Traveling by train during your trip in Europe?
Then find the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
If you have a question that you don't see here, please
e-mail us
tercmele@aol.com and we will get back to you. Happy Travels.
A: There is normally a
shuttle to the downtown areas from most European airports, with frequent,
inexpensive service. Many airports even have train service to the downtown
area. The airports with train stations are: Amsterdam Schiphol, Barcelona
Prat, Berlin Schöenfeld, Birmingham, Brussels National, Copenhagen,
Geneve Cointrin, London (Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted), Lyon Satolas, Madrid,
Manchester, Malaga, Milan, Munich Strauss, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome
Fiumicino, Stockholm, Stuttgart Echterdingen, Vienna Schwechat and Zürich
Kloten. When covered by your pass, this trip will require the use of a rail
day. In many areas, it is only 15 minutes from the airport to downtown via
train and is cheaper if you pay for it separately. Check
TERC's Guide to Country destinations
for various Airport shuttle information & schedules.
Q: Are there
dining cars on all trains? Can special meals (such
as vegetarian) be reserved on trains?
A: Dining cars or a bar
or snack car can be found on some long-distance trains during meal times--but
don't count on it. More likely a "snack trolley" with pricy
pre-packaged sandwiches and beverages will come down the train
aisle. Special meals cannot be reserved except on first
class Eurostar Chunnel tickets. We recommend
bringing your own food and beverages on board. On the train is one
of our favorite places to picnic!
A: Nonsmoking sections
are available. Be sure to request this section when making a reservation.
Eurostar Chunnel Trains have recently become "Totally Nonsmoking "
Trains! Top of
page
Q: When do I need to make
reservations for a train?
A:
With a rail pass or point to point
ticket you may board most trains, but you're not guaranteed a seat, sleeper
or couchette. To have one of these you must purchase a reservation in addition
to your pass/ticket price. Night trains require an advance reservation
for a sleeper or couchette berth.
Day trains require seat reservations for
all high-speed trains such as TGV, Thalyes,
ICE, AVE, Talgo, Eurostar Italia, X2000, Eurostar
and a fewInterCity and EuroCity trains. Some Countries
(Scandinavia-Spain-Portugal) require seat reservations for ALL train rides.
Most other countries and trains don't require seat reservations. On
these, you may sit where you like within the class designated on your
pass/ticket.
A seat reservation can be purchased before you
depart or locally as you travel for most long distance trains.
A few are cheaper purchased in Europe. However, if you are traveling
during a busy season--it is advisable to purchase them ahead to assure you
will have a seat for bed on the date you want to travel.
Some exceptions: reservations are not available in Switzerland except
on some specialty trains i.e. GLACIER EXPRESS. Reservations are not available
within Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal or Romania in the U.S., however they can
certainly be made locally. Reservations in Eastern Europe
can only be requested to and from major cities, and are subject to
confirmation. Confirmation of reservations may be a bit difficult
for the following: Spain in May and September, Italy in May and September
and from Eastern to Western Europe--so allow extra time when ordering these
from the US.
Q: How do I make a train
reservation and how much do they cost?
A: From North America, Seat
Reservations cost $11-27 per seat reservation with Belgium and Italy being
the most expensive. Couchette Night train Reservations are $32-$35
per/person--and you sleep with 5 other Bunk Mates. Sleepers vary in
price depending on compartment size and distances. Reservations can be made
90-60 days in advance of travel date.
Check our How to Order Page or
TERC will make reservations for Railpass
& Ticket Clients with no additional service fee charged by other
agencies.Call TERC: (808)-395-2083
for your specific trip. or
e-mail:
tercmele@aol.com
to check availability.
All Reservations MUST BE USED FOR THE TIME AND DAY YOU RESERVE IT FOR
or you loose the specific reservation (not your ticket) If you need
flexibility purchase these reservations as you need them in Europe and add
them to your Rail Pass or point to point ticket.
Top of page
Q: Do children
need a rail pass/ticket or seat reservations for the trains?
A: Each country has slightly
different fare structures for children. Some for example, charge half the
adult fare for children 4-11 years of age. And often children under 4 years
of age can travel free. Fares for children are clearly noted in the price
section of each individual country's pass/ticket information through out
the site.
As a general rule, children under 4 years of age can travel with an adult
at no charge unless the child requires a seat. If the child requires a seat,
refer to the child fare in each individual country. The fees quoted for seat
reservations are the same for both children and adults.
Generally children under age 12 qualify for a child's pass/ticket
in most countries including UK and Switzzerland..
Rail Pass are Free
for children under 16 years of age who are traveling with
an adult in Britain and
Switzerland.Top of page
Q: Are there Rail Passes
or Tickets with Senior Rates?
A: Yes, several
country rail passes and
Eurostar and
Thalyes Trains offer a Senior Citizen
ratse for first class seating for travelers 60+. Note: Saverpasses
are discounted over regular railpass prices and work well for senior citizens
who is traveling with a partner.
Q: Are
Eurail Passes valid in Great Britain and Eastern
Europe?
A:Eurail
Passes are not valid for travel in Great Britain. To travel England,
Scotland and Wales, take a look at the BritRail
Pass. Eurail Passes are honored in the following 17 countries: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden and
Switzerland. Check out the new "designer"
Eurail Selectpass.
A: Validating your rail
pass is one of the first things you'll do when arriving at the train station
on your first day of rail travel. Validation is required only once and starts
the time period of use for your pass. Do not make any marks on your rail
pass prior to validation.
Click to Enlarge
If you decide to validate your pass on your first day of travel, allow
yourself extra time to validate your pass before departure.
When you arrive at the train station, proceed to a ticket window and
present your rail pass along with your passport. The attendant will write
in the beginning and ending dates for your rail pass as well as your passport
number(s). (see validation
safety tip)
To make sure the dates entered by the attendant are correct ,you may want
to write down the beginning and ending dates on a separate piece of paper
and present it along with your pass. Make sure that you and the rail
representative are in agreement of the dates before he writes on your pass.
This is especially helpful if you are pre-validating your pass. Be sure
to write the dates in the European format of day/month.
If you board a train with an un-validated pass you will be fined by the
conductor. If the dates or passport number entered by the rail attendant
are incorrect point it out immediately. Do not use the pass and proceed to
the nearest Eurail Aid office to have it exchanged. These are listed
on your Rail Map which comes with your pass.
In the event that you validate or pre-validate your
pass and do not use it, have the pass stamped "not-used" by a rail
representative so you may obtain a refund upon return to North America.
(see refunds) Unused days are non-refundable.
Top of
page
Q: How many days
constitute a month on a rail pass?
A: A month is counted as
a calendar month. For example, a pass that begins on August 15 will
expire at midnight on September 14.
A: Holders of flexipasses
can take advantage of the 7:00 PM rule and save a day of travel. If
an overnight trip starts after 7:00 PM on validated
Eurail Flexipasses,
Europasses or railpasses for
Balkans,
BritRail,
France,
Germany,
Iberia,
Italy,
Norway,
Scandinavia, or
Spain, the passholder must enter the
next day's date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of
the pass. Britrail will let you arrive on a night train the day after
your passe's validity date has expired.
TIP: If the train leaves before 7:00 pm,
purchase a point-to-point ticket from the departure city to the first city
that the train arrives after 7:00 pm. That way, you'll be able to take advantage
of the Overnight Rule and save a travel day in the process. Use
the next day for some local day trips after you drop your bags and save even
more! Top of page
A: It is not possible to
add days on to your pass should your pass expire or you use all the days.
A tip we pass on to our clients is:. Purchase point-to-point tickets
for your shortest trips and save your pass for the long-distance trains.
Short trips are typically inexpensive and you'll save even more by purchasing
second class point to point tickets. TERC provides a
free analysis for rail travelers. so this problem
won't occur. Top of page
Q:I'd like to take the
train on one part of my trip and then rent a car on another
part. What's the best deal?.
A: We offer a number of
great Eurail Rail 'n Drive and
Country Rail 'n Drive Packages
that combine just that. You have complete flexibility to plan your own trip,
on your own terms, with our options.Some clients who need 3 or more
car days in a row have found combining a Railpass with our
Car Voucher Program even more
economical.
Q: I'm interested in
only going from one city to another in Europe. What's
the best way for me to get there?
A: A "point-to-point" ticket
may be your best bet. A ticket is good for a single journey, and has
a number of trains at various times and prices. You have 60 days
from date of purchase to complete your travel designated on your ticket.
. The Schedules section of our site allows
you to select your departure and arrival city and schedules. Contact
TERC for fare information. 808 395-2083 or
e-mail: tercmele@aol.com
Q: What happens if my
railpass is stolen or I lose it?
A: Rail Europe's Pass
Protection Plan will reimburse you 100% for the unused value of your
pass. Just purchase our plan for only $12 U.S. or $18 Canadian at the same
time as you buy your pass and you'll rest easy . To purchase Pass Protection
Plan, just select the pass protection option when
placing your rail pass order from TERC, and we'll handle the rest!
To reach RailEurope Customer Service Department, please call 914/681-3232.
Pass Protection applies only to Railpasses. Restrictions apply.
Top of page
Q: What should I do
to obtain a refund for rail &/or car products?
A: Only totally unused
railpasses, rail tickets, car vouchers, and Rail 'n Drive passes are
refundable. (see note re. unused validated
passes) A cancellation fee of 15% will apply. Return your unused
ticket(s)/passes to Travel Europe Resource Center, 239 Kalalau St, Honolulu,
Hi 96825-2011or to Rail Europe, Attention: Customer Relations, Westchester
One, 44 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601.
If you have any other questions that you don't see here,
e-mail us and we'll get back to you.
You may even see your question posted in this section next time you return!
