| Tip 1: What's a Eurail pass? | | | | trains seat reservations may be compulsory. Seat |
| A Eurail pass is a time-limited rail pass which allows | | | | reservations tend to be more common in the south |
| unlimited train travel in Europe for a set price. You | | | | (like Spain and Italy). These reservations must be |
| can buy a general pass or location-specific passes, | | | | bought in advance from a local ticket office. Most |
| such as the ones for Britain or for the Benelux region. | | | | journeys, however, don't require supplements or |
| Time periods vary, but common lengths are 14 or 21 | | | | reservations. If you want to upgrade your seat to a |
| days. | | | | couchette or sleeper then a reservation must be |
| Tip 2: Can I get one? | | | | made and supplementary costs paid. Sad but true. |
| If you have lived outside of Europe for more than | | | | Tip 7: Beware private lines |
| the last six months then you can get a Eurail Pass. | | | | Not all train lines are part of the system. In fact, |
| Well, unless you are from the Russian Federation, | | | | when I was travelling in Switzerland I ended up on a |
| Turkey, Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia unfortunately. | | | | private line which cost me a whopping 120 extra |
| If you have an out-of-Europe address you could try | | | | euros. Make sure your train is covered by the pass |
| to fudge it or - better yet - buy an Interrail pass | | | | or expect to pay for the consequences. |
| which will probably be cheaper. | | | | Tip 8: Documentation |
| Tip 3: How can I get one? | | | | Keep your passport handy. Because the Eurail pass is |
| You can buy Eurail passes through online stores and | | | | attached to your name and passport number, it's |
| in real life. Eurail Stories has a good list of different | | | | important to keep them both easy-to-access when |
| providers around the world. It is easiest to buy from | | | | you're on the train. I had my passport checked about |
| your home country, as it is difficult and more | | | | one time in five when I was asked to produce my |
| expensive to buy at a counter once you are in | | | | tickets. This isn't about border control, it's about |
| Europe. | | | | ticket control. It's best to keep it in an internal jacket |
| So now we know where we stand, it's time to move | | | | pocket or an accessible part of your bag. |
| on to some practical tips... | | | | Tip 9: Plan a little |
| Tip 4: Is it worth it? | | | | The Eurail Pass gives you the ability to jump on and |
| Before buying a Eurail Pass it helps to know how | | | | off any train which can lead to spontanious decisions |
| much you would spend on train travel without it. In | | | | with divine results. But if it doesn't work out, you |
| some European countries, train travel is quite cheap | | | | might get stranded in a town for a few hours more |
| and the day's journey might cost a fraction of the | | | | than you bargained for. Or you might arrive in a |
| daily cost of your Eurail pass: Do your homework. | | | | seedy station late at night. You don't want to spend |
| Tip 5: Discounts | | | | your European vacation admiring the train stations' |
| It's much cheaper to get Eurail passes for | | | | architecture. Or then again, you might. I don't know. |
| under-26es. However, the more expensive passes | | | | Tip 10: Seasonal sales |
| give you access to first class. To save money, get | | | | Look for special deals. Although the Eurail organisation |
| your Eurailing done before you hit the magic number! | | | | closely controls ticket prices, they do offer occasional |
| You can also get discounts if you're travelling as part | | | | discounts. You can get reduced price passes by |
| of a group, so get some friends together together | | | | keeping an eye out for seasonal sales, so your ticket |
| before you buy. | | | | agent may be able to help you by suggesting you |
| Tip 6: Watch for seat reservations | | | | wait a week or two at certain times of the year. |
| On some services, especially high-speed intercity | | | | |