Why see Europe by train?
“It gives you an opportunity to just look out and see the beautiful countryside and to share it… from 40,000 feet up on a plane you don’t see a whole lot.”

 

Not only that, but choosing to travel through Europe by train has its logistical reasons too. The age requirement for driving a rental car in Europe is 26, so the train provides an excellent alternative mode of transportation for students and others under that age category. Youth fares for those under 26 are also available on most Eurail products.

 

However you want to travel in Europe – whether it be one train journey, seeing 2-3 countries, or you want to ride the rail system all throughout Europe without restriction – there is a Eurail product to suit your needs.

 

Do you need a point-to-point ticket, or a pass?
Do you know the cities where you want to travel? If you’re planning on visiting just two cities or traveling by rail for less than three days, a point-to-point ticket is likely the right product for you. We also offer tickets that can be used as airport transfers on certain routes, to and from the cities of your destination.

 

Rail passes are the ideal companion for the adventurous traveler wanting to see Europe on a whim. Rail passes are also perfect when you are taking several trains in different countries.  Planning to take more than 3 trains? Then a pass will generally give you the best value.  We have dozens of passes to chose from--Let a rail expert at Court Travel be your guide!

• The biggest value with a pass is that you can take any train at any time.
• They'll allow you to explore one or more countries and wait until you're in Europe to decide on the details.
• Point-to-Point tickets can get expensive -- A pass can be a great way to save $$$ when their individual cost exceeds the price of a pass.
• With a Pass you get "bonuses" (free rides on lake steamers and cable cars).

 

Do you need a consecutive pass or a Flexipass?  

• Consecutive passes allow you to travel by rail for a preset number of days.
• The Flexipass is valid for a specific number of days that don’t necessarily have to be consecutive (for instance, three days within a month). They offer the ultimate flexibility to choose which days you wish to travel by rail.
• ‘Saver’ passes can be used if multiple passengers are traveling together on the same trains.
  

 

SAMPLE PASS FARES:

Pass Type	Adult Fare (1st Class)	Youth/Student Fare (2nd Class)
Consecutive Global Pass: 1 month	$ 1,172	$ 763
Global Flexipass: 10 days in 2 months	859	561
German Rail Pass: 4 days	340	216

 

How do I use my pass?

• Activate your pass on the first day of travel by presenting it with your passport at the station ticket booth.
• If you plan on riding a high-speed trains or night train, be advised that you may need a separate, advance reservation for your seat or sleeper. This can be paid for locally, or in advance at Court Travel.

 

A word about overnight trains

Overnight trains provide a unique way to travel through Europe.  Save the cost of a hotel room and arrive at your destination the next morning!

• You can purchase a Point to Point ticket for your overnight trip that will include the sleeper berth in the class of your choice.  
• Passes will allow you to board an overnight train in the class that your pass is valid for- you get a seat, but they do not entitle you to a sleeper berth, You must purchase a supplement for the berth in the class that your pass is valid. 
• Second class seats consist of couchettes, which can be compared to sleeping on the couch. They are not private accommodations.
• A first-class sleeper allows for much more privacy and comfort.

 

Accommodations vary by train, so let a rail expert at Court Travel help you decide which is best for you!

SAMPLE POINT-TO-POINT FARES:

Route	1st Class Fare	2nd Class Fare
Paris --> Amsterdam	$ 267	$ 165
Frankfurt --> Zurich	233	148
Berlin --> Munich	286	181
Venice --> Florence	84	56
Florence --> Rome	74	50

*Note that these are sample fares only and that rates change often. Please check with us for the most current pricing for your desired route.

Eurostar fares are priced in a similar way to airline tickets: the closer you get to departure, the more expensive the tickets will be. So be sure to book as far in advance as possible!

 

How convenient is taking the train?
When you take a train through Europe, most stations are located in the city center. So when it's time to get off, you are only steps away from all the city's main sights.
 

Payment and Reservations
Court Travel, Ltd. is proud to be the only agency in the Carolinas to issue Eurail products locally.  That's right---we issue your rail tickets in our office.  We have access to literally thousands of rail schedules and have all of the up-to-date info on passes and ticket prices. So why try to figure it out on your own!

 

We can also take care of your sleeper or specialty train seat reservations. We accept credit cards as method of payment and require the credit card to be imprinted prior to issuing the pass.   All rail pass orders are processed with a $20.00 fee.

 

Be advised: if within three days of departure, your pass or ticket must be paid for and issued immediately. Last-minute requests are also subject to a priority processing fee of $35.