While gathering information to purchase my 3-country Eurail Select Pass for an April, 2013 trip, I discovered the pass must be purchased before Dec. 31,2012. The French National Railway company SNCF will withdraw its participation in the Eurail Select Pass as of January 1, 2013. BUT if purchased now, in 2012, you will have the usual 6 months to validate it and it will be usable in France in 2013, during that 6-month period. If you wait to purchase a Select Pass in 2013 you will not be able to choose France as an option. (Global and Regional passes are not affected). I just happened upon this information and wanted to pass it along...Elizabeth
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Northamptonshire, England
33816 posts
Elizabeth, this is information that we have mentioned here previously, but your comment is the best summary of the French 2013 withdrawal I have seen. Unfortunately you posted this in the "Trip Reports" section of the Helpline and it is unlikely those who look in the "To the West" section which encompasses France or "Transportation" for transportation issues will see it. This "Trip Reports" section is for trip reports.