare Card for visitors gives you 0% off on all national and private trains (including Jungfraujoch), postal buses, city trams, lifts, and lake boats for a month, such as June 14-July 13. This can save you money if your Swiss travel adds up to more than $260 in point-to-point tickets. Regional Passes Sold in Switzerland The Berner Oberland Pass for the Bern-Interlaken- Luzern area, is the most useful of Switzerland s regional passes, but costs almost as much as a full Swiss Pass. It offers 4 continuous days for 20 SF, 6 days for 3 SF, 8 days for 36 SF, or days for 390 SF. The highest mountain lifts are either 0% off during the validity of the pass or have special prices (e.g., Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch is 2% off but Murren to the Schilthorn 0% off). Parts of the Glacier Express and Golden Pass scenic routes are also discounted 0%. Also available in first class for 20% more; or if you have any type of Swiss Pass or discount card, all prices are 2% less. see a map of covered and discounted rides, go to www. regionalpass-berneroberland.ch. Sold late April to late October. 1 Swiss franc about = $1. Best Value: Choose the pass that best matches the countries and number of travel days in your plan. A Swiss Travel Pass for consecutive days gives you lots of freedom on trains, boats, city trams, buses, museums (see and discounted lifts during your stay. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex gives you the same coverage on selected travel days during a one-month window. A Swiss Transfer Ticket is like a two-day flexipass that gets you in and out of a central destination. Eurail-brand passes work fine if you also plan several long train rides in other countries. Reservations: Most transport in Switzerland does not need reservations. Switzerland s named scenic lines and some international trains (such as to/from France and Italy or night trains through Germany) require seat reservations. Pass Format: All Swiss passes are prevalidated for a specific travel period (starting within 6 months of purchase). Consecutive passes are available as e-tickets to print at home. Swiss passes are also sold in staffed train stations. Swiss Travel Pass 3 consec. days $392 $334 $246 $2 4 consec. days $469 $400 $29 $23 8 consec. days $690 $88 $43 $372 1 consec. days $836 $71 $30 $4 Covers trains, boats, buses, city trams, and 00 Swiss museums. 0% discount on most high mountain rides. passes are for travelers under age 26 only. See free Swiss Family Card for kids. Swiss Travel Pass Flex 3 days in 1 month $41 $384 $283 $242 4 days in 1 month $39 $460 $339 $290 8 days in 1 month $772 $68 $487 $416 1 days in 1 month $918 $78 $82 $499 Covers trains, boats, buses, city trams, 00 Swiss museums, and offers 0% discount on most high mountain rides on your counted travel days only. passes are for travelers under age 26 only. See free Swiss Family Card for kids. Comparing Swiss Pass Coverage All passes that include Switzerland cover national network trains and offer many sightseeing and private rail discounts. A map of this network comes with your pass. Coverage and discounts apply on counted travel days only with a Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Transfer Ticket. With a Eurail-brand, multi-country pass, discounts don t require using a flexipass travel day. When adults with a Eurail pass get 2% off a ticket, kids get 0% off (the regular kid rate, instead of the passholder rate). All passes cover these and other scenic rides: Interlaken to Luzern (Lucerne) Geneva-Brig-Domodossola Named scenic routes: Golden Pass (Montreux to Spiez), Bernina Express (Chur to Tirano & bus to Lugano), Glacier Express (Chur to Zermatt), Gotthard Panorama Express (Luzern to Lugano with lake boat), Voralpen Express (Luzern to Romanshorn), Centovalli Railway (Domodossola to Locarno via Italy), Chocolate Train ( class excursion from Montreux). Reservations extra. Here are the key areas where coverage varies: Route or bonus: Eurail Global or Select Passes Swiss Transfer Ticket Swiss Travel Passes (Consec or Flex) Free travel for children 2 free kids under 12 per adult on pass. Swiss Family Card covers your own kids under 16. discount age limit Under 28 No Under 26 Postal buses No Covered Covered Urban transport in 90 cities No No Covered Swiss museum admissions No No Covered Swiss lake boats Glacier Express scenic train (requires paid reservation) Brig Zermatt private train to see the Matterhorn ($40 class) Mt. Rigi above Vitznau, Arth-Goldau, or Weggis ($2 40 per leg) Mt. Pilatus above Kriens or Alpnachstad ($70 for two legs) Mt. Schilthorn lifts from Stechelberg-$ roundtrip Jungfrau Region Railways (e.g., from Interlaken: $ to Lauterbrunnen, $11 to Grindelwald, $1 to Wengen; $200 roundtrip to Jungfraujoch) Le Châtelard, Switzerland to Chamonix, France ($14) Lakes Thun & Brienz covered; others 0% off Covered Covered Only along direct route from border to destination Only if most direct route fr/ south border to south destination Only if Zermatt is final destination Swiss Family Card covers your own kids under 16. Covered Covered Covered 0% discount Only to final destination Covered 0% discount No 0% discount 2% discount Gimmelwald or Mürren if final destination Covered 2% discount above Inter laken No 2% discount above Grindel wald or Wengen Need France on pass Covered to enter or exit Switz via Chamonix Liechtenstein bus service ($4) Need Austria on pass Covered to enter or exit Switz via Liechtenstein Covered Covered PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 17

18 ITALY Bern Zürich Tirano Chiasso Brenner Paris Tarvisio 1 Ljubljana Domo. Varenna Bolzano Modane Milan Trieste Turin Venice Croatia Vent. Genoa Bol. & Greece 2 Vern Nice 1 Pisa Florence Ancona 1 Siena 1 Split Marseille Assisi Pescara Olbia 1 Sassari Civ. Rome 0 4 Bari SARDINIA Chilivani Naples 0 20 Brindisi Oristano Cagliari Sorrento Taranto Palermo Cefalú 60 Lecce 20 Messina Trapani 1 Sibari 1 Catania Agrigento SICILY Syracuse Italy map key: St.Moritz Innsbruck Verona Vienna Dubrovnik Greece Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see if a rail pass will save you money. For class fares add 0%. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Source: Best Value: Most visitors to Italy make short hops on the Milan-Venice-Florence-Rome circuit. For these trips, it s cheaper to buy point-to-point tickets in Italy or online (see below). Do the math with our ticket-cost map on this page. Fares shown on the map are full fares and include reservations when required. In summer, it may be worthwhile to spring for first class for its smaller crowds and better air conditioning. First-class tickets cost 0% more than second-class tickets, but a first-class pass costs only 22% more than a second-class pass. Reservations: A pass doesn t provide much hop-on convenience in Italy, since most trains require a seat reservation in addition to the pass (required 3 for InterCity trains, for EuroCity and international trains, or $12 for Le Frecce departures. Regional trains, such as most Florence-Pisa-Cinque Terre service, don t need reservations. Fast, reserved Le Frecce (the arrows - red, white, or silver) trains provide most of the service on the main lines between Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples. On the fastest trains with extra classes of service, class passes allow you to reserve in Standard and class passes match with Business (not Premium, which is between those, nor Executive). You can buy tickets or passholder reservations at stations (from staff or machines) and some travel agencies. There s no deadline to reserve and no artificial limit to the number of seats for passholders on the Italian State Railways. Rail passes also cover the Austrian railways bus between Venice (Mestre and Tronchetto stations) and Villach, Austria (reservation required, plus supplement if your pass does not cover both countries). Private Trains: Rail passes do not cover high-speed Italo brand trains ( connecting Italy s main cities, so passholders should choose the equally fast Le Frecce departures, instead. Passes also don t cover Thello-operated trains, which include Paris-Italy night trains ( 2% discount possible with pass but book early for better discounts or consider a cheap flight) and the direct Milan Genova Nice Marseille EuroCity departures that avoid a connection at Ventimiglia. Rome s Fiumicino Airport Express ($16) is part of the national railways, but is considered all first class, so it accepts only first-class passes. Rail passes do not cover Milan s Malpensa Airport Express ($14, Trenord from Milan s Cadorna Station to Como town and other destinations in the region ($), the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompei and Sorrento ($, for schedules), the Campania Express tourist train from Naples to Pompei and Sorrento ($, running 4x/day, March-Oct, Gargano Railways from San Severo ( Bari-Alberobello-Taranto ($, nor Bari-Matera trains ($, www. fal-srl.it). Point-to-point ticket deals to buy in Italy: Advance-purchase discounts are available up to 180 days (about 6 months) ahead at for reserved, medium-speed and faster trains (but not regional trains). For instance, Standard () class fares from Venice to Florence, Florence to Rome, or Rome to Naples all can cost 30 for a Super Economy ticket (no refund or exchange, rate sells out quickly), 3 for an Economy ticket (also limited), and 47 for the Base fare (unrestricted, available until departure if the section s not full). Competing Italo-brand trains have similar rates between major cities. If traveling with kids, look for Bimbi Gratis (one child under 1 free per adult who pays the Base fare) and Offerta Familia (just one kid under 1 in the group earns 20% off for up to people) deals, each offered on selected trains. If these deals sell out or don t apply, kids under 1 can also get tickets at 0% off Base fare. and youth discount cards don t save nearly as much. s (60 and older) can buy a Carta d Argento ( 30; free if 7 or older), which gives holders a 1 percent discount on most train tickets. s (2 and younger) can buy a Carta Verde ( 40), which gives holders a percent discount on most train tickets. Italy Pass 3 days in 1 month $24 $217 $20 $20 $176 $168 4 days in 1 month $30 $260 $24 $24 $209 $200 days in 1 month $31 $299 $282 $282 $241 $231 8 days in 1 month $473 $403 $380 $380 $324 $3 price per person for two or more. = under 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. 18 Buy your railpass and reservations at

19 GREECE Italy Skopje Kalamata Greece map key: Sofia Kastanies Edirne & Idomeni Strimon Plovdiv Florina 20 Alexandroupolis Istanbul Thessaloniki 70 Kalambaka Corfu (Meteora) 0 Delphi 30 1 Patra Piraeus 20 Samos Tripoli 20 Mykonos Pyrgos Hydra (Olympia) 1 Nafplio Santorini Heraklion Athens Crete Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares (solid lines) in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class rail fares, add 0%. Dashed lines are buses, not covered by passes. Kusadası International Connections: Greece has one daily international train to Belgrade or Sofia, but not to Turkey or other neighboring countries. The best way to reach Greece from other countries is by flying. Ferries also connect Greece to Italy and Turkey. Getting Around Greece: Since railway service is limited to a few main lines, a railpass is not very useful. A rental car is handy on the mainland, outside of the big cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, but you may not be allowed to take the car onto ferries or into neighboring countries. Buses are a reasonable option in summer (confirm schedules and buy tickets locally as you go), but frequency can be greatly reduced off-season. Flying to islands on Aegean Airlines can save time over long ferry rides. Most ferry companies sell tickets online a few weeks ahead, or you can book at travel agencies there. Greece Pass 3 days in 1 month $18 $136 $128 $128 $1 $ 4 days in 1 month $19 $167 $18 $18 $13 $129 days in 1 month $229 $196 $18 $18 $19 $12 8 days in 1 month $32 $277 $261 $261 $223 $214 pass prices are per person for two traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Greek Islands Pass 6 trips in 1 month $267 $228 $237 $202 Good for six ferry trips, including two Greece Italy trips, within one month of activating the pass. Covers deck passage on routes operated by Superfast Ferries/ANEK Lines between either Ancona or Bari (Italy) and either Patras, Igoumenitsa, or Corfu (Greece); first-class passes include a bed in shared four-bed berths on international ferries. Also covers domestic routes operated by Blue Star Ferries and ANEK Lines connecting Piraeus (the port nearest Athens) and 26 islands with each other, including Santorini, Mykonos, Heraklion (Crete), Rhodes, Ios, Naxos, and Patmos (but not Hydra). For most travelers this pass will only save money if they use two of this pass six trips as designed to cover round-trip ferry passage to/from Italy. Blue Star and ANEK are large, comfortable ferries, but other ferry lines not covered by this pass may offer faster, more frequent, and/or more direct connections between Aegean islands. rate is for travelers under 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. TURKEY Getting Around Turkey: During ongoing construction, allow time to get Istanbul s suburban Halkali station (for trains toward Edirne and Bulgaria) or Pendik station (for trains to the Asian part of Turkey). YHT high-speed trains run several times daily between Istanbul Pendik, Ankara, and Konya. YHT tickets can t be purchased more than days in advance of travel (in stations, at some local agencies, and online). Another handy train route is between Izmir airport and Selcuk/Ephesus. But for most other destinations, bus service is faster and more frequent than train! Budget flights work for longer distances. Reservations: Seat reservations are not required. Sleeper or couchette fees are extra. Overnight trains run between Izmir and Eskişehir (to connect to Istanbul), Ankara, or Konya (or you can fly); and from Ankara to eastern Turkey (about 24 hours travel time to border). International Connections: Flying is usually best, especially if you re not planning to visit Bulgaria (served by overnight train Istanbul-Sofia with a wake-up call at the 2:00 a.m. border crossing). There s no through train to Greece, although service within Greece has resumed twice daily from Alexandroupolis, Kastanee, and other towns across the border. Local ferries connect Turkish coastal cities and the closest Greek islands (Ayvalik-Lesbos, Cesme-Chios, Kusadasi-Samos, Bodrum-Kos, and Marmaris-Rhodes), which are a long way from Athens. Schedules: While the usual links reflect the faster and international trains in Turkey, see the Turkish railway s for more destinations. Turkey Pass 3 days in 1 month $0 $86 $82 $82 $70 $68 4 days in 1 month $127 $9 $3 $3 $89 $8 days in 1 month $12 $131 $123 $123 $6 $2 8 days in 1 month $22 $193 $181 $181 $1 $149 pass prices are per person for two traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Plovdiv & Sofia Kapıkule Edirne Kastanies Eregli Erzurum Alex. Pendik & Kars 1 Sivas Ankara (N) Thessaloniki Bandırma & Athens Eskisehir Kayseri Tatvan Çanakkale (N) Göreme & Diyarbakır. 1 Izmir (N) (N) 1 Selçuk(Ephesus) Denizli Adana 1 Bodrum Antalya Fethiye Kos Istanbul Turkey map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares (solid lines) in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class rail fares, add 0%. N indicates night train only. Dashed lines are buses, not covered by passes. Source: Konya PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 19

20 AUSTRIA Füssen Reutte Lindau Bregenz 1 Zürich Buchs Munich Brenner Austria map key: Kufstein Innsbruck Bolzano & Verona Frankfurt Summerau Passau 20 Melk 2 Linz Vienna Hallstatt Graz 40 Klagenfurt Spielfeld Villach Ljubljana Venice Salzburg Ceský Krumlov & Prague Prague Breclav Bratislava Budapest Point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class rail fares, add 0%. Dotted line (bus) not covered by passes. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Source: Best Value: While advance-purchase ticket discounts can save money for those ready to book ahead, a pass is convenient and flexible to use in Austria. For traveling further east, the European East Pass (page 21) covers Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary for less than the price of a similar three- or four-country Select Pass. Reservations: Austrian daytime trains don t require seat reservations. Some international trains need reservations before boarding, as indicated in timetables, such as direct Vienna-Venice service. Coverage: All passes that cover Austria also cover trains running nonstop between Salzburg and Kufstein, even when they cross a bit of Germany. Trains that stop in Germany (e.g., stop at Rosenheim) are only covered by German passes and tickets. Eurail passes cover Westbahn trains as well as the national railways, but the European East and Central Europe Triangle passes do not. Point-to-point ticket deals to buy in Austria: SparScheine advance discounts are sold only through the Austrian railway site, not by US agents, from three days to three months in advance of set travel dates and times (availability is limited and refund restrictions apply). Group-ticket discounts start at two travelers (saving %) and get better as you add more people. For 19-29, a Vorteils Card allows youths (under 26), seniors (62+), or families with kids under 1 to save up to 0% on point-to-point tickets for one year. See Austria Pass 3 days in 1 month $20 $214 $202 $202 $173 $166 4 days in 1 month $29 $22 $238 $238 $203 $19 days in 1 month $33 $286 $270 $270 $231 $221 8 days in 1 month $441 $376 $34 $34 $302 $289 prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. passes are for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Central Europe Triangle Pass Individual 3 trips in 1 month $169 Covers 3 trips in a circle around Vienna-Budapest-Prague or Vienna-Salzburg-Prague. You can start at any listed city and travel in either direction to return to your starting point via the most direct route. For instance, Prague-Salzburg travel is covered via Linz (runs 6x/day, 1 is direct, most with 2 changes), but not via Germany. Seat or sleeper reservations are additional, as with any pass. Choose your cities at the time of purchase. Pass is dated for your specified 1-month travel period and cannot be refunded after the first day of validity, but also needs an activation stamp from station staff. Kids 4 11 half single adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Not valid on Westbahn brand trains. Not a Eurail brand pass. European East Pass days in 1 month $362 $249 Extra rail days (max ) $36 $34 Covers Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Start travel within 6 months of purchase. Kids 4-11 half price; under 4 free without a ticket. Not a Eurail-brand pass. 20 Buy your railpass and reservations at

21 EASTERN EUROPE Best Value: Point-to-point tickets are relatively cheap throughout Eastern Europe. If a pass below matches the countries you plan to visit, it may offer some hop-on convenience. For many travelers, the European East Pass (facing page) covers the right mix, including Austria, at a price that s cheaper than a Select Pass for the same countries. Poland has it s one-country pass, or can be combined with either Germany or the Czech Republic on a two-country Select Pass, or is covered by a big Eurail Global Pass. But Poland is not an option on Select Passes for 3 or 4 countries. If you need more than one pass to cover a day s travel plan, be sure to count a day on each. Reservations: You ll need to make a seat reservation locally for long-distance InterCity trains and the faster Polish trains. Sleeper rates tend to be cheap in these regions. Private Trains: Rail passes don t cover a few departures operated by Regiojet (yellow trains, or Arriva (green trains, or GW (green/orange trains between České Budějovice and Český Krumlov, in the Czech Republic; nor by RegioTrans.ro, Softrans.ro, or Transferoviar ( in Romania. Eurail passes cover Westbahn brand trains in Austria but the European East Pass does not. Hungary Pass or Romania Pass PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 3 days in 1 month $18 $136 $128 $128 $1 $ 4 days in 1 month $19 $167 $18 $18 $13 $129 days in 1 month $229 $196 $18 $18 $19 $12 8 days in 1 month $32 $277 $261 $261 $223 $214 prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. is for travelers under 28 only. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Pointto-point fare maps can be found to the right. Balkan Pass 3 days in 2 months $176 $149 $132 $126 $7 $94 days in 2 months $249 $199 $149 $18 $148 $111 7 days in 2 months $336 $271 $202 $23 $200 $147 days in 2 months $434 $348 $260 $322 $28 $194 1 days in 2 months $22 $418 $314 $387 $311 $232 Covers Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia/Herzegovina and Turkey. =age 60 and over. under 26. Kids 4-12 half adult fare. Start travel within 6 months of purchase. IC and ICE supplements extra. Reservations can be made locally. Read ahead your guidebook may recommend travel by bus instead of train. Not a Eurail-brand pass. CROATIA, BOSNIA, SERBIA & MONTENEGRO Divaca Pula 2 Ancona Rijeka Ljubljana 1 2 Dubrovnik Budapest Gyékényes Subotica Zagreb Sid 20 Banja Belgrade Luka Plitvice 1 3 Sarajevo 20 Mostar Split Vrbnica Niš 1 Cap. Dimitrovgrad Hvar Podgorica Korcula Sofia Bar Tabanovci Skopje Bari Pass for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, or Slovenia 3 days in 1 month $0 $86 $82 $82 $70 $68 4 days in 1 month $127 $9 $3 $3 $89 $8 days in 1 month $12 $131 $123 $123 $6 $2 8 days in 1 month $22 $193 $181 $181 $1 $149 The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply to the Czech Pass. Other pass details same as above. POLAND Rostock Berlin Ystad Swinoujscie Gdansk Wrocław Katowice Karlskrona Gdynia 20 Szczecin 1 1 Grodno Białystok run 3 Rzepin 1 Poznan Warsaw Lódz Minsk Görlitz Chełm Czest. Lublin 40 Zamosc Kiev 1 Kraków Medyka Prague Lichkov 1 1 Oswiecim Zakopane Lviv Dresden CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVENIA Udine Trieste Piran Pula Ostrava & Prague Poprad-Tatry Graz & Vienna Terespol Villach & Tarvisio Klagenfurt Spielfeld Hodoš Maribor Jesenice Bled Prevalje Ptuj Nova Gorica Ljubljana 1 Gorizia Divaca Koper Zagreb Venice Dresden Schöna Wrocław Karlovy Vary Cheb Lichkov Plzen Kutná Hora Ostrava Furth Telc Olomouc Brno Munich C. Krumlov Summerau Breclav Nürnberg Linz 2 Rijeka Prague C. Bud. Vienna Bratislava Budapest Eastern Europe maps key: Approximate point-to-point one-way class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see if a rail pass will save you money. For class, add 0%. SLOVAKIA & HUNGARY Ostrava Kraków Cadca & Prague Zakopane Prague Breclav 1 Bardejov 1 Poprad-Tatry Kuty Cierna Vienna Miskolc Záhony 2 Szob Eger Hegy. 20 Graz Sopron Budapest Bihark. Hodoš 20 Keszthely Siófok Cluj. Ljubljana 1 Curtici Gyékényes 20 Pécs Subotica Bucharest Zagreb Kraków Kosice Bratislava ROMANIA & BULGARIA Belgrade Košice Levoca Debrecen Sighetu Marmatiei Oradea Nicolina Moldova Budapest Cluj-Napoca Curtici 1 1 Sighisoara 1 20 Timisoara Sibiu 2 Brasov 1 Tulcea 20 Bucharest 1 Constanta 1 Craiova Ruse Kardam Belgrade Vidin Varna Kaz. Vel. Sofia Burgas Dimitrovgrad Tarn. Dupnica Plovdiv Kapıkule Smolyan Istanbul Kulata Thessaloniki Lviv 21

22 SCANDINAVIA Odense Narvik Malmö Tromsø Kirkenes Rovaniemi Bodø Haparanda 2 Boden 130 Oulu Kuopio Trondheim 8 Åndalsnes 20 Sundsvall Vaasa 60 Savonlinna Storlien Lillehammer Turku 0 0 Flåm St. Bergen Pete. Myrdal 90 Oslo Helsinki Stockholm Tallinn Stavanger Kris. Göteborg Hirtshals 0 Fred. 20 Kalmar Växjö Esbjerg Aarhus Copenhagen Ystad Trelleborg Rødby Flensburg Putt. Hamburg Berlin & Berlin Scandinavia map key: Map shows point-to-point, one-way, -class fares in $US by rail (solid line), bus (dashed line, not covered by rail passes), and ferry (dotted line, some are discounted with pass). Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For class rail fares, add 0%. Significant discounts may be available with advance purchase. Sources: Norway in a Nutshell This scenic rail-bus-boat-rail route is a popular way to see the Sognefjord. Any pass that covers Norway covers the Oslo-Bergen rail line (paid seat reservation required, reserve at least a week ahead for summer departures from Oslo) and gives you a 30% discount on the private Myrdal-Flaam train. Local urist Information offices and train stations sell tickets, or you can pay as you go for the Myrdal-Flaam supplement and bus and ferry rides. This train departure requires a reservation, but does not assign a particular seat. make a rail reservation from the US, call Norwegian Rail at (press 9 for English) or Fjord urs at or help@nsb.no. 0 0 Best Value: Train tickets are expensive in Scandinavia, making most rail passes a good value. The Scandinavia Pass costs 20% less than a Select Pass for the same countries in class and also lets travelers of any age choose a cheaper, -class version. However, travel on a Scandinavia Pass must be completed within a one-month window (such as June -July 4). Local point-to-point ticket discounts vary by country, making them less convenient for a wide-ranging trip. Budget flights can save time on longer routes between these neighboring countries or to the far north. Reservations: You ll need reservations ($ 18) for many long rides and express trains, usually purchased in Scandinavia. Private and shared sleepers are both available with second-class passes (configuration varies by route). International Coverage: Any pass that covers Sweden also covers direct, Swedish-run (SJ) trains to/from Oslo or Copenhagen. Rail passes not valid on Helsinki-St. Petersburg trains. Scandinavia Pass 3 days in 1 month $328 $280 $264 $264 $22 $216 4 days in 1 month $372 $318 $299 $299 $26 $24 days in 1 month $411 $31 $330 $330 $282 $270 8 days in 1 month $07 $433 $407 $407 $348 $332 Covers Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. price per person for two or more traveling together. = under 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Denmark Pass or Finland Pass 3 days in 1 month $206 $176 $166 $166 $142 $137 4 days in 1 month $249 $213 $200 $200 $171 $164 days in 1 month $289 $247 $233 $233 $199 $190 8 days in 1 month $390 $333 $313 $313 $268 $26 price per person for two or more traveling together. = under 28. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket. Norway Pass 3 days in 1 month $234 $200 $192 4 days in 1 month $271 $231 $221 days in 1 month $303 $29 $248 8 days in 1 month $38 $328 $314 Pass details same as above but sold only in second class. Local Offers in Scandinavia Kids travel free with ticket-buying adults on many trains, but age limits and rules vary by country. For instance: ages 4 9 free on unreserved routes in Denmark or one child 4-1 free per adult in Norway or Finland; under 7 free with an adult in Sweden. Beyond these limits, children s point-topoint tickets are about half adult fare. Norway s mini-price tickets take travelers from Oslo to any major Norwegian city for $30 0 at off-peak times. Buy at least 1 day in advance at or at ticket machines in stations. For Swedish railway tickets at you ll notice a big range of fare choices. In addition to peak and off-peak variations, categories are Non-rebookable (cheapest, and often sell out in advance), Rebookable (these are the rates shown on our train-fare map above), and Refundable (much higher fare, but unrestricted). International Ferries Tallink-Silja Line ferries between Stockholm and Helsinki, Mariehamn, Turku, Tallinn, or Riga are 0% off in low season and 20% off in high season when booking in cabin categories A, B, or C (overnight rates include cabin price, deck passage not offered); Helsinki-Tallinn daytime service is also discounted. Fjord Line ferries between Hirtshals (Denmark) and Bergen, Langesund, Kristiansand, or Stavanger, and between Stromstad - Sandefjord are 30% off deck passage (or on air seats where offered; cabin reservation extra). Finnlines overnight ferries between Travemünde (Germany) and Malmö or Helsinki are 0% off full deck fares (port tax and cabin reservation extra). Reserve directly with the ferry companies. Discounts do not use a counted travel day on a flexipass and are offered with a pass that covers either country of travel. Some ferries don t allow passengers under 21 without parent or official parent consent form. Sweden Pass Indiv Indiv 3 days in 1 month $290 $248 $234 $234 $200 $192 4 days in 1 month $336 $287 $271 $271 $231 $221 days in 1 month $377 $321 $303 $303 $29 $248 8 days in 1 month $479 $409 $38 $38 $328 $314 Pass details same as above. 22 Buy your railpass and reservations at

23 Using Your Rail pass in Europe This section discusses almost everything you need to know to use your rail pass wisely. But be sure to read all the printed information that accompanies your pass. Do not remove the rail pass cover (with official restrictions and a Travel Report which you must complete!). Validating Your Pass Never write anything on your pass before it s been validated. You must get your pass validated in Europe before you use it. All passes must be validated within either six or 11 months of the issue date (usually the day you bought it). For example, if May 24 is stamped on your Eurail pass as the issue date, you must validate (start) the pass by April 23. BritRail, France, Swiss, and European East passes have the shorter deadline and Swiss passes are now sold pre-validated. Validate your pass at any station: It s easy. At any European train station (or some travel agencies), present your rail pass and passport to a railway official at a ticket window. The ticket agent (not you) will write in your passport number, and the first and last dates of your travel period, and stamp the validation box on the far right. For example, a two-month validity period starting May 1 will end at midnight on July 14. You may want to write these dates European style ( ) on a slip of paper to show the ticket agent. All trips and bonuses must be started and finished within the valid life of your pass. If you have a group pass (i.e., a pass or Twin Pass), all group members must be present when the pass is validated. You may validate your country pass before arriving in that country, or en route. Let s say you re in Copenhagen with a German rail pass, you re heading to Berlin, and you want the German portion of your route to be covered by your German rail pass. At the Copenhagen train station, buy a ticket to the German border and have the agent validate your German pass at the same time. Note: You may be charged $ to $30 (in local currency) to have your pass validated on the train. Approach the conductor; don t let him catch you with an unvalidated pass (he ll assume you re trying to cheat). (Flexibility varies by country and train type.) Using a Travel Day Fill in travel days (for flexipasses) and trip details. With a continuous rail pass (available for Eurail Global, PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. BritRail, German, or Swiss passes), nobody counts how many days you travel during the validated period. But if you re using a flexipass, you ll have to fill in your travel dates as you go. A travel day is a calendar day, running from midnight to midnight, during which you can take as many trips as you like. On your flexipass, you ll see a string of blank boxes, one for each travel day available to you. Either just before or after boarding the train (or bus or boat covered 0% by your pass), fill in that day s date in ink in one of the blank boxes before the conductor reaches you! (Don t fill out the dates any farther in advance, in case your plans change.) Eurail passes (both continuous and flexi) also require you to fill in your trip destinations on the fold-out sheets of your pass cover. Show your rail pass if asked. After the train starts, the conductor heads down the aisle, asking for train tickets and rail passes, and checking that they are dated correctly. You may be asked to present your passport, too. Night trains and the 7 p.m. rule: A direct overnight train uses only one flexipass travel day (not two) if you board it after 7 p.m. and do not change trains before 4 a.m. In that case, you just write the arrival date on your flexipass. You ll identify an overnight train in train schedules both by the timing and generally by notation that it has sleepers and couchettes available. If your route requires connecting trains, you use fewer travel days by starting with an overnight train and making connections on the day of arrival, but not before 4 a.m. If you re starting in a small town where the night train doesn t stop, you ll use a different day of your flexipass (or buy a separate ticket) to travel to the night train departure city (for instance, Füssen-Munich $30). Some smaller countries or regions don t offer qualifying night trains (and the rule does not apply with Swiss, Czech, Central Scotland, nor London Plus passes). If the very first use of your flexipass is for an overnight ride, you When traveling with a flexipass, fill in your travel date in ink before the conductor comes around. Traveling with an undated pass is traveling without a valid ticket. Before you hop on that first train in Europe, have an official at the station validate your rail pass. He or she will also write in the beginning and ending dates of your pass validity, and your passport number. write the arrival date as the date of travel, but your rail pass will be validated starting with the actual date you board. All rides must be started and completed within the validity period of the rail pass. There is no 7 p.m. benefit with continuous passes. An overnight boat ride also uses just one flexipass travel day if the route is covered (e.g., ferries between Italy and Greece), but you get to choose whether to count the date of departure or the date of arrival. Discounts don t use a flexipass day. Some private trains, ferries, or sightseeing attractions (listed in the materials that come with your pass) offer a small discount to Eurail pass travelers. When a bonus trip offers a percentage discount, you show your active pass when you book or pick up the ticket, but need not count a flexipass travel day (Swiss Travel Passes are the exception to the rule.) Sleeping on Trains Taking long train trips at night makes sense. Every night spent riding the rails gives you an extra day to sightsee, saves you the cost of a hotel, and allows you to arrive early before the cheaper hotels fill up. The scenery missed is usually insignificant when you consider the time you gain a day to bike in Holland, hike in the Alps, or sunbathe on an Italian beach. Major stations may have shower facilities where you can freshen up after your morning arrival. You can try to sleep in you seat, or rent a couchette (berth) or sleeper (more private compartment). Whether you have a ticket or a rail pass, you must pay extra for a couchette or sleeper. Seat sleeping: If you re in an open-style car (with airline-type seats) or in a crowded compartment, you ll sit up miserably all night. If you re in an uncrowded compartment, you may be able to pull out the seats to make a bed. Expect frequent interruptions. Wear your moneybelt and clip your bags to the luggage rack for security. When they offer seats, many overnight trains require a seat reservation ($). Couchette: One of Europe s great bargains is the $3 couchette (pronounced koo-shet). It s a bed in a usually lockable compartment with two triple sets of bunks (with a blanket, pillow, clean linen, and 23

24 Stretching for the night in a non-sleeping compartment is more lumpy than dreamy. And you ll need to keep one eye open for unwanted guests. up to five compartment mates). Some routes have co-ed compartments; others are single gender. As you board, you ll give the attendant your couchette voucher, rail pass or ticket, and passport. He deals with conductors, thieves, and customs officials on your behalf as you sleep uninterrupted in relative safety. (Border checks are rare in most of Europe these days, and even more rarely will a border agent need to wake you up for personal inspection.) Book your couchette in advance, either before you go, or through a European travel agent or at train stations. Night trains often fill up, but if space is available, unreserved couchettes or sleepers can be rented on the train from train attendants. Some routes offer roomier 4-person couchettes for about $0 per bunk (may require a class ticket or pass on routes through France.) Private sleepers: Sleeper compartments offer more privacy and comfort than couchettes. Compartments with two or three beds range from $40 to $10 per person on top of your ticket price, most with a tiny sink, or the pricier options with a private shower or toilet. Single sleeper surcharges range from $70 to $190. A few overnight trains (London-Edinburgh sleeper) offer only more expensive sleepers ($70+) and no cheap couchettes. Train Stations Major train stations are great places to take care of your basic to-do list, with ATMs, grocery stores, restaurants, bike-rental kiosks, and shops selling calling cards and/or mobile-phone SIM cards. Schedule and train information: Even if you ve Read and relax! Even though, according to the clock, the train on Track 4 should have left minutes ago, the sign to the left says it will leave 20 minutes late today. The same sign reminds us that the train will stop at three different stations in Berlin. Make sure you know which station is your destination! For about $3 extra, you can reserve an overnight couchette bunk. You ll have roommates, but also a conductor/cop who keeps out the riff-raff. already looked up your train schedules online, confirm your plans at the station. Every station has some kind of schedule information available, whether it s in printed or electronic form, or at information counters staffed by people eager (or at least able) to help you. It helps to consult the timetables first, write down your plan, then confirm this with the information desk. Written communication is easiest and safest. Multi-lingual computer terminals are common and can save you time. Posted train schedules clearly mark the destination, departure and arrival times, and track numbers. urist information: Many stations have a tourist information office either in the station or very nearby. Pick up a map, find out about local transit, and double-check the hours of your must-see sights. Bag storage: Virtually every major station has storage lockers or a luggage-holding service where, for about $3 to $8 a day, you can leave your bags. People traveling light can fit two bags into one storage locker, cutting their storage costs in half. In some security-conscious train stations, lockers are no longer in use, and travelers can leave their bags at a luggagedeposit desk often after going through an airporttype security check. This service can cost $ to $1 per bag. Lock your bag and don t leave valuables inside both for your own security and because some luggage desks won t accept unlocked bags. In extreme cases, they don t take laptop computers. Internet Access: You can usually get online at major train stations throughout Western Europe, often for a fee. Internet cafés offer Wi-Fi for those with mobile devices and computer terminals to those without. Wi-Fi is sometimes free in the first-class lounge; some bars and cafés may offer it free to paying customers. Finding Wi-Fi on trains is still more serendipitous than reliable, with the exception of high-speed trains on some of the most common business routes. Rail strikes are a fact of life. Strikes can affect rail service anywhere in Europe (especially in Italy). They re usually announced long in advance in stations and online. Most last just a day, or even just several hours. Anticipate strikes--ask your hotelier, talk to locals, look for signs, check online--but don t feel bullied by them. In theory, train service shuts down, but in reality, sporadic trains lumber down main-line tracks during most strikes (preserving essential service ). If a strike occurs on your travel day, head to the station anyway, where the few remaining station This says train strike : sciopero ferroviario. Knowing this, I made sure to get to my next destination before 9pm, when it was advertised to start. personnel can tell you the expected schedule. You ll likely find a workable train to your destination, though it may involve a wait (stay near the station). While it s usually possible to get a refund for reservations affected by a strike, there are no refunds for partly used rail passes. Finding Your Train Get yourself to the right station. Many cities have more than one train station: Paris has six, Brussels has three, and even Switzerland s little Interlaken has two. Be sure you know whether your train is leaving from Interlaken East or Interlaken West, even if that means asking what might seem like a stupid question. Allow time to navigate the station. Train stations are generally laid out logically, with numbered tracks lined up in a row. But the biggest stations can take time to cross and may have separate sections for local trains and long-distance trains. For example, Madrid s Atocha station is divided according to which kind of train it serves: cercanías (local trains) and AVE (high-speed, long-distance trains). A Paris train station might have some tracks devoted to Grandes Lignes ( grand lines to other cities), and others for Transilien (local milk-run trains). At the Frankfurt airport, regional trains depart from the Regionalbahnhof, while long-distance trains use the Fernbahnhof. Many large stations also have vast sections devoted to local subways or regional buses. Continued 24 Buy your railpass and reservations at

25 Find your track. A few countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) publish track numbers in advance in printed or online train schedules, but other regions post that detail in the station about a half hour before the train departs. Look for upcoming departures displayed on computer screens or mechanical boards that flip over as they re updated. Expect no-hassle boarding. For the vast majority of Europe s trains, you stroll (or dash) right to your boarding platform, ticket or pass in hand, without any check-in formalities. The main exception is the Eurostar Chunnel train, which has an advance checkin deadline (30 minutes before departure) and an airline-style security procedure. You may find simple preboarding security or ticket checks in a few other places. In Spain, for instance, your tickets will be checked and luggage scanned before you access the platform to board fast AVE trains. Many stations in Britain require you to slide your paper ticket or tap your barcode on a turnstile reader both to enter and exit the boarding areas. (Rail pass travelers show their passes to the attendants at these gates.) Some night trains have conductors checking tickets at the doors to each car. Where required, validate your ticket before boarding. In France and Italy, unreserved point-topoint tickets (but not rail passes) must be validated by inserting them into a machine near the platform. Ask for help. I always ask someone on the platform if the train is going where I think it is. Uniformed train personnel can answer any question you can communicate. Speak slowly, clearly, and with caveman simplicity. Resist the urge to ask, Pardon me, would you be able to tell me if this train is going to Rome? Just point to the train or track and say, Roma? Be observant. If the loudspeaker comes on while you re waiting for your train at track 7, gauge by the reaction of those around you whether the announcement affects you. If, after the babble, everyone dashes over to track 1, assume your train is no longer arriving at track 7. Scope out the train ahead of time. The configuration of many major trains is charted in display cases on the platform. As you wait, study the display to note where the first-class, second-class, restaurant, and sleeping cars are, and which cars are going where. First-class cars are always marked with a 1 on the outside, second-class cars with a 2. Knowing which cars you re eligible for can be especially handy if you ll be competing with a mob for a seat. When expecting a real scramble, I stand on a bench at the far end of the track and study each car as the train rolls by, looking in the windows to note where the empty places are. Never assume the entire train is going where you are. For long hauls, each car is labeled separately, because cars are usually added and dropped here and there all along the journey. survive all of this juggling easily, check to be sure that the city on your car s nameplate is your destination. The nameplate lists the final stop and some (but not all) of the stops in-between. Some train schedules will say, in the fine print, Munich-bound cars in the PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. front, Vienna-bound cars in the rear. Train and bus connections are easy. When your route requires changing trains, be ready to hop off upon arrival at the transfer point. An organized traveler can get through a small station in five minutes, but allow 1 minutes in larger city stations. The Deutsche Bahn s train schedules assume you want fast connections but allow you to request longer layovers for more peace of mind. Train stations are also major bus stops, so connections from train to bus are generally no more difficult than crossing the street. Onboard the Train Find a seat. If you have a seat assignment (car number and seat number), locate it and plop yourself down. If you re traveling without a seat reservation, you can claim any unreserved seat. If these are in short supply, take a closer look at the reservation tags posted above the seats or on compartment doors. Each tag shows which stretch of the journey that seat is reserved for. Near each track you ll find a special display (Wagenstandanzeiger) which lists trains departing from that track & departure times. It shows locations of each train s first-class cars, second-class cars, dining cars, and the ultimate destination of each car. You may well be getting off the train before the seat owner even boards. For example, if you re headed from Luzern to Lugano, and you see a seat that s reserved from Lugano to Milan, it s all yours. Stow your luggage. In more than 30 years of train travel, I ve never checked a bag. Simply carry it on and heave it up onto the rack above the seat or wedge it into the triangular space between backto-back seats. I ve seen Turkish families moving all their worldly goods from Germany back to Turkey without checking a thing. Many faster trains don t have baggage cars, so luggage checked as cargo may not travel on the same train as you. Be savvy with your bags. I assume every train has a thief planning to grab a bag. Store your luggage within sight, rather than at the end of a train car. Before leaving my luggage in a compartment, I establish a relationship with everyone there. I m safe leaving it among mutual guards. I don t lock my bag, but to be safe, I often clip my rucksack straps to the luggage rack. When a thief makes his move in the darkness of a train tunnel, and the bag doesn t give, he s not going to ask, Scusi, how is your luggage attached? Pack a picnic. For the best dining value and variety, stock up at a local deli, bakery, supermarket, or wine cellar before you board; most train stations offer at least one of these. Food sold on the train costs more, with options ranging from a basic coffee and sandwich cart to a more extensive bar car or sit-down dining car (noted on most schedules when available). A few trains offer a complimentary meal, in first class only (Eurostar to/from London, Thalys through Belgium, and some fast trains in Britain, Spain and Scandinavia), usually covered by a higher seat reservation fee. Follow local train etiquette. Pay attention to the noise level in your car. If everyone else is speaking in hushed tones, follow suit. Watch for signs indicating that you re sitting in a designated quiet car, where business people come to work and others to nap. No matter where I m sitting, I make an effort not to be the loudest person in earshot (easily done on the average Italian train, but takes extra awareness in, say, Germany). Resting your feet on the seat across from you without taking your shoes off is perhaps an even graver faux pas. Smoking is not allowed on trains or in stations in most of the European Union. Talk to locals or other travelers. There is so much to be learned. Europeans are often less open and forward than Americans. You could sit across from a silent but fascinating and friendly European for an entire train ride, or you could break the ice by asking a question, quietly offering some candy, or showing your Hometown, USA, postcards. This can start the conversation flowing and the friendship growing. Use train time wisely. The time you spend on long train rides can be an opportunity to get organized or make plans for your next destination. Read ahead in your guidebook, write journal entries, delete yesterday s bad photos, double-check your connection information with the conductor, organize your day pack, or write an home (you don t have to be online to write one). Strategize your arrival. Know what you need to accomplish in the station before heading out--e.g., looking up the schedule (and perhaps making seat reservations) for the next leg of your train trip, picking up a local map, hitting an ATM, buying a transit pass, or grabbing provisions from a grocery store. If you ll depart from the same station later, pay attention to the layout. Watch for your station. Know which station you need before you arrive--check your guidebook or train schedule or ask fellow passengers. When arriving in a city (especially on a commuter train), you may stop at several suburban stations with signs indicating your destination s name and the name of the neighborhood. Only jump out at a suburban station (e.g., Madrid Vallecas, Roma Ostiense, or Dresden Neustadt) if it s closer to your hotel or is the only station that train serves. Otherwise, wait until you ve reached the central station (Madrid Chamartín, Roma Termini, or Dresden Hauptbahnhof). If you do find yourself at the wrong station, don t despair: It s a safe bet that a city s stations are connected by frequent trains, and probably subway or buses as well. 2