Inter-Rail: Around Europe by Train
June 11, 2010
The Inter-Rail is a train ticket that allows you to travel throughout Europe, Morocco and the Asian side of Turkey for four consecutive weeks to any destination you choose. Here we reveal some secrets for you to know absolutely everything Inter-Rail, the options it offers and how to get the maximum benefit.
Inter-Rail: Europe Inter-Rail train is a train ticket that allows you to travel throughout Europe, Morocco and the Asian side of Turkey for four consecutive weeks to any destination you choose. Here we reveal some secrets for you to know absolutely everything Inter-Rail, the options it offers and how to get the maximum benefit.
Trains in Europe are connected in such a way to tour the continent using only this means of transport. Trains arrive at major cities and some not-so-and connect in turn to train Asian and African countries. It is a very practical way to travel from country to country, not only because the tours are very thorough, but also for its speed.
Not long ago there were few people who could afford such a trip, which included a stop in each country, from Lisbon to Barcelona, from Barcelona to Paris and Paris to Amsterdam. Each stop amounted to a new passenger and more money. But suddenly the companies agreed to make life easier for the traveler, especially one who does not have much money, and increasingly young adventurers decided to travel around this amazing continent with a passenger train that included at three months all the trips they want to do. In 90 years this phenomenon became a fashion and was the beginning of a real exchange between young people around the world that were known at platforms and trains and ended up sharing their vacation.
You could say that somehow the Inter-Rail changed the way we travel in Europe. But although much want not to plan your itinerary and let the train take you to any destination, it is important that you consider a series of data that you may be very useful.
Anybody can travel by Inter-Rail?
The Inter-Rail will allow you to travel in 2nd class for the companies participating in this plan. It is important to make sure what those companies to reach their destination safely.
The Inter-Rail tickets dependent by age of traveler: the Inter-Rail -26 is for youth under 26 years. Then there is the Inter-Rail 26 +, which has no age limit and the Inter-Rail -12, which is for children who have not yet reached 12 years of age. Children younger than 4 years can travel free if not occupying a seat.
The key insight is that the only people who can buy an Inter-Rail ticket are those who have registered in the European countries that are part of the route. For this it is necessary to show that you have been resident in either country for a minimum of six months. You must prove your identity and date of birth with European documentation, or papers that prove that this is your place of residence.
However, if you do not meet the requirements almost like there is another possibility: the Eurail Pass.
How does the Eurail Pass?
The Eurail Pass has six options, according to the duration of your trip, your age, if you travel in groups and what kind you want to buy your ticket. The most popular alternative among young travelers is the Eurail Pass, allowing you to travel through 17 countries for 3 months straight. The same choice exists for children less than 25 years and is called Eurail Youth Pass. This ticket has the advantage of being the longest lets you travel around Europe without having to renew it or pay extra. It also includes excerpts from Ferry and bus to save time traveling by sea. The time limit is that the visa given to tourists is three months’ duration.
Bridging the divide and residence time in Europe, the Inter-Rail and Eurail Pass prices are equal and vary depending on travel time, number of passengers and ages, from 143-1324 Euros.
Zoning
The railway network is divided into nine geographical areas and tickets are limits according to the number of zones you want to go, so it will be a little cheaper walk one or two areas in depth to go the entire continent in the same period. But you should be careful because, according to the ticket you purchased, you will probably have a certain amount of days to move from one region and need to change to another of your choice for the ticket is valid.
Reservations, extra credits and discounts
The Inter-Rail is a transportation company in itself, but a plan of several companies and each is handled differently. It is common to hear from travelers who have been in Europe and have had to wait for hours to board a train because they made reservations. If you have your ticket, you also book your place on the train, otherwise you’ll be hours waiting at the station or travel in the aisle. Reservations can be made 60 days in advance at the same station, in the office of the train company with which you are traveling.
It is useful to know that in some places, companies can charge you an extra payment for travel on a high speed train, in cars and bunk beds, passing from second to first class or make an Intercity. The Intercity trains are traveling within the same country, stopping in several cities. Trains are also hotels that are most comfortable, but also more expensive. So before booking a ticket, asked what type of train you can travel and if you pay a plus. Stay tuned for that under no circumstances can charge you extra for express trains and suburban that such travel is covered by the Inter-Rail.
How to use the Inter-Rail?
The Inter-Rail ticket has some leaves that you must complete, which will start writing and what the journey is the destination. Each time you board a train, you must teach the sheet corresponding to that trip and, if you’ve made reservations, you must also incorporate the ticket reservation.
10 tips
• Documentation: Always carry with you all necessary documentation and try to keep in different places to prevent the loss of a suitcase or a purse ruin your trip. You can also make a photocopy of your Identity Document for anything that may happen to the original. And if you’re obsessively cautious, scan your documents and send them to an email address that you can check from anywhere.
• Medical insurance: It is important that they have health insurance. Prevention is always better to have no regrets of any health problem that can happen to you.
• Money: Try to use traveler’s checks or credit cards and little cash. In Europe there is a single ATM network that works in all countries and can provide you that much.
• Contingencies: All kinds of things can happen in a long journey. In Europe there is plenty to see and therefore many expenses. It would be a good idea to carry some extra money to avoid having to return early.
• Languages: Due to the diversity of languages spoken on the continent is important that you take a guide with some key words in all countries way around without problems.
• Reservations: If you are planning to drift around Europe, think again. At least make sure some destinations and booking early train tickets and accommodation as is common in the season the demand exceeds the supply.
• Itinerary: You will not be possible to visit all European cities and is likely to want to stay somewhere a little more time. Do not forget to inform what the places worth seeing are and improvisation will prevent headaches.
• Luggage: Bring only the essentials. The extra weight and even you may find it prohibitively inconvenient for excursions and all kinds of activities that require you to take your entire luggage with you.
• Cases safe: If you plan to do brief stops, staying a few hours in each city, keep in mind that there are train stations lockers where you can store your luggage for very little money.
• Sleeping on the train: An alternative that lets you visit as many destinations in a short time is to sleep on trains. Trains Hotels find out before booking your ticket. You will pay extra, but you can sleep while saving much time traveling.
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