Q1. How is a railpass day calculated ?

Q29. With a Switzerland’n Austria Pass, can you return to Austria once you go to Switzerland or vice-versa ?

1. How is a railpass day calculated?
A railpass day starts and ends at midnight. You can take as many trains as you wish during this time.

2. If I take an overnight train, do I have to use 2 days on my pass?
No. If the only train of that day is a direct overnight train that departs after 7:00 p.m. , you would enter the next day’s date in the calendar box.

3. Is Eurostar included with my railpass?
No, travel on Eurostar requires a separate ticket. However, selected railpasses include bonus "passholder" discount fares for Eurostar tickets.

4. Do bonuses take up 1 day on a railpass?
A free bonus requires the use of 1 travel day on your railpass. Normally, a discounted bonus does not require the use of a travel day.

5. Do you offer Senior discounts on rail passes?
Discounted Senior rates for travelers 60 and over are available on some passes

6. What London Visitor Card zones are considered Central Zones?
Central Zones, those closest to downtown London and the major tourist attractions, are Zones 1 and 2.

7. How do I validate, or activate, my railpass?
To begin using your pass, before boarding your first train, take your passport and go to a ticket office in a rail station, show your passport and let a railroad official enter the first and last day of the validity period on your railpass. The railroad official will also stamp your pass.

8. I’ve purchased a single country pass. What do I do if I decide to visit an additional, bordering country?
You can use your pass to travel to a border city, but you will need to purchase additional tickets to travel to another country.

9. Can I get a refund on my partially used railpass?
Sorry, partially used passes are not refundable.

10. If I’m traveling through a country not included on Eurail Selectpass, can I add that country to the pass?
Passes are only valid for travel in the countries covered by that particular pass. If you travel through a country not included on your pass, you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket for that part of the trip.

For example, if you travel from Germany to Italy through Austria , and Austria is not covered by your Eurail Selectpass, you must purchase an additional ticket.

11. Is a railpass transferable to another person in the event the passholder is not able to travel?
No, but the pass is still valid for 6 months from date of purchase, which offers you the opportunity to reschedule your trip.

12. What is the difference between a consecutive-day pass and a Flexipass?
A consecutive-day pass provides unlimited rail travel on any day or all days for the duration of the pass. A flexipass is valid for a specific number of days within a longer period.

13. Is it possible to purchase a 2nd Class Eurail Selectpass instead of a 1st Class Eurail Selectpass?
Adult Eurail Selectpass are available in 1st Class only. 2nd Class Eurail Selectpass are only available for travelers under age 26.

14. Is a railpass valid for travel on city transportation systems?
In most cases, railpasses are not accepted on city transportation systems. The exception to this is the Swiss Pass , which is valid for transportation in 35 Swiss cities.

In London , the London Visitor Card can be purchased, it allows you to travel on London ’s Underground, or "Tube."

15. What passes qualify a passenger for a passholder fare on Eurostar?
Passes that qualify for passholder discounts include Eurailpass, Eurail Selectpass (with France or Benelux), BritRail Pass, , BritRail Pass + Ireland, Benelux Tourrail Pass, France Railpass, France & Italy Pass, France & Spain Pass, France & Switzerland Pass

16. Can I get a discount on train travel in Great Britain when I purchase a Eurail or Eurail Selectpass?
No, but you are eligible for a passholder fare on Eurostar, which travels from Paris or Brussels to London.

17. How much are prices on railpasses for children? How much are rail fares for children?

 On railpasses and point-to-point tickets within Europe , children 4 through 11 pay half the adult fare, except for Swiss Pass and German Pass.
 The Swiss Pass allows children under 16 to travel free as long as they are accompanied by a parent holding a Swiss Pass. Children 6 through 15 not accompanied by parents pay half the adult fare on Swiss Passes.
 The German Railpass allows children 6 through 11 to pay half the adult fare.
 On BritRail products, children 5 through 15 pay half the adult fare. However, specifically on BritRail Passes, one child is free with each paying adult.

18. Does the passenger’s name on the pass need to match the name on the passport?
Yes.

19. How long do I have from the date I purchase my railpass to activate, or validate, the pass?
The pass must be validated within 6 months of the original date of issue.

20. When does my railpass start?
Activate your railpass on the first day of your train travel

21. Can I request a seat facing forward?
Switzerland features 2 main networks – the ‘ basic’ network and the ‘ Swiss Travel System’ network.

The basic network includes all major railway connections and boat companies to major cities and tourism areas, plus different bonuses in Switzerland.

The Swiss Travel System network includes the basic railroads, urban transportation systems and all major mountain railways/cable cars.

Eurail Pass covers the ’basic’ network.

France ’n Switzerland Pass covers the ‘ basic’ network and provides special prices for the famous Glacier-Express and the Gornergrat. For instance, France ’n Switzerland Pass holders are entitled to 25% discount on Glacier Express tickets if purchased overseas. In France , coverage is exactly the same as the France Railpass.

22. Can I take the TGVs and Eurostar on a France ’n Switzerland Pass?
France ’n Switzerland Passes are accepted on all TGVs, Thalys and Eurostar trains. Reservation is compulsory and at an additional cost. France ’n Switzerland Pass holders are eligible for the lowest passholder fares on Lyria , France -Geneva TGV, Geneva-Med TGV, Eurostar, Thalys and all domestic TGV trains when bought through your travel agency.

23. With a France’n Switzerland Pass, can I add additional days once I arrive in France or Switzerland?
No, additional days are only available through your travel agency and cannot be purchased locally.

24. Do I have to make sleeper / seat reservations even though I have a rail pass?
A Pass does not guarantee sleeper / seat reservation. Reservations are mandatory on all TGV, Eurostar, Thalys, night trains and Swiss scenic trains like Glacier-Express, Bernina-Express, Golden Pass , etc.

25. Are meals included in 1st class?
Meals are not included in 1st class when traveling on domestic routes. However buffet cars are available in all TGVs, and most InterCity and EuroCity trains. Artesia Night sleeper tickets include breakfast. Both Eurostar and Thalys ticket include a meal in First class.

26. With a France’n Switzerland Pass, can you return to France once you go to Switzerland or vice-versa?
Yes you can. You are free to organize your itinerary as you wish (e.g. a 5-day pass holder can spend 4 days traveling in France and 1 day traveling in Switzerland or 5 days traveling within Switzerland and not go to France at all).

27. How does the Switzerland ’n Austria Pass’ coverage compare to Eurail Pass ’ and Swiss Pass ’?
Switzerland features 2 main networks – the ‘ basic’ network and the ‘ Swiss Travel System’ network.

The basic network includes all major railway connections and boat companies to major cities and tourism areas, plus different bonuses in Switzerland.

The Swiss Travel System network includes the basic railroads, urban transportation systems, postal busses and all major mountain railways/cable cars.

Eurail Pass covers only the ‘ basic network.

Switzerland ’n Austria Pass covers the ‘basic’ network and provides special prices for the famous Glacier-Express, the Gornergrat and the Bus connection between the Engadine ( Switzerland) and Austria. For instance, Switzerland ’n Austria Pass holders are entitled to 30%-34% discount on Glacier Express tickets if purchased in North America.

Swiss Pass covers the ‘ Swiss Travel System’ network In Austria, coverage is exactly the same as with an Austrian Railpass.

28. With a Switzerland’n Austria Pass, can I add additional days once I arrive in Austria or Switzerland?
No, additional days are only available through Rail Europe and cannot be purchased locally.

29. With a Switzerland’n Austria Pass, can you return to Austria once you go to Switzerland or vice-versa?
Yes you can. You are free to organize your itinerary as you wish (e.g. a 5-day pass holder can spend 4 days traveling in Austria and 1 day traveling in Switzerland or 5 days traveling within Switzerland and not go to Austria at all).