Want to engage in La Dolce Vita? Feast on giant bowls of pasta, paper thin-prociutto and aromatic wines while passing through the dazzling landscapes of Italy. Spend as much time as you want in the countryside, Sicily or any of its great cities. Linger in lovely Venice, view all the facades of Florence or get lost in Rome (and not mind.) If you would like to travel to Italy and 2 to 4 other countries, be sure to check out our Eurail Selectpass. If you would like the flexibility to see up to 16 other countries then the Eurailpass is just the pass for you! >France ‘n Italy Pass:

The two most popular European countries, France and Italy, are now available to you in one great railpass. Saverpass and Youthpass versions are also available.

Trenitalia Pass:

Provides you with any 4 days unlimited train travel in a 2 months period and an option of adding up to 6 additional days.

Trenitalia Pass Saver:

Provides you with a discounted version of our Trenitalia Pass if you will be traveling throughout Italy with a friend or more.

Trenitalia Pass Youth:

A special discounted version of the Trenitalia Pass for travelers under 26 years of age.

Eurail Greece ‘n Italy Pass:

Two great countries with one great pass! Saverpass and Youthpass versions are also available.

Italy Rail ‘n Drive:

Is for 4 days train and 2 days car in Italy

Greek Rail ‘n Fly

Greece, and the Greek Islands, are truly inspiring, historic, enchanting and memorable. You can experience everything from famous ruins to wonderfully exotic beaches. And we’ve put together a package to help you see it all and do it all, so pack your bags!

Your flight coupon on Olympic Airways provides service to the following Greek Islands: Astypalea, Chania (Crete), Chios, Heraklion (Crete), Ikaria, Ioannina, Kalamata, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefalinia, Kerkyra (Corfu), Kythira, Kos, Kozani, Leros, Limnos, Milos, Mykonos, Mytilini, Naxos, Paros, Preveza, Rodos, Samos, Santorini, Sitia, Skiathos, Skyros, Syros, Thessaloniki, Zakynthos. Airport taxes additional. We also offer the Greek Flexipass Rail ‘n Fly Youth, a special discounted versions of the Greek Flexipass Rail ‘n Fly for those under 26 years of age at a great savings!

If you would like to travel to Greece and 2 to 4 other countries, be sure to check out our Eurail Selectpass. If you would like the flexibility to see up to 16 other countries then the Eurailpass is just the pass for you!

You Get:
Any 3 days unlimited 1st class train travel in 1 month
Two flight coupons for selected air travel journeys with Ionian Travel.
1st class
Bonuses:
Bonuses in Greece
Conditions:
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date

Bulgaria Flexipass

The southern-most country of eastern Europe, Bulgaria, claims the title as the “Jewel of the Balkans”. Visit Varna, the gem of the Black Sea. In the capital of Sofia you can ski and hike. Or view one of the many monasteries throughout this new NATO nation. P.S. While traveling here, remember that an up and down nod of the head signifies no, and a left and right shake of the head signifies yes!

Interested in traveling to Bulgaria and 5 other countries? The Balkan Flexipass is valid for travel in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Turkey and Yugoslavia (including Serbia and Montenegro).

You get:
Any 3 days unlimited train travel in a 1 month period
1st class train travel
Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
Conditions:
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
If an overnight train starts after 7pm on a validated Eurail Selectpass, the passholder must enter the next day’s date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of the pass.

Czech Flexipass

Prepare to be in “spired.” With our Czech Flexipass, you can visit Prague, the city of spires and cobblestone streets. Channel your inner hippie by exploring Bohemian bookstores and beer halls. Soak in curative thermal springs in Karlovy Vary. And don’t forget to Czech out the UNESCO Heritage Site of Cesky Krumlov.

If you’d like to travel to the Czech Republic and 4 other countries, see our European East Pass.

You get:
Any 3 days unlimited train travel in a 15 day period
Choice of 1st or 2nd class train travel
Option to add up to 5 additional days
Travel may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
Conditions:
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date
Passes must be validated prior to first day of use
If an overnight train starts after 7pm on a validated Eurail Selectpass, the passholder must enter the next day’s date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of the pass.

Hungarian Flexipass

Hungary not on your Liszt? It should be. From the 19th century composer and the pedigreed vizsla to traditional folk songs and salami, this country has world-class culture.

You get:
Any 5 days unlimited train travel in a 15 day period on the national rail network of Hungary
Consecutive or non-consecutive travel
1st and 2nd class train travel
Option:
Purchase up to 5 additional rail days
Conditions:
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date
Passes must be validated prior to boarding the first train

Romanian Pass

Known mostly for its tumbling gymnasts and vampire heritage, Romania is also an adventure traveler’s dream. Lie on the beaches of the Black Sea, visit castles and fortresses or soak in a natural spa. The capital, Bucharest, is referred to as the “Paris of the East.”

You get:
Any 3 days unlimited train travel in a 15 day period
1st class train travel
Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
Option:
Up to 12 additional rail days may be added
Bonuses:
Holders of a Romanian Pass may travel on any train, including IC and ICE at no additional cost. To secure a train reservation, pass holders must present their pass to any ticket office representative at any Romanian railway station.
Conditions:
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
Passes must be validated prior to first day of use.

Norway Railpass

Norway is a delightful country of contrasts with mountains, valleys, forests and fjords. And the best way to see it is up close by train. Bring a picnic lunch, hike or relax and admire the scenery. And don’t forget to bring a camera, as this is picture-perfect countryside.

We also have special discounted versions of the Norway Railpass for those 60 years of age and over (Norway Rail Pass Senior) and for those under 26 years of age (Norway Rail Pass Youth.)

Combine traveling by rail, ferry, and bus through spectacular Norway scenery with the Norway in a Nutshell, experience one of Norway’s most beautiful coastlines with the Triangle Tour or choose the SognefjordExpressboat circular itinerary to see some of the most magnificent scenery in western Norway.

If you’d like to travel to Norway and 16 other countries, be sure to check our Eurailpass. Or for Norway and 3 other Scandinavian nations, check our Scanrail Pass.

You get:
Any 3 days unlimited train travel in 1 month
Travel may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
Valid for DIRECT connections between Oslo-Stockholm on X2000
trains and between Oslo-Gothenburg on NSB regional trains
2nd class train travel
Complimentary tea and coffee
Bonuses:
Norway Railpass Bonuses
Option:
Purchase up to 5 additional days of train travel
Conditions:
Norway Rail Pass is not valid on the Airport Express train
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
Passes must be validated prior to boarding the first train.
If an overnight train starts after 7pm on a validated Eurail Selectpass, the passholder must enter the next day’s date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of the pass.

France ‘n Italy Pass

Waiting for someone to take you to Paris? Want to experience a gondola ride? Don’t wait for your travel dreams to come true. If you’ve always wanted to visit France and Italy, go at it alone or with a teenage daughter or college-bound son who has an appreciation for art and culture (and if you have that, boy are you lucky.)

The France ‘n Italy Pass gives you 4 days unlimited train travel within a 2-month period. Think what you can see with those 4 days of train travel: Hit the City of Light before heading to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. View ancient Roman ruins or bask in the sun on Sicily. Don’t pass up two of Europe’s most magnificent countries.

Get special prices for two people traveling together with a France ‘n Italy Saverpass or the France ‘n Italy Youthpass for those under 26 years of age.

If you’d like to travel to France and Italy and 1, 3 or 15 other countries, be sure to check our Eurail Selectpass or Eurailpass. You get:
Any 4 days unlimited train travel within 2 months
Choice of 1st or 2nd class train travel
Options:
Purchase up to 6 extra days of train travel
Bonuses:
Special fares for Eurostar and for other journey trains: Artesia, Italy Night Train, Elipsos, France-Swiss TGV, Brussels-France TGV, Geneva-Med TGV
Special travel bonuses
Conditions:
Passes must be validated prior to first train journey.
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
If an overnight train starts after 7 pm on a validated pass, the passholder must enter the next day’s date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of the pass.

France’n Spain Pass

It’s Ooh-la-la and Olé in one convenient rail pass! France and Spain, two of the most popular European countries, offer travelers fabulous food, flamenco, art and architecture. See world famous museums like the Louvre and the Prado. Feast of croissants early in the morning and eat tapas late in the evening.

Traveling with a group of 2 or more people? The France ‘n Spain Saverpass offers a great discount per person when you travel together!

We also offer the France ‘n Spain Youthpass, a special discounted version of the France ‘n Spain Pass for those under 26 years of age.

If you would like to travel to France and Spain and 1 to 3 other countries, be sure to check out our Eurail Selectpass. If your stay is much longer and you would like the flexibility to see up to 15 other countries, then the Eurailpass is just the pass for you!

You get:
Unlimited train travel on the national rail networks of France and Spain.
Any 4 days unlimited train travel in a 2 month period
Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
Choice of 1st or 2nd class train travel
Options:
Purchase up to 6 more days of train travel
Bonuses:
Special travel bonuses
Conditions:
Passes must be validated prior to first train journey.
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
If an overnight train starts after 7 pm on a validated pass, the passholder must enter the next day’s date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of the pass.

France’n Switzerland Pass

France conjures up images of rolling vineyards, fine food and cheese and incomparable art. This is a nation to see in its entirety. Why settle for Paris alone when you can bike the Loire Valley, or sachet along the South of France sand?

The same goes for scenic Switzerland. Visit world-class cities – centers of Olympic tradition (Lausanne) and banking (Geneva.) Taste mouthwatering chocolates and shuss down snow-capped mountains. See it all while relaxing by the train’s subtle chugging, transporting you through these two incredible countries.

Get special prices for two people traveling together with a France ‘n Switzerland Saverpass or the France ‘n Switzerland Youthpass for those under 26 years of age.

If you’d like to travel to France and Switzerland and 1, 3 or 15 other countries, be sure to check our Eurail Selectpass or Eurailpass.

You get:
Unlimited travel on the national rail network of France and the SBB network of Switzerland (including some private railroads (see area of coverage)
Any 4 days unlimited train travel within 2 months
Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
1st class train travel
Options:
Purchase up to 6 extra days of train travel
Glacier Express “Add-On” (available only in conjunction with a France ‘n Switzerland Pass or a Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass)
Bonuses:
Bonuses in Switzerland
Bonuses in France
Special travel bonuses
FAQs
Conditions:
Passes must be validated prior to first train journey.
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
If an overnight train starts after 7 pm on a validated pass, the passholder must enter the next day’s date on the pass, provided it falls within the validity of the pass.

Spain Rail Pass

All trains of the Iberian Peninsula reach out to the great cities from Madrid and Lisbon, which are geographical and cultural centers. If your trip consists of Spain, Portugal or both, Rail Europe has a rail pass to suit your needs.

If you would like to travel to Spain and 2 to 4 other countries, be sure to check out our Eurail Selectpass. If you would like the flexibility to see up to 16 other countries then the Eurailpass is just the pass for you!

Spain Flexipass:
provides you with any 3 days unlimited train travel throughout Spain in a 2 month period
Spain Rail ‘n Drive Pass:
combines 3 days unlimited train travel and 2 days in your own rental car.
Portuguese Railpass:
provides you with any 4 days unlimited train travel throughout Portugal in a 15 day period
NEW! Eurail Spain ‘n Portugal Pass:
combines Spain and Portugal into one pass valid for any 3 days unlimited train travel in a 2 month period.
NEW! Eurail Spain ‘n Portugal Saverpass:
combines Spain and Portugal into one pass valid for any 3 days unlimited train travel in a 2 month period when you travel with a friend. Requires a minimum of two people traveling together at all times.
France ‘n Spain Pass: Two of the most popular European countries, France and Spain, are now available to you in one great railpass. Saverpass and Youthpass versions are also available.

Portuguese Railpass

Portugal is a small, diverse country, covered in mountains, deep valleys, rolling hills, flat plains and gorgeous coastline. In the southern Algarve region, travelers soak up a Mediterranean climate and laid back attitude while the north has chillier air and a decidedly more religious atmosphere.

The Portuguese have a sweet tooth, evident in the many pastry shops that line Lisbon. Stop in Porto for, what else? Port wine – fortified with brandy making it sweet and smooth – just the way they like it.

If you would like to travel to Portugal and 2 to 4 other countries, be sure to check out our Eurail Selectpass. If you would like the flexibility to see up to 16 other countries then the Eurailpass is just the pass for you!

You get:
Any 4 days unlimited train travel in a 15 day period
1st class train travel
Travel may be used consecutively or non-consecutively
Conditions:
Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
Passes must be validated prior to first day of use.

Overnight trains are available on many of Europe’s national and international city-to-cityroutes.  Night trains effectively let you add an extra vacation day to your trip, since you can spend the night getting there and have the daytime free for being there.

Most overnight trains also offer sleeping accommodations, which vary quite a bit in type and price.  Sleeping accommodations always require an additional fee if you are using a railpass, and they always require reservations.  You can avoid the extra cost & complication if you’re willing to sleep in your seat, but it’s important to note that not all overnight trains carry seating cars — in these cases you must reserve accommodations in order to use the train at all.   (Some trains carry seating cars only in Second Class, though you can always use these with a First Class pass.)

Types of Accommodations

Although railway modernization is bringing an increasing amount of variety to the subject, with new specialty trainsbeing introduced on some routes, for the majority of traditional night trains there are two types of sleeping compartments: Couchettes and Sleepers.
 

Couchette compartments consist of four to six narrow bunks and are public — you will share the compartment with other travelers without regard to gender.  Travelers are supplied with a pillow and blanket, but are expected to sleep in their street clothes.  Although couchette compartments have traditionally come in both First and Second Class — with the First Class version hosting fewer travelers per compartment — the trend is towards offering couchettes in Second Class only.  Holders of a ticket or railpass in either class are elegible for Couchette travel with payment of the required supplement.

Sleeper compartments contain one to three more comfortable beds and are usually private — typically travelers select a compartment size to match the number of their traveling companions.  (On some trains, two Sleepers with an adjoining door can be requested to create a family-sized room.) Sleepers have locking doors and for the most part offer the same level of privacy as ahotel room.   They usually feature a washbasin with hot and cold water, and some of the more deluxe versions include their own toilet and even a shower.  (WCs are found at each end of the car in the more typical configuration.)  Some Double Sleepers include a very small third bunk suitable for a small child.  Only holders of a FirstClass ticket or railpass are elegible to reserve a First Class Sleeper.  Second Class Sleepers, where available, are open to holders of either class.

A fairly recent development is the introduction of  Sleeperette cars, which replace or augment the Second Class Sleepers and Couchettes.  These are configured like regular seating cars but offer special seats which recline for a more comfortable overnight journey.  They are presently found only on the new specialty trains, but as the Sleeperette car is much less expensive to operate, it is likely that we will see more of this type of thing in the future. 

In general, the trend in on-board accommodationis towards a greater degree of luxury and personal service for the First Class traveler –with corollary price hikes — while leaning towards simpler and more economical provisions for Second Class.  This reflects a broader trend of the railways, who increasingly appear to be taking a page from the airlines in positioning First Class as a premium product, aimed mainly at well-heeled business travelers.

Cost

The cost of sleeping accommodations varies by class (First or Second), by type of compartment, and by length of journey.  A couchette reservation can cost as little as $12 or as much as $60; sleepers run from about $75 upwards to $250 or more.  (In the case of luxury Hotel Trains, quite a lot more.)  Supplements are always levied on a per-person basis, so two people sharing acompartment will each pay a Double supplement.

Although most trains do carry some 1-bedFirst Class compartments, "Single" and "Double" really refer to theamount of supplement you’re willing to pay.  Ponying up the more expensive Single supplement guarantees you a compartment to yourself; whether it has one bed or two depends on what the railway has available.  If you are on your own and choose to pay only a Double supplement, you’re offering to be paired with another (same gender) traveler. Solo passengers may be able to save a bit by requesting a Single "S" (Special) compartment — a somewhat smaller & less expensive version of the First Class Single.  "S" compartments are not available on all trains, however.

Using Overnight Trains With a Pass

The supplement that you pay for a couchetteor sleeper is separate from the cost of transportion, so if you’re using a pass it must bev alid for the entire route (including any countries you will pass through).  For Flexipasses — where you’re allowed a certain number of travel days over a given period — an overnight train counts the departure day against your allowance unless the train leaves later than 19:00 (7:00pm), in which case the following day is counted.  Since passes expire at midnight, in such cases you must be sure that the arrival day is within the valid time frame of your pass.

Boarding & Riding An Overnight Train

Sleepers on Traditional Night Trains

If you have reserved a sleeper compartment,the procedure for boarding is a bit different from ordinary seating or public couchette cars.  Instead of climbing aboard and finding your assigned place on your own, you are expected to locate the correct car from the station platform — the car number will beon your reservation document — and present yourself to the agent or steward stationed at the car’s entrance.  (Because sleeper compartments are expensive, the railways guard zealously against unauthorized "squatters."  Don’t try it — you will be caught.) 

Once the steward has shown you to your compartment, he or she will make sure the beds are folded down and ready for sleeping, and will usually offer to take a snack order (expensive) and a breakfast order (also expensive).  If the route crosses international borders, the steward may request your passport so that it may be shown to border authorities without waking you.

Smoking is not allowed in sleeper or couchette compartments when they are in the nighttime configuration.  When they’re in daytime configuration — with the beds folded up into seats — smoking is permitted if the car is designated for it.   (Although smoking is technically prohibited in the car landings as well, in practice you will often find an insomniac puffer or two lurking there in the middle of the night. So long as nobody complains, the steward is likely to turn a blind eye to it — particularly if he’s one of them.)

In the morning, the steward will knock atthe door to wake you — usually around 7:00am.  Shortly afterwards he will return with your passport and any breakfast that you have ordered.  If the train’s journey continues into the morning, the steward will also convert your beds back into seats for the remainder of the trip.  For trains with very early arrivals, prior to 7:00am,passengers are generally not woken until arrival and are allowed to remain in their compartments until a reasonable hour.

It’s considered polite to tip the steward theequivilant of a dollar or two, particularly if he has helped with any special requests.  Tips may be left in the compartment when you leave.

Couchettes on Traditional Night Trains

Couchette cars are considerably less formal. It’s still a good idea to locate your car before you board the train — hauling luggage down those narrow aisles is no treat — but you are usually on your own to find your assigned compartment, and will show your reservation document when the ticket agent comes along.  There is generally no snack or breakfast delivery to couchette cars, though the train may have a separate snack car or trolley available during the evening and morning. 

Depending on the ensemble of passengers –and also on the destination and time of year — the social ambience of a Couchette compartment can resemble anything from a dorm party to six silent faces in an elevator.  The best compartment-mates are usually Europeans who travel overnight frequently; they understand both the official and unofficial rules of conduct for this mode of travel, and have mastered the art of maintaining a polite and friendly distance while sharing rather close quarters with strangers. Emulate their behavior and you will best understand the Couchette compartment etiquette.  (Including the fact that Europeans who find themselves in a single-gender compartment will often disregard the street-clothing mandate, and discretely emerge from the washroom in robe and pajamas.  For the visitor a good rule of thumb is not to do this unless someone elsedoes; but a workable compromise, if you really hate sleeping in your clothes, is to bring along a neat & clean set of sweats, which are commonly enough worn as "street clothes" that nobody is likely to object.)

If, however, you happen to find yourself in a packed Couchette compartment on a ski-train heading for St-Moritz during a school break — well, stay cheerful and try to have fun.  You may not get much sleep!

Get There On Time!

Both Sleeper and Couchette reservations can be released by the railway if you haven’t arrived within fifteen minutes of departure — and as these services are commonly sold-out by the end of the day, the conductor is quite likely to peddle your spot to someone else if you haven’t shown up.  In these cases you may be able to put in for a refund of your supplement, but if the train doesn’t have any seating cars (as many don’t), you won’t be allowed to travel with it.

The flip-side to this is that if you weren’t able to reserve a compartment, and dread the prospect of spending the night propped up in a seat — which by some mysterious alchemy will be made of solid lead by morning — don’t hesitate to track down the conductor and make your wishes known.  No-shows arecommon, and like hotels the trains have no interest in leaving beds empty if a paying customer is at hand.   Keep in mind that conductor has a good deal of discretion as to who gets the vacancy — find him early and treat him as you would a gate agent you’re trying to sweet-talk into an upgrade on your flight.  Make a friend and you’ll increase your odds of getting a horizontal position for the trip.

SpecialtyTrains

As noted above, the traditional night train is increasingly sharing the tracks with more modern specialty trains.  These offer First Class travel with larger and more elaborate accommodations, including hotel-like amenities such as fax and copy machines, room service, private bathroom facilities, and a concierge and reception desk.   Some are double-deckers, with the fancier First Classrooms atop and smaller, but still quite comfortable, Second Class rooms below. Although private compartments on these trains are priced higher than on traditional night trains, many of the specialty trains also have the Sleeperette option available at a lower ost.  Some specialty trains have arrangements with hotels in the destination city that will let you check in immdedately upon arrival, even if it’s very early in the morning.  (And as these trains are largely geared to the schedules of business travelers, it usually is.)

Specialty trains include the EuroNightbrand (found on some of the most popular long-distance international routes), the InterCityNighttrains (Germany only), the CityNightLine (international routes between cities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), and the Talgo Hotel Trains of Spain, the latter being by far the most luxurious and expensive.