railguide eastern europe

Eurail PassesGUIDE TO

How to choose and use the railpass that best fits your tripand your budget

February 2015 Edition

3PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Rick Steves Guide to Eurail Passes

E very time I finish a train ridecaught up on my research, well-rested, and unfrazzledIm thankful for Europes fast, comfortable rail network. And it doesnt hurt to know that Ive gotten from A to B in the greenest way possiblefar more fuel-efficient and less polluting than the same route in a car or plane. The costliest mistake that many travelers make is under-estimating 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 choiceand thats where we come in. No one explains your options better than my well-traveled train gang staff does in this railpass guide. Pages 4-9 will get you started on your trip, helping you learn how to make an informed choice. Then well describe this years dizzying array of European railpass prices and features. To help you find the best value, well compare these passes to point-to-point tickets, and to passes sold only in Europe (a well-kept secret in the USA). Every few pages youll find a money-saving analysis, matching the options to your travel dreams. Then, on pages 24-26, well take you to Europe, showing you the ins and outs of riding the rails. Its our hope that youll ride your railpass to the trip of a lifetimeeconomical, efficient, and filled with unforget-table experiences. Happy travels,

Contents

Part 1: Plan Your Rail Trip Sightseeing priorities ............................................................................. 4 Using train schedules ............................................................................. 4 Night train destinations ......................................................................... 8

Part 2: How Railpasses Work Learning the essentials for choosing a railpass ..................................5 First vs. second class .......................................................................... 8-9 Reservation Fees ..................................................................................... 9 Rail Protection Plan, exchanges, and refunds .................................... 11

Part 3: Compare Costs Railpasses vs. tickets ...........................................................................6-7 Fare & Time map for international trips ...............................................7 International ferries ................................................................................ 8

Part 4: Railpass Features and Prices Multi-Country Passes Eurail Global: 28 countries, best for most of Europe .......................10 Select Pass: Choose 4 neighboring Eurail countries ........................10

One-country, Two-country, and Regional Passes

Part 5: Using Your Railpass in Europe Validating, stations, sleeping, & skills .......................................... 24-26 Reservation Fee list ........................................................................ 28-29

Important: 2015 passes are offered for sale through Dec. 28, 2015. Pass prices are subject to change without notice. Space does not allow us to describe all the fine points of each railpass 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.

Rick Steves Guide to Eurail Passes February 2015, Rick Steves Europe, Inc.Mail: 130 Fourth Avenue North, Edmonds, WA 98020 USA Phone: (425) 771-8303 Fax: (425) 771-0833Web: ricksteves.comWriters: Rick Steves and Rich SorensenManaging Editor and Rail Guru: Laura TerrenzioArt Director: Rhonda PelikanGraphic Design Production Assistant: Heather LockeMarvelous maps: Dave HoerleinThe 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 [email protected] for details.

Austria ...................................... 18Benelux countries .................. 17Eastern Europe ...................... 24English Channel ......................14France .......................................16Germany .................................. 19Great Britain ....................... 12-13

Greece ..................................... 25Ireland ...................................... 15Italy ..........................................20Scandinavia ............................ 22Spain & Portugal ................... 23Switzerland ............................. 21

4 Rick Steves Guide to Eurail Passes Buy your railpass and reservations at www.ricksteves.com

Detailed Route & Schedule PlanningWhile maps can be helpful, they cant 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 youre traveling in Europe, the German railways website at www.bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en should be your first stop for timetable information. Heres how to use it:

Tips for Using the Deutsche Bahn Schedule WebsiteStart 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: To get train sched-ules, theres no need to fill out any fields beyond the top ones. Once youve entered the stations, date, and time, just skip right to Search.

Spelling counts: Use the local, European spelling of town names. (Youll find these in many maps or guidebooks of Europe.) Here are some examples:

Bergen = Bergen(N) (N for Norway)Cologne = Koeln (oe replaces )Florence = Firenze (SMN station) Kopenhagen or KoebenhavnFssen = Fuessen (ue replaces )Prague = Praha (hl. n. station)Rome = Roma (Termini station)Rothenburg = Rothenburg ob der TauberVenice = Venezia (S. Lucia station)Vienna = WienCinque Terre = Monterosso, Vernazza, Corni-

glia, Manarola, or Riomaggiore, depending on your destination.

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 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, sub-way, 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 citys name plus hbf to specify the train station.

Review your options: Youll 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.

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 reserva-

tion means what it says, while Please reserve means that reservations are recommended but optional. Some trains dont mention (or need) reservations at all. The phrase International supplement doesnt apply to people traveling with rail passes.

Check prices separately: The Deutsche Bahns site doesnt show fares for most trains outside Ger-many and Austria. You need not bother checking exact ticket prices on each countrys own railway site; for estimates, use the ticket-cost maps in this guide.

Expect updates: European train schedules are adjusted each year around June 10, Sept. 10, and Dec. 10 (changes are often small, with the most significant changes made in December). Some countries (Italy, Spain, most of Eastern Europe) dont 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. To get schedules for alternate routes, such as Switzerlands 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 youve 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 www.af-erry.co.uk to connect with most international ferry web sites. For the Greek islands, see www.greekferries.gr.

Quick & Dirty Itinerary PlanningEver wonder how some speedy travelers can prioritize their sightseeing when theyre on a tightly squeezed schedule? And stay relaxed? Wonder no more. Heres a simple itinerary-building spreadsheet, excerpted from Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door. Start with the basic sights weve listed in the 3 Days column. If you can add more days, keep adding sights to the right. In some cases, the plan assumes youll 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 5 days 7 days 10 days 14 daysEurope Forget it. London, Paris Amsterdam Rhineland, Swiss Alps Rome, Venice

Britain London Bath Cambridge, Cotswolds York Edinburgh, N. Wales

Ireland Dublin Dingle Peninsula Galway, Belfast County Clare/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, Zrich

Italy Florence, Venice Rome Cinque Terre Civita, Siena Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast

Scandinavia Copenhagen, side trips Stockholm Oslo Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen Helsinki, Tallinn

Spain Madrid, Toledo Sevilla, Granada Barcelona Andaluca Costa del Sol, Morocco

Portugal Lisbon, Sintra The Algarve vora, Nazar Sights near Nazar, Coimbra Porto, Douro Valley

Eastern Europe Prague Budapest Krakw, Auschwitz Slovenia, Cesk Krumlov Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik

Croatia & Slovenia Dubrovnik Mostar, Split Korc ula/Hvar or Montenegro Lake Bled, Plitvice Lakes Ljubljana, Istria, more of Dalmatian Coast

Greece Athens Hydra Delphi Nafplio, Epidavros, Mycenae Olympia, Monemvasia, Mani Peninsula


How Railpasses WorkContinuous, Flexi, and Saver PassesSome railpasses allow you to choose between a consecutive-day pass or flexipass. Both types may also have a Saverpass 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 15-day pass, you can travel 15 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 25. 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 10 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).

Saverpass: Designed to save money for groups, a Saverpass 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 Continue Shopping button to add more passes to the same order. By fax, simply indicate which people will travel together. (Its OK to split payment for one order onto multiple credit cards.) Some passes offer a Twin discount that works the same way, but with only two people listed on each pass.

Reservations: Despite the freedom you have to hop on many trains with a railpass, reservations are required on many other fast, long-distance, interna-tional, or overnight trains.

Narrow Down Your Pass ChoicesA train travelers 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, youll need to sketch out your itinerary, then answer:

On how many calendar days will you ride the train to connect your destinations? If youll be on the train for just one or two days, point-to-point tickets are usually a better match. The more time youll spend on the train, the more likely it is that youll 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 dont 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 com-pare to the price of a rail pass? Look up the cost of the one or two passes that cover the region youll be in and the number of days youll be on the train.

If your price comparison doesnt produce an obvi-ous 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 res-ervations 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, par-ticularly 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 youve planned a route for your trip, you should count how many travel days youll 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. To de-termine 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 passs base price). If the pass youre considering costs $60 per travel day, it makes no sense to use one of your days for a trip that would otherwise cost $10 in Europe.

With careful juggling, a shorter, cheaper rail pass can cover a longer trip. For example, if youre on a one-month trip, you dont necessarily need a one-month Eurail pass. You may be able to get by with a 21-day continuous pass by starting and/or ending your trip in a city where youd like to stay for several days or in a country not covered by your pass. On, say, a one-month London-Vienna trip, you could spend a few days in London, pay to take the Eurostar train to Paris (not covered by any railpass), sightsee in Paris for several days, then validate your rail pass

when you leave Paris. Plan for your pass to expire in Vienna, where you can easily spend a few days without the use of a rail pass.

It can make sense to get a longer consecutive-day rail pass to cover a shorter trip. One long, expensive train ride at the end of a 25-day trip can justify jumping from a 21-day Eurail Global pass to a one-month pass.

Flexipasses are cheaper because they cover fewer days. Lets say youre planning a 21-day trip and choosing between a 21-day Eurail Global Continous pass and a cheaper 10-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 15-day Eurail Global Continuous pass at about $675, youre paying $45 a day. With a three-month pass for about $1800, youre 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. To cover a multi-country trip, its 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 youll use a day of each pass.

One of these things is not like the others. If most of your destinations are in one country, the second-class version of the one-country pass is often a cheap deal. To connect with a city outside that region, supplement it with a separate train ticket to the logical border crossing point. If this is a significant distance (such as between Paris and another country), look for advance-purchase discount tickets or a cheap flight.

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 dont 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 10 or 15 travel days

within two months can cover five to eight far-flung 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 Scan-dinavia) will fly on more weekends.

Plan a regional focus before or after the two-month 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 doesnt merit a new rail pass fly there, then get around by car, bus and ferry.


Compare Point-to-Point Ticket CostsBuying Train Tickets in EuropeYou can ride the rails in Europe with a rail pass, or with train tickets you purchase to specific destina-tions. While point-to-point tickets are sold by travel agents in the United States, you can keep your op-tions 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.

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, Eurostar Italia/Le Frecce, Thalys, AVE, or SJ Highspeed) automatically include seat assign-ments 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 but allow stops and connections along the way. Unreserved international tickets (such as may be avail-able in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe) allow two weeks 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 RestrictionsEuropean rail fares are based primarily on the dis-tance 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, theyre most manageable for travelers focused on just one or two countries. Dont 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 three months in advance) can save you money (most notably in Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Finland), especially for faster or longer train rides. In other parts of Europe (such as Switzerland and most eastern countries), advance-purchase deals either dont exist or arent worth the hassle. For regional and medium-speed trains in most places, tickets cost the same whether theyre bought two months or two minutes before the train leaves.

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 mid-week) can be cheaper than peak-time rail journeys in Britain and France.

Children ages 4-11 get train ticket discounts in most of Europe (about 50% off, sometimes free with an adult) and under 4 always travel free on your lap (though if theres 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.

Youths ages 12-25 do not get many point-to-point train ticket savings, but a few discount cards exist. Special youth prices for most rail passes are a good deal.

Seniors aged 60 and over can find a few more train ticket deals, which may require a discount card purchased in Europe. Senior discounts on rail passes are rare.

Buying Tickets from European Web SitesMany European national rail companies allow cus-tomers 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 emailed confirmation code redeemable at the station, or a print-at-home docu-ment. 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 signifi-cant advance-purchase discount or the certainty of securing a departure you cant afford to miss. These are best for travelers who need only one or two train tickets. If youre 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 dont 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 (such as the unreliable Spanish railway site). 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.

Point-to-Point Discounts for Youths & Seniors

CountryMax. Age Youths

Min. Age Seniors Discount Card Needed

Austria 25 60 F, 65 M 50% Vorteilscard Youth (19) or Senior (29) with photo

Belgium NA 65 For seniors, local trains 4 roundtrip 2nd-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 25 60 33% Youth/Senior railcard (24)

Finland NA 65 50% for seniors No

France 25 60 25% off non-peak, non-TGV trains without card

Youth (49) or Senior Card (56) can increase; up to 50%

Germany 25 60 50% Youth or Senior Bahn Card (115)

Italy 25 60 10-15% Carta Argento/Senior (30) Carta Verde/Youth (40)

Spain NA 60 40% M-Th + 25% F-S for seniors Tarjeta Dorada (5)

Norway NA 67 50% for seniors No

Other restrictions may apply. Get details at train stations or on each countrys rail web site.

Sometimes paying as-you-go makes more sense than using a rail pass.


Ticket Cost & Travel TimesConnect the dots (dollars hours), and see if a railpass will save you money. The first number between cities = approximate cost in $US for a 1-way, 2nd 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 = $1.25). Actual prices may vary due to currency fluctuations, advance purchase, and local promotions. For approximate 1st class rail prices, multiply the prices shown by 1.5. For shorter routes, see the many individual country rail maps we have later in this guide.


International Ferry Costs A few boat crossings are covered by railpasses (counted the same as a train) and some offer a small pass-holder 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 www.aferry.com.

Ancona or Bari, Italy to Patras, Greece: 15-21 hrs, $80-$100, free deck passage with Eurailpass, except for a $10 port tax year round and a peak-season (June - September) surcharge of $15-$30. Reclining seats and berths cost $30-$200 extra. See www.superfast.com.

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 Eurailpass (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, $100 for passage, cabins extra. 20% off with Eurailpass. See www.grimaldi-ferries.com.

Ireland to France: 18 hrs, runs most days, cross-ing only costs $70-110 (30% off with Eurailpass), add $30 and up per person for a cabin. Sails between Rosslare, Ireland and Cherbourg or Roscoff, France. See www.irishferries.com.

Harwich to Hook of Holland: 7-9 hours, $60-$100 for passage, 30% off with Eurail pass, cabins extra. See www.stenaline.com.

Dover to Calais: 70 90 minutes, $50-$65 each way, no rail pass discount. See P&O Ferries at www.posl.com.

Britain to Normandy: Portsmouth or Poole to Cherbourg, 4.25 hours, from $40 one-way, no rail pass discount. Book at www.brittanyferries.co.uk).

Night Train DestinationsSleeping while rolling down the tracks can save time and money, both of which are limited resources. Heres a cheat-sheet to get you started for Western Europe. Britain, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe also have night trains, 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 flying within Europe). See page 24 for discussion of sleeper options and prices and the 7 p.m. rule for travelers with a flexi-style rail pass.

W. Europe

Base

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Berli

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Buda

pest

Colo

gne

Dres

den

Flore

nce

Frank

furt

Gran

ada

Ham

burg

Krak

ow

Ljubl

jana

Madr

id

Milan

Muni

ch

Nice

Paler

mo

Prag

ue

Rom

e

S. Se

basti

an

Sant

iago

Toul

ouse

Veni

ce

Vien

na

War

saw

Zuric

h

Amsterdam

Barcelona

Berlin E

Budapest E

Frankfurt E

Hamburg

Lisbon

Madrid

Munich

Paris P P

Prague E E E

Rome

Vienna E

= Direct night train. P = Private train, does not accept railpasses. E = Early train, arrives before 5 a.m. in one direction.All trains run both directions & make additional stops. Check the columns & the rows. Not a complete city list.

Class ConsciousnessWrestling with the choice between first and second class? Sometimes the choice is made for you...

With a Eurail Global or Select Pass: If youre 26 or older, you must buy a first-class railpass. Those under 26 have the choice of buying either a second- or a first-class pass.

With a single-country pass: Most single-country and regional passes are available in second-class versions for travelers of any age.

If youre 60 or older: Even though some passes (Britrail, France) offer first-class-only se-nior discounts, youll still save more by traveling in second class.

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!


Buying Your Pass Where: Most railpasses must be purchased in the U.S. and are not available in Europe. There are some exceptions: multi-country Eurailpasses are sold at some of Europes major railway stations for 10-20% more than the U.S. price. Swiss and German passes are sold at stations in their respective countries.

When: Most passes can be purchased any-where from six months in advance (if youre sure of your plans) to one week ahead (to allow time for delivery). Pass prices fluctuate during the year based on the dollar-euro exchange rate (and other variables) and are subject to change without no-tice. 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 six months to validate it in Europe.

Who: Most railpasses 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 railpasses. 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.

Train Reservations Depending on the route and type of train, reserva-tions (which guarantee you a specific seat) can be either required, a good idea, a pointless hassle, or not even an option. The Deutsche Bahns train schedule is objective and complete its 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 $5 to $35 (with a few expensive exceptions, but theyre 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 its 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 Switzer-lands just-for-tourists scenic trains, and beds on overnight trains. These trains generally dont allow extra passengers to board.

When reservations are optional but a good idea: Most of the time, theres plenty of seating for everyone. But its wise to reserve at least several days ahead if you are traveling during a peak time (sum-mer, 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 doesnt 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. Most trains that require reservations limit the number of seats available to passholders (most notoriously Frances TGV trains, which can sell out weeks ahead), saving the remaining places for full-fare ticket buyers. 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 youre 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 800/438-7245 (or 800/361-7245 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 Span-ish train station and for Eurostar (Chunnel) tickets. Reservations made in the U.S. may cost a little more than in those made in Europe. Most reservations are not changeable or refundable. Or www.euraide.com charges European rates (e.g., 4 -5 per basic reser-vation instead of $11-13), plus about $30 if you need schedule advice and $30 for delivery from Europe (ordering is not online; research train schedules first, then email your list of departure choices and class or sleeper preferences to [email protected]). 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 28-29.

Europes modern rail network makes travel easy, efficient and environmentally-friendly.

Choosing first class: If you have the extra money, riding first class is less crowded and more comfort-able. First-class railpasses can be a good value, too. While individual first-class tickets cost 50% more than second class, first-class railpasses generally bump your price up only 25% to 40%.

Choosing second class: If youre on a tight bud-get, 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 filled with Eurail and Select Pass travelers age 26+ who had no choice, and business travelers who paid 50% extra in hopes that they wouldnt 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 50% differ-ence in ticket price to upgrade to first (not possible in Britain).

Second class costs one-third less than first.

First class train cars generally feature bigger seats filled with business commuters and Eurail pass travelers over age 26.


Eurail Global pass countries Every Eurail Global pass is valid in all 28 of the countries shown above.

Select Pass countries A Select Pass can be designed to connect a chain of any 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, Nether-lands, Luxembourg).

KEY: = LOW = MEDIUM = HIGH

SELECTThe Select Pass offers maximum customization for more focused trips. Choose four countries connected by rail or ferry lines. Select Passes now come in three price tiers according to which four countries you choose. Choosing at least two of the five most popular countries for this pass (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland) will most likely land you in the highest price tier. While the lowest price tier is indeed quite low, thats only available to travelers choosing either all four of the least popular pass options or three of them and one mid-range country. The medium rate results from a varied mix of countries.

Select Pass Individual

1st Class LOW MEDIUM HIGH

5 days in 2 months $196 $392 $472

6 days in 2 months $226 $440 $516

8 days in 2 months $285 $529 $601

10 days in 2 months $341 $610 $686

Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket.

Select Pass Saver


5 days in 2 months $168 $335 $402

6 days in 2 months $193 $376 $440

8 days in 2 months $243 $451 $512

10 days in 2 months $291 $520 $584

Prices are per person, based on 2 or more traveling together. Up to two kids aged 4-11 travel free with each adult. Additional kids pay youth rate. Under 4 travel free without a ticket.

Select Pass Youth


5 days in 2 months $158 $315 $379

6 days in 2 months $183 $354 $414

8 days in 2 months $229 $425 $482

10 days in 2 months $274 $490 $551

2nd Class LOW MEDIUM HIGH

5 days in 2 months $130 $258 $309

6 days in 2 months $150 $289 $338

8 days in 2 months $188 $347 $393

10 days in 2 months $224 $399 $449

You must be under age 26 on your first day of railpass travel.

The price of freedomThe per-day price difference between a 4-country Select Pass and a 28-country Eurailpass is about $5 per day. If you like to cover lots of ground, and value keep-ing your options open, you may be better off buying the full-blown Eurail Global!

EURAIL GLOBALThe 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 consecutive-day version (now called Continuous)par-

ticularly convenient for the whirlwind traveler whos riding the rails almost every day. Eurail

Global is also the only pass with a three-month option, making it especially popular with student backpackers.

Eurail Global Pass Continuous

Type of Pass1st Cl.

Individual1st Class

Saver1st Class

Youth2nd Class

Youth

15 consec. days $662 $564 $531 $433

21 consec. days $852 $726 $683 $557

1 month consec. days $1,048 $892 $840 $683

2 months consec. days $1,475 $1,255 $1,182 $961

3 months consec. days $1,820 $1,548 $1,457 $1,185

Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 only, 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

Type of Pass1st Cl.

Individual1st Class

Saver1st Class

Youth2nd Class

Youth

5 days in 2 months $519 $442 $416 $340

10 days in 2 months $779 $664 $625 $509

15 days in 2 months $1,021 $869 $818 $666

Same as above.

Important Note: Many of our single-country railpass pages cover more tips and options you may find helpful. Please re-view this guide carefully to understand how railpasses work.

Multi-Country Railpasses


Important Railpass RestrictionsReservations: 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 limit places for passholders and can sell out weeks ahead. See more details about train reservations on pages 9 and 28.

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:

Direct Paris-Italy night trains do not accept any rail passes.

Crossing Austria on the Munich-Venice route costs $25 additional in second class or $40 in first, if its not listed on your Select Eurail pass.

Crossing Slovakia on the Budapest-Prague route costs about $30 extra in 2nd class if its 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 youll go by train, youll 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, across the English Channel by Eurostar, 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. Our regional pass pages include many two-country combinations, plus regional values like Scandinavia and European East passes. 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.

Saverpass prices listed include a 15% discount compared to individual first class passes. Members of each pair or group must order together, all purchasing the same pass. See How Railpasses Work (page 5).

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.

Bonuses with RailpassThe following European boat, bus, and other non-rail rides are either covered or discounted with any pass that covers the appropriate country. Covered bonuses start use of a travel day of a flexipass (same as any train would); discounted bonuses generally do not use a flexipass day, but travel must be within the validity period of the pass. The map that accompanies each pass explains all bonuses in detail.

Covered Bonuses: International ferry crossings between Ancona or

Bari, Italy and Patras, Greece

Swiss lake boats

Discounted Bonuses: International ferry crossings: Stockholm to/from

Helsinki 20-40% off, Ireland to/from France 30% off; Brindisi, Italy to/from Patras, Greece 30-50% off; Italy to/from Spain 20% off.

KD Line boats on Germanys Rhine and Mosel rivers 20% off

Swiss Jungfrau private railway 25% off

Eurostar Chunnel train special fare does not use a flexipass travel day

And many more

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 railpasses get more expensive, you may want this security. Personally, I keep my pass in my moneybelt and take my chances.

and you dont have Rail Protection PlanLost or stolen railpasses are not refundable.

Validated or partly used railpasses are not refundable unless you get a European railway of-ficial 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 refund-able (minus a penalty of 15% or more) if returned to the place of purchase within six months for BritRail or within one year for most other passes. Railpass insurance, shipping fees, and some special offers are not refundable.

and you have Rail Protection PlanRailpasses 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 railpass 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 Europes coverage also allows you to file a claim to recover the full price of the pass (without paying the 15+ percent penalty) if it is wholely unused. Rather than granting a cash refund, however, Rail Europe will hold this value as a credit toward a future purchase (must be used 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 Saverpass, 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.


Free KidsFor each adult or senior pass you buy at regular rates, one child (515) travels with you free (specify which child with which adult when you order). This Fam-ily Pass deal is available with regular Britrail and Britrail England passes but not with Scotland or London Plus Passes. Additional kids pay half the normal adult rate. Kids under 5 free.

Saver Pass - Group DiscountGroups 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 DiscountBritRail and BritRail England passes are 20% off regular adult prices for travel November-February. These are for sale September-mid-February. No Saver discount.

GREAT BRITAINBest Value: Since Britain is not included on the Eurail Global or Select Pass, and pay-as-you-go train fares are the highest in Europe, BritRail passes can be very useful. Traditional BritRail 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 50%. Many regional trains have only standard-class cars. Seniors get discounts in first class, but can also choose the cheaper adult standard rate. If youre making just a couple of trips and can commit to dates and times in advance, look into Britains advance purchase discounts on point-to-point tickets (below).

Reservations: Seat reservations are free at stations in Britain, and recommended for weekends, but not required for railpasses or full-fare tickets on daytime trains. On overnight trains, a bunk in a twin sleeper costs about $75. Overnight journeys begun on your BritRail passs final night can be completed the day after the pass expiresonly BritRail allows this trick.

Private Trains: Eurostar Passholder Fares (discounted tickets between London and Paris, Calais, Lille, or Brussels) are available for travel at any time during the validated travel period of most BritRail passes, but not Scotland passes. Passes cover service by Britains 20+ railway operators, and give 20% discount on heritage narrow-guage 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 dont use your pass for that trip, you can buy London airport express tickets at the station for about $30 one-way or $52 roundtrip (half price for kids 5 - 15), or take the Tube.

The first two BritRail passes listed below cover England, Scotland, and Wales (no Ireland).

BritRail Consecutive Pass

Type of PassAdult 1st Cl.

Adult Std.

Senior 1st Cl.

Youth 1st Cl.

Youth Std.

3 consec. days $333 $220 $284 $266 $177

4 consec. days $414 $273 $352 $332 $218

8 consec. days $589 $397 $501 $472 $318

15 consec. days $870 $589 $740 $697 $472

22 consec. days $1107 $737 $941 $886 $591

1 month consec. $1311 $870 $1114 $1049 $697

Senior passes are for travelers age 60 and up; no standard class discount. Youth = under 26. One child 515 free with each adult- or senior-rate pass. For groups of 3 or more adults and youths, see Saver Pass.

BritRail Flexipass


Adult Std.

Senior 1st Cl.

Youth 1st Cl.

Youth Std.

3 days in 1 month $414 $280 $351 $332 $224

4 days in 1 month $508 $351 $431 $407 $280

8 days in 1 month $749 $501 $635 $599 $402

15 days in 1 month $1117 $755 $948 $894 $604

Same as above.

BritRail England Passes cover travel in England only, no Scotland, Ireland or Wales.

BritRail England Consecutive Pass


Adult Std.

Senior 1st Cl.

Youth 1st Cl.

Youth Std.

3 consec. days $263 $186 $224 $210 $148

4 consec. days $333 $220 $284 $266 $177

8 consec. days $467 $314 $397 $373 $253

15 consec. days $702 $467 $598 $562 $373

22 consec. days $889 $589 $755 $711 $472

1 month consec. $1047 $702 $889 $838 $562

Same as above.

BritRail England Flexipass


Adult Std.

Senior 1st Cl.

Youth 1st Cl.

Youth Std.

3 days in 1 month $333 $227 $284 $266 $182

4 days in 1 month $414 $280 $352 $332 $224

8 days in 1 month $596 $404 $507 $477 $323

15 days in 1 month $896 $608 $761 $716 $486

Same as above.

BritRail South West Pass


Adult Std.

Senior 1st Cl.

Youth 1st Cl.

Youth Std.

3 consec. days $237 $157 $203 $191 $126

4 consec. days $290 $193 $248 $232 $153

8 consec. days $414 $280 $352 $332 $224

15 consec. days $615 $414 $522 $491 $332

22 consec. days $773 $519 $656 $618 $416

1 month consec. $913 $615 $776 $731 $491

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. Overnight train requires paid sleeper reservation. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26. Senior passes are for travelers age 60 and up. One child 515 free with each adult or senior rail pass.

BritRail South West Flexipass


Adult Std.

Senior 1st Cl.

Youth 1st Cl.

Youth Std.

3 days in 1 month $290 $203 $248 $232 $162

4 days in 1 month $361 $244 $308 $289 $196

8 days in 1 month $526 $351 $448 $421 $280

15 days in 1 month $783 $526 $666 $627 $421

Same as above.

Britain map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way 2nd class fares in $US by rail (solid line) and bus (dashed line). Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a railpass will save you money. For 1st class rail fares, add 50%. Based on Off Peak rates, 1 = $1.60. Source: www.nationalrail.co.uk


BritRail London Plus Pass Coverage

BritRail Central Scotland Pass Coverage

BritRail South West Pass Coverage

BritRail London Plus PassType of Pass Adult 1st Class Adult Standard

3 out of 1 month $285 $205

4 out of 1 month $330 $249

8 out of 1 month $467 $345

Covers much of SE England (see London Plus Coverage Map at left). Includes the Heathrow, Stansted or Gatwick Express on counted travel days, which can be used up to 6 months from the date you validate the pass in Britain (but not before pass is validated for the 8- or 15-day travel window). Many trains are standard class only. The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply. Kids 515 half price; under 5 free.

BritRail Scottish Highlands Pass

Type of Pass Standard Class

4 days out of 8 $145

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 515 half price; under 5 free.

BritRail Central Scotland Pass


3 days out of 7 $67

Passes are prevalidated at the time of purchase for a specific, 7-day travel window and cannot be refunded after that planned travel date! Covers frequent service between Edinburgh and Glasgows 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 9:15 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 515 half price; under 5 free.

BritRail Freedom of Scotland Pass




For Scotland only, standard class only. Not valid on trains that depart before 9:15 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 515 half fare; under 5 free.

Tube and Bus Passes to Buy in London

Adult prices

Zones 1-2

All Day

Zones 1-6

Off Peak

Zones 1-6

All Day

1 day 12 12 17

7 consecutive days 32.10 NA 50.40

Passes cover Tube and bus in London and are easy to buy at most Tube stations. For info visit www.tfl.gov.uk or call 011-44-20-7222-1234. 1 = about $1.60.

Railpasses dont cover local Tube and bus travel. Since the cash ticket price for a single ride is now 4.30 per journey, any style of Tube pass is likely to save some money in London. Off-Peak cards are valid after 9:30 a.m. Monday Friday, and any time on weekends and holidays. Most sights and many hotels are in Zones 12. Zone 1 covers downtown (everything within and slightly beyond the Circle line). Zone 2 extends to many outlying neigh-borhoods. Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6. More zone combinations and monthly passes are also available. 1- and 7-day cards are old-style paper cards. Oyster cards are rechargeable, never expire, and work by just touching the card to a card reader as you go in and out of stations or buses. You pre-pay cash (e.g., 10) that is debited at the best available rate (cheaper than real cash and never more than a daily pass) instead of a set weekly or monthly pass period. 3 nonrefund-able deposit required. Kids under 11 free on Tube with an adult; under 16 free on bus and tram.

Point-to-Point Ticket Deals to Buy in BritainBritish 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 youll get. Advance tickets get snapped up fast in summer, can be booked from one day to eight weeks ahead, have limited seat availability, are non-refundable, and have exchange restrictions. Off-Peak rates apply after 9:30 a.m. and 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 LondonEdinburgh one-way, the Anytime (full) fare is 152 ($245); the Off-Peak fare is 120 ($190); and Advance fares range from 50 to 40 ($80 or $65), with the lowest rate selling out first. You can find more ticket prices and buy online at www.nationalrail.co.uk or call to Britain at 011-44-8457-484-950 for 24-hour information (theyll give you another number to purchase tickets). For credit card ap-proval online, it may help to enter a British hotel address or postal code (not for delivery). Pick up reserved tickets at the station.

For 28 ($45), the Railcard for Youths ages 1625, full-time students 26+ with ISIC, or for Seniors age 60+, get you a third off most point-to-point tickets for a year. The Family Railcard for 28 ($45) allows adults to travel 33% cheaper while their kids age 515 get 60% off for most trips. Couples (or any two travel companions) can get a third off most train tickets with a Two Together Railcard, as long as theyre both pres-ent (30; both travelers photos required). Not valid on the Heathrow Express, Eurostar, or some busy weekday morning commuter trains. See www.railcard.co.uk.


Cheap Tickets: Buy Early, Read RestrictionsReserved Tickets: Unlike most trains in Western Europe, Eurostar is not covered by rail passes and always requires a separate, reserved train ticket. If youre ready to commit to a travel date and time, you may book some tickets up to 9 months in advance, but more commonly starting 6 months out. Theres no deadline to purchase but the lowest fares sell out first.

Fares: A one-way, full-fare ticket (with no restric-tions on refundability) runs about $400 first-class and $300 second-class. Prices can be much cheaper for early purchasers, children under 12, youths under 26, seniors 60 or older, and rail pass holders (all with refund restrictions). Within each discount category, multiple fares exist (figure $60160 for second-class, one-way), the number of seats available at each rate is limited, and the early bird gets the best price. To see the best rates available when youre ready to buy, simply start the buying process.

Refunds: Unless you pay full fare (about $300 one way in standard class), tickets are not refundable. (Just a few are 25% refundable.) Some fares allow you to exchange your ticket once before departure, but others do not. If allowed, youll pay the difference between the original ticket price and the fares avail-able on the date of exchange and may also pay a fee. Be sure of your plans before you reserve.

Agents: You can order electronic tickets through www.eurostar.com or ricksteves.com and print tickets at home or pick them up at your departure station. You can also order by phone with a European agent: London 011-44-8705-186-186, Paris 011-33-8-92-35-35-39, Brussels 011-32-2-528-28-28. To take a car through the Chunnel, visit www.eurotunnel.com.

Tips for Passholders

The passholder discount ticket is available to travelers carrying a railpass that covers one end of the Eurostar route (Britain, France, or Belgium). This trip does not use one of your counted travel days on a flexipass. Class of service for this trip (first or standard) need not match your railpass.

Passholder discount tickets for Eurostar are sold in the US through the same agents who book passholder reservations. They are also available in local currency (starting about 50 or 75) at select European locations including Eurostar departure stations, the Eurostar office near Londons Victoria station, Euraide offices (Munich Hbf and Berlin Hbf stations), and by phone to the European numbers above, but not on the Eurostar website. The Passholder fare is often the best rate for adults age 26+. Those who qualify for youth/senior/child discounts should test different options to find the best rates before ordering a ticket.

English Channel by EurostarRoutes: The Eurostar zips you from downtown London through the Chunnel to downtown Paris (15+/day) or Brussels (10/day) in 2.5 hours, faster and easier than flying. Main stations are London St. Pancras, Paris Nord, and Brussels Midi/Zuid. Some departures also stop at Ebbsfleet, Ashford, Calais, or Lille. LondonAmsterdam by rail takes 5-6 hours between city centers, with connection to a local train (not Eurostar) in Brussels. To compare LondonAmsterdam flights, see www.easyjet.com.

Bonus Rides: Tickets between London and Brus-sels can include travel to/from Any Belgian Station for a few dollars more, if you choose that option at the time of purchase. Just show the Eurostar ticket when boarding the connecting train(s) within 24 hours of the Brussels Eurostar arrival or departure (but not on Thalys express trains). You can also connect free to/from Ebbsfleet and Ashford on the Southeastern Railway network (around Kent) and on Fastrack bus links between Ebbsfleet and local stations nearby.

Security: Check-in is required 30 minutes before departure for security screening. Carry-on luggage is limited to two large bags and a small day bag per person. Bags must be tagged with your name and address. Smoking, animals except guide dogs, and dangerous materials are not allowed. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Kids under 4 are free when they share your seat.

Classes: Eurostars three classes of service are Standard (second), Standard Premier (first), and Busi-ness Premier. I choose Standard class to save money. Standard Premier costs about 50% more (no youth or senior discount) and gets you a little more leg and elbow room, a newspaper, a small meal, and power plugs at seats. Business Premier class is only for serious business travelers willing to spend $400 one way. A wide range of fares is sold for each class of seating (just like with the airlines).

Train Schedules: Breaking the CodeSchedule and route planning is easier than ever on the Internet. For all of Europe, including small towns and international connections, try the Deutsche Bahns website (http://bahn.hafas.de) or their DB Navigator mobile app. You can print just the schedules you need. Tips for using it are on page 4.

You can always find train schedules at any station in Europe. They come in many forms: posters (with departures on yellow, arrivals on white), airport-type departure schedules that flip up and list the next eight or ten departures, handy pocket-sized schedules for popular routes, and computer kiosks.

Personnel at the train station information window can confirm your plans. Once aboard, youll find that many express trains are littered with route programs

that describe everything about that train.Learn to use the 24-hour clock used in European

train timetables. After 12:00 noon, the Europeans keep going13:00, 14:00, and so on. To convert to the 12-hour clock, subtract 12 and add p.m. (16:00 is 4 p.m.).

Any schedule includes information on both direc-tions between destinations (Dijon to Paris and Paris to Dijon) and has a section explaining the many excep-tions to the rules. An R in a box means reservations are required for that departure, crossed silverware means a dining car, crossed hammers indicate that the train goes only on workdays (daily except Sundays and holidays), a cross means the train goes only on Sundays and holidays, and a picture of a little bed means the train has sleeping compartments, which

come in couchette and sleeper varieties.For ferry schedules, www.aferry.com links to

most international ferry web sites.

Posted train schedules clearly mark the destination, departure and arrival times, and track numbers.


Ireland map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way 2nd 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: The only Northern Ireland destina-tions listed on this map are Derry and Belfast. For 1st class fares, add 50%. Source: www.irishrail.ie

IRELANDBest Value: Irelands trains fan out from Dublin but neglect much of the countryside. The bus system is more extensive and cheaper (e.g., $30 Dublin-

Galway, $20 Dublin-Cork). Paying as you go works fine for both rail and bus, or you can buy a rail/bus combo pass

(below) at stations in Ireland. While our map shows full, peak-time fares for sale in stations, you can cut rail ticket prices in half by booking online, with no

particular advance deadline. Traveling mid-day also reduces your rail ticket price. Roundtrip rail fares can cost

as little as 10% more than one-way.

Reservations: Irish trains do not require reservations.Two-Country Pass: The BritRail + Ireland pass (page

13) costs quite a bit more than regular BritRail passes and is rarely worth the expense.

International Connections: Flying to either Britain or the Con-tinent 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). See ferry and flight notes below.

Ireland Pass

Type of Pass

1st Class Adult

2nd Class Adult

1st Class

Saver

2nd Class

Saver

1st Class

Youth

2nd Class

Youth

3 days in 1 month $224 $181 $192 $155 $181 $148

4 days in 1 month $270 $217 $230 $185 $217 $177

5 days in 1 month $310 $249 $264 $213 $249 $203

8 days in 1 month $418 $336 $356 $286 $336 $274

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. Saver prices are per person based on two or more traveling together. Senior passes are for travelers age 60 and up. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 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.

BritainIreland Ferries

British port to... Irish port

Crossings daily

Ferry/ Cat. hrs Price

Holyhead Dublin/Dun Laoghaire* 6 3.5 / 1.5 $80

Fishguard Rosslare 4 3.5 / 1.5 $65

Cairnryan Belfast 6 3.5 / 1.5 $60

See also www.seaview.co.uk for ferries.

* Dun Laoghaire is a 30-minute bus or train ride from Dublin.

Travelers from London to Dublin can catch a quick $30-90 shuttle flight (see www.cheapflights.com or www.ryanair.com). Flying is also the best way to reach the European Continent.

A London-Dublin train-boat-train combination booked as a single ticket costs only $55 (similar for other cities, see www.sailrail.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk or tel. 08-450-755-755).

National Express (Britains Greyhound) offers London-Dublin bus+ferry tickets for $50 - $70 (restrictions apply).

Deals once you get to IrelandThese local specials are sold at major train stations in Ireland. 1 = about $1.25 US.

Pass Name Version Area Duration Price

Irish Explorer Rail & Bus Republic only Any 8 days in 15 245

Irish Explorer Rail only Republic only Any 5 days in 15 160

Irish Rover Bus only Republic & North

Any 3 days in 8 Any 8 days in 15 Any 15 days in 30

84 190 280

Open Road Pass*

Bus only Republic only Any 3 days in 6 Any 4 days in 8 Any 5 days in 10 Any 6 days in 12 Any 7 days in 14 Any 8 days in 16 Any 9 days in 18 Any 10 days in 20 Any 11 days in 22 Any 12 days in 24 Any 13 days in 26 Any 14 days in 28 Any 15 days in 30

54 69 84 99 114 129 144 159 174 189 204 219 234

* Bus schedules available at www.buseireann.ie


Point-to-Point Ticket Deals to Buy in FranceUnlike most countries, France discounts point-to-point ticket prices in non-peak times (our map reflects peak-time fares). For instance, a direct ParisNice second-class ticket costs about $160 at peak fare or $145 at normal fare. The trip will cost more if you break it with stops along the way. ParisLyon costs $120 peak/$100 normal; LyonAvignon $60 peak/$55 normal; and AvignonNice $85 peak/$70 normal; which can add up to $265 for a leisurely ParisNice route. Advance purchase discounts can be huge, with Paris-Nice prices starting as low as $50 peak/$30 normal, on sale starting 90 days in advance. International TGV, Thalys, and overnight trains also offer big advance ticket savings.The best deals have limited seat availability, sell out early, and have refund or exchange restrictions. See www.tgv-europe.com for details or to order. Print tickets at home (a few fares) or pick up in a French station.

Paris Metro and Museum PassesThe handy Paris Museum Pass is 25% cheaper in Paris (at most museums or FNAC stores) than if you buy it in the U.S. The overpriced Paris Visite transport card (several versions available) is 20% less at any Metro station in Paris, but we still would not buy one. For only $16, a carnet of 10 Metro tickets is your best lo-cal subway + bus value. The Passe Navigo Decouverte for $33 (plus $7 set up fee for the new electronic card) is good for a week of Metro and bus, valid Mon-daySunday. The few regional RER side trips youre likely to take are cheap and easy to purchase separately: Versailles $9 roundtrip, Disneyland or Charles de Gaulle Airport about $24 roundtrip, $12 each way.

FRANCE TWO-COUNTRY PASSESWhile the France Pass allows travel within one month, these passes offer a two-month window. Cost per day for a 4-day, 2-country pass is slightly more than for the single-country passes, but goes down as you add days. With separate single-country passes, you use a day of each pass when crossing a border, versus only one day when your pass covers the whole route of your trip.

If youre only dipping into a bit of Spain, you may not need the France-Spain pass. For instance, a ticket from the French border at Cerbere to Barcelona costs only $35, or the cost of a seat reservation on the direct TGV train (works with France Pass or Spain Pass).

France-Italy Pass or France-Spain Pass or France-Benelux Pass

Type of Pass1st Cl. Adult

2nd Cl. Adult

1st Cl. Saver

2nd Cl. Saver

1st Cl. Youth

2nd Cl. Youth

4 days in 2 months $355 $286 $303 $244 $286 $233

5 days in 2 months $403 $324 $344 $276 $324 $264

6 days in 2 months $448 $359 $381 $306 $359 $293

8 days in 2 months $528 $424 $450 $361 $424 $345

10 days in 2 months $599 $480 $510 $409 $480 $391

Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26 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.

France-Switzerland Pass or France-Germany Pass


2nd Cl. Adult

1st Cl. Saver

2nd Cl. Saver

1st Cl. Youth

2nd Cl. Youth

4 days in 2 months $382 $307 $326 $262 $307 $250

5 days in 2 months $432 $346 $368 $295 $346 $283

6 days in 2 months $476 $382 $405 $325 $382 $311

8 days in 2 months $554 $445 $472 $379 $445 $362

10 days in 2 months $625 $501 $532 $427 $501 $408

The France-Switzerland Pass covers many Swiss boats as well as trains. See Comparing Swiss Pass Coverage (page 20) for an outline of coverage. Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 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.

If your trip is really Swiss-focused with just one trip in France (e.g., Paris-Basel for $150, or less with advance-purchase dis-count), consider a Swiss pass plus separate, reserved French ticket. If you need more of France, you probably want the two-country pass.

France-Germany Pass does not cover whole route of Thalys train Paris-Kln. Consider buying separate Thalys ticket.

France map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way 2nd class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail-pass will save you money. For 1st class fares add 50%. Source: www.tgv.com

FRANCEBest Value: The France Rail Pass is a good value for three

or more days of train travel. For just 15% more than the second-class price, the first-class version is affordable and

gives you more options on busy trains. The France Rail Pass is cheaper than roundtrip ParisAvignon train tickets

at full fare. But if you only need a couple of trips and are ready to lock in travel times, advance purchase discounts

for point-to-point train tickets (below) can save you more.

Reservations: On unreserved regional trains, such as be-tween Paris and Normandy, rail pass holders can just hop on and find an open seat. TGV high-speed trains serve most

main lines and international routes, require seat reservations, and limit places for rail pass holders. Book TGV as soon as you can commit to a date and time, available starting 90 days in advance. Several rates apply on domestic TGV: With any Eurail pass that covers France, you now pay $25 to reserve a seat and this price can sell out quickly, especially in second class. Travelers with a France Rail Pass (not a Eurail pass for two or more coun-tries) can reserve early for only $11, or once those rates are sold out, choose an Easy Access seat reservation for $27, paying more to access additional places on a busy train. International trains have different price ranges and are particularly expensive toward Belgium (Thalys trains) and Italy (below).

On French domestic night trains (such as Paris to/from Nice, Hendaye, or Cerbere), four-passenger couchette compartments require a first-class ticket or rail pass, six-passenger couchettes accept second-class rail passes, and there are no private sleep-ers. On most international routes, second-class rail passes give you access to more sleeper choices, including doubles.

France Pass

Type of Pass1st Cl

Indiv.2nd Cl Indiv.

1st Cl Senior

1st Cl Youth

2nd ClYouth

3 days in 1 month $265 $215 $236 $191 $163

Extra rail days (max 6) $36-38 $28-32 $27-35 $23-28 $21-26

Senior passes are for travelers age 60 and up. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 only. Kids 411 pay half of adult fare; under 4 free without a ticket.

France Saverpass Type of Pass 1st Class 2nd Class

3 days in 1 month $236 $191

Extra rail days (max 6) $27-35 $23-28

Prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Kids 411 half price; under 4 free without a ticket.

Paris-Italy Route News: Paris-Italy night trains do not accept rail passes, but offer a 25% discount off full fare. Buy the night train ticket separately and up to three months ahead for the best price.

Private Trains: Any rail pass that covers France allows you a discounted ticket price on Eurostar trains between London and Paris. Railpasses do not cover the private rail lines from Nice to Digne or on Corsica.


Benelux countries map key: Approximate point-to-point one-way 2nd class rail fares in $US. Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail-pass will save you money. For 1st class rail fares, add 50%. Sources: www. b-rail.be and www.ns.nl

BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS & LUXEMBOURGBest Value: Most visits to Belgium, Luxembourg, or the Netherlands dont cover enough miles to justify a railpass.

Reservations: Regional and InterCity trains do not need reservations, allowing you plenty of schedule freedom as you explore Benelux. Between Amsterdam-Brussels or Brussels-Cologne, fast Thalys trains cost more (for point-to-point tickets) or require expensive reservations with a railpass, so Id choose still-fast IC or ICE trains on those routes. The only direct service from Amsterdam, Brussels, or Cologne to Paris is by Thalys, with reservations costing $40-$85 in addition to a pass that covers Benelux and France. To avoid Thalys fees when heading from Bruges or Brussels to Paris, you can take a little more time

and connect in Lille to a TGV with cheaper (but limited) $11 reservations.

Two-Country Passes: Options exist for those traveling be-tween Benelux and one neighbor: France or Germany (but not Britain).

Private Trains: Any pass that covers Belgium allows you a dis-counted ticket price on the Eurostar between London and Brussels.

Benelux Pass

Type of Pass

1st Class Adult

2nd Class Adult

1st Class

Saver

2nd Class

Saver

1st Class

Youth

2nd Class

Youth

3 days in 1 month $224 $181 $192 $155 $181 $148

4 days in 1 month $270 $217 $230 $185 $217 $177

5 days in 1 month $310 $249 $264 $213 $249 $203

8 days in 1 month $418 $336 $356 $286 $336 $274

Covers trains in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Valid on Thalys trains within Benelux (with expensive seat reservation), but not to/from Paris. Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 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.

Benelux-France Pass or Benelux-Germany Pass

Type of Pass

1st Class Adult

2nd Class Adult

1st Class

Saver

2nd Class

Saver

1st Class

Youth

2nd Class

Youth

4 days in 2 months $355 $286 $303 $244 $286 $233

5 days in 2 months $403 $324 $344 $276 $324 $264

6 days in 2 months $448 $359 $381 $306 $359 $293

8 days in 2 months $528 $424 $450 $361 $424 $345

10 days in 2 months $599 $480 $510 $409 $480 $391

Saver prices are per person for 2 or more traveling together. Youth passes are for travelers under 26 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.


Austria map key: Point-to-point one-way 2nd class rail fares in $US. Add up fares to see whether a railpass will save you mon-ey. For 1st class rail fares, add 50%. Source: www.oebb.at

AUSTRIABest Value: If you need more than the basic three days on the Austria Pass, consider the European East Pass (page 23) which gives you five or more

travel days in four countries (Austria, Czech Re-public, Slovakia, Hungary) for a similar price. It also meets or beats the price of Austria-Czech and Austria-Hungary Passes.

Reservations: Since Austrian trains dont require reservations, a pass is convenient and flexible.

Some international trains need reservations before boarding, as indicated in timetables.

Coverage: All passes that cover Austria also cover trains run-ning 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.

Two-Country Passes: Options exist for those traveling between Austria and one neighbor: Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia & Croatia (counted as one region on railpasses), and Switzerland (but not Italy nor Slovakia).

Austria Pass

Type of Pass

1st Class Adult

2nd Class Adult

1st Class

Saver

2nd Class

Saver

1st Class

Youth

2nd Class

Youth

3 days in 1 month $224 $181 $192 $155 $181 $148

4 days in 1 month $270 $217 $230 $185 $217 $177

5 days in 1 month $310 $249 $264 $213 $249 $203

8 days in 1 month $418 $336 $356 $286 $336 $274


AustriaGermany Pass


2nd Cl. Adult

1st Cl. Saver

2nd Cl. Saver

1st Cl. Youth

2nd Cl. Youth

4 days in 2 months $329 $264 $280 $225 $264 $216

5 days in 2 months $377 $303 $321 $258 $303 $247

6 days in 2 months $419 $337 $357 $287 $337 $274

8 days in 2 months $498 $400 $425 $341 $400 $326

10 days in 2 months $569 $457 $485 $389 $457 $372


Austria-Switzerland Pass

Type of Pass

1st Class Adult

2nd Class Adult

1st Class

Saver

2nd Class

Saver

1st Class

Youth

2nd Class

Youth

4 days in 2 months $355 $286 $303 $244 $286 $233

5 days in 2 months $403 $324 $344 $276 $324 $264

6 days in 2 months $448 $359 $381 $306 $359 $293

8 days in 2 months $528 $424 $450 $361 $424 $345

10 days in 2 months $599 $480 $510 $409 $480 $391

Same details as in pass above.

For less than the price of a first-class Swiss Flexipass, the Austria-Switzerland combo covers two countries and allows you to spread travel over a longer period. See page 20 to compare coverage within Switzerland.

Austria-CroatiaSlovenia Pass or Austria-Czech Pass or Austria-Hungary Pass

Type of Pass

1st Class Adult

2nd Class Adult

1st Class

Saver

2nd Class

Saver

1st Class

Youth

2nd Class

Youth

4 days in 2 months $242 $195 $206 $166 $195 $159

5 days in 2 months $283 $228 $242 $191 $228 $186

6 days in 2 months $322 $259 $274 $221 $259 $211

8 days in 2 months $394 $317 $336 $270 $317 $258

10 days in 2 months $460 $369 $391 $314 $369 $301

Same details as in pass above.

The European East pass covers more countries for about the same price, but for travel within one month, not two.

European East Pass Type of Pass 1st Class 2nd Class

5 days in 1 month $300 $205

Extra rail days (max 5) $32 $30Covers Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Does not cover Westbahn brand trains. Kids 4-11 half price; under 4 free without a ticket.

Central Europe Triangle Pass Type of Pass 2nd Class Individual

3 trips in 1 month $141

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 pre-validated for your specified 1-month travel period and cannot be refunded after the first day of validity. Kids 411 half single adult or saver fare; under 4 free. Not valid on Westbahn brand trains.

Good deals in AustriaFor 19-29, a Vorteils Card allows youths (under 26), seniors (60+), or families with kids under 15 to save up to 50% on point-to-point tickets for one year. Classic version for adults is 100. See Customer Cards at www.oebb.at.


Point-to-Point Deals in GermanyKids under 15 travel free when named on one ticket with parents or grand-parents. With Sparpreise discounts, you save 2550 percent by buying a ticket at least three days in advance for pre-selected dates and times (group discount available, seats are limited and refund restrictions apply). Full fares are shown on our map. Search for more lo-cal German fares at bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en (discounts are calculated if you add children or put in a return date). You can also order by phone at 011-49-1805-99-66-33.

Slow-train specials in Germany include a wild Schnes Wochenende (Happy Weekend) ticket for 40; it gives groups of up to five people unlimited second-class travel on non-express trains all day on Saturday or Sunday. The weekday version is called the Quer-durchs-Land Ticket, valid after 9:00 a.m., 42 for one traveler plus 8 for each co-traveler (max. 4), described online in German only. Lnder-Tickets are a similar deal within a single region, such as Bavaria (23 for first person, plus 5 for each ad-ditional up to 5 total people, travel after 9:00 a.m. on local trains). For more on these offers or Bahn Cards, follow the link above

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