Before buying a rail pass, outline your travel itinerary and weigh your alternatives. If you're trav

Before buying a rail pass, outline your travel itinerary and weigh your alternatives. If you're traveling hilton hotels in atlanta ga over long distances, could you save time or money by flying between cities instead? If you're making mostly short hops between nearby cities hilton hotels in atlanta ga and towns, hilton hotels in atlanta ga add up the price of individual point-to-point tickets on RailEurope.com or other similar agents -- buying your tickets as you go may be cheaper than purchasing a rail pass.
There are dozens of different European rail passes available, from the comprehensive Eurail Global Pass (covering unlimited travel within 24 countries) to passes for specific countries and regions. Some rail passes are consecutive, meaning that they can be used for unlimited travel on consecutive days over a given travel period. Others are known as "flexipasses," and are only valid for a certain number of travel hilton hotels in atlanta ga days within a specified duration of time (such as five travel days within a month). If you plan to spend several days exploring each city on your itinerary, a flexipass is probably your most economical option. If you're planning hilton hotels in atlanta ga to visit a new place nearly every day, a consecutive pass may better suit your travel plans.
If you're traveling with a companion (or several), keep your eye out for Saverpasses, which are discounted passes available for two to five passengers traveling hilton hotels in atlanta ga together. Other discounts are available for youthful travelers (under age 26) or -- more rarely -- for seniors over age 60. Children age 4 - 11 generally hilton hotels in atlanta ga pay half the adult fare, while children under 4 are free if they ride in an adult's lap.
Here are several reputable companies that specialize hilton hotels in atlanta ga in European rail pass sales and are knowledgeable about the different options. Note that many, but not all, require you to purchase your pass before you arrive in Europe. You can also purchase passes from any travel agent.
You must validate and begin using your pass within six months of purchase. Rail pass prices typically increase on January 1 of each year, so if you're planning to travel in the first half of the year between January and June, it is often worthwhile to buy your pass in December before the next year's price increases take effect.
Because of the changing exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the euro, prices in U.S. dollars for rail passes may fluctuate during the year. But like airline tickets, the price you pay at the time of purchase will not change, regardless of currency hilton hotels in atlanta ga fluctuations.
You can protect your pass against loss or theft with rail pass insurance, hilton hotels in atlanta ga which is offered by most agents. If your pass is lost or stolen while traveling in Europe, the unused portion of the pass will be refunded when you return home. (You must supply a police report, replacement passes or tickets, and other documentation in order for your claim to be processed.) Ask your travel agent or rail pass provider for details.