EURAIL PASS ORIENTATION

Innsbruck International Summer School 2012

Overview of presentation• How does the Eurail pass work?• Eurail office in Innsbruck• Important Eurail Info• Reservations• Insurance• Planning your travel

Questions• Luggage

How does the Eurail Pass work?

• In order for you to use the Eurail pass, you first have to fill it out.

• In addition, you are required to activate your Eurail pass prior to its first use.

• We recommend that you activate your pass one or two days before your very first use!

NOTE: If your pass is not activated, a train conductor can require you to pay a fine in addition to buying the full price ticket. He or she can even remove you from the train at the next train station.

You activate your Eurail Pass at a Eurail Office.

Eurail Offices

• There is an official Eurail office located very conveniently at the Innsbruck main train station (Hauptbahnhof).

• They are open daily from 6:30am to 9:45pm.

Participating Countries

• Your Eurail Pass is valid and can be used with the participating railway companies and countries listed on the pass.

• The Eurail Pass is valid in 21 countries, which are listed on your pass cover

• Excluded countries are: UK, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro

Important Eurail Info

• The Eurail pass is non-transferable!• It muss be accompanied by a valid

passport!• It does not include your seat reservation

>>>it does not guarantee you a seat!

• It must be validated!

Insurance

• If you purchased the Rail Protection Plan™, it will cover you in case of loss or theft

• It won’t cover you in case of a strike!

Loss or Theft

• Eurail pass holders must file a police report within 24 hours of the incident

• Eurail pass holders must purchase a replacement rail pass or rail ticket(s) in order to continue with the travel

• Upon return to the US, rail pass/ticket holders must submit a statement to REI (Rail Europe, Inc.) within 30 days including:

1. Police Report2. Replacement rail passes or

tickets purchased abroad3. RPP Traveler’s Request Form

(Rail Protection Plan)

4. Airline Tickets from US to Europe and return tickets

5. A brief explanation of the situation

Rail Protection Plan• The Rail Protection Plan does not

apply to pre-existing illness or injuries.

• Coverage does not apply for tickets/rail passes lost prior to departing the US

• More information can be found under www.raileurope.com under Rail Protection Plan Terms and Conditions

Do I need to make a reservation?

• Reservations are recommended or even mandatory for some trains.

• Advance reservation is recommend during high-season and holidays.

YES!

Trains that require reservations

• Most high-speed trains & overnight trains require an advance reservation.

• Trains that do require a mandatory reservation are indicated by the symbol in timetables.

• Online timetables also indicate when a reservation is necessary.

Planning your travel• Most countries have timetables and

travel planners available on their national railway website.

• Many websites list train connections, as well as bus, metro and ferry connections.

www.bahn.de www.oebb.at

Day Trains• Day trains have two seating

arrangements:1. Coach car seating (open with center aisle

and two seats on either side)2. Compartment car (separated into cabins of

6 or 8 seats, which open to a corridor)• When reserving seats you may choose:

window or aisle seats, adjoining or opposite seats, smoking/non-smoking, etc.

Night Trains

• Great way to travel long distances and save money & time

• Must have a reservation!• Take care of your valuables• You may have to give your passport to

the attendant/conductor (this is a very common procedure!)

Night Trains

• On night trains you can choose among:1. Sleepers2. Couchettes3. Sleeperettes (reclining seats)

• If you reserve a sleeper or couchette, a sheet, blanket and pillow are provided.

Sleepers• Sleepers are separate compartments, with 1, 2

or 3 beds/bunks. Generally, sleepers are allocated exclusively for either men or women.

• Washrooms/toilets are located at the end of each car

Couchette cars• Couchette cars offer standard sleeping

accommodation. • They offer a place to lie down with a pillow, a

blanket and a sheet. • There are couchette cars with compartments

for 4 or 6 persons. • Washrooms/toilets are located at the end of

each car.

Sleeperettes

• In some night trains sleeperettes (reclining seats) are available.

Important notice for night travel

• If you begin your trip on a direct overnight train departing after 7pm (19.00h) and arriving after 4am (4.00h), only enter the date of the arrival in the travel calendar on your ticket.

• Travel between 7pm and 12am on the day of the departure is then covered.

Train types & Ferries• You can use a great variety of trains.

Your Eurail Pass also gives you discount on various ferries.

1. High Speed Trains2. Overnight Trains3. Scenic Trains4. Express & Local Trains5. Ferries

1. High Speed Train• Fast, up to 187.5 mph• Widespread high speed network throughout

Europe2. Overnight Trains• Travel large distances while you sleep• Choice of sleeper, couchette, or sleeperette3. Scenic Trains• Travel on Europe’s most scenic routes• Breathtaking views, sometimes part of the

UNESCO World Heritage

4. Express & Local Trains• Travel with the locals on Europe’s most

common trains• Reservations are often not required5. Ferries• Discounted or free for Eurail Pass holders• Travel by ship where trains can’t go

Find your way at the train station

• Most European railway stations are centrally located & well served by public transportation.

• Train stations are often like mini cities with every imaginable service: restaurants, ATMs, currency exchange etc.

Finding and Boarding the train

• First check the large display table in the main hall for arrival information, such as the correct platform and whether there are any delays.

• You should get to the platform 10-15 minutes before arrival.

• Be ready to board the train the minute it arrives.

• Numbers posted on each car or on a window show if the car is 1st or 2nd class

• Destination placard and car numbers are placed near the door. Trains can be split and sent in different directions.

Finding and Boarding the Train

• If you have made a reservation, you have to check the car number and seat number printed on the reservation ticket

• Most major trains stations have a car/coach locator

How to find your reserved seat:

• Seat numbers are generally indicated on the headrest.

• A reserved seat is often indicated by a small label on the wall next to the window.

How to find your reserved seat:

Are we there yet?• Station stops aren’t always

announced, or may be announced in a foreign language you don’t understand

• Take note of your schedule arrival time and the names of last stations before your stop so you’ll be prepared to exit the train when it arrives

Luggage• Trains either have overhead storage

racks throughout the car, storage room behind the back of your seat, or luggage areas at the front and the end of each car

• You are not allowed to take more than 3 items of luggage (We recommend no more than 1!)

• You will have to carry & store the luggage yourself and are responsible for it.

Food on the train• Most European long-distance trains

have full-service restaurant cars offering breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Other trains offer light meals, snacks and drinks in a buffet car or on a cart that is wheeled through all cars periodically.

• It is quite common to bring your own food and refreshments on the train.

• Questions?• Stay safe and look out for each

other! • Enjoy your travel!!!