There’s an array of choices in getting around in Europe, though they can be confusing. Rail passes are available in various options and may be combined with rental car, bus or airline deals.
By far the most popular way to get around, the European rail system is extensive, reliable and safe, and high-speed rail service, introduced in France in 1981 as the TGV (Train Grand Vitesse ), continues to expand with comfortable, modern high-speed trains operating within Britain, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany and France.
The choices available can depend on the number of countries visited and the age of the tourist. Most passes must be purchased before arriving in Europe.
When does it pay to buy a rail pass? Bernard Frelat, president of Rail Europe Group, distributors of European rail travel tickets in North America, says: “How you travel within Europe must be determined by your own personal plans; there is a rail pass designed to suit any itinerary, including the new Europass, which is good for the three to five major countries that most Americans visit. The only time a rail pass is not useful is if you’re going to only one country or if you’re visiting places so remote that you need a car. Even then, there are combination rail-and-drive passes”-and single-country passes.
The oldest and best-known of the passes, the Eurailpass, is good for unlimited first-class travel in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The cost of a Eurailpass ranges from $498 for 15 consecutive days to $1,398 for three months.
Variations on the Eurailpass include the Eurail Flexipass, which permits first-class travel for a certain number of days, not necessarily consecutive, within a specific period; Eurail Youth Flexipass, for unlimited second-class travel for people younger than 26; and Eurail Saverpass, for three persons traveling together during peak season (April 1 to Sept. 30) or two or more persons at other times.
Rates for the Flexipass: five travel days within two months, $348; 10 travel days within two months, $560; and 15 travel days within two months, $740. The Youth Flexipass costs $255 for any five days in two months; $398 for any 10 days in two months; and $540 for any 15 days in two months. The Saverpass is $430 a person for 15 days; $550 for 21 days; and $678 for a month.
New in 1994 is the Europass. This is a more flexible version of the Eurailpass, permitting first-class travel in France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Switzerland with add-ons for Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Britain. Travel in up to three countries for five to seven days in a two-month period is $280-$356; up to four countries for eight to 10 days is $394-$470; and up to five countries for 11 to 15 days costs $508-$660. A Youth Europass for travelers 26 or under, at a reduced rate, is also available.
To find out if a pass will save you money, first check the individual fares for the itinerary you have planned. For instance, the one-way, first-class fare from Milan to Zurich is $85; Zurich to Paris, $117; Paris to Brussels, $103; Brussels to Frankfurt, $102; and Frankfurt to Berlin, $148. Thus, individual tickets for this routing covering five countries on five travel days would cost a total of $555.
Now compare that cost to the various passes. You’d save a little with the Eurailpass at $498-if you completed your travel within 15 days. You’d save more with the Europass at $394 plus a $22 add-on for Belgium. But the Flexipass would be your best deal since a pass covering five days of travel is only $348-and you’d have two months to finish your trip.
Other trips would produce different results. A tour of, say, six countries with travel occurring on 10 days in a 15-day period would make the $498 Eurailpass your best bet. Or, if you limited yourself to visiting just three of the countries covered by the Europass, you’d pay only $280 for the same five travel days.
But these programs are only the beginning.
The EurailDrive program combines first-class rail travel with car rental. There are a variety of options, and Avis and Hertz cars are available. Prices start at $299 a person for two people traveling together.
Regional passes are useful for visiting two or three countries. The BritFrance Railpass, for instance, is good for unlimited rail travel in Britain and France, plus a one-way Channel crossing. There is also a BritFrance Rail ‘n Drive combination.
The Benelux Tourrail Pass is for unlimited travel through Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and the Scanrailpass covers Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. For travelers to Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia there’s a European East Pass and the new European East Rail ‘n Drive Pass.
There are countless options and permutations offered in all these programs. It’s wise to check with travel agents or guidebooks. Order a Eurailpass by phoning 800-722-7151. You will receive a Eurail timetable, a “Eurail Travelers Guide” booklet and a Eurail network map along with your pass, within two business days. Europe Through the Back Door, which prints guides and offers travel services for the budget traveler, sells all European passes; telephone 206-771-8303.
The InterRail Pass can be bought only in Europe by people who are under age 26 and who have been in Europe for at least six months. This pass provides a month of second-class travel in 27 European countries for about $400. Rick Steves’ 1994 “Europe Through the Back Door” guide to rail passes says the residency requirement is not strictly enforced in some countries and suggests you phone the tourist office of the country where you plan to purchase the pass and check on the residency requirements and availability of the pass.
Many countries offer passes for travel within their countries, such as the BritRail Pass, which lets its holders book reduced-cost hotel rooms. An eight-day first-class adult fare, for instance, is $299. There is a Flexipass with a variety of options, and BritRail also has passes for unlimited travel on London’s buses and subway system and discount coupons for London attractions. Prices for adults are $25 for three days; $32 for four days; and $49 for seven days. Passes can be purchased from travel agents, or brochures may be requested or passes purchased by calling 800-677-8585.
For information regarding rail passes and rail-and-drive combinations in Europe call Rail Europe at 800-4-EURAIL for a catalog of programs.
The opening of the 31-mile-long tunnel under the English Channel later this year will make it possible to travel from London to Paris or Brussels in about three hours by train. New trains have been designed, and the service will be called Eurostar. Reservations can’t be made yet, but travelers may write to: Eurostar Reservations Center-GB94, BritRail Travel International, 1500 Broadway, 10th floor, New York, N.Y. 10036. You will be contacted when the reservations system is in place.
Here are other ways to get around in Europe:
By car: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road everywhere except the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Seat belts are required for drivers and front-seat passengers.
The highways are good, but gasoline is more expensive than in the U.S. and speed limits are marked in kilometers. Your state license is all you’ll need in most countries. Greece, Hungary, Poland and Spain require international drivers’ permits in addition; these can be purchased from the American Automobile Association and affiliated clubs for $10. You must submit two recent, identical, 2-by-2-inch photographs.
Most major car rental firms are represented in cities throughout Europe. It’s usually less expensive to rent before leaving the U.S., and there are a variety of fly/drive plans. Check insurance requirements with your travel agent or local auto club.
By water: Much of Europe can be seen from ferry crossings, lake or river excursions, cruises with stops at major ports. Of course, crossing the English Channel by ferry is probably the most widely known water excursion to Americans. Many crossings, such as the Dover, England, to Calais, France, route, have been upgraded to compete with the new tunnel train service.
Service on other routes between Britain and France is frequent. There also is regular boat service connecting major ports in the North and Baltic Seas and crisscrossing the Mediterranean. You can get inexpensive ferry service between Athens and many Greek islands, and Turkey operates coastal ferries and boats to Greek islands and to Italy.
By bus: Bus and rail/bus passes are available in many countries. Britain’s Tourist Trail flexi bus pass, for instance, allows unlimited travel in England, Scotland and Wales on the National Express bus service. Prices range from $75 to $270, depending on number of travel days.
You also can travel from country to country by bus. Amsterdam to Paris by bus takes eight hours and costs $40. By taking the train, you save one hour but pay $40 more for a second-class fare.
By air: Flights within Europe are notoriously expensive. However, some carriers now are offering reduced-price passes or special segment deals, usually in connection with a trans-Atlantic flight on the same carrier.
