Rail Europe

New translation: Bulgaria : BDZ

Romain Lecachey — 2010-08-26T15:33:12Z

Bulgaria's national rail network is operated by BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways - Bâlgarski Dârzhavni Zheleznitsi) and offers excellent connections to neighbouring countries.

Carriers

Balkan Express
Express trains

Description of operator

Bulgaria's national rail network is operated by BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways - Bâlgarski Dârzhavni Zheleznitsi) and offers excellent connections to neighbouring countries. Due to the Balkan mountain range, internal travel is easier and quicker east-west than north-south. Major routes are Sofia-Varna and Sofia-Bourgas and plans are in place for a high-speed network.

Bulgarian State Railways offer a selection of discount passes with City Star, Interrail and Rail Plus, available from Bulgaria's Rila travel agencies. As Bulgaria is ideally situated on the western side of the Black Sea, at the crossroads of East and West, it's easy to explore the region with a Balkan Flexipass which includes travel to Turkey, Greece and Montenegro. Handy international routes include Sofia-Thessaloniki-Athens, Sofia-Istanbul (Balkan Express) and Sofia-Bucharest.

Bulgarian State Railways also operates retro trains on its network from restored French coaches with a moving buffet to the Corona Express specially produced in Germany for Tsar Boris III, Tsaritsa Ioanna and Price Kiril in 1938, featuring pre-WWII furnishings.

You don't need advance reservations on most trains with Bulgarian State Railways although we recommend them for Express trains which run mainly on the Sofia-Plovdiv, Sofia-Varna and Sofia-Burgas routes. Just ask for a zapazeno myasto, Bulgarian for ‘reservation'.

Click here to view a map of the BDZ network.

Recommended products

Eurail Select Pass - valid in 3, 4 or 5 bordering countries, incl. Bulgaria
Eurail Bulgaria Pass
Balkan Flexipass

Swiss Pass

Romain Lecachey — 2010-08-23T16:35:40Z

To benefit from the free upgrade to 1st Class promotion you must book on this page.

The free upgrade promotion is automatically taken into account when booking a 1st class pass. Book a pass from the 1st class tab, the price displayed is the one of a second class product.

///Click here to see the conditions of the free upgrade///

Use rail passes to visit all Europe

Romain Lecachey — 2010-08-23T12:58:31Z

Japan Rail Kansai Pass

Equareo — 2010-07-28T08:46:38Z

The famous Mount Fuji, Kyoto and its diversity in culture, arts and tradition, Osaka, Kobe, Nagano, all those places which names are full of dream and mystery and that you just have to meet by train to make it a reality.

By choosing the Japan Rail Kansai Pass you are sure to select the cheapest and most convenient way to explore Kansai area and the famous cities Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Himeji.

Travel destinations

The Japan Rail Kansai Pass allows you unlimited travel on the Japan Rail network to fully discover Honshu and the Kansai area. Benefit from a wide range of bonuses and travel across the Kansai area in full freedom!

What you get

Formulas This pass is not available in Japan so we strongly recommend you to buy it in advance on this website.

Choose one of the 4 following validities
1 day
Consecutive 2-days
Consecutive 3-days
Consecutive 4-days

Travel days must be used consecutively

You can benefit from one type of JAPAN KANSAI RAIL PASS:
Ordinary-type pass which gives you access to Ordinary cars only which corresponds to 2nd Class

Ordinary Cars services
You can use Ordinary Car reserved seats on Express and Limited Express trains
If you want more comfort, you will have to pay surcharges to ride First-class Cars (Green Cars) or Sleeping Cars (Limited Express charge, berth charge, etc.).

Discount

Free for children under 6 years old
Children from 6 up to 11 included on the first day of travel benefit from a half adult fare

Bonuses

The Japan West Kansai Pass allows unlimited travel on all JR Kansai Railway Co. trains such as Tokaido - Sanyo Main Line (Yamashina - Himeji), Osaka Loop Line, JR Tozai Line, Sakurajima Line, Katamachi Line, Nara Line, San-in Main Line (Kyoto - Hozukyo), Kansai Main Line (JR Namba - Kizu), Sakurai Line, Wakayama Line (Oji - Takada), Hanwa Line (Tennoji - Hineno), Kansai Airport Line and Osaka Higashi Line.

Check the other Japan Rail Passes

Japan Rail Pass
Japan Rail Hokkaido Pass
Japan Rail Kyushu Pass
Japan Rail West Sanyo Pass

Who can get

If you have a permanent residence (for more than 6 months) outside of Japan, you are eligible to purchase or use a Japan Rail Pass.

How to use

As a proof of payment, you will receive an exchange voucher which must be turned to a Japan Kansai Rail Pass within 3 months from date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received. The date cannot be changed.
Exchange Order and Pass are only valid for the person named on the Exchange Order and Japan Rail Kansai Pass.
Once you arrive in Japan you should go to any of the Rail Pass exchange offices located in major train stations and international airports, and turn in the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Kansai Pass.

How to make seat reservations

During crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed of having a seat on a specific train. We strongly recommend you to make your reservations as soon as possible.
There is no extra charge for reserving a seat
A non-reserved seat can be used simply by presenting your personal Kansai Pass. To make a reservation, you just have to go to any Travel Service Centre or Reservation Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as following:
December 25th to January 5th: The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometowns areas.
April 29th to May 5th: Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is a large-scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
August 13th to 15th: Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the Obon season.

Travel Beyond Europe

Romain Lecachey — 2010-07-22T09:01:01Z

Best of USA, Canada

- 05. Special Offers / 1004, 2001, 3001, 6001, 4000, 4002, Top content, 2002

United Kingdom : ATOC

Romain Lecachey — 2010-07-19T12:06:39Z

The UK Railways

By bringing together 24 different private companies that work as National Rail, with co-ordinated fares, ticketing & information, the UK Railways can offer you the most complete choice of travels on the UK Rail network.

Across 15 795 route kilometres and 2 500 stations, Train Operating Companies connect most towns of any size in mainland Britain, which includes subway and modern tram systems in major cities. For Leisure or Business travels, whatever the destination, the UK Railways offers the widest range of lines and tracks.

In this intricate but efficient system, 9 Train Operating Companies operate on long distance lines and provide national and international routes. From East to West, from North to South and beyond, Cross Country, East Midlands trains, First Great Western, First Hull Trains, Grand Central, East Coast, Virgin trains, Wrexham & Shropshire, Eurostar make you discover the countryside by train in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

Vibrant and “so British” London stays the heart of the UK Rail network and the lung of international travels thanks to well-connected airports. Chiltern railways, C2C, First Capital Connect, National Express, Southwest Trains, Southeastern, Southern ensure London and Southeast traffics from/to the capital city. Heathrow Express and Lorol complete this network by providing regular lines to/from the Airport and operating the famous Underground in London.

If London is the hub of the rail network, more and more of Train Operating Companies offer cross-country routes for planning your journey without crossing London. Arriva, First TransPennine Express, ScotRail, London Midland, Merseyrail and Northern complement one another for making you discover the entire range of possibilities the UK rail network offers you.

Wherever you go, whenever you travel, Rail Europe help you to make the UK network yours at the lowest price...

Ausrail Pass

2010-06-24T12:29:32Z

Sanyo Pass

2010-06-22T14:29:30Z

Okayama and its famous Japanese Gardens, Kurashiki and its picturesque and historic canal area, Hiroshima which tragic history attracts sympathy and curiosity... All those places and more are within reach of your eyes and heart with the Japan Rail Sanyo Pass.

By choosing the Japan Rail Sanyo Pass you can be sure you select the cheapest and most convenient way to explore Sanyo area.

Travel destination

The Japan Rail Sanyo Pass allows you unlimited train travel in the Northern Kyushu and the famous cities Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata.

Thanks to a wide range of bonuses including transportation services operated by JR-West and Ferries Lines, go to the complete discovery of Honshu and the Sanyo area for a typical and enriching travel in Japan.

What you get

Formulas

This pass is not available in Japan so we strongly recommend you to buy it in advance on this website.

Choose one of the 2 following validities
Consecutive 4-days
Consecutive 8-days Travel days must be used consecutively

You can benefit from one type of JAPAN KANSAI RAIL PASS:

Ordinary-type pass gives you access to Ordinary cars only, which corresponds to 2nd class.

Ordinary Cars services

You can use Ordinary Car reserved seats on Express and Limited Express trains
If you want more comfort, you will have to pay surcharges to ride First-class Cars (Green Cars) or Sleeping Cars (Limited Express charge, berth charge, etc.).

Discount

Free for children under 6 years old
Children from 6 up to 11 included on the first day of travel benefit from a half adult fare

Bonuses

The JR Sanyo Pass allows unlimited travel on: Sanyo Shinkansen, Tokaido - Sanyo Main Line (Shin-Osaka - Shimonoseki),Osaka Loop Line, JR Tozai Line, Sakurajima Line, Kansai Main Line (JR Namba - Imamiya), Hanwa Line (Tennoji - Hineno), Kansai Airport Line and Miyajima Ferry

The Sanyo Area Pass also allows unlimited use, within the designated area, of many trains and transportation services operated by JR-West. These include the "Hikari" and "Kodama" Sanyo Shinkansen super express trains, "Haruka" limited express trains, ordinary class cars on local trains including reserved and non-reserved seats, and the Miyajima ferry line in Hiroshima that goes to Miyajima Island.

Check the other passes for Japan

Japan Rail Pass
Japan Rail Hokkaido Pass
Japan Rail Kyushu Pass
Japan Rail West Kansai Pass

Who can get

If you have a permanent residence (for more than 6 months) outside of Japan, you are eligible to purchase or use a Japan Rail Sanyo Pass.

How to use

As a proof of payment, you will receive an exchange voucher which must be turned to a Japan Rail Sanyo Pass within 3 months from date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received. This date cannot be changed
Exchange Order and Pass are only valid for the person named on the Exchange Order and Japan Rail Pass.
Once you arrive in Japan you should go to any of the Rail Pass exchange offices located in major train stations and international airports, and turn in the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Sanyo Pass.

How to make seat reservations
During crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed of having a seat on a specific train. We strongly recommend you to make your reservations as soon as possible.
There is no extra charge for reserving a seat
A non-reserved seat can be used simply by presenting your personal Japan Sanyo Pass.
To make a reservation, you must go to any Travel Service Center or a Reservation Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows:
December 25th to January 5th: The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometowns areas.
April 29th to May 5th: Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is a large-scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
August 13th to 15th: Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the Obon season.

Kyushu Pass

2010-06-22T14:29:26Z

Enjoy a train travel across Kyushu! The hot spring resorts of Beppu, the active Mount Aso volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture and Sakurajima Island in Kagoshima are not the only attractions we can recommend you. Kyushu has got so much to explore that the Japan Rail Kyushu Pass allows you to discover!

By choosing the Japan Rail Hokkaido Pass you can be sure you select the cheapest and most convenient way to explore Kyushu.

Travel destination

The Japan Rail Kyushu Pass can be used on limited express trains of the Kyushu Railway Co., in ordinary reserved and non-reserved seating, and on ordinary trains of the Kyushu Railway Co.

Fully explore Kyushu and discover bonuses on the famous Shinkansen “bullet” trains you can benefit from.

What you get

Formulas

This pass is not available in Japan so we strongly recommend you to buy it in advance on this website.

Choose one of the 2 following validities
Consecutive 3-days
Consecutive 5-days

Travel days must be used consecutively

You can benefit from one type of JAPAN KYUSHU RAIL PASS:
Ordinary-type pass gives access to Ordinary cars only which corresponds to 2nd Class

Ordinary Cars services
You can use Ordinary Car reserved seats on Express and Limited Express trains
If you want more comfort, you will have to pay surcharges to ride First-class Cars (Green Cars) or Sleeping Cars (Limited Express charge, berth charge, etc.).

Discount

Free for children under 6 years old
Children from 6 up to 11 included on the first day of travel benefit from a half adult fare

Bonuses

The All Kyushu Area Rail Pass can also be used for Kyushu Shinkansen “bullet” trains.

The pass cannot be used on sleeper trains, the Sanyo Shinkansen “bullet” train, or JR Kyushu buses.

Check the other passes for Japan

Japan Rail Pass
Japan Rail Hokkaido Pass
Japan Rail West Sanyo Pass
Japan Rail West Kansai Pass

Who can get

If you have a permanent residence (for more than 6 months) outside of Japan, you are eligible to purchase or use a Japan Rail Kyushu Pass.

How to use

As a proof of payment, you will receive an exchange voucher which must be turned to a Japan Rail Kyushu Pass within 3 months from date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received. The date cannot be changed.
Exchange Order and Pass are only valid for the person named on the Exchange Order and Japan Rail Kyushu Pass.
Once you arrive in Japan you should go to any of the Rail Pass exchange offices located in major train stations and international airports, and turn in the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Kyushu Pass.

How to make seat reservations

During crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed of having a seat on a specific train. We strongly recommend you to make your reservations as soon as possible.
There is no extra charge for reserving a seat
A non-reserved seat can be used simply by presenting your personal Kyushu Pass.
You cannot use an automatic ticket-reading gate with a Japan Rail Kyushu Pass or a reserved-seat ticket. You have to show the PASS at a manned ticket gate. The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows:
December 25th to January 5th: The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometowns areas.
April 29th to May 5th: Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is a large-scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
August 13th to 15th: Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the Obon season.

Japan Rail Pass

Frédéric Herbeaux — 2010-06-22T14:29:24Z

Japan offers a very wide range of attractions, from historical and cultural treasures to modern and futuristic sights and beautiful forests, mountains and sea coasts and the Japan Rail Pass is the cheapest and most convenient way to explore this richness.

Tailor-make your journey through Japan, from Sapporo to Kagoshima, dive into the secrets of the Japanese tradition in villages or topple over the future in high tech major cities. For just a visit or longer holidays, travel by train in Japan and experience Shinkansen “bullet trains”.

Enjoy train travel in Japan!

Travel destination

The Japan Rail Pass allows unlimited travel on Japan Rail trains, buses and ferries to fully discover the country. You will benefit from a wide range of services on different railways and ferries lines which will ease your complete discovery of Japan and its secrets.

What you get

Formula

This pass is not available in Japan so we strongly recommend you to buy it in advance on this website.

Choose one of the 3 following validities
Consecutive 7-days
Consecutive 14-days
Consecutive 21-days

Travel days must be used consecutively

You can benefit from two types of JAPAN RAIL PASS:

Ordinary-type Pass which is dedicated to travels in Ordinary Car ( 2nd Class)
Green-type Pass for travels in superior-class Green cars (1st class).

If you are looking for more comfort during your trip, upgrade to a Green Pass with access to superior accommodations. A Green-type Pass allows you to use Green cars as well as Ordinary cars without paying additional charges. whereas an Ordinary-type PASS gives access to Ordinary cars only.

Important Note

This pass is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on "NOZOMI" trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.

Discount

Free for children under 6 years old.
Children from 6 up to 11 included on the first day of travel benefit from a half adult fare

Bonuses

Railways: All JR Group Railways-Shinkansen "bullet trains" (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on "NOZOMI" trains), limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains (With some exceptions).

Buses: Local lines of JR bus companies (JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus) and some of JR highway bus services (Sapporo-Otaru; Morioka-Hirosaki; Tokyo-Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka,Tsukuba Center; Nagoya-Kyoto, Osaka; Osaka-Tsuyama, Kasai Flower Center).

Ferry: Only the JR Miyajima ferry is covered.

Check the other passes for Japan

Japan Rail Sanyo Pass
Japan Rail Hokkaido Pass
Japan Rail Kyushu Pass
Japan Rail West Kansai Pass

Who can get

If you have a permanent residence (for more than 6 months) outside of Japan, you are eligible to purchase or use a Japan Rail Pass.

How to use

As a proof of payment, you will receive an exchange voucher which must be turned to a Japan Rail Pass within 3 months from date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received. The date cannot be changed.
Exchange Order and Pass are only valid for the person named on the Exchange Order and Japan Rail Pass.
Once you arrive in Japan you should go to any of the Rail Pass exchange offices located in major train stations and international airports, and turn in the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Pass.

How to make seat reservations

During crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed of having a seat on a specific train. We strongly recommend you to make your reservations as soon as possible.
There is no extra charge for reserving a seat
A non-reserved seat can be used simply by presenting your personal Japan Rail Pass.
To make a reservation, you must go to any Travel Service Centre or Reservation Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows:
December 25th to January 5th: The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometowns areas.
April 29th to May 5th: Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is a large-scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
August 13th to 15th: Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the Obon season.