How to purchase a Eural Rail pass

If you purchase the rail pass from Rick or from RailEurope, it will be mailed to you. I think the same is true with Eurail (www.eurail.com), but I know you don't show up in Europe to get your pass.

And be sure you need a pass. Rail pass are not the deal they once were.

If you're leaving in 3 weeks, you had better order the Pass now!!! Normally, it takes 2-3 working days for it to arrive at your house. If you want it faster, you pay more and they will send it per Fed Ex. Bring the Pass with you to Europe to have it validated with a stamp of the train station, telling them which date you want to start it.

jason,

As the others mentioned, you can purchase Railpasses either from this website (click the "Railpasses" tab at the top) or from the Rail Europe website.

Be sure to carefully evaluate which Pass will be best for your needs. One important point to keep in mind is that Railpasses provide only the "ticket" portion of rail journeys. Some trains require compulsory reservations, and those are NOT covered by Railpasses. You'll have to pay separately for reservation fees, if required for a particular train. Usually the "fast" trains such as the TGV in France require reservations.

In my experience, Railpasses are delivered very quickly. When you place your order, a delivery time will be provided and this is usually very accurate.

Prior to first using your Railpass, it will need to be validated. This is very easy - simply present the Pass and your Passport at the first rail station you use, and they'll stamp the Pass.

You may find it helpful to download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website. Click on the "Railpasses" tab and look for the link to the Guide.

If you decide to take a night train, first make sure that your Pass covers all countries the route you are taking,e.g., if you're taking night train ,say, from Berlin to Vienna, check out the route you want first. If that route goes through the Czech Republic--a route I personally would avoid--and if your Pass covers only Germany and Austria, you'll need to buy a ticket prior to departure to cover the Czech part. You can save--I do this when I take the night from France to Germany--by not reserving a couchette or a sleeper, just sit in the Sitzwagen and sleep upright. You can just board with the Pass. Not all night trains require reservations, only the couchette and sleeper (Schlafwagen). Don't take a TGV or Thalys train unless you can't avoid it.