INTRODUCTION - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 11

treks, plus be rested for a full day of sightseeing. Flexible passes are described
later in this section.
Rail Pass Validation
You have six months from the issue date of the rail pass (the date of purchase
stamped on your pass) in which to begin using it. Prior to boarding your first train
in Europe, present your pass for validation at the rail station. Allow for a little extra
time for the validation process, but once your pass is validated, that ends standing
in line to buy another ticket—a real convenience.
• Do not make any entries (such as filling in your passport number) prior to valida-
tion.
• Although it is not a part of the validation process, write the starting and ending
dates of your pass validation period on a piece of paper and hand it to the clerk
along with your pass and passport. (Remember, Europeans write the day before
the month; thus, 10/07/14 would mean July 10, 2014.)
• Be certain the clerk agrees to the dates before he or she enters the validity peri-
od on your pass.
• Double-check the validation dates before accepting the pass. If an error is made
in either the dates or your passport number, have it corrected immediately.
• The clerk then enters your passport number and stamps the pass.
• Do not remove the pass from its cover.
Note: Once validated, your rail pass is neither refundable nor replace-
able, so guard it with the same attention you give to your cash, traveler's
checks, and passport.
Eurail Global Passes
Eurail Global passes are valid for unlimited rail travel (in the class indicated on the
pass) on the national railways and some private railway companies in the follow-
ing 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Italy, Luxem-
bourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Ro-
mania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Some premier trains, such as AVE, Eurostar, and Thalys, require a supplement.
Eurail passes, however, provide a substantial discount on the fare, as well as free