Maybe I'm making this too hard. If a Eurail pass is a "10-days in 2 months" pass, does the 2 month period begin the first day the pass is used? Does the 10-day period have to be consecutive days, or can it be used as many times in 1 day as you wish, but being used no more than ANY 10 days in the 2 month period?
With respect to German Rail, if a pass is "10 days in 1 month", again, does the month begin the first day the pass is used or on the first day of the calendar month?
We will be traveling through Germany, France, Austria, & the Czek Rep. beginning at the end of one month and continuing into the next.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32330 posts
ld,
You may find it helpful to read this.....
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/using-your-rail-pass
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
x days in y months mean you can travel on x different days (consecutive or not) within a window of y months that begins on the day you first used your pass for a trip.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
And do you really need a railpass? Most people, after doing the math using the applicable national rail websites (NOT the inflated 1st class only estimates given by RailEurope or Eurail) conclude that a rail pass is a waste of money.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
There are (3, 4, & 5 country) Select passes. These are for any days in the time period of the pass.
Global passes are for all countries in the Eurail zone. They come as any 10 or 15 day in 2 months or as 15, 21, etc continuous days. There is no 10 continuous day pass, so, if you get a 10 day pass, it is for any 10 days in the period.
The period starts when you validate the pass at a train station in Europe. That day can be earlier than the first day of use. If the validity period is 2 months and you are going to be in Europe for 3 months, you might as well wait to validate it until your first day of use, but if you're only going to be in Europe a month, you might as well get it validated at your first opportunity. You "use" a day of the pass when you fill in the date in one of the boxes. Warning: In Europe, the number 1 looks like a droopy seven, the seven has a crossbar. If you fill in a seven, make sure you include the crossbar or the conductor can claim you used that day six days ago.
Posted by
San Francisco
14809 posts
The problem with the Select Pass now is that France is no longer a party to this three country set-up. If it still were, getting a three country Select Pass would solve your problems on the itinerary listed above. That's what I used prior with that sort of itinerary.
With the itinerary above I would get the Austria-Germany Pass, 10 days/ 2 mo., 2nd class. If you take the EN ot CNL night trains, say Berlin-Vienna via Munich, you'll have to pay extra for a sleeper or couchette even with the Pass. The cheapest is a compartment seat or the sleeperette. With the Pass that's 15-20 Euro. That still has to be reserved. The train controller will want to see your reservation for the seat you are occupying first, then your Pass.