RailEurope, as of midnight Dec 6, 2006, increased prices of dozens of passes it sells, but most prominently Eurailpasses, of all forms - about 7% as i quickly calculated.

For the first time in 2006 Eurailpasses and all other passes Raileurope sells, were actually priced in Euros and the dollar prices not guaranteed for the year as they always had been. Whilst several country passes were increased during the year, Eurailpasses had not been in spite of the significant decline of the dollar.

But recent increases in euro stregthening did this in. Interestingly BritRail and Swiss Pass prices were amongst the few that did not increase.

www.raileurope.com for new prices.

Thanks for the update, but I think I'm not looking in the right place. The prices I see on the website, still seem to all be in US$.

German Rail passes went up only a little. A 2nd class 4 day twin went up $8 ($4 pP) about 2-1/2%. The rate for extra days stayed at $40, so in essence, the increase is $8 for the twin pass.

The youth pass went up $4 for a 4 days (2.4%), but the rate for extra days increased from $13 to $14 (7.7%).

Fares all over Europe may change this weekend. For the most part, German Rail has been pretty closed about the increase, but I do know that the Land Ticket for Hesse will go up from €24 to €29 (ouch).

Also, the one way ticket from FRA to Kahl, Bavaria (useful for those who want to use a Bayern Ticket the first day to get to a city in Bavaria), goes from €6,25 to €6,60.

<Thanks for the update, but I think I'm not looking in the right place. The prices I see on the website, still seem to all be in US$>

Though passes bought in the US thru RailEurope will have a Euro price printed on them, they are only sold in dollar equivalents - i assume the Euro prices remain static. As most of these passes, except for some country passes, are not sold in europe and Europeans can't use them, they are marketed in the local currency of the countries they are sold in - US, Canada, Australia, etc.

Actually Eurailpasses are sold in Europe at Eurail Aid offices in about 50 main stations in Europe but they are technically for folks who lose their pass - in effect they are sold to the general public but always when i checked at 15-20% above the dollar price in the US so not a great deal unless you're in Europe and decide you need a pass.

As Larry points out, regular train fare prices in Europe are also rising so i guess RailEurope's price increase keeps things in perspective.

BritRail and Swiss passes, however, promise to be better deals as of yet they have not gone up.

Thanks, I understand now! It looks like the pass I had my eye on (France Rail and Drive) has not gone up, great news!

Smuffin - nice name by the way:
I believe France Rail 'n Drive has indeed gone up, according to my info - perhaps Raileurope hasn't updated the site. Call BETS (800-441-2387) to talk to someone who will give you the definite current price. I always recommend them for their tremendous service and expertise in my long experience with them.

Thanks PalenqueBob, i will give BETs a call. Maybe if I buy online today, i can get it at the old price . . .

I think this increase in rail pass prices was initiated by Eurail/RailEurope to reflect the decrease in the value of the dollar. Note that the German Rail 4 day 2nd class twin pass, as listed on the DB website, is €240, and has not changed since December of '05. The new price by RailEurope is $320, which reflects an exchange rate of $1.33/EUR.

On Sunday, DB, along with other European rail lines, will announce their price structure for next year, and most certainly will include some increases. Can we expect this new round of increases to result in yet higher prices from RailEurope, or did they get advance warning of these increases and take that into account with yesterdays increases.

Larry: this is the 2nd increase in the past few months for German passes thru Raileurope - first Twin pass II kl went from $150 p.p. to $156 and now as you say a few dollars more. Tiny increases but trend shows small increases as dollar declines or perhaps because DB is raising prices domestically as well. Traditionally railpass prices were realigned Jan 1 - this apparently after bargaining or whatever with, in this case perhaps, German Rail - DB - so maybe further increases are coming with the new year after Germans announced their expected increases.

In any case i still believe the German Railpass to be one of the better bargains in European railpasses - for folks on a wide-ranging tour (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt) and wishing to of course take the fastest ICE trains. Others dwelling on a smaller area should investigate the regional offers Larry laboriously has covered - and even the discounted intercity fares only sold online. For flexibility, however to go between far-removed cities i opt for the pass, in spite of the relatively minor increases.

Sallymuffin: whazzup - curious about RailEurope price - first of all i'm not positive France Rail n Drive went up but if it did i wonder if you locked in old price after deadline. RailEurope is notorious, per several posts from Fodorites, in not operating in real time and, with things such as Eurostar tickets, taking the order online and e-mailing back that the price is higher.

Just curious what happened to you?

Hi PalenqueBob - It seems that for the specific France Rail and Drive Pass that I was looking at, the cost hasn't changed. It might have for some of the car sizes, # of people, but mine hasn't. I was pretty sure that they would have done the "email and let you know the price is higher" thing, so I didn't bother trying to do a quick book.

In spite of the price increases with eurails if buying a Eurail Select pass by the end of the year you will get a free extra day on passes of 6 days or longer, which means you may end up with a better deal than even before the price increase.

This will be especially beneficial for folks in the 'i need 7 days and there are only 6- and 8- day versions sold - settle for 6 day pass and get the 7th gratis. Passes issued by Dec 31, 2006 can be used at that price and extra day until Aug 30, 2006 as they must be activated within six months of issue, then the two-month flexibly period starts.

I hope that's Aug 30, >>2007<<, or there are going to be a lot of disappointed people.

I realize I am dating myself here, but in 1979 I had a four-week Eurailpass where I could use it as much as I wanted within the four weeks starting on the first day of use -- it was good on buses, trains, trams, undergrounds, etc. I visited six countries and enjoyed being able to hop on and off when I wanted. Is there still such a pass?

Yes there are classic Eurailpasses, good for 15- 21-days or 1- or 2 or 3-months of consecutive travel. a development of the past several years has been the Eurail Select pass where you can chose up to five countries of coverage and the number of days, from 5 to 15 to be used over a 2-month period. There are also Eurailpasses, good in 18 countries, that are flexipasses with either 10 or 15 days of unlimited rail travel to be used over an 18-month period.

Select passes also vary in that they can include Slovenia & Croatia and Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro as country choices whereas classic Eurailpasses include only 18 countries and not any of these. Romania was the last country added to the classic Eurailpass coverage.
Select passes are ideal for folks traveling a lot on trains and moving largely between bases. they are, of course, cheaper often than Eurailpasses.