Wikimecum:Traveling by Train
If you plan to travel frequently, and want to travel by train, consider buying a EuRail Pass. These passes allow you to go almost anywhere in Europe, save you a significant amount of money when traveling, and you don't need to have specific destinations in mind when buying the pass.
Types of Passes
You can look up the different types of EuRail passes available at www.eurail.com or www.raileurope.com. It is possible to buy a pass that is valid in only one country, a Eurail Select Pass, which is valid in three to five adjacent countries, or a Eurail Global Pass, which is valid in all of Europe. Single country passes can be purchased for use during 3 - 10 days within 2 months and Eurail Select passes can be purchased for use during 5, 6, 8, 10, or 15 days within 2 months. There are two types of Eurail Global passes. The regular Global Pass is valid for a consecutive block of 10 days, 15 days. 1 month, 2 months, or 3 months. The Flexi Global pass is valid for either 10 or 15 days within a 2 month period. When choosing the pass that is right for you, be sure to look under the Youth prices, as those are for ages 25 and under.
How to Buy a EuRail Pass
The prices are slightly cheaper on www.raileurope.com, so you will probably want to purchase your pass from there. Eurail tickets are not valid for residents of Europe, and for this reason it is much, much easier to purchase your Eurail ticket before coming to Europe. Passes can be ordered directly through www.raileurope.com and mailed to your home address. You can order your Eurail pass once you are already in Europe, but it will be a little more difficult. You will have to call 1-800-622-8600 instead of ordering directly through the website in order to have your tickets mailed to Europe. You will also need an address to mail your tickets to. There are both a DHL and a UPS store located in historical Venice, both of which can accept your Eurail pass package for you.
Reservations
Once you have bought your EuRail pass and decide to take a day/weekend trip, all you need to do is reserve a seat reservation for the train you wish to travel on. The train schedules can be found at www.raileurope.com. For overnight and high speed trains, you are required to purchase a reservation to use in conjunction with your Eurail pass. Reservations can be made through www.eurail.com, www.raileurope.com, by calling the train station, or by visiting the train station in person. The prices for high-speed train reservations range between $0.35 and $50.00 depending the country or countries of the trip and the type of train being taken. There are several different types of reservations for overnight trains; you can choose accommodations ranging from a reclining seat to a room with a private bed and bathroom, with the price for the reservation varying accordingly. Overnight reservations can cost anywhere from $7.40 to $200.00 depending on the accommodations selected. In addition to the trains that have compulsory reservations, you can make reservations for other train rides, but they don't give you a specific assigned seat so unless you know that one of the trains you are taking is likely to be full, only make reservations when you are required to. However, the trains that do require reservations are likely to fill up and if you try to make your reservation too late, you might end up getting a spot on the train, but not an assigned seat so you will be forced to move around as other people come on and off of the train, so make reservations as far in advance as possible when they are required.
How to Use Your EuRail Pass
Before you get on the train, you are required to write the current date on your Eurail pass; technically your pass can be confiscated if it is checked before you do this. One day on your Eurail pass is equal to one calendar date... most of the time. Overnight trains complicate this situation a little. If you are taking an overnight train without any transfers that leaves after 19:00, then it is valid until noon the next day. Your Eurail pass must be valid for all of the countries that the train will go through, not only the origin and destination countries, so be sure to check this when purchasing your Eurail pass. When traveling, always remember to bring your passport, as you will be asked for identification when using your EuRail pass.
Drawbacks
EuRail passes are expensive. Buy one now and that money isn't available for other things. Also consider that, if you don't have any destinations in mind, it might be imprudent to spend such a large chunk of cash on something you're not even certain about. Having a EuRail pass could affect your ability to plan trips spontaneously with friends once you arrive in Europe; they might want to fly somewhere fun for the weekend, but you'll be stuck with the sense that you should be using your pass so as to not waste the money you spent on it. If you can plan and coordinate your travel plans ahead of time, you will be able to make sure that you are buying or not buying the most economic pass for you.
References
--Kara Greenfield 13:27, 7 December 2009 (CET)
--Bjl 22:24, 11 January 2009 (UTC)