To Purchase
To Begin Travel On Your Pass
As You Travel On Your Pass
Seat Reservations
Overnight Travel
To Reserve Your Car
To Reserve Your Olympic Air Flight
To Purchase
Purchase your pass in North America before you leave for Europe. You can purchase it securely from the website if you like, or you may call Rail Europe toll free at 1-877-456-RAIL in the U.S. or 1-800-361-RAIL in Canada.
Additional travel days must be purchased at the same time to qualify for the special rates quoted here.
Passes can not be purchased or used by residents of a country for which the pass is valid. Residents of CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia are not eligible to use any of the Eurail Global Passes, Eurail Select Passses or France Railpasses.
To Begin Travel On Your Pass
Have your pass validated on or before your first day of use. Your pass must be validated within 6 months from date of issue. Some passes offer discounted rates for youth, child or senior travelers. In order to qualify for these rates, travelers who are children or youth must be the maximum age or younger then the required age for each pass on 1st day of travel. Senior traveler must be the minimum age or older on the 1st day of travel. This must be done before boarding a train, bus, boat or renting a car for the first time. Please do not write on or fill in any part of your pass before it has been validated. All services (rail, rental car, air travel and travel bonuses) must be used within the validity of the accompanying railpass.
As You Travel On Your Pass
Before boarding the first train or ferry of each day, write the date in ink, in the appropriate box on your pass. At the time you rent a car, present your pass and 1 car voucher for each rental day.
Seat Reservations
Having a pass does not guarantee a seat. Seat reservations are optional on most of the trains however they are mandatory for traveling on high speed trains (TGV, Thalys, AVE, etc), international trains (EuroCity, InterCity etc), night trains (Elipsos, Artesia, etc.). Also, some trains require the payment of a surcharge, which includes the compulsory seat reservation (known as Pass holder ticket). On some trains the number of seats available for Pass holders may be limited. It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance. The cost for the pass holder ticket and/or reservation varies depending on the type of train and country. Rail Europe can secure seat and sleeper reservations for your trip before you depart North America, this ensures that you will have a seat on the train you wish to travel on. Simply click here to begin your reservation request.
Overnight Travel
European night trains offer a variety of accommodations to suit all budgets. Most night trains offer sleepers and couchettes, and some also have reclining seats.
Couchettes and reclining seats are the most economic type of accommodations. Couchettes are not gender specific; they consist of four bunk beds in 1st class and six in 2nd class. A blanket and pillow is provided, but you sleep in your day clothes. Reclining seats are available on selected trains and generally in 2nd class only.
For more comfort and privacy, you can reserve a sleeper compartment in 1st class accommodating one or two passengers or 2nd class for two or three passengers. Though the compartment may include a wash basin it does not have a private toilet. Toilet facilities are located at the end of each car. Some night trains also offer deluxe compartments with a private toilet and shower. Sleeper compartments are gender specific, except when couples or families occupy all berths.
Night accommodations must be reserved and paid for in advance. On some night trains the number of accommodations for Pass holders may be limited. It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance. Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation and country. Rail Europe can secure seat and sleeper reservations for your trip before you depart North America, this ensures that you will have a seat on the train you wish to travel on. Simply click here to begin your reservation request.
To Reserve Your Car
Reserve your first car rental at least 7 days prior to your departure for Europe by calling the appropriate car company (see below for which companies serve certain passes). Confirm drop-off conditions at time of reservation. Be sure to reserve your car in advance as they are subject to availability.
Avis rental cars are provided with the following pass: France Rail 'n Drive. Phone numbers for Avis are: 1-800-331-1084.
Hertz rental cars are provided with the following passes: EurailDrive Pass, Eurail Select Pass n' Drive, BritRail Pass 'n Drive, Italy Rail 'n Drive, Spain Rail 'n Drive, German Rail 'n Drive, and Scandinavia Rail 'n Drive. Phone numbers for Hertz is 1-800-654 3001.
