Train Travel
The Euro Rail Pass
From Antalya to Amsterdam, Manchester to Milan, from the sands of North Africa, to the frozen wastes of the Arctic Circle, and more than 200,000 kilometers of track in between, the rail network is simply the ideal way to travel across Europe.
The joys of train travel are touched upon in other articles across the site, but, suffice to say, that in addition to being a practical way of getting around, it’s also very reasonably priced, and a great way of meeting other backpackers, student travelers, and generally like-minded folk.
A Brief History of Euro Rail Travel
Although it might seem like it’s been around for ever – student travelers and backpackers do it, your friends have all done it, your parents might’ve done it, the Romans (you suspected) probably even did it – the concept of Euro Rail actually started in 1972 with the advent of the Inter Rail Pass.
The idea was that under-21s could buy a pass entitling them to one month’s unlimited 2nd class travel through twenty-one European countries, thus allowing them to travel freely and cheaply within the continent.
In 1976 this age was upped to 23, and then increased again to 26 (where it remains today) in order to extend the benefits of inter-railing to a wider group of young people.
The zone covered by Inter Rail has expanded to reflect the opening up of the borders of the European community in recent years and its embracing of new members, with recent additions including Bosnia-Herzegovina. Throughout its history nearly 7 million people have traveled using an Inter Rail pass.
A Change to the Tried and Tested Formula
This old-fashioned European Inter Rail ticket – very much a travel staple – is about to undergo a bit of an overhaul. In addition to a pan-European rail pass, you can tailor one that is limited to one (or more) countries, and even bump it up by paying a premium and upgrading to first class.
An unlimited month’s travel pass starts at €428 (£292) for a young person, and €645 (£438) for over-26s. But it can be broken down: an eight-day trip around France, say, can cost as little as €245 (£168) for over-26s, and €160 (£109) for those under 26 (All prices are for 2007).
All ticket prices can be checked at: www.internationalrail.com
