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European Rail Travel Made Easy
For most people, rail travel in Europe
brings to mind a romantic travel
experience. But, some travelers are
often uneasy about the system and the
procedures that might be involved. In
fact, the European rail system is an
easy, fast, and relaxing way to get
around the continent. If you would like
to travel the way the locals do and get
a feel for the beautiful and scenic
countryside or just save some time and
money on an overnight train, rail travel
may be for you. Certainly this is an
experience that should not be missed.
Understanding the way the rail system
works and being prepared, is important
to eliminate the stress of traveling.
These pointers will help you better
understand and prepare for your European
rail adventure.
Arrive early
To begin with, know which particular
rail station you are leaving from (many
European cities have more than one) and
arrive with plenty of extra time before
your scheduled departure. Nothing will
add to your stress more than being
pressed for time or being at the wrong
station. Extra time allows you to get
your bearings and then proceed. Arrive
at least thirty minutes early or even a
little earlier if you have a pass to
validate.
Finding your departure track When you arrive at the station you will more than likely see a
myriad of people coming and going from
the platforms. Take a deep breath and go
to one of the departure boards located
throughout the station. Look for the
track or platform number your train will
depart from. It is easiest if you look
for your train number since some trains
may have multiple stops and might not
specifically state your destination.
Validate
Rail passes must be validated on or
before the first day of use. You must do
this before boarding the train. Simply
take your pass to the ticket office and
have it validated. Either you or the
conductor on the train can fill in the
date of travel in the appropriate spot.
Another way to travel is with a regular
ticket. Again you must validate it by
inserting it into the validating
machines located as you proceed to your
track. Watch other travelers as they
approach the machines and you will see
how this works.
Finding your train car
As you make your way down to the track,
look for the display board that shows
the location of each car on your train.
This will help you position yourself on
the platform close to where your train
car will stop. Once the train pulls in,
watch for your car. Cars are marked with
a 1 or 2 for first or second class and
with car numbers. If you have a
reservation, you will have a ticket
marked with a class, car number and seat
to help you find where you need to be.
If you are traveling on a rail pass,
simply board a car in your class and
look for an available seat. To avoid not
having a seat at all, and having to
stand near the bathrooms or luggage for
the entire trip, it is advisable to make
a reservation. Don't be afraid to ask
the station staff on the platform if you
have any questions. They can be very
helpful in pointing you in the right
direction.
Luggage
The best thing to remember when
traveling by train to is pack only what
you can handle yourself. There are often
stairs you may have to go up or down and
dragging too much luggage with you, will
not make you a happy traveler! Many
trains will have special racks for
baggage on the ends of the individual
train cars. You may also store luggage
under your seat and in the rack over
your seat. Most train stations in Europe
will have baggage lockers, or luggage
rooms to store your bags. Some however
will not, so be prepared to carry your
luggage with you just in case. Be sure
to keep a watchful eye on your luggage
and keep valuables with you at all
times. This will insure a safe and
relaxing trip.
Now all that is left is for you to
settle in and enjoy the ride.
Pleasant journeys!
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