Railpass roundup 2007

By Jay Brunhouse

They buried the Eurailpass this year. Without so much as a memorial service, their marketing team renamed their flagship pass, the mother of all railpasses and far and away the best-known brand in European train travel, the “Eurail Global Pass.” It costs 5.3% more but doesn’t provide any more free travel than the 2006 Eurailpass did.

Travel on the Brienzer Rothorn steam railroad above Lake Brienz is included with a Swiss Pass. Photo courtesy of SBB

The most popular pass for youth travelers is now named the Eurail Global Pass Youth, and this year it also costs 5.3% more. The favorite for adults (over 26) is the 3-country/5-day Eurail Select Pass Saver, costing 5.3% more than last year. Eurail Select Passes are customizable; you can choose three, four or five countries connected by train or ferry from a list of 23.

Eurail’s stable of single-country passes, including several previously available, this year has been relabeled Eurail National Passes (Italy, Portugal, Benelux). Other passes, such as the France Railpass, Swiss Pass, BritRail Pass, European East Pass and Balkan Flexipass, do not fall under the Eurail umbrella and keep their former names.

For the first time, single-country Eurail National Passes are now available for Croatia (Eurail Croatia Pass), Denmark (Eurail Denmark Pass) and the Republic of Ireland (Eurail Ireland Pass). Bulgaria and Holland railpasses have been withdrawn.

Also new for 2007, 2-country railpasses are available for Austria & Hungary and Italy & Spain. Ferries connecting Italy and Spain are discounted with the Eurail Italy & Spain Pass.

Railpasses cost substantially more this year, so for travelers whose rail travel plans include just two cities or towns or who are making mostly short trips, point-to-point tickets are the way to go. It is usually cheaper to buy them in Europe, but when you buy them before departure you will know in advance exactly how much you are paying, plus it is easier than ever to buy them in the U.S.

Passes and tickets are available from Rail Europe (phone 888/382-7245 or visit www.raileurope.com), BritRail (877/677-1066, www.britrail.net), CIT Tours (800/387-0711, www.cittours-canada.com), ACP Marketing (866/938-RAIL, www.ACPrail.com), Italia Rail (www.italiarail.com) and Eurail (www.eurail.com).