FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

You can contact us at our toll-free U.S. number to pay with multiple cards. However, a pass cannot be paid in installments.

Not all passes are available for sale in Europe, and it will depend on which country you are in whether you can purchase a pass. Passes that can be purchased are usually priced higher than they would be through RailPass.com. Passes can be purchased at Eurail Aid Offices, located at major European train stations; you can find their locations in the Eurail app.

Most major train stations have a variety of services including food vendors, shops, assistance with tickets, newsstands (which is often where you purchase tickets for the local bus and subway system), left luggage (luggage storage), tourism information, hotel-booking services, and more.

Smaller stations will offer fewer services, but ticketing and some form of luggage storage are standard, as is a newsstand and, often, a place to eat.

It is possible to change the name on a pass so long as the pass has not been used. This requires you sending the pass back to the issuing office (where it was printed) in order to have the pass re-issued with the new name(s). Please send an email with your Order ID number and the correct information for all persons named on the pass.

Yes, the major train stations are just beginning to offer this service—but please be careful and make sure you are working with a licensed operator.

You will not need to show your passport to board the train, but you should have this in your possession when the conductor comes around to check your ticket.

First-class seating is more spacious, with fewer seats per compartment, and usually more quiet. There is more room for luggage and it will generally be less crowded as most passengers typically travel in second class. First-class accommodations may also include laptop connection plugs, complimentary soft drinks, free newspapers, leather seats, and/or meals. There are benefits on overnight trains as well; first-class passengers are usually allocated a single or double sleeper compartment, while those in second class may be required to occupy couchettes with up to six persons per compartment.

NOTE: If you have purchased a First Class Eurail pass you must purchase first-class seat reservations.

Carriage numbers and seat numbers are usually clearly marked, so you should have no trouble, but you can always ask a conductor for help.

Some trains may split at certain junctions; one part going one way and the other another way or stopping. Make sure that you are seated in the right part of the train when you board. You can do this by looking at a diagram of your train, which is usually posted on the platform, by listening to announcements, or by asking an official.

In some cases, the platform itself may be marked with corresponding numbers or letters. Numbers on the outside of the train cars indicate whether they are First or Second Class.

The track number will be provided at the station before the train leaves the station.

No. You will only be able to board your train when your track number is announced.

 Eurail passes will have often have promotional offers, typically during the early spring and late fall.  Otherwise, pricing is standardized for rail passes and all legitimate vendors must sell passes at the official price. In terms of different types of passes, there are discounts for youths (ages 12–28), and Seniors (ages 60+). Children ages 4–11 are free. For a complete list of discounts currently on offer, visit our Deals page.  

IMPORTANT: You MUST validate your rail pass before boarding your first train. See an agent at a Customer Service Desk at the train station prior to boarding.

If you have already validated the pass and are using a consecutive-day pass, you can just hop on board any train from then on (though remember to validate any printed seat reservation slips in the box at the track before boarding).

If, however, you are using a flexipass, before boarding the train you must fill in the pass's calendar box with the day's date (or, if after 7 p.m. on an overnight train, the following day's date).

A train ticket is valid for travel from Point A to Point B, like the ones available on ItaliaRail.com for Italy. A rail pass allows you ride on as many trains as you can take in a travel day (24 hours). Some trains do require you make a seat reservation ahead of time—included with a train ticket; as a separate purchase with a rail pass.

If your connecting train is from the same station, you will just have to find the right track. If you're unsure where your connecting train departs from, ask the conductor on board your train. This information is not normally published in advance but closer to the time you will board the train.

Regional and local trains often use tracks in different areas of the train station, therefore you should allow plenty of time to make your connection. Do not worry if your connecting train departs from a different station; this is quite common, especially when connecting in big European capital cities, which often have many train stations. If this is the case, our system takes the additional travel into account and allows enough time for you to travel to the other station.

If the connecting train leaves from a different rail station in town, allow ample time to make the transfer. Usually, you can easily make the trek on public transportation, such as a bus or subway, or you may decide to catch a cab—although this can sometimes be challenging due to long taxi lines or heavy traffic in certain cities, such as Paris or London.