europe on track

8/8/2019 Europe on Track

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USA / CAN edi

2 0 1 0E u r o p e o n T r a c k

C e le b r a t in g o v e r 7 5 y e a r s a s y ou r

E u r o p e a n t r a in a u t h o r i t y


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Hello rom Online & On-boardI love sharing the joy o discovery. And while Ive always been anenthusiastic world traveler, Im particularly excited to share with youmy latest experience - the new territory o social media.

Perhaps youve already seen Rail Europes blog The Telltale Rail.It includes trip ideas, rst-hand reviews and help ul comments rominteracting ellow travelers. And this year, Ill even be making theoccasional posting to talk with you directly. O course, were alsoon Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. And in 2010 Rail Europe willbecome accessible on your smartphone, enabling you to checkEuropean train schedules and to book e-tickets. Theyre all moreways or our customers to share their personal experiences.

Were very excited to be a part o the online community o inquisitivetravelers. And while European train travel has always been respected

or having great values environmentally and inancially, its social

value cannot be overstated: rom spending quality time with amilyand riends to the simple pleasure o uninterrupted conversation. Tomany o our travelers, that just may be our greatest connection o all.

And where else can you unwind at an astonishing 200-mph? Thehigh-speed TGV surrounds you with com ortable accommodations,pleasant company, and picturesque views you simply cant appreciate

rom an airplane or while driving. One o my avorite routes on TGVis the spectacular journey rom Paris to Marseille that clocks in at amere 3 hours. Sit back and relax as you pass through the bustlingcityscape o Northern France into the laid-back cosmopolitanatmosphere o the Mediterranean coast.

I hope this is the year you decide to join us. And we pledge tocontinue to do everything we can to welcome you aboard.

Bon Voyage,

Frdric LangloisPresident, CEO Rail Europe

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I was planning on getting a car but Im horrible with maps. So I said forget that;the train basically picks you up at the station and takes you from one destination

to the next. Every destination is in the center of the city, so its just fantastic. Jordan

Whats New or 2010Top o Europe and Ticino

This 5-day / 4-night Swiss rail and hotel package takes you romglaciers to palm trees and includes rail travel to Interlaken orGrindelwald, an excursion to the mountain peak o Jung raujochand travel to Lugano; the sunny side o the Alps.

Paris Pass

The Paris Pass is a smart-chip card that gives you ree reign onpublic transportation in central Paris and priority entry to majormuseums and monuments. Available or 2, 4, or 6 consecutive

days, you can choose between the Metro, tramway, a variety obus lines, even the Montmartre unicular railway. It all adds upto easy entry and more ways to get there. Youre going to go tothe Louvre anyway, so why not get special treatment? What aboutNotre Dame, or the Musee d Orsay? It can even get you discountsat restaurants and shops.

Central Europe Triangle Pass

The Central Europe Triangle Pass is a great way to see the mostpopular cities in Central Europe and get one-way rail travelbetween Vienna, Budapest and Prague or Vienna, Prague andSalzburg. Just choose one o the two rail itineraries, start in thecity o your choice and travel in any direction.

Rail Europe takes the guesswork out o your rail booking experiencewith our exclusive multi-city search eature. Just type in the citiesyoud like to visit and our European rail booking wizard will provideyou with a list o available products and pricing options so that youmay choose the best option or your travel plans. Its that simple.

Rail Europe Online - Your Itinerary Simplifed


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All o Europe, at see level.When you take the train you see the beauty o Europe the wayits meant to be appreciated. Not only is the panoramic view moreremarkable and intimate, so is the pacebecause its yours. Youre

reed rom the burden o meeting planes or spotting signposts alongthe road, whether on the beaten track or o o it. You have thegenuine interactions o travelers instead o touristsreal, authenticconnections with locals beyond that o airport gates, gas stations orcurrency exchanges.

Travel by rail is a European travel experience like no other. Youregoing to Europe, so why not see it?

Are you on board? Great .With so many travel and budget choices, where do you start?

Lets begin with how you like to travel. Are you a planner, ormore o a ree spirit? We have great options or both, with expertadvice that includes personalized recommendations and bookingwizardry to get you the right tickets and passes at the bestpossible prices.

Do you know the cities where you want to travel? I youre planningon visiting just two cities or traveling by rail or less than three days,a point-to-point ticket might be the right product or you. We alsoo er tickets that can be used as airport trans ers (available on cer-tain routes) to and rom the cities o your destination.

I you know the countries you want to explore but want to wanderwithin them, we make it easy. Rail passes are the ideal companion orthe adventurous traveler. Theyll allow you to explore one or morecountries and wait until youre in Europe to decide on the details; tochange plans at will within your country o choice. Theyre per ect

or anyone planning to travel or more than three days or who wantsan open itinerary.

We o er two types o rail passes: the Consecutive Pass andFlexipass. The Consecutive Pass provides unlimited rail travel

or however many consecutive days are covered by the durationo the pass. Its ideal or anyone expecting to travel by train eachday. The Flexipass is valid or a speci c number o days within alonger period o time ( or example, three days within one month).This o ers fexibility in choosing which days are rail travel days.Additionally, most passes are available in rst and second class.

Anywhere Anytime France For the Adventurous or Free-Spirited.

Anywhere Anytime France is a pre-paid electronic ticketing systemthat enables you to travel throughout France with ease. From theticket price to the simplicity o scheduling a trip, Anywhere AnytimeFrance provides unbeatable value and fexibility.

Its per ect or anyone taking more than two city-to-city trips

within France.

Whether youre traveling on your own or with others,

Anywhere Anytime France is a great choice! Travelers areree to travel together or separately.

Your One-Stop -Shop or European Travel

Rail Europes extensive product line includes more thanjust rail passes and tickets - we proudly o er a widerange o European travel products including:

- Reservations- Airport trans ers- Sleepers and couchettes

- Luggage services- Swiss mountain top excursions & hotel packages- City and museum passes or Amsterdam, Brussels,

London, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Paris,Prague and so much more

- Extensive array o tours or Britain including Bath,Beatles and Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stonehengeand York

To browse all o our tour and sightseeing products,visit us online.

It gives you an opportunity to just look out and see the beautiful country- side and to share it from 40,000 feet up on a plane you dont see a

whole lot. Kyle & Barbara


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How do I choose between a pass orpoint-to-point tickets?

There are a lot o options, but we make it simple.

I youre planning on visiting just 2 cities or traveling by trainor less than 3 days, a point-to-point ticket is likely the right

product or you. Tickets are also available or airport trans ers toand rom the cities o your destination.

For itineraries with more than 3 trips, passes are generally the bestvalue. Or i youre undecided about where and when to travel youllprobably pre er a pass. Reservations are needed or many trainsand can be purchased rom Rail Europe be ore you leave, or locallyin Europe. Seats can be limited, so secure your reservation well inadvance, especially or peak times on popular routes.

How and when do I get my rail pass/ticket?

You can make your purchase through your travel agent or directlyrom Rail Europe (online or by phone). Tickets can be purchasedrom 60 to 120 days in advance (depending on the route). Butor the best discounts, the earlier the better (at least one month

in advance). Another bene t: early purchase also ensures you aseat on the train(s) o your choice during peak season and peaktravel times.

How do I travel with a pass?

Your pass entitles you to travel on board the national trains in aspeci c geographic area (de ned at time o purchase) or aspeci c number o days. These days can be consecutive

(say, 5 days in a row) or not (you can travel random days withina longer period o time up to 2 months).

High-speed trains and night trains usually require you to reserveyour seat or sleeper. This can be done through Rail Europe orlocally. Please note that the number o available seats can belimited, so the earlier you make an advance reservation the better,especially i traveling at peak times on popular routes.

For your rst day o travel, just head to any railway station andhave your pass validated. Then clearly write the current date(Day/Month/Year) on your pass; you can use it or the entire day

until midnight. I your rst train leaves a ter 7pm or your overnighttravel, just enter the next days date on your pass.

Once on-board, all you have to do is show your pass to theconductor, along with your reservation when appropriate.

In addition to the many travel bene ts a pass already gives you,simply showing it may quali y you or many trip-enhancementdiscounts. You will also be eligible or special pass-holder ares onhigh-speed trains. For example, any pass that includes France orBritain makes you eligible or deeply discounted ares on Eurostar.

Frequently Asked Questions:


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When I get to the train station, what do I do withmy ticket or pass?

I you already have a ticket, just board the train. To travel with apass, the rst time you use your pass you must present it with yourpassport at the station ticket booth to be validated. Once your passhas been validated, simply board the train. I you have a Flexipass,

ill in the date o each travel day (Day/Month/Year) be ore theconductor comes through the car to check your pass.

What classes o service are available on day trains?

Day trains o er either rst or second class seating. There is a widerange o ares in both rst and second class, so on our websiteweve broken the ares down into our separate categories. They areEconomy, Freedom, Com ort and Premier class.

An Economy class ticket may not be exchanged and does notprovide access to the station lounge. On-board the train your seatwill be standard or second class.

A Freedom class ticket can be exchanged and does not allowaccess to the station lounge. On-board the train, your seat will bestandard or second class.

A Com ort class ticket may not be exchanged, and does not provideaccess to the station lounge. On-board the train your seat will be alarge reclining rst class seat.

A Premier class ticket (our best class o service) may be exchanged,and may give you access to the station lounge. On-board the train,your seat will be a large reclining rst class seat.

What type o compartments or sleepingaccommodations are available on overnight trains?

They vary according to the train and route. The most commoncompartments are Singles, Doubles, and Couchettes. Some o erT3, T4, and Deluxe Sleepers.

A Single is a irst-class compartment that contains one bed, aprivate washbasin, linens and towels.

A Double is the same as a single with 2 beds (normally bunked).

A Couchette is a very a ordable second-class option with 6 bunkedbeds and a public washroom.

T3 compartments contain 3 beds, a private washbasin, resh linensand towels, and the T4 compartments contains 4 beds plus the

amenities o a T3.Deluxe Sleepers include a private restroom in your compartment.

Your Per ect Group Journey Begins Here.

Rail Europe o ers rates or groups o 10 or more on railpasses, point-to-point tickets, high-speed trains & more.

High-speed trains (TGV, Thalys, Eurostar, AVE & others) Rail passes or one or more countries Scenic and overnight trains Luggage handling, onboard catering and train charters Advance reservations or seats, sleepers and couchettes

CoNtACt USOur group rail specialists are available to assist you at1-800-462-2577 raileurope.com/groups

What do I do with my luggage?

Storage compartments are available on all trains and are locatedat the end o each car and/or above the seats. Pack lightly ormanageability and allow time i you have more than one suitcaseand need to change trains. Please label your luggage to avoidmix ups, and note that some major train stations do have luggagestorage acilities.

Are additional services available at the stations?

Most stations o er services such as currency exchanges, shops,in ormation desks, restrooms, restaurants, and more.


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The USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program Rail Europe shares the coveravailable under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program with affiliatesRail Europe who, as an Active Member of the USTOA is required to post $1 Million wUSTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOTravelers Assistance Program, the advance payments of Rail Europe customers in thunlikely event of Rail Europe bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Further, yoshould understand that the $1 Million posted by Rail Europe may be sufficient to providonly a partial recovery of the advance payments received by Rail Europe. Complete detailsthe USTOA Travelers Assistance Program and a list of affiliates may be obtained by writto USTOA at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014, New York, New York 10016, or by e-mto [email protected] or by visiting their website at www.USTOA.com.

See the Real Europe with Rail Europe

Traveling by train enhances your entire European experience:rom genuine interactions with locals to relaxing journeys and

no wasted time at airports. With quiet gazing through panoramicwindows as youre whisked rom city-center to city-center. Withgourmet dining and no hassles. Is it any wonder trains are so

popular? For access to the most choices and best rates, makesure you book in advance. Because a little bit o planning canmean a lot more traveling.

Simplicity is in our DNA

With 35 di erent railway systems, its much easier or the NorthAmerican traveler to ride the rails than plan their own tripon them. Thats why were here. We o er a uni ed bookingexperience across Europe, with the ability to package products

rom di erent carriers.

And we have special relationships with carriers that started over75 years ago, relationships that have led to special agreementsbene ting our clients. Including technology that enables us too er and sell more travel options than any other vendor.

Its simple. With Rail Europe you dont have to sort out the details,we already have.

Part o every Rail Europe view; a greener uture.

The train brings out our best. Its relaxing. Its serene. Itsintimate. It opens us to everything the journey has to o erthe simple pleasures o personally connecting with other peopleand cultures.

We also believe part o that serenity comes rom knowing the trainis a low-impact orm o travel that preserves the authenticity o theregions and natural beauty we pass through. In act, high speed

trains are three times as energy e cient as regional trains, buteven the slowest train is 25% more energy-e cient than cars.

For in ormation and reservations, please see your pro essional travel agent.

SOT CA#2053098-20 SOT WA#601486663 Printed in USA. EOT

USA: www.raileurope.com1.888.438.RAIL

Canada: www.raileurope.ca1.800.361.RAIL

Mexico: www.raileurope.com.mx001.800.726.1936

CentralAmerica: +1.847.916.1095

Groups: 1.800.462.2577

Over 75 years o European train expertise and always on track.

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I think the best thing about taking the train is that there are a lot of people from all over the place traveling on the train and you meet people from different

countries and if you talk to them you learn about their culture. I actually made

friends with a fellow traveler from Turkey; I mean I never wouldve done that

if I hadnt taken the train. Eling

Because Some Stops Are Never Expected

The European railroads policy is that no rail pass orticket is re undable or replaceable i lost or stolen-but at Rail Europe, we dont believe you can have agreat vacation i you cant completely relax. Thats

why we o er the Rail Protection Plan. In addition toprotecting your rail pass or ticket i it is lost or stolen inEurope, the Rail Protection Plan provides compensationi you should need to cancel or exchange your pass orticket due to a medical illness or death. It also providescompensation i your trip is interrupted or stopped dueto a rail strike. For the complete Rail ProtectionPlan policy please re er to the About Us tab onthe raileurope.com home page.

Prices start at $9 USD / $10 CAD. A small price to payor big peace o mind.

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