Using Your Rail Pass

Validating Your Pass

Your rail pass will be validated twice. The first stamp is printed automatically on the top right hand corner of the pass. You must begin to use your pass within 6 months of this validation. On the day you begin your travel, go to the ticket office of the train station and have an agent validate your pass. They should put a second stamp on your pass under the first one. You must do this before starting your journey so as to not risk having your pass confiscated.

Please note that you must have your pass validated at the station. A conductor on a train cannot validate your pass.

Using a FlexiPass and Selectpass

If you have a Eurail flexipass or Selectpass you must enter the day and month onto the grid at the bottom of your pass before you start traveling that day. Use black or blue permanent ink and make sure to enter the date in the international form of day/month/year (For example July 24, 2001 = 24/07/01). Once you are on the train, the conductor will check your pass and see if you have entered the correct date.

Notes for hassle-free travel: Do not enter the date in the American form of month/day/year. Do not use erasable ink, or tamper with your pass in any other way. If you do, your pass may be confiscated, you will be subjected to fines, and you may be denied further use of the rail system.

Using A Consecutive Day Pass

You do not need to enter the date of travel on to your pass. After it's been validated the first time, the conductor will just check the expiration date on your pass each time you use it.

Reservations

Reservations are recommended in order to be sure that you have a seat on a specific train. A ticket or Railpass will get you on most trains, but it won't ensure a seat. Reservation fees are not included in the price of your pass. You can make reservations at the train station on the day of travel, or up to 2 months in advance. Most high-speed trains, night trains, hotel trains, and other special trains require reservations. These can be made in Europe or on our site for an extra fee. Fees for reservations are approximately $3 or $4. See below for fees on sleeping accommodations.

Boarding the Train

To board the train you must present your rail pass, passport and any seat/couchette reservations required. Your rail pass will only be accepted if it is attached to the sleeve into which it was originally secured.

Train tips:

• Keep in mind that the trains are extremely punctual. Arrive at the station early and find your track. When exiting a train, be at the door with your bags ready to disembark. Trains do not wait for passengers entering or exiting.
• Make sure you get on a train car heading to your destination city. Some trains split during the trip; half the train goes in one direction and the other half in another.

Night Trains & Couchettes

Overnight trains and hotel trains have a range of accommodations, which include sleepers, couchettes, and sleeperettes. All sleepers and couchettes convert from seats to berths for nighttime travel, and back to seats for daytime travel. Accommodations are an extra fee and are not covered by the Railpass. Fees vary depending on train line and category. Deluxe private sleepers can cost over $150. Most sleepers are approximately $80-$90 dollars per person per reservation, while the couchettes are only about $25-35 per person. Sleeperettes are generally free, but do require a reservation. You can make reservations for all overnight categories at any train station ticket window.

Sleeper Compartments have washbasins, soap, towels, razor plug, mineral water, and a lockable door. The berths come with pillow, sheets, and a duvet or blanket. Stewards are present in the sleeper cars to assist you and take care of all border crossings procedures for you. Many of the stewards speak the languages of the countries the train will pass through as well as English. Compartments are gender specific unless booked by couples or families. Fares for sleepers require a 1st class ticket or a rail pass plus the sleeper supplement. 1st class/rail pass travelers can book a single, double, or triple sleeper. Single passengers can reserve a double sleeper but they may have to share with another passenger based on availability.

Couchettes are compartments with berths for 4-6 people. Each berth has a pillow, sheets and blankets. Washbasins are not available in the compartments and restrooms are at the end of the car. Berths can be booked individually or in groups. Compartments are non-gender specific and travelers are expected to sleep in their day clothes. Stewards are available only on international routes. Fares for couchettes require a 1st or 2nd class ticket or a rail pass plus the couchette supplement.

Sleeperettes are seats in open coach cars that recline to allow you to sleep more comfortably. Seats may have small head pillows attached but no blankets are provided. Sleeperettes require a 1st or 2nd class ticket, or a rail pass and a reservation. There is normally no additional cost for sleeperettes. However, some hotel trains may charge a higher reservation fee for seats.

Hotel trains

Hotel trains combine long distance night travel with the security and privacy and comfort of a hotel stay. All compartments have locking doors and access to dining cars. There are three levels of accommodation: Tourist, First Class, and Luxury Class. There are reclining 2nd class sleeperette seats on certain trains. Tourist class accommodations include 4 beds to a compartment. Toilets are found outside the compartment in the car. First class accommodations include compartments with one to two beds. Toilet and shower facilities are located outside the compartment in the car. Luxury class accommodations include one to two beds per compartment. They also include a private toilet and shower within the compartment.

There are several night or Hotel trains
you may come across in Europe:

CityNightLine
Covers international routes between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Trains have Deluxe, Economy, Couchette, and Sleeperette accommodations. Deluxe compartments have 1 - 2 fixed beds moveable chairs and tables and a full washroom with shower. Economy sleepers have 2 - 4 beds (for families) and one washroom in the car. Deluxe and Economy accommodations include breakfast. Couchette and sleeperette travelers may buy breakfast at the bar.

DB Nachtzug
Covers domestic routes in Germany and international route to Denmark.
Accommodations include Comfort, Couchette, and sleeperettes. Comfort cabins have doors with key-card locks and private shower and toilet cabin. On German domestic routs a restaurant and bistro car is available.

Talgo Trains
Services domestic routs in Spain and international routes between Spain and France, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland. Classes of accommodation include Luxury, 1st Class, Tourist, and Sleeperette. Dinner and breakfast is included for all passengers in single or double accommodation.

Artesia de Nuit
Covers international routs between France and Italy.

Hotel Train Lusitania
Covers travel between Portugal and Spain.
Accommodations include Luxury, 1st class and seats. Breakfast is included.

Overnight Express
Services international routes between the Netherlands and Italy.
Accommodations include Sleeper, Couchette, and Sleeperette. Depending on class, accommodations include free meals or snacks. Eurail Selectpasses are not valid on this train.

Eurail Aid Offices

If your pass is improperly issued or validated, or if any of the information on your pass is incorrect (such as the date on the calendar), contact one of the Eurail Aid offices. They are located in most major cities throughout Europe. You may also contact the Eurail Aid Offices if you believe you have received incorrect information or treatment while traveling by rail. Eurail offices can replace your pass as well as counsel you in case of emergency. The offices are also available should you have any questions while you are in Europe.

Refunds & Exchanges

Refunds

• Lost or stolen rail passes are neither refundable nor replaceable without purchasing Pass Protection.
• Shipping charges are not refundable.
• Unvalidated rail passes may be refunded for 85% of the original value of the pass if returned within six months of the issuing date.
• Validated passes may be refunded only if it is canceled and made unfit for use by an official authority of a participating network. (The official must cross out the front of the pass, write "not used", sign and stamp the date). The holder must also prove that they were not in Europe between the 1st day of validity and the day that the passholder applies for a refund.
• The passholder is not entitled to a refund if the pass is partially used. However, if a passholder cannot use the rail pass due to illness, accident or death, a partial refund may be granted at the discretion of the railway. In this case, send all pertinent information detailing what happened. Include all doctor reports, last minute plane tickets, police reports, or all other documents that may assist in validating your claim.

Exchanges

• Unvalidated rail passes may be exchanged for another pass of equal or greater value.
• When upgrading a rail pass the passholder must pay shipping charges and the (dollar value) difference between the original and upgraded pass.
• When downgrading a rail pass, the passholder returns the original rail pass for an 85% refund and then purchases a new rail pass, paying for all shipping charges.
• The passholder must send the original pass certified or Express, return receipt requested, before receiving a new pass.

To Process a Refund or Exchange

Send your rail pass and all necessary proof validating your claim, via certified, return receipt requested mail, to:

Railpass
Refund Dept.
2737 Sawbury Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43235
614-889-9100