The ultimate guide to european train travel with a eurail pass. Extreme difficulty booking trains on eurail global pass. A eurail pass is the best option if you plan to use the train as your main source of transport and you want the ultimate flexibility to plan your trip asyougo. Hi alan, yes, tgv trains are covered by rail passes. In belgium, reservations can only be made for trains that arrive or depart in belgium. With select pass, you choose four bordering countries and 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days within a 2month window. Get a general overview to all types of eurail tickets, night train connections and train types.
Eurail global pass one rail pass for all trains in europe all eurail passes and train reservations 31 countries in europe buy now the eurail global pass. It includes a guide to using eurail passes, types of eurail passes and many more things. Eticket reservations can be booked up to 3 hours before the trains departure. The eurail group, based in utrecht, is responsible for the marketing and management of the eurail and interrail passes. Reservation fees are charged by the railway carriers, and are not included. I bought the eurail global pass and there is no way to. It guarantees you a seat or sleeping accommodation on the train and is compulsory on certain services. Train travel in italy is possible with the eurail global pass, select passes, and the eurail italy pass. Italotreno, the new us company running high speed trains in italy does not accept passes. Seat reservations can be made on and their regional sister sites for australia, canada, and the rest of the world, but they charge a significant fee can be around 10, often more than the reservation itself. The pass makes exploring all those little european villages super easy without having to buy another train ticket. Beginners guide to eurail passes 2020 buy a eurail pass.
Trains must be reserved well in advance and museum lines are extremely long. Italia rail reservations and supplements italiarail. Trains on which seat reservations are highly recommended. Rail passes can be booked for travel in one specific country or you can choose one of a few preselected countryregion combinations. If you are considering buying a eurail pass, you should really do your research into where you want to go and weigh up the cost of the tickets you would have to purchase vs the eurail ticket cost. Reservations for european trains when traveling with a. As of 2019, the eurail pass portfolio offers a eurail global pass and eurail one country pass. A eurail global pass offers free travel for a certain number of days, but doesnt include seat reservations.
Experience the incredible variety of different european cultures, or travel around a single country and soak up the local ambience. Some special trains, such as highspeed, international. In other words, with a 15day eurail global pass, you can travel for 15 consecutive days by train. This is not common knowledge to people outside of europe. Eurail global pass free train reservations happyrail. We didnt know we would have to pay more on top of the eurail pass. This reservation guarantees a seat or bed on a specific train and sometimes includes additional amenities. A eurail pass is your ticket to free and flexible travel all across europe. Trains that ask for reservations normally save you time and have lots of extra features, like wifi and power sockets or sleeping facilities, plus you can bag a space next to your friends. Dont forget to book your seat reservation when travelling on board high speed, international and night trains. Some train stations have a limit on the number of reservations you can make at one time. How to make eurail reservations with a europe train pass. The pass can be bought from eleven months to a week ahead of your trip. How and why to add london to your eurail trip eurail blog.
Swiss panorama trains golden pass, glacier express able to make reservations online using a swiss pass with no issue see disclaimer at end of post german rail able to book online for segments without a eurail pass. If you have an interrail or eurail pass, you can book your seat via the telephone reservation centres and at train stations. Find and search travel partners in the eurail community. Some trains mostly in germany, switzerland, austria, norway, poland, czech republic etc. You can choose a eurail pass giving unlimited travel for various periods of time on the national rail networks of just one of the 31 participating countries a onecountry pass or all 31 countries a global pass. Paper ticket reservations have to be booked at least 6 days before the trains departure when a train cant be booked through our selfservice, you can find alternative ways to book your.
Reserving seats with a eurail pass train travel forum. The eurail pass is also valid on sbahn networks, which exist in many germany cities. The pass is best used to travel to neighboring countries. Eurail global pass stands as the most complete and flexible pass for travellers who wih to have a complete freedom to visit europe extensively.
Many trains, particularly those during peak hours and on holidays do, however, sell out. Covering 33 countries, the global pass allows you to travel freely through most of europe, from portugal to finland to turkey. With the eurail global pass, it is of course possible to travel on board the eurostar, tgv trains, tgv lyria, thalys, ave high speed trains operated by. Having a eurail pass is the best way to experience train travel in europe because it can save you time and money.
I recommend purchasing it at least a month ahead and always consider the shipping time to your address. Understand when you need to purchase a reservation when riding the train in europe with a eurail pass and learn how to purchase your seat reservation. Hi, i am going to europe for a 5 week whirlwind tour from mid december. Aug 14, 2016 once you got your eurail pass, the next thing to consider is if you need reservations for any of your trains. Plan your eurotrip with eurail planner, the free rail planning tool.
Italy is one of the most popular countries in europe. You can recognise sbahn trains by their logo white s on green background. Eurail pass holders have to pay an additional fee for these reservations. Apr 16, 2019 swiss panorama trains golden pass, glacier express able to make reservations online using a swiss pass with no issue see disclaimer at end of post german rail able to book online for segments without a eurail pass. Discover the breathtaking landscape around lake constance. Italian trains rarely sell out in second class, never in first. Track how many travel days you need, so you know which eurail pass is best for your trip. Coronavirus covid19 for the latest updates, all details on booking flexibility, and answers to frequently asked questions. For travel with a rail pass, you would purchase reservations by searching a route on our homepage. While eurail and interrail passes are accepted on most trains throughout europe, some trains require an advanced booking for an additional fee, which is not covered by your pass. You will find coaches of db german railways on ec trains to switzerland and austria, while ec trains to other countries usually consist of material from other railwa companies. Europe train pass book your eurail pass today trainline. With your eurail select pass, you can pick 4 bordering countries to visit by train. Where can i book seat reservations to go with a eurail pass.
First things first choose which pass youre going to travel europe with. For seeitall train travelers out to experience as much of europe as possible, the eurail global pass is the best option. Get the amtrak rail passes for your train tour across the usa or california. Which extra reservations you have to pay and how to avoid them. You may book online up to 20 tickets, subject to available restricted unrestricted fares. Train travel in italy with a eurail pass eurail blog. With the eurail global pass, it is of course possible to travel on board the eurostar, tgv trains, tgv lyria, thalys, ave high speed trains operated by renfe, frecciarossa operated by trenitalia, and the ice trains. The complete guide on how to use your eurail pass in 2020 and. In that case we say that it is highly recommended to book a reservation. The information here will help you choochoose wisely. I stupidly purchased a global eurail pass and have just gone to book the actual train trips. Travel across europe and discover 33 countries by train with eurail.
Unlock offers on eurotrip essentials exclusive to premium members. Our handy selfservice lets you make eticket reservations for many trains in europe, up to 3 hours before the train s departure. The company is owned by over 35 european railway and shipping companies. The eurail pass, introduced in 1959 and formerly known as europass or eurorail pass, is a rail pass which permits travel through 33 european countries on nearly all railroads and several shipping lines.
This eurail pass allows you to travel as much as you want on board trains in 31 countries in europe. When a train cant be booked through our selfservice, our team of reservation experts will help you book your train. In addition to those popular destinations, all night trains and most international high. Apr 06, 2017 many trains, particularly those during peak hours and on holidays do, however, sell out. Note that with a global pass you can freely get on the slow regionale trains, the locals used by commuters and students. Remember, when travelling on board local or regional trains, you often do. Use our route planner to map out your journey around europe and book the best accommodation.
Continuous or consecutive rail passes such as the eurail global pass, are valid for unlimited train travel during the whole duration of the pass validity period. Eurail pass holders wont be able to make seat reservations at train stations in great britain and northern ireland. The ec trains of db consist of recently refurbished coaches with aircondition and power sockets. But if youre planning your exact itinerary in advance anyway, eurail s probably a waste of money. Eurail one country pass france pass, italy pass, spain pass.
You could have bought the same ticket in advance, direct online from the operator, with a print at home ticket and paid only a few more than the eurail reservation fee for eurostar. The spring and fall shoulder seasons offer lovely weather and thinner crowds. Passholders seat reservation guide rail europe train. You can use it for a limited amount of days in a set period of time for example italy pass 5 days within 1 month is available for one. For the following train services a reservation is required. About reservations train reservations, reservations faq. Reservations for european trains when traveling with a eurail. The pass must be validated at the sales or ticket office of a participating rail company within 11 months after the date of purchase to be able to make the first journey. Book now and enjoy the flexibility of traveling 17 months later in europe with our eurail pass.
Youll be travelling in either standard or standard premier, depending on the class of your rail pass. Our selfservice lets you make reservations for many trains in europe. They would just require reservations as a supplement to a rail pass. For travel with a rail pass, you would purchase reservations just for the segment from amsterdam to cologne by searching the route on our homepage. During your trip through europe, you can easily change from one train to the other. Slovenian and croatian railways join, and the pass becomes valid in 20 countries. Eurail is a rail pass for inexpensive train travel in 28 countries of europe. Choose from popular countries like italy and spain and use regional and highspeed trains to move from one beautiful city center to the next with our one country pass. Eurrail pass holders receive a 50% discount on boat trips on lake constance operated by bsb, sbs and obb between may and. Eticket reservations can be booked up to 3 hours before the train s departure. The eurail global pass now covers virtually all european countries even britain. How do you book reservations on a tgv in france with a eurail.
Seat reservations arent included in your eurail pass, but for a small fee they guarantee you a comfy seat on busy routes across europe. Eurail passes allow you to travel on all the normal scheduled trains run by the national train operator, whether highspeed, intercity, overnight, local, regional or suburban. Two children aged 11 and under can travel free with at least one adult. May 04, 2020 a eurail pass is the best option if you plan to use the train as your main source of transport and you want the ultimate flexibility to plan your trip asyougo.
Youll also find a wealth of practical traintravel tips. The eurail pass also allows you to access ferries, making travel to scandinavia possible and easy. Unlimited travel means unlimited you can use 1 train or 20 trains a day, going 10 miles or 800 miles, it doesnt matter. Based on your trip itinerary, will you be better off buying pointtopoint tickets or a rail pass. Sep 12, 2014 trains must be reserved well in advance and museum lines are extremely long. The eurail one country pass is the best choice if you want to spend your vacation experiencing 1 european country. Reservations are compulsory for le frecce trains frecciarossa, frecciargento and frecciabianca, formerly known as eurostar italia, intercity trains, night trains and international day trains like the eurocity.
To check that, you can go on the eurail website or their rail planner app to see the. Some trains in europe require a seat reservation, most commonly in france, italy, and spain. Pre purchased german eurail pass from the usa wanted first class which was worth it and not much more than second class. Flexible or consecutive travel days within 2 months. For trains in popular countries like france, spain, and italyespecially in the summeryou will need to make an advance seat reservation at an additional cost generally from around 2 to 10 euros, even if the fare is included with your eurail pass. The top 6 places to visit in spain with your eurail pass. Rail europe rail travel planner europe train travel in. As well as charging ridiculously high booking fees i am also being charged eur33 to travel from london to paris despite their website saying this trip was. To travel with eurostar using your pass you need to book your seat in advance and pay a seat reservation fee. After you purchase a rail pass, you have eleven months to activate it at a train station in europe well cover validation soon. I bought a global pass and i cant book trains from your website, already over 1 hour waiting on the phone. Unable to reserve over the phone for eurail pass for border crossings although other sources suggested it was possible.
Rail passes give you the flexibility to keep your plans open. To use your interrail pass on high speed or overnight trains, you need to book a seat reservation or passholder supplement. Our handy selfservice lets you make eticket reservations for many trains in europe, up to 3 hours before the trains departure. This option is for customers that have already purchased a eurail pass or interrail pass and wish to reserve seats or sleeping berths. Even if you dont take the train each and every day, those days will be.
Once you got your eurail pass, the next thing to consider is if you need reservations for any of your trains. I bought the eurail global pass and there is no way to book train edit subject. Choose from 3 options to travel throughout the usa or a 7day pass for california travel. About reservations train reservations, reservations. The big advantage of a eurail pass is huge flexibility, and you pay a big premium for this. Reservation fees are charged by the railway carriers, and are not included in your eurail pass. Find out how to make seat reservations on european trains before you travel.
High speed trains and international trains require a seat reservation which is not included in the eurail global pass. Eurail global pass is the most complete rail pass to eurail global pass is the most complete rail pass to discover all of europe by train. In that case we say that it is highly recommended to book. Add notes with important information about each destination. The eurail pass, which is celebrating its 61th anniversary this year, can be used for riding local trains, highspeed trains, and even night trains. Eurail or interrail one country pass exactly as the name implies, you can only use this pass to visit one country out of a list of 27.
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