Benelux Pass

• Q. How far in advance can I purchase a train ticket?

  A. Train tickets can be purchased in a booking horizon of 30 to 180 days in advance of a journey. This booking horizon depends on the route and each rail carrier’s policy.

  In order to take advantage of the best prices and availability, always book as far in advance as possible. It’s particularly important to book early during peak travel seasons to ensure you can travel on the date you wish.

  Please note – when planning a journey you can always enter a date within 30 days of today to view general travel times and ticket fares.

  Booking horizon by country (in advance of the date of travel):*

  Austria - 90 days
  Balkans - 60 days
  Benelux (International) - 90 days
  Croatia/Slovenia (International) - 90 days
  Czech Republic (International) - 60 days
  Denmark - 60 days
  Finland - 60 days
  France - 90 days
  Germany - 180 days
  Great Britain - 75 days
  Hungary (International) - 90 days
  Italy - 120 days
  Montenegro/Serbia - 90 days
  Norway - 90 days
  Spain - 60 days
  Sweden - 180 days
  Switzerland - 90 days
  Poland (Domestic) - 30 days
  Poland (International) - 60 days
  Romania (Domestic) - 30 days
  Romania (International) - 90 days
  Russia - 45 days

  Booking horizons for the major train lines or carriers (in advance of the date of travel):*

  Allegro - 60 days
  ATOC Britain - 90 days
  Berlin-Warsaw Express - 60 days
  DB - 180 days
  Eurostar - 180 days
  France-Freiburg (Breisgau)TGV - 90 days
  France-Germany High Speed - 90 days
  France-Italy TGV - 90 days
  France - Russia - 60 days
  France-Spain High Speed - 119 days
  Germany-Italy Day - 120 days
  Hungarian Trains - 90 days
  ICE - 180 days
  Lusitania - 60 days
  Lyria - 90 days
  NTV Italo - 120 days
  RENFE - 60 days
  Romanian Night Trains - 90 days
  Thalys - 90 days
  Thello Night - 120 days
  Tolstoy - 60 days
  Trenitalia (Domestic) - 120 days
  Trenitalia (International) - 120 days

  *Subject to change.

• Q. Are there lounges at the train station I can access with my Rail Europe tickets?

  A. Some of the main train stations in larger European cities offer lounges. Access to lounges depends on the type of train ticket you have; generally a First class ticket is needed.

  Trains that offer lounge access are:
  Eurostar
  Thalys
  TGV
  AVE
  TGV Est
  TGV International
  Virgin
  Alvia
  Euromed
  SJ High Speed
  Altaria
  Trenitalia International Night
  Spanish Night Trains

  To learn more about lounge access for any of the above trains, we encourage you to visit the product page for the train.

• Q. Do I need to book a rail pass for everyone in my traveling party, including children and infants?

  A. You will need to book a rail pass for each adult and child. In the case of a saver pass, it’s one rail pass with each traveller’s name listed on the pass. Some rail passes offer free child discounts, the children need to be added to the rail pass at the time of booking, there will be no charge incurred for them, however. While a child under 4 years of age and sharing a seat with an adult does not need to book a rail pass. If the child will occupy his/her own seat, a rail pass must be purchased for them, as well as a reservation when needed.

• Q. I just placed a booking and realized I made a mistake. How can I make changes?

  A. If you need to get in touch with us regarding your booking, please visit our Contact Us page for assistance. As long as it hasn’t been invoiced yet, it’s usually not a problem to fix it. However, please note that an exchange fee and price change may be applicable depending on what needs to be changed.

• Q. Where can I find specific information regarding the services offered on the train I'll be taking?

  A. We try to provide you with as many details about your train trip as possible. When you’re searching for train fares and schedules, click on the train numbers listed on the results page. Choose the class of service you prefer to sit in and you’ll be able to see all onboard services offered.

• Q. Can I bring food and drinks on board?

  A. Of course you can! Eating and drinking are permitted on all European trains.

  You will also have the option to purchase food and drinks if the train you’re traveling on offers food services.

• Q. What food and drink options are on board?

  A. If the train you’re traveling on offers a bar-buffet car, you’re free to walk in, sit down and eat. Or as soon as the restaurant car opens, make a reservation for any time of day.
  On many long distance trains there may be an attendant with a snack cart who travels from car to car.

  Bar-buffet cars are a unique part of the train experience, where the quality of the food and wine can rival that of a gourmet restaurant. With the exception of Eurostar, special meal requests are not available. But typically, regular menu options are plentiful and usually cater to most taste buds or dietary restrictions.

  If you travel with a Premier Class ticket, food and drinks are included and served at your seat or in the bar-buffet car.

  On local trains there’s usually no catering. However, you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks on board. Please make sure to follow the local law when considering taking alcoholic drinks on board any train.

• Q. Do I need to do anything to my train ticket before boarding the train?

  A. If you purchased and received a paper train ticket in the mail, there is nothing further you need to do.

  If you purchased a print at home e-ticket, be sure to print your ticket before you leave home and keep your train ticket safe and secure. For Italo tickets, just print your Rail Europe email confirmation which includes your unique e-ticket confirmation code(s). This e-ticket confirmation code along with your photo i.d. will be checked when on the Italo train.

  If you purchased a print at the station e-ticket, you’ll need to visit a self-service kiosk to print your train ticket (remember, you’ll need the e-ticket confirmation code included on your invoice). When retrieving your e-ticket in France at an SNCF kiosk or in Italy at a Trenitalia kiosk, you will need to “stamp your ticket” (composter votre ticket as French say) prior to boarding the train. Should you have any problems, just ask the conductor of the train to do it for you when you board the train.

• Q. Is there onboard medical help in case of emergency?

  A. Currently most trains do not carry emergency medical equipment. In case of a medical emergency, conductors on board will radio ahead to the next stop so that help will be ready and waiting.

• Q. Do rail passes cover commuter trains or airport shuttle trains?

  A. Yes. Certain rail passes do, but not all.

  It’s best to view the product page of the rail pass you are interested in to learn about all the benefits it offers travellers.

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