How to Buy a Eurail Pass

One of the most exciting and economical ways to see Europe is by rail. Purchasing a Eurail pass allows you to take trains throughout Europe for a single price.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eurail Passes
• Passport Services

1. Determine how long you plan to visit Europe and how much you can afford to pay for transportation.

2. Draw up an itinerary of the countries you plan to visit and in what order.

3. Consider flexibility and length of the trip, as some Eurail options require a certain number of consecutive days of travel within a two-month period, while other options allow for nonconsecutive use within two months.

4. Determine the number of people in your party; two-person and group discounts are available.

5. Keep in mind the ages of those in your party; adult passes provide for first-class comfort, while youth passes (ages 12-25) provide for second-class services.

6. Decide whether or not to opt for additional services, such as student discounts and pass protection (a type of Eurail pass insurance), both of which are available for an additional fee.

7. Search the Web to compare pass prices, then purchase the Eurail pass that best suits your travel plans. You can also purchase a Eurail pass through a travel agent.

Tips & Warnings

• Eurail passes offer options to visit 17 participating European countries or the five most frequently visited countries. If you buy the five-country pass, you can pay to visit certain predetermined zones as well. Each zone consists of one or two countries not usually accessible with the five-country pass.
• Remember that train times and quality of rail service often vary from country to country.
• Always have your passport accessible when traveling by train.
• Eurail passes must be used within six months of purchase.
• Eurail passes are not available in Europe. If you don't purchase one before you leave, you will waste a lot of money if you plan to travel by train.
• Large fines can be imposed on travelers who misuse passes. Avoid abusing the pass.

[cdmit]

on 7/6/2009 HI: I AM FROM THE USA I PURCHASED MY EURAIL PASS ON THE INTERNET.5 DAYS WITHIN 2 MO.2 ADULTS THEY DO NOT SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO RESERVE SEATS@ A EXTRA COST UNTIL YOU RECIEVE THE PACKET,BUT THAT WAS NOT REALY A PROBLEM WHAT WAS IS THAT AFTER PAYING FOR THE RESERVATION WE COULD NOT GET OUR SEATS SOMEONE ELSE WAS IN THEM AND WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN WHEN WE SHOWED ARE TICKETS TO PROVE THESE WERE OUR SEATSAS FAR AS THE CONDUCTOR ALL HE/SHE EVER DID WAS SHRUG THERE SHOULDERS MIND YOU WE WERE SUPPOSE TO TRAVELLING 1sT.CLASS,THERE WERE ALSO TO HAVE FOOD SERVICE AT YOUR SEAT THAT WAS A JOKE THE FIRST 5 MIN.AFTER YOU GOT ON THE TRAIN SOMEONE CAME BY TO SEE IF YOU WANTED A ANYTHING IF YOU DID NOT ORDER THEN YOU WERE OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE YOU NEVER SEEN THEM AGAIN&YES WE WENT TO THE FOOD CAR AND GOT OUR OWN.LUGGAGE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM THERE WAS NEVER ENOUGH ROOM IN THE OVERHEAD,WE ONLY HAD ONE MEDIUM SIZ...

[chntl85]

on 2/25/2009 Nope, a Eurail Pass allows you to visit 21 European countries, luckily :-) http://www.eurail.com/1_where_to_go