France Returns to Eurail Select Pass; Select Pass Re-launches as 4-Country Pass

France is rejoining the Eurail’s Select Pass, making it a four-country Eurailpass © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

Traveling in France with a Eurail Select Pass will be possible again from April 1, 2014. After a one year absence of France in the Select Pass offer, SNCF, the French rail operator, today announced their decision to rejoin Eurail’s revamped Select Pass.

“We are happy to welcome SNCF back to the Eurail Select Pass. France is a top tourist destination of strategic importance to the European rail network and, as such, of great significance to our Eurail Pass product. With France rejoining the Select Pass prior to the start of the high season, I have no doubt the Eurail Pass Portfolio will offer our overseas customers once again the most comprehensive way to explore Europe by rail,” says Silvia Görlach, Eurail Group’s Sales & Marketing Manager.

Revamped Eurail Select Pass

The Eurail Select Pass in its current format will cease to exist from April 1, 2014.  Instead of having the option to choose any three, four or five countries, the Eurail Select Pass re-launches as a Four-Country Pass only. Customers can tailor-make their own pass by selecting four out of 26 participating countries in which to travel, provided that they are directly connected by a participating Eurail railway or shipping line.

Three, Four and Five Country Select Passes in its current format will still be available for sale until March 31, 2014, not including France. Starting on April 1st, only Four Country Select Passes can be purchased, with France as one of the 26 Eurail countries to choose from.

Eurail Group offers four types of Eurail Passes as part of its product portfolio to those residing outside of Europe: the Eurail Global Pass valid in 24 member countries, the Eurail Select Pass, the Eurail Regional Pass and the Eurail One Country Pass. The Eurail Global Pass continues to be the most popular pass in the Eurail portfolio. It covers nearly the entire European continent and gives travelers the largest variety of countries to choose from. Travelers can still take advantage of the special Eurail “Early Bird” promotion which offers non-European residents free travel days on Eurail Global Passes purchased by March 31, 2014.

Eurail Passes are available from a worldwide network of Authorized General Sales Agents. Visit www.eurailgroup.org/eurail-vendors.

Eurail Group G.I.E., the organization dedicated to the marketing and management of the Eurail Passes, is wholly owned by over 30 participating railways and shipping companies. In addition, Eurail Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies and museums, which offer their services either at a reduced rate or free of charge to rail pass holders.

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Eurail Offers ‘Early Birds’ Two to Five Free Travel Days for Passes Purchased thru Mar 31

Traveling by rail in Europe adds to the experience © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Travelers can take advantage of a special Eurail “Early Bird” promotion which offers non-European residents free travel days on Eurail Global Passes purchased from February 1 through March 31, 2014.  Early Bird Passes have a six month pre-booking period and include 15 days, 21 days and one month periods.

This promotional offer applies to both first and second class Eurail Global Passes and are open to all travel categories: Adults, Child, and Youth, including Saver Passes intended for groups of two to five people, offering an additional15% reduction. The “Early Bird” campaign offers two extra travel days for the 15-day Eurail Global Pass, three extra travel days for the 21-day Eurail Global Pass and five extra travel days for a one month Eurail Global continuous Pass.

“Last year’s Early Bird promotion proved very successful, boosting sales in March of the Global Pass by an astounding 96%. The opportunity to receive extra travel days motivated nearly twice as many customers to buy the Eurail Global Pass. This year we expect even more travelers to take advantage of this promotional offer. The aim is to maximize the customer’s travel experience by offering these extra days to discover even more of Europe by train,” explains Silvia Goerlach, Eurail Group Sales and Marketing Manager.

Generating over 55% of total sales revenues, the Eurail Global Pass continues to be the most popular pass in the Eurail portfolio. With its 24 participating countries, it covers nearly the entire European continent (including free or discounted travel on some major shipping lines) and gives travelers the largest variety of countries to choose from. The diversity of Europe is easy to explore via rail with the Global Pass, from historic and quaint world heritage sites to back-country nature sites and architecturally striking and historic capital cities.

Eurail Passes are available from a worldwide network of Authorized General Sales Agents. Visit www.eurailgroup.org/eurail.

Eurail Group G.I.E., the organization dedicated to the marketing and management of the Eurail and InterRail Passes, is wholly owned by 30 participating railways and shipping companies. In addition, the Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies and museums, which offer their services either at a reduced rate or free of charge to rail pass holders.

See also: Inside Tips on traveling Europe by train: A Q&A with Eurail and slideshow

 

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Eurail Offering 20% Off Passes Sold by Dec 31, for Travel Through Mar 31, 2014

Travelers can take advantage of a 20% discount off the regular price of Eurail Global and Eurail Select Passes booked from November 1 through December 31, 2013 © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Travelers can take advantage of a 20% discount off the regular price of Eurail Global and Eurail Select Passes booked from November 1 through December 31, 2013. The Off Peak promotional passes can be used for European rail travel until March 31, 2014 and are open to all travel categories: Adult, Child and Youth, including Saver Passes intended for groups of two to five people with a further 15% reduction, and for both first and second class travel.

“Due to the success of last year’s Off Peak promotion, we are confident that this special offer will attract more travelers to Europe during the upcoming winter season. Not only can tourist’s benefit from a discounted Eurail Select or Eurail Global Pass, they’ll notice fewer crowds when visiting popular tourist attractions” explains Silvia Goerlach, Eurail Group’s newly appointed Sales and Marketing Manager.

At this time of year pass holders choose to visit European Christmas Markets, experience the Northern Lights in Scandinavia or head towards the Mediterranean where the temperature is warmer. Traveling from one city centre to another, tourists can absorb the European landscapes and enjoy the comfort and stress free environment of travelling by rail.

Eurail Global Passes are valid for travel all over Europe in 24 countries and offers the independent traveler the flexibility to create their own itinerary whilst hopping on and off trains across Europe. The Eurail network encompasses to 233,000 kilometers of track (144,000 miles) on the European continent. Nearly 96,000 passengers have already travelled with the Eurail Global Pass this year, representing an increase of almost 30% over 2012 figures.

For shorter vacations, Eurail offers passes for trips to only a few countries too. The Select Pass is available for combinations of three to five countries and is also included in the 20% Off Promotion. Eurail Passes are available from Eurail Group’s worldwide network of Authorized General Sales Agents.  For more information visit: www.eurailgroup.org/eurail-vendors

Eurail Group G.I.E., the organization dedicated to the marketing and management of the Eurail and InterRail Passes, is wholly owned by thirty participating railways and shipping companies. In addition, the Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies and museums, which offer their services either at a reduced rate or free of charge to rail pass holders.

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