A
: If at the time of booking you requested
a changeable ticket (normally at a higher cost) then you
would be able to do this, but cheaper fares carry restrictions
on changing tickets and most Leisure Fares are non-exchangeable
and non-refundable. Please check when booking your ticket.
Q:
I want to go Inter-Railing this summer. Will I
have to pay any additional charges on top of what I have
paid for my pass?
A:
An Inter-Rail Pass is valid for travel on most trains
in your chosen zones, but there will be supplements payable
on high-speed trains and any trains with mandatory seat
reservations. A simple seat reservation will cost
in the region of £3.00 per person, but on many international
trains, Thalys trains, ICE trains and TGV etc, there will
be a supplement payable which varies depending upon the
journey but could be in the region of £10.00 per person
and will include the necessary seat reservation. Couchettes
and sleepers on night trains will also be additional costs
and it is advisable to book these before you leave the UK.
It is worth noting that a couchette on a night train is
normally a cheaper option than spending a night in a hostel
or hotel and you have the added advantage of saving travelling
time, as you travel whilst asleep.
Q:
I'm travelling by train to Russia. Do I need visa's
for my journey?
A:
If
you are a UK national, you will need a tourist visa to enter
Russia. If your rail journey takes you through Belarus
(which it will if you take the direct route through Warsaw),
you will also need to obtain a Belarus transit visa.
Because of the complex and constantly changing nature of
visas requirements, Trainseurope do not arrange any visas
and as the traveller it is your responsibility to ensure
that you have the necessary documentation for your journey.
There are however some specialist companies that provide
passport and visa services - one is Visa & Passport
Service, Tel. 020 7229 4784 or email visa-passport@btclick.com
Q:
I want to book a berth in a couchette between Paris
and Rome and I understand that I will be sharing with
other people. Will the sexes be mixed and how secure
will it be?
A:
Couchette
cars are usually mixed sexes but on some selected international
routes there are ladies only berths. The cabin door is lockable
but as with any type of travel, it is unwise to leave any
belongings unsupervised at any time. All belongings
should be taken with you wherever you go on the train.
Q:
Are seat reservations necessary on all trains within
Europe?
A:
No.
Seat reservations are mainly only compulsory on high-speed
services - Eurostar, TGV, Thalys, ICE and Eurostar Italia
services. Some trains do not require reservations
including internal Swiss, internal Belgian and internal
Dutch trains.