Train Travel in Europe

Train travel in Europe is relaxing, comfortable, convenient and so efficient that it is the perfect mode of transportation. You can admire the passing scenery, enjoy a meal, take a nap, or chat with your fellow travelers. You will arrive on time, rested, refreshed, and right in the heart of town, where most European train stations are located.

Validity

Travel must begin within 6 months of the date the pass was issued unless noted. To validate your railpass, present your pass and passport to the railway official at the ticket window (not the conductor) prior to your first journey. When using a Flexipass, before boarding the first train each day, write the date in ink in the appropriate box on the pass. A rail travel day is from midnight to midnight.

Children and Youth for most European railpasses

Children: Ages 4-11 pay half the adult fare, except as noted.
Children under 4 travel free but are not entitled to a seat when trains are crowded.
Youth: Fare is for persons who are age 12-25 at the time the railpass is validated, except as noted. All Youth fare are second-class.
All Child fares are first-class except as noted.

Train Reservations

Seat reservations are required for most high-speed trains, all specialty trains, as well as certain InterCity, EuroCity, and ICE trains. Reservations may be made before you leave for Europe, in person at train stations, or by the concierge at your hotel.

Sleeping Arrangements on Trains

First and second-class Sleeper compartments and Couchettes are usually available on overnight trains. Reservations are required. Private Sleeper compartments with wash basin, towels, bed linens and pillow are available for one or two people in first-class and for three people in second-class. Sleeper rates depend on accommodation type and distance traveled.

First or second class Couchettes will accommodate from four to six people in bunks with a pillow and blanket. They are open to both genders, and passengers sleep in their street clothes. There is a flat fee charges for Couchettes.

The InterCityNight (ICN) and CityNightLine (CNL) are just two of many sleek overnight hotel trains in Europe that connect major business centers in Germany and Switzerland, offering accommodations ranging from economically priced reclining seats to private, deluxe compartments with complete bathroom facilities. Both the InterCityNight and CityNightLine offer such hotel amenities as reception desk, dining/lounge car, phone/fax access, hair dryers, wake-up and room services. A continental breakfast is provided to those in reclining seats, while other guests receive a hearty breakfast in their compartment or dining car. Advance reservations are required for these trains.

Train information Specific to Individual Countries

Austria

Women's Section - As a special service for female passengers travelling alone, Austrian Railways have set up a women's section in a fleet of trains, ensuring completely undisturbed travel for women. These sections include six seats in the no-smoking compartment, and six beds in the sleeping cars of the night trains. These are closely monitored by train personnel and can only be used by women. Reservations may be made up to three months in advance.

Germany - Deutsche Bahn AG(DB) German Railway

Bonuses for German Railpass holders include free travel on KD River Steamers on certain Rhine, Main and Moselle River sections and free travel on selected buslines operated by Deutsche Touring/Europabus.

The Deutsche Bahn AG(DB) currently operates a nationwide route network of approximately 24,800 miles, of which some 10,500 miles are electrified. More than 33,000 trains (including 1,200 long distance trains) transport more than 4 million passengers per day in Germany.

The major intercontinental airports in Germany (Berlin-Schoenefeld, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Muenchen and Stuttgart) are integrated in the train system.

AIRPORT WITH STATION -TRAIN CONNECTIONS in Germany
BERLIN SCHOENEFELD IC/EC
DUESSELDORF S-BAHN(S7)
FRANKFURT/MAIN IC/EC
STUTTGART S-BAHN(S2 and S3)
MUENCHEN (MUNICH) S-BAHN(S8)


Trains convey compartment and open plan coaches with special seats for little children.
All IR trains have space for at least 8 bikes (reservation for the bike compartment is mandatory)

Holland

Discounted Passes are available for those 60 plus (senior passes) and twinpasses for two person traveling together at all times.

Train services in Holland are very frequent, and the Dutch rail network is the densest in the world with over 350 stations.

In the west of the country, you can count on at least four trains an hour between major cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

When traveling further in Holland, you can be sure of at least two trains per hour between most stations.

Holland is the ideal country to explore by bike, with its excellent cycle paths in both towns and the countryside. Over 80 railway stations allow passengers to rent a bike for approximately US $3 a day or US $12 a week.

Italy

The network of the Italian Railways has 1,000 trains running daily.

Norway

Senior fares are offered at an additional discount for those 60 plus.

The Norwegian State Railways network covers more than 2,500 miles, 1,500 miles of which are electrified. There are approximately 775 tunnels and more than 3,000 bridges.

The Flamline winds its way down the mountain sides from the junction at Myrdal on the Oslo-Bergen line, descending 866 meters (0.54miles) in 20 kms (12 miles), to Flam. Besides being a magnificent scenic attraction it is a masterly feat of railway engineering.

The 114km - 71mile Rauma line from Dombas to Andalsnes almost equals the Flam line, both in grandeur of its wild scenery and as a triumph of engineering.

The Nordland line stretches 730 kms (453 miles) from Trondheim to Bodo. It is NSB's longest main line and one of the few railways in the world to cross the Arctic circle.

Spain

Hotel trains between Madrid - Paris, Barcelona - Paris and Barcelona - Milan - Zurich are high quality night trains. These trains leave at evening and arrive early in the morning.

Sweden

2 children travel free together with one adult up to age 15.

Sweden is Europe's third largest country in land area. Between Sweden's major cities the tilting high speed train X 2000 takes you from city center to city center.

GO TO THE CINEMA AT 120 km/h (74mph). On the "Nordpilen" (Northern Arrow) you can enjoy both a meal and a visit to the only cinema coach in the world, in the combined cinema and bistro car.