INTRODUCTION - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 3

Those traveling with children across the Continent will find the trains to be a fun
and intriguing blessing. The kids can eat, get a drink, take a nap, or go to the re-
stroom just as often as their little hearts desire while you enjoy the scenery en
route.
Trains have always held an aura of romance and charm that cannot be experien-
ced in any other mode of transportation. The mere mention of The Orient Express,
for example, sparks visions of glamour, intrigue, mystery—and sumptuous dining.
Although many of the original famous trains have been replaced by high-speed,
high-tech international express trains, that special thrill of rail travel is still there.
The Europeans know how to run a railroad. The Eurail network connects more
than 30,000 cities, villages, and hamlets with more than 96,000 daily train de-
partures on more than 174,000 miles of track. And the system is getting faster,
more efficient, and more elegant. Unlike the airlines' sardinelike accommodations,
European trains are comfortable, stylish, and loaded with amenities to please the
tourist and business traveler alike.
Originally, the idea of purchasing a pass for unlimited travel by train within a spe-
cified time period, for example, one month, on the Eurail system was a simple one.
One type of rail pass, called a “Eurail pass,” was offered to non-European resid-
ents as a way to encourage independent travelers to use Europe's rail network.
Although today's European rail passes encompass a wide variety of options,
time periods, and countries, using a rail pass is still the most economical, conveni-
ent, and flexible way to get the most out of the European rail network. A point-to-
point ticket enables you to travel from one point to another but does not provide
the flexibility to change your plans. Rail passes, on the other hand, provide unlim-
ited rail travel each day within a specified time frame. They eliminate the hassle of
standing in long lines to purchase single tickets, and they can save you a bundle
of money if you are making long or frequent journeys.
For details on the various kinds of European rail passes available to non-
European residents, please consult the European Rail Passes section later in this
introduction, or contact one of the companies listed under “To Purchase Passes” in
the Appendix.
Remember … purchase your rail passes before leaving for Europe!
The Base City-Day Excursion Concept combined with the appropriate rail pass
provides greater flexibility to see more of Europe at its best—by train. Many of our
cost-conscious readers modify the concept by using the less expensive suburban
area of a major city or one of our day-excursion points as their “base.” With any