EURAIL PASS ORIENTATION

1. EURAIL PASS ORIENTATION Innsbruck International Summer School 2013

2. Overview of presentation • How does the Eurail pass work? • Eurail office in Innsbruck • Important Eurail Info • Reservations • Insurance • Planning your travel Questions • Luggage

4. How does the Eurail Pass work? • In order for you to use the Eurail pass, you first have to fill it out. • In addition, you are required to activate your Eurail pass prior to its first use. • We recommend that you activate your pass one or two days before your very first use!

5. NOTE: If your pass is not activated, a train conductor can require you to pay a fine in addition to buying the full price ticket. He or she can even remove you from the train at the next train station. You activate your Eurail Pass at a Eurail Office.

6. Eurail Offices • There is an official Eurail office located very conveniently at the Innsbruck main train station (Hauptbahnhof). • They are open daily from 6:30am to 9:45pm.

7. Participating Countries • Your Eurail Pass can be used with the participating railway companies and countries listed on the pass. • Your Eurail Pass is valid in 24 countries, which are listed on your pass cover • Excluded countries are: UK, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro

8. Important Eurail Info • The Eurail pass is non-transferable! • It must be accompanied by a valid passport! • It does not include your seat reservation >>>it does not guarantee you a seat! • It must be validated!

9. Insurance • If you purchased the Rail Protection Plan™, it will cover you in case of lossor theft • It won’t cover you in case of a strike!

10. Loss or Theft • Eurail pass holders must file a police report within 24 hours of the incident • Eurail pass holders must purchase a replacement rail pass or rail ticket(s) in order to continue with the travel

11. Upon return to the US, rail pass/ticket holders must submit a statement to REI (Rail Europe, Inc.) within 30 days including:

12. Police Report • Replacement rail passes or tickets purchased abroad • RPP Traveler’s Request Form (Rail Protection Plan) • Airline Tickets from US to Europe and return tickets • A brief explanation of the situation

13. Rail Protection Plan • The Rail Protection Plan does not apply to pre-existing illness or injuries. • Coverage does not apply for tickets/rail passes lost prior to departing the US • More information can be found under www.raileurope.com under Rail Protection Plan Terms and Conditions

14. Do I need to make a reservation? YES! • Reservations are recommended or even mandatory for some trains. • Advance reservations are recommended during high-season and holidays.

15. Trains that require reservations • Most high-speed trains & overnight trains require an advance reservation. • Trains that do require a mandatory reservation are indicated by the symbol in timetables. • Online timetables also indicate when a reservation is necessary. • Reserve seats with your friends.

16. Planning your travel • Most countries have timetables and travel planners available on their national railway website. • Many websites list train connections, as well as bus, metro and ferry connections.

17. www.oebb.at www.bahn.de

18. Day Trains • Day trains have two seating arrangements: • Coach car seating (open with center aisle and two seats on either side) • Compartment car (separated into cabins of 6 or 8 seats, which open to a corridor) • When reserving seats you may choose: window or aisle seats, adjoining or opposite seats, smoking/non-smoking, etc.

20. Night Trains • Great way to travel long distances and save money & time • Must have a reservation! • Take care of your valuables • You may have to give your passport to the attendant/conductor (this is a very common procedure!)

21. Night Trains • On night trains you can choose among: • Sleepers • Couchettes • Sleeperettes (reclining seats) • If you reserve a sleeper or couchette, a sheet, blanket and pillow are provided.

22. Sleepers • Sleepers are separate compartments, with 1, 2 or 3 beds/bunks. Generally, sleepers are allocated exclusively for either men or women. • Washrooms/toilets are located at the end of each car

23. Couchette cars • Couchette cars offer standard sleeping accommodation. • They offer a place to lie down with a pillow, a blanket and a sheet. • There are couchette cars with compartments for 4 or 6 persons. • Washrooms/toilets are located at the end of each car.

24. Sleeperettes • In some night trains sleeperettes (reclining seats) are available.

25. Important notice for night travel • If you begin your trip on a direct overnight train departing after 7pm (19.00h) and arriving after 4am (4.00h), only enter the date of the arrival in the travel calendar on your ticket. • Travel between 7pm and 12am on the day of the departure is then covered.

26. Train types & Ferries • You can use a great variety of trains. Your EurailPass also gives you a discount on various ferries. • High Speed Trains • Overnight Trains • Scenic Trains • Express & Local Trains • Ferries

27. 1. High Speed Train • Fast, up to 187.5 mph • Widespread high speed network throughout Europe 2. Overnight Trains • Travel large distances while you sleep • Choice of sleeper, couchette, or sleeperette 3. Scenic Trains • Travel on Europe’s most scenic routes • Breathtaking views, sometimes part of the UNESCO World Heritage

28. 4. Express & Local Trains • Travel with the locals on Europe’s most common trains • Reservations are often not required 5. Ferries • Discounted or free for Eurail Pass holders • Travel by ship where trains can’t go

29. Find your way at the train station • Most European railway stations are centrally located & well served by public transportation. • Train stations are often like mini cities with every imaginable service: restaurants, ATMs, currency exchange, groceries, etc.

30. Finding and Boarding the train • First check the large display table in the main hall for arrival information, such as the correct platform and whether there are any delays. • You should get to the platform 10-15 minutes before arrival. • Be ready to board the train the minute it arrives.

31. Finding and Boarding the Train • Numbers posted on each car or on a window show if the car is 1st or 2nd class • Destination placard and car numbers are placed near the door. Trains can be split and sent in different directions.

32. How to find your reserved seat: • If you have made a reservation, you have to check the car number and seat number printed on the reservation ticket • Most major trains stations have a car/coach locator

34. How to find your reserved seat: • Seat numbers are generally indicated on the headrest. • A reserved seat is often indicated by a small label on the wall next to the window.

36. Are we there yet? • Station stops aren’t always announced, or may be announced in a foreign language you don’t understand • Take note of your scheduled arrival time and the names of last stations before your stop so you’ll be prepared to exit the train when it arrives

37. Luggage • Trains either have overhead storage racks throughout the car, storage room behind the back of your seat, or luggage areas at the front and the end of each car • You are not allowed to take more than 3 items of luggage (We recommend no more than 1!) • You will have to carry & store the luggage yourself and are responsible for it.

38. Food on the train • Most European long-distance trains have full-service restaurant cars offering breakfast, lunch & dinner. • Other trains offer light meals, snacks and drinks in a buffet car or on a cart that is wheeled through all cars periodically. • It is quite common to bring your own food and refreshments on the train.

39. How to fill out your Eurail Pass

40. Stay safe and look out for each other! • Enjoy your travel!!! • Questions?