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Train travel in
Germany is easy. Trains are clean, punctual and reach all major urban
destinations. Passes make train travel economical, but remember that most have
to be purchased outside of Germany. For most passes, children four to 11 years
old get half-price tickets, and children under four ride for free. These passes
don’t provide discounts for seniors.
The options
described below come in four categories, starting with passes just for travel in
Germany, then Selectpasses for travel in three adjoining countries, then
Europasses for travel in five specific countries including Germany, and finally
the Eurail pass collection for travel throughout the 17 Eurail countries. Links
to current fare costs and bonus information are located at the end of the
article.
Riding
the train in Germany
(c) Michael T. Schumacher
Passes for Germany
These passes will get travelers around only on the German national railway
system, plus some additional bonus transportation services such as S-Bahns or
lake steamers.
German Railpass
Choose a pass that allows you unlimited travel from four to ten days within one
month on Germany’s national train system and steamers. Passes may be first- or
second-class tickets.
Twin Pass
This is a discounted German Railpass for two adults traveling together. The
price of a Twin Pass is about 75 percent of two individual tickets, whether
first or second class.
German Rail
Youthpass
For travelers under 26 years of age, this pass provides a second-class ticket
for four to ten days of unlimited travel within a one-month period. The discount
is about 20 percent of a regular adult second-class ticket.
German Rail
‘n’ Drive
Two adults can get two days of unlimited train travel in Germany, and two
days of Hertz car rental with unlimited mileage. Travel must be completed within
one month. Choose an automatic or manual transmission for your car, and first
or second class for your train travel. You can purchase unlimited additional car
days, and up to three additional days of rail travel. A third or fourth
passenger needs only a German railpass to accompany the two adults.
Selectpasses
See up to three countries in Europe.
Eurail
Selectpass
If you want to visit only two or three countries in Europe, this is the pass for
you. Countries must be adjoined by train or boat and be part of the Eurail
network. Travel five, six, eight, or ten days in first class, within a two-month
period. There are plenty of bonuses, such as a discount on the Eurostar train,
which runs in the channel tunnel between France and the U.K.
Eurail
Selectpass Saver
This pass allows two or more people to get the Eurail Selectpass at a
discount.
Eurail Selectpass
Youth
Travelers under 26
years of age can get a discounted Eurail Selectpass with the exception that
travel is in second class.
Eurail Selectpass
Drive
Two adults can
combine three days of train travel and three days of car rental (Avis or Hertz)
within three adjoining Eurail countries. You can purchase up to four additional
rail days and unlimited car rental days. A third or fourth passenger gets a
discounted fare.
Europasses
See up to five countries, including Germany.
The Europass
allows travelers to visit five specific countries, which are Germany, France,
Italy, Spain and Switzerland. For a fee, you can visit two additional countries
or country groups, which are Austria-Hungary, Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg,
Netherlands), Greece and Portugal.
Europass
Get unlimited travel in first class for any five, six, eight or ten days in a
two-month period.
Europass Saver
Get the same travel options as with the Europass, but each traveler gets a 15
percent discount.
Europass Youth
Travelers under 26 can get the Europass for a discount but must ride in second
class.
Europass Drive
This pass provides three days of first-class travel for two adults, and two days of car rental with unlimited mileage.
Additional rail days and car rental days are available, as well as discounted
fares for additional passengers.
Eurail
Passes
See up the 17 countries in Europe.
The countries are
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary,
Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden and
Switzerland.
Eurail Pass
Get unlimited first-class travel through the 17 Eurail countries for 15 days, 21 days,
one month, two months, or three months. Lots of bonuses are included in this pass.
Eurail Flexipass
Same as the Eurail
Pass except that you travel either ten non-consecutive days or 15
non-consecutive days within a two-month period.
Eurail Pass Saver
For two to five
people traveling together, this discounted pass provides consecutive unlimited
travel for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months, or three months.
Eurail Pass Saver
Flexi
This one is the same as the Eurail
Pass Saver except that travel can be on non-consecutive days. Travel on any ten
days, or any 15 days, within a two-month period.
Eurail Pass Youth
For travelers
under 26, the pass allows them to travel through the 17 Eurail countries in
second class. They get unlimited travel for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months, or
three months.
Eurail Pass Youth Flexi
This version
allows travelers under 26 to travel second class on any ten days, or any 15 days, within a
two-month period through the 17 Eurail countries.
Eurail Drive Pass
This pass provides four days of first-class travel for two adults, and two days of car rental with unlimited mileage.
Additional rail days and car rental days are available, as well as discounted
fares for additional passengers.
Online Resources for Rail Passes
For pass cost and
purchasing information, see Raileurope: http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm
Rail passes often
come with bonuses, such as the free travel on S-bahns or discounts on
Europabuses. Find out about bonuses at eurorail.com http://www.eurorail.com/germbons.htm
To compare the
cost of point-to-point tickets with the cost of a pass, go here: http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm
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