Eurail Global Pass. Hints for first time users.
Feb 9th, 2017 | 02:58 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2013
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Eurail Global Pass. Hints for first time users.
We are flying in to Barcelona next Wednesday and will need to activate our Eurail Global Pass. We've read the pass guide and think we know what to do BUT no doubt there will be things we haven't thought of. Would really love any help please.
Feb 9th, 2017 | 04:52 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2007
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You take your passports and railpass up to a ticket window or information office at any station and validate it for the overall validity period.
You can have your pass pre-activated when buying it (but again then non-refundable I think) or in Europe the only exception to having a train station clerk activate it before using it is that if you are on a train coming from a country your pass does not cover into a country it does - in this case the conductor is supposed to activate it on the train so you do not have to get off at border station to do so.
After validation it is no longer refundable and then if a flexipass you must write that day's date in your want to use it (midnight to midnight - unlimited travel) before boarding the train. If you do not and the conductor comes by he could consider you riding sans valid ticket and fine you as well (I saw this happen in Germany -conductor date stamped that day and another one too as a penalty!
What countries are you going to? Some have mandated seat reservations even with passes before boarding - make these at ticket windows by showing your pass. Mainly applies to fastest trains in France, Spain and Italy plus Thalys trains Amsterdam/Cologne to Brussels and Paris (Thalys charges an absurd surcharge too - about $30-35 in 2nd class much more in first where you get a complimentary meal though with drinks).
You can always on trains that accept seat reservations at all (many regional or local trains do not) make an optional seat reservation at any station in that country for just a few euros.
Passes not valid on "Chunnel" Eurostar trains to UK or in the UK.
Passes get only discounts on somethings like Rhine boats or Romantik Road buses - if it is a discount on a flexipass then you do not have to use a day on your pass - just that the pass must be valid for its overall time validity period.
Commuter trains in many cities are covered - like S-Bahns in Germany, Switzerland and Austria - it would not be worth it to use a day on a pass for just those but can use fully covered in tandem trains arriving or leaving a city - arriving leaves you the whole rest of the day to use S-Bahns that are very very useful in German cities, Vienna and Zurich-being like metros running thru the town centers.
Overnight trains?
Pass pays for the basic train fare but not the optional type of sleeping accommodation - either reclining seats for a few euros or 4-6 person couchettes (unisex- strangers) for about $25-35 or much more for private singles, doubles or triples. If taking overnight train after 7 pm you put the next day's date in as your unlimited travel day- getting 7pm-midnight the night before gratis- can literally go from one end of Europe to another by only using one day on a flexipass.
You can bring any food and drink aboard just about all trains - booze too - there are bar cars and snack bar cars but those charge an arm and two legs for crummy snack fare or expensive tins of beverages.
For lots on Eurailpasses and European trains I always spotlight these IMO superb info-laden sources: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (online European Plannindg & Rail Guide has tons of helpful hints) and www.ricksteves.com - good coverage of passes and useful things).
Any other questions?
You can have your pass pre-activated when buying it (but again then non-refundable I think) or in Europe the only exception to having a train station clerk activate it before using it is that if you are on a train coming from a country your pass does not cover into a country it does - in this case the conductor is supposed to activate it on the train so you do not have to get off at border station to do so.
After validation it is no longer refundable and then if a flexipass you must write that day's date in your want to use it (midnight to midnight - unlimited travel) before boarding the train. If you do not and the conductor comes by he could consider you riding sans valid ticket and fine you as well (I saw this happen in Germany -conductor date stamped that day and another one too as a penalty!
What countries are you going to? Some have mandated seat reservations even with passes before boarding - make these at ticket windows by showing your pass. Mainly applies to fastest trains in France, Spain and Italy plus Thalys trains Amsterdam/Cologne to Brussels and Paris (Thalys charges an absurd surcharge too - about $30-35 in 2nd class much more in first where you get a complimentary meal though with drinks).
You can always on trains that accept seat reservations at all (many regional or local trains do not) make an optional seat reservation at any station in that country for just a few euros.
Passes not valid on "Chunnel" Eurostar trains to UK or in the UK.
Passes get only discounts on somethings like Rhine boats or Romantik Road buses - if it is a discount on a flexipass then you do not have to use a day on your pass - just that the pass must be valid for its overall time validity period.
Commuter trains in many cities are covered - like S-Bahns in Germany, Switzerland and Austria - it would not be worth it to use a day on a pass for just those but can use fully covered in tandem trains arriving or leaving a city - arriving leaves you the whole rest of the day to use S-Bahns that are very very useful in German cities, Vienna and Zurich-being like metros running thru the town centers.
Overnight trains?
Pass pays for the basic train fare but not the optional type of sleeping accommodation - either reclining seats for a few euros or 4-6 person couchettes (unisex- strangers) for about $25-35 or much more for private singles, doubles or triples. If taking overnight train after 7 pm you put the next day's date in as your unlimited travel day- getting 7pm-midnight the night before gratis- can literally go from one end of Europe to another by only using one day on a flexipass.
You can bring any food and drink aboard just about all trains - booze too - there are bar cars and snack bar cars but those charge an arm and two legs for crummy snack fare or expensive tins of beverages.
For lots on Eurailpasses and European trains I always spotlight these IMO superb info-laden sources: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (online European Plannindg & Rail Guide has tons of helpful hints) and www.ricksteves.com - good coverage of passes and useful things).
Any other questions?
Feb 10th, 2017 | 05:25 AM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 138
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Just re reading your response PalenQ. We haven't a firm itinerary, only flying in to Barcelona next Tuesday and flying out of Rome 20 April. We're aware that there will be places still closed for winter so will,'play it by ear' for the most part. Thanks again.
Feb 10th, 2017 | 12:23 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
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A word on France TGV trains -the fastest trains - they at times have a pass holder quota of seats they give out on each train to pass holders - the only country I know of that does. Usually you can take other trains but sometimes may be caught - wise to book in advance any crucial TGV train on your list.
Otherwise in zillions of railpass trips over years I have really never seen a train without seats in first class which I assume your pass is. But the French snafu is fairly new so beware of that.
Otherwise in zillions of railpass trips over years I have really never seen a train without seats in first class which I assume your pass is. But the French snafu is fairly new so beware of that.
