EURAIL PASS ORIENTATION Innsbruck International Summer - PowerPoint Presentation

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EURAIL PASS ORIENTATION

Innsbruck International Summer School 2013Slide2

Overview of presentation

How does the Eurail pass work?Eurail office in InnsbruckImportant Eurail Info

Reservations

Insurance

Planning your travel Questions

Luggage Slide3
Slide4

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!Slide5

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

.Slide6

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.Slide7

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 MontenegroSlide8

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!Slide9

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! Slide10

Loss or Theft

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

pass holders must purchase a replacement rail pass or rail ticket(s) in order to continue with the travelSlide11

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

:Slide12

Police

ReportReplacement

rail passes or tickets purchased abroad

RPP Traveler’s

Request Form

(Rail Protection Plan)

Airline Tickets from US to Europe and return tickets

A brief explanation of the situationSlide13

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 ConditionsSlide14

Do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations are recommended or even mandatory for some trains.Advance reservations

are

recommended

during high-season and holidays

.

YES!Slide15

Trains that

require reservationsMost

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.Slide16

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.Slide17

www.bahn.de

www.oebb.at

Slide18

Day Trains

Day trains have two seating arrangements:Coach car seating (open with center aisle and two seats on either side)

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. Slide19
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Night Trains

Great way to travel long distances and save money & timeMust 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!) Slide21

Night Trains

On night trains you can choose among:Sleepers

Couchettes

Sleeperettes

(reclining seats)

If you reserve a sleeper or couchette, a sheet, blanket and pillow are provided. Slide22

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 carSlide23

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. Slide24

Sleeperettes

In some night trains sleeperettes (reclining seats) are available.Slide25

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. Slide26

Train types & Ferries

You can use a great variety of trains. Your Eurail

Pass also gives you

a discount

on various ferries

.

High Speed Trains

Overnight Trains

Scenic Trains

Express & Local Trains

FerriesSlide27

1

. High Speed TrainFast, 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 HeritageSlide28

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 goSlide29

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.Slide30

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.Slide31

Numbers posted on each car or on a window show if the car is 1

st or 2

nd

class

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

Finding and Boarding the TrainSlide32

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

:Slide33
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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

:Slide35
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Are we there yet?

Station stops aren’t always announced, or may be announced in a foreign language you don’t understandTake 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 arrivesSlide37

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 carYou 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. Slide38

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.Slide39

How to fill out your Eurail PassSlide40

Stay safe and look out for each other!

Enjoy your travel!!! Questions?