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Using Your Rail Pass
Validating Your Pass
Your rail pass will be validated twice. The first stamp
is printed automatically on the top right hand corner of the
pass. You must begin to use your pass within 6 months of
this validation. On the day you begin your rail travel, go to the
ticket office of the train station and have an agent
validate your pass. They should put a second stamp on your
pass under the first one. You must do this before starting
your journey so as to not risk having your pass confiscated.
Please note that you must have your pass validated at
the station. A conductor on a train cannot validate your
pass.
Using a Flexi Pass and Select pass
If you have a Eurail flexi pass or Select pass you must
enter the day and month onto the grid at the bottom of your
pass before you start traveling that day. Use black or blue
permanent ink and make sure to enter the date in the
international form of day/month/year (For example July 24,
2001 = 24/07/01). Once you are on the train, the conductor
will check your pass and see if you have entered the correct
date.
Notes for hassle-free travel: Do not enter the
date in the American form of month/day/year. Do not use
erasable ink, or tamper with your pass in any other way.
If you do, your pass may be confiscated, you will be
subjected to fines, and you may be denied further use of
the rail system.
Using A Consecutive Day Pass
You do not need to enter the date of travel on to your
pass. After it's been validated the first time, the
conductor will just check the expiration date on your pass
each time you use it.
Reservations
Reservations are recommended in order to be sure that you
have a seat on a specific train. A ticket or Rail pass will
get you on most trains, but it won't ensure a seat.
Reservation fees are not included in the price of your pass.
You can make reservations at the train station on the day of
travel, or up to 2 months in advance. Most high-speed
trains, night trains, hotel trains, and other special trains
require reservations. These can be made in Europe or on our
site for an extra fee. Fees for reservations are
approximately $3 or $4. See below for fees on sleeping
accommodations.
Boarding the Train
To board the train you must present your rail pass,
passport and any seat/couchette reservations required. Your
rail pass will only be accepted if it is attached to the
sleeve into which it was originally secured.
Train tips:
- Keep in mind that the trains are extremely punctual.
Arrive at the station early and find your track. When
exiting a train, be at the door with your bags ready to
disembark. Trains do not wait for passengers entering or
exiting.
- Make sure you get on a train car heading to your
destination city. Some trains split during the trip;
half the train goes in one direction and the other half
in another.
Night Trains & Couchettes
Overnight trains and hotel trains have a range of
accommodations, which include sleepers, couchettes, and
sleeperettes. All sleepers and couchettes convert from seats
to berths for nighttime travel, and back to seats for
daytime travel. Accommodations are an extra fee and are not
covered by the Rail pass. Fees vary depending on train line
and category. Deluxe private sleepers can cost over $150.
Most sleepers are approximately $80-$90 dollars per person
per reservation, while the couchettes are only about $25-35
per person. Sleeperettes are generally free, but do require
a reservation. You can make reservations for all overnight
categories at any train station ticket window.
Sleeper Compartments have washbasins, soap,
towels, razor plug, mineral water, and a lockable door. The
berths come with pillow, sheets, and a duvet or blanket.
Stewards are present in the sleeper cars to assist you and
take care of all border crossings procedures for you. Many
of the stewards speak the languages of the countries the
train will pass through as well as English. Compartments are
gender specific unless booked by couples or families. Fares
for sleepers require a 1st class ticket or a rail pass plus
the sleeper supplement. 1st class/rail pass travelers can
book a single, double, or triple sleeper. Single passengers
can reserve a double sleeper but they may have to share with
another passenger based on availability.
Couchettes are compartments with berths for 4-6
people. Each berth has a pillow, sheets and blankets.
Washbasins are not available in the compartments and
restrooms are at the end of the car. Berths can be booked
individually or in groups. Compartments are non-gender
specific and travelers are expected to sleep in their day
clothes. Stewards are available only on international
routes. Fares for couchettes require a 1st or 2nd class
ticket or a rail pass plus the couchette supplement.
Sleeperettes are seats in open coach cars that
recline to allow you to sleep more comfortably. Seats may
have small head pillows attached but no blankets are
provided. Sleeperettes require a 1st or 2nd class train ticket, or
a rail pass and a reservation. There is normally no
additional cost for sleeperettes. However, some hotel trains
may charge a higher reservation fee for seats.
Hotel trains
Hotel trains combine long distance night travel with the
security and privacy and comfort of a hotel stay. All
compartments have locking doors and access to dining cars.
There are three levels of accommodation: Tourist, First
Class, and Luxury Class. There are reclining 2nd class
sleeperette seats on certain trains. Tourist class
accommodations include 4 beds to a compartment. Toilets are
found outside the compartment in the car. First class
accommodations include compartments with one to two beds.
Toilet and shower facilities are located outside the
compartment in the car. Luxury class accommodations include
one to two beds per compartment. They also include a private
toilet and shower within the compartment.
There are several night or Hotel trains
you may come across in Europe:
City Night Line
Covers international train routes between Germany, Austria, and
Switzerland.
Trains have Deluxe, Economy, Couchette, and Sleeperette
accommodations. Deluxe compartments have 1 - 2 fixed beds
moveable chairs and tables and a full washroom with shower.
Economy sleepers have 2 - 4 beds (for families) and one
washroom in the car. Deluxe and Economy accommodations
include breakfast. Couchette and sleeperette travelers may
buy breakfast at the bar.
DB Nachtzug
Covers domestic routes in Germany and international route to
Denmark.
Accommodations include Comfort, Couchette, and sleeperettes.
Comfort cabins have doors with key-card locks and private
shower and toilet cabin. On German domestic routs a
restaurant and bistro car is available.
Talgo Trains
Services domestic routs in Spain and international routes
between Spain and France, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland.
Classes of accommodation include Luxury, 1st Class, Tourist,
and Sleeperette. Dinner and breakfast is included for all
passengers in single or double accommodation.
Artesia de Nuit
Covers international routs between France and Italy.
Hotel Train Lusitania
Covers travel between Portugal and Spain.
Accommodations include Luxury, 1st class and seats.
Breakfast is included.
Overnight Express
Services international routes between the Netherlands and
Italy.
Accommodations include Sleeper, Couchette, and Sleeperette.
Depending on class, accommodations include free meals or
snacks. Eurail Selectpasses are not valid on this train.
Eurail Aid Offices
If your pass is improperly issued or validated, or if any
of the information on your pass is incorrect (such as the
date on the calendar), contact one of the Eurail Aid
offices. They are located in most major cities throughout
Europe. You may also contact the Eurail Aid Offices if you
believe you have received incorrect information or treatment
while traveling by rail. Eurail offices can replace your
pass as well as counsel you in case of emergency. The
offices are also available should you have any questions
while you are in Europe.
Refunds & Exchanges
Refunds
- Lost or stolen rail passes are neither
refundable nor replaceable without purchasing Pass
Security.
- Shipping charges are not refundable.
- Unvalidated rail passes may be refunded
for 85% of the original value of the pass if returned
within six months of the issuing date.
- Validated passes may be refunded only if
it is canceled and made unfit for use by an official
authority of a participating network. (The official must
cross out the front of the pass, write "not
used", sign and stamp the date). The holder must
also prove that they were not in Europe between the 1st
day of validity and the day that the passholder applies
for a refund.
- The passholder is not entitled to a
refund if the pass is partially used. However, if a
passholder cannot use the rail pass due to illness,
accident or death, a partial refund may be granted at
the discretion of the railway. In this case, send all
pertinent information detailing what happened. Include
all doctor reports, last minute plane tickets, police
reports, or all other documents that may assist in
validating your claim.
Exchanges
- Unvalidated rail passes may be exchanged
for another pass of equal or greater value.
- When upgrading a rail pass the passholder
must pay shipping charges and the (dollar value)
difference between the original and upgraded pass.
- When downgrading a rail pass, the
passholder returns the original rail pass for an 85%
refund and then purchases a new rail pass, paying for
all shipping charges.
- The passholder must send the original
pass certified or Express, return receipt requested,
before receiving a new pass.
To Process a Refund or Exchange
Send your rail pass and all necessary proof validating
your claim, via certified, return receipt requested mail,
to:
RocketFare
2737 Sawbury Blvd
Columbus ,
OH 43235
USA
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