General Overview Of Eurail Passes

By Author: Nick Kakolowski
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One of the most confusing things about any trip is navigating through the reservations and the specifics of the travel package. With so many options available, it can be easy to overlook certain options that could be perfectly suited for your vacation. Eurail offers many types of passes, and they all have specific purposes. It is often helpful to have all of the necessary information in front of you when making decisions for your vacation. Eurail has many options and passes all with separate advantages. The following is a list of Eurail passes that includes a summary of what they actually do and do not allow, as well as some additional general information.

Travel Day

A travel day is a 24 hour period from midnight to midnight in which one can travel on as many trains, even internationally, and have it only count as one day. Another beneficial factor comes with the 7PM rule. This rule states that, if you board a direct, overnight train after 7PM one evening, then only the following day will count as part of your travel day. The five hours from 7-12 are essentially free.

Flexi-Pass

Certain ...
... passes allow for a variation of the usual system termed "flexi-pass." The Global Pass is the easiest explanation of this. If you are travelling on a "fifteen day pass", you can travel as much as you want in fifteen consecutive days. If you have a "fifteen days in two months pass", it means that you can spread those days out however you wish as you travel. This version is the flexi pass.

Saver Pass

This pass allows a group of 2-5 passengers to travel together at all times on a single pass that is 15% less expensive than a normal pass. This pass is a terrific option for families or friends traveling together. Not all members on the pass must be present at all times, but since there is only one ticket, it can only be used by one sub-group at a time.

Youth Pass

The youth pass offers a 35% discount for passengers under the age of 25. Youth can stay in first class cabins, but they must pay for an adult pass.

One Country Pass

The One Country Pass allows for travel in one of seventeen European countries offered by Eurail. They are excellent for a short survey of one country, and Italy has historically been the most popular location for a one country visit. Each nation's pass is good for a number of days. Most time increments are anywhere from 3-8 days, with some that go up to 10. All time increments must be within a month of time. Some of these One Country Passes allow for special discounts in hotels and other location specific amenities. One popular example is Greece.

Regional Pass

This pass mimics the one country pass in being best suited for shorter periods of travel. Eurail offers 25 combinations of countries that can be visited in 3-10 day increments. These passes can be stretched over a two month period. Similar to the One Country Pass, special country specific offers are often available.

Select Pass

This pass allows for true flexibility of options. You get to choose between three, four or five bordering countries to visit. These visits can fit into 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days over two months, and can, for five country trips, be stretched to fifteen days.

Beyond the basic rules, there are many extra benefits that go along with the Select Pass. Among these benefits are the relatively common frills of discounted train, ferry or bus fares when using associated companies. Another perk comes in the form of potential hotel discounts. These benefits are not available at all times in all countries, and are limited by conditions of use that should be checked prior to making reservations.

Global Pass

The Global Pass option is by far the most extensive package available. It opens up the bearer to almost unlimited travel in twenty nations. There are many options in terms of duration in this plan that range from 15 days, to 3 months, to 10 days in two months, or 15 days in two months. This variety of dates combines with the number of nations available to be visited make the Global Pass the grandest of Eurail's options. Although the Global Pass has the largest scope in terms of nations and time, between this option and other passes available Eurail has something for every vacationer.

About Author:

Nick Kakolowski is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as an Eurail Pass