Transcript CHOO CHOO - Division of International Education

EURAIL PASS ORIENTATION
Innsbruck International Summer School
2013
Overview of presentation
• How does the Eurail pass work?
• Eurail office in Innsbruck
• Important Eurail Info
• Reservations
• Insurance
• Planning your travel
• Luggage
Questions
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 can be used with the
participating railway companies and countries
listed on the pass.
• Your Eurail Pass is valid in 24 countries, which
are listed on your pass cover
• Excluded countries are: UK, Poland, Serbia and
Montenegro
Important Eurail Info
• The Eurail pass is non-transferable!
• It must 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 Report
2. Replacement rail passes or tickets
purchased abroad
3. 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?
YES!
• Reservations are recommended or even
mandatory for some trains.
• Advance reservations are recommended
during high-season and holidays.
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.
• Reserve seats with your friends.
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. Sleepers
2. Couchettes
3. 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 a discount on various
ferries.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High Speed Trains
Overnight Trains
Scenic Trains
Express & Local Trains
Ferries
1. High Speed Train
• Fast, up to 187.5 mph
• Widespread high speed network throughout Europe
2. Overnight Trains
• Travel large distances while you sleep
• Choice of sleeper, couchette, or sleeperette
3. 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 required
5. 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, groceries, 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.
Finding and Boarding the Train
• 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.
How to find your reserved seat:
• 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.
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 scheduled 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 fullservice 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.
How to fill out your Eurail Pass
• Stay safe and look out for each other!
• Enjoy your travel!!!
• Questions?