Passes: How the Pass Works

To view the answers to the questions found below, please click on each question link, the answer will be revealed below the question.

Q. What does validation mean?A. Validation of your pass is having a Rail Official at the train station stamp your pass as valid.

Q. How do I validate, or activate, my railpass?A. To begin using your pass, go to the ticket window at the rail station before boarding your first train and have a railroad official enter the first and last day of the validity on your pass. The railroad official will also stamp your pass and you will have to show your passport.

Q. When does my railpass start?A. With most passes the pass will start the when you get your pass validated by a rail official.

Q. If I take an overnight train, do I have to use 2 days on my pass?A. Depending on where you are traveling, there are two different rules regarding overnight travel. Some trains allow travelers departing after 7 PM to mark only the following day on the pass, meaning that only one travel day will be used. However, other trains will require that this travel use 2 days on your pass. It is recommended that you check the rules included in the ticket jacket included with your pass for more specific information.

Q. Do bonuses take up 1 day on a railpass? A. Any bonus that is free will use a travel day on your railpass. Discounted bonuses will not require the use of a travel day, but do require that the railpass is valid.

Q. Is a railpass valid for travel on city transportation systems?A. In most cases, railpasses are not accepted on city transportation systems such as buses and subways. Passes will generally cover local commuter trains that are above ground.

The exception to this is the Swiss Pass, which is valid for transportation in 37 Swiss cities.

Q. Can I go back and forth between the countries that are on my pass?A. Yes, you may travel as many times are you like between countries that are on your pass

Q. Can I also travel within the countries on my pass?A. Yes, you may travel as many times as you like before Midnight on a travel day.

Q. What does 4 days in 2-months mean?A. Many passes offer travel days that are flexible. The 4 days of travel allow the traveler to choose the days that they want to travel in a 2 month time period.

Example: If a pass is valid from July 1 to August 31. The traveler can then select 4 dates to travel on the train from July 1 to August 31. The days can be consecutive or non consecutive.

Q. How many days constitute a railpass month?A. A railpass month is counted as a calendar month. For example, a pass that begins on July 15th will expire at midnight on August 14th.

Q. How is a railpass day calculated?A. A rail day lasts from midnight to midnight. You can take as many trains as you wish during this time.

Q. What is the difference between a consecutive-day pass and a Flexipass?A. A consecutive-day pass provides unlimited rail travel on any day or all days for the duration of the pass. A flexipass is valid for a specific number of days within a longer period.

Q. What is a saverpass?A. A saver pass is a discount rate for a group of 2-5 passengers traveling together at all times. All names will be printed on a single pass, therefore passengers will not be able to travel independently.