How Does a Eurail Pass Work?
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A Eurail Pass is among the most popular and convenient ways to travel through Europe. The pass allows the bearer unlimited train travel throughout 25 countries with a variety of options and extra benefits, including discounts on hotels, museums and ferry crossings. Stop anytime, anywhere you like. However, you will need to determine beforehand the number of countries you want to visit and the number of travel days to decide which pass is right for you.
Selection
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The Global Pass allows for travel through 21 countries over a period of 15 days to three months continuously. This option allows you to travel daily and cover a lot of ground.
For a more flexible option, choose the Eurail Select Pass, especially if you want to take it slow and soak up the atmosphere. On this plan you can travel five to 10 days, within a two-month period, to three to five bordering European countries.
The Regional Pass is best for travelers who want to see a small part of Europe by train. Pick between 25 regions for unlimited travel for three to 10 days within a two-month period.
Explore just one country in a shorter time frame with the Eurail One Country Pass. Italy and Spain are among the most popular destinations. The Eurail Pass is not valid in the United Kingdom.
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Purchase
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Most Eurail passes are not available in Europe and must be purchased in the United States and validated within six months of the issue date. There are discounts for groups and families with children 4- to 11-years-old, and a Youth Pass for travelers who are between 12- and 25-years-old. Generally, kids 3-years-old and younger travel free.
Traveling first class is less crowded and more comfortable. However, second class makes a lot of sense for those on a tight budget. Eurail Passes are available online at www.eurail.com or through a travel agent. Eurail.com offers free, registered mail delivery of the pass to a street address (not a P.O. Box), usually one month prior to your departure.
Travel
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Once in Europe you must validate the Eurail Pass at a train station ticket window, where a railway official will stamp the pass and fill in the first and last day of validity and your passport number. On board, the conductor will check your pass to ensure that it is dated correctly and may ask to see your passport. Travel between midnight on one day to midnight of the following day is considered one day of travel. But if you board a direct overnight train after 7 p.m. on one day, then only the day of arrival is counted as the travel day--you also save the cost of a hotel room.
Reservations are required for many overnight, long-distance and international trains and can be made at the station for a few dollars or outside of Europe for an additional service fee. Eurail travelers receive a free timetable and map booklet. Train schedules change regularly so it is best to consult online timetables as well. Information about online schedules can be found at www.eurail.com.
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