FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
From how to choose the best rail pass to when to expect delivery, browse below for answers to all your rail pass questions.
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If you are just hopping a train, be there about 20 minutes prior to departure to be safe.
If you need to purchase a seat reservation at the station before boarding, arrive at least 30 minutes early to give yourself time to stand in line at the ticket counter or kiosk.
If you are arriving by air from an international destination and plan to get on a train directly, budget at least an hour to get to the train station from the airport, and another hour at the station to validate your pass and take care of any other reservations.
There are a number of travel options to get from the airport to the train station. Most major airports have local train services that take you directly to a central rail station downtown, whereas others rely on shuttle buses or city buses. All also offer taxi services, though this can be quite expensive.
Baggage can be checked on trains if the passenger comes early and then waits late to pick it up, so it can be quite a hassle. Packing light is recommended so that passengers can store their bags in the bins on the train instead. There is no weight limitation on baggage for trains (except on few trains, such as Eurostar and French-Spanish Hotel trains). Trains have either overhead storage racks throughout the car, storage room behind the back of the seat, and/or luggage areas at ends of the car.
NOTE: Baggage kept by the passenger and placed in the baggage racks remains the sole responsibility of the passenger. The railroads assume no responsibility in case of loss or theft. Excess baggage or bulky pieces must be carried in the baggage car and must be checked before departure. Baggage can sometimes be checked through in advance upon presentation of a valid rail ticket. To ensure proper delivery, it is recommended to confirm the minimum check-in time at your departure station. Sometimes checked baggage will travel on a different train than the passenger, and may take a few days to arrive. A fee is charged for this service. Station Storage: Most stations provide "left luggage" storage-rooms or lockers for baggage storage, and many stations have luggage carts. When porters are available, they can be easily recognized by their uniform or official badge.
With a rail pass, you can just catch the next train (though you may be required to get another seat reservation for certain high-speed trains).
Train strikes unfortunately happen, which can frustrate many customers. We suggest that you work directly with the railway company when strikes occur to file a claim.
Train strikes, like other transportation strikes, are out of our control. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be refunded in the event of a strike. It can take up to six months to get a final response from the railway on these matters.
No, there are no refunds for unused days.
No. Rail passes can only be exchanged or refunded by the issuing office.
Yes, many train tickets are issued with the ability to print at train station kiosks or at home. Some tickets also come with the ability to present an electronic confirmation on your mobile device.
Eurail passes that have not been used or validated may be returned for a refund with a 15% penalty. They must be sent back, within one year of the issue date, and in a trackable manner to...
Railpass Refunds
PO Box 428
Franklin, MA 02038
IMPORTANT: Eurail Free Day Promotion Passes are not refundable or exchangeable.
Rail passes are refundable at 85% of pass value if unused (and unvalidated) and returned to the address listed below within one year of the issue date.
Train Tickets: Many train tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. Some train tickets are 75%–80% refundable if canceled within 72 hours after booking.
Pass Exchanges: Pass exchanges must be made via the address listed below. Once your request is received in our office, we will exchange the pass. If there is a rate increase, you will just pay the difference in price plus a USD $15 exchange fee and new shipping charges. If the exchange causes a rate decrease, you will be charged a 15% cancellation penalty on the old pass, the cost of the new pass, plus a new shipping fee.
Children under four travel for free and will not require a pass. Up to two children ages 4-11 also travel for free when traveling with an adult using a rail pass.
If more than two children are traveling, extra children must purchase youth fare passes. Seat, couchette, sleeper, and other reservations must be made even for a child traveling for free, and will still incur the associated reservation fees.
Depending on the mistake that has been made, and if your pass has not yet been activated, we can issue you a new rail pass. You will need to send the incorrect pass back to us via a traceable shipping method and pay a new shipping fee.
Yes you will need to provide the first and last name, dates of birth and the country of residence for each passenger exactly as those items appear on his or her passport.
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You can start with cost of the rail pass and then add the costs of any required seat reservations. Then total the cost of individual train tickets for your planned routes. (Please refer to the point-to-point comparison on the results pages.)
In general, the more travel days and more countries through which you plan to travel, the better value a rail pass offers. See it all!