INTRODUCTION - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 10

have to pay a service fee. We think it's worth it, but if you have lots of leisure time,
call the various airlines' toll-free telephone numbers or visit their websites and ask
them for fare information. You may also use one of the various online fare services.
Be sure you use a well-known, reputable site, and remember that some charter
and low-cost airlines may not have fares listed on these sites. We have listed the
contact information for a few airlines in the Appendix. Don't be disturbed if you re-
ceive a variety of responses and be willing to spend some time to get the best fare.
Regarding charter flights, inquire about them, but investigate thoroughly before
making any final decisions. Here again, get your travel agent involved, even if it's
only to obtain the tickets. Even some of the most reputable air-charter carriers still
operate on a “Go-No Go" basis. This means that if enough passengers sign up for
the flight, it will go as scheduled; if not enough passengers are booked, the flight
will be scrubbed.
European Rail Passes
A rail pass provides flexibility and economy if you are making several trips, espe-
cially any over long distances. A point-to-point ticket is, of course, good for travel
from one city to another. You can, though, consult the fares between major cities
listed on the websites of the companies in the “To Purchase Passes” section of the
Appendix. Add up the cost of each leg of your journey, and then compare it to the
cost of a rail pass to see what economically works best for your trip.
Today's rail traveler has a wide choice of rail passes available, from the
27-country Eurail Global Pass to regional passes encompassing groups of coun-
tries and individual, or national, country passes.
Note: A comprehensive list of prices and types of rail passes can be
found in the Appendix of this edition.
How Long Is a Rail Pass Day?
There are many different types and price ranges of rail passes available that
provide unlimited rail transportation for a specified number of days. A “rail pass
day” runs from midnight to midnight, during which time it is possible to make un-
limited on-andoff-the-train journeys. Those with flexible rail passes can extend the
use of their passes by taking advantage of the overnight bonus. This allows pas-
sengers on overnight direct trains departing after 1900 to count the trip toward the
next day of train travel. This is a great way to get the most out of your pass on long