Policies
To view the answers to the questions found below, please click on each question link, the answer will be revealed below the question.
What is Rail Europe's cancellation policy for passes, point-to-point tickets, overnight trains, and specialty trains?Refunds, when applicable, are limited to totally unused, and un-validated passes, tickets and inclusive packages. A minimum 15% cancellation charge applies. Refund amount for tickets will vary depending on the type of fare purchased. Please check the details for more specific refund policies for each ticket. Refunds and Exchanges are subject to a 5% administrative fee per train ticket. For passes and packages please look at the Terms and Conditions.Sleepers: if cancelled and space released with the station of departure at least 24 hours before train departs, are generally 85% refundable. If reservation is not cancelled, no refund will be granted. If you have already purchased your pass or tickets, please review the terms and conditions that come with your documents for specific information about the cancellation policy for each pass or ticket.To receive your refund, documents must be returned to the issuing office within 6 months of the date of issuance.
Do I need to purchase the Rail Protection Plan™ from Rail Europe?We offer an exclusive Rail Protection Plan™ that provides compensation to you in the case of exchanges or cancellations due to medical illness or death, railroad strikes, and in the case of loss or theft in Europe. The nominal fee is a small price to pay for some big peace-of-mind.
Note: The Rail Protection Plan™ fee is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
How do I file a claim to receive reimbursement through the Rail Protection Plan™ if I need to do an exchange?
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The Rail Protection Plan™ does not apply to pre-existing illness or injuries.
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Claims due to illness or injury must include a letter from the attending physician or hospital in North America confirming that the pass/ticket holder cannot travel due to his/her medical condition. The letter must also state that the illness or injury was not a pre-existing condition.
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Claims due to death must include a copy of the death certificate.
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Pass exchanges must be for the same product. Pass holders are responsible for shipping and processing fees for the delivery of new passes.
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Ticket holders are responsible for any fare increase, shipping and processing fees for the delivery of new tickets.
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Exchanges do not apply once the pass/ticket holder has departed North America.
How do I file a claim to receive reimbursement through the Rail Protection Plan™ if I need to cancel?
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The Rail Protection Plan™ does not apply to pre-existing illness or injuries.
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Cancellation claims being made prior to departure from North America, must include a letter from the attending physician or hospital in North America confirming that the pass/ticket holder cannot travel due to his/her medical condition. The letter must also state that the illness or injury was not a pre-existing condition. The claim must be received by REI prior to the originally scheduled departure date from North America.
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Cancellation claims being made when travel has already begun in Europe must include a letter from the attending physician or hospital in Europe confirming that the pass/ticket holder cannot travel due to his/her medical condition. Upon return to North America, the pass/ticket holder must submit the claim to Rail Europe within thirty (30) days. The claim must also include airline tickets from North America to Europe and return and a brief explanation of the situation to allow for evaluation of the claim. Only the unused portion of the pass/ticket including any cancellation penalties will be reimbursed.
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Cancellation claims due to death must include a copy of the death certificate.
How do I file a claim to receive reimbursement through the Rail Protection Plan™ if there has been a strike?
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Claims due to strikes must include the ticket which must have been stamped at the European rail station by a railway official indicating the ticket was not used due to a rail strike. Passes are not covered in cases of rail strikes.
How do I file a claim to receive reimbursement through the Rail Protection Plan™ if there has been loss or theft?
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Pass/ticket holders must file a police report within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident.
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Pass/ticket holders may purchase a replacement rail pass or rail tickets in order to continue with his/her travel plans.
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Upon return to North America, pass/ticket holders must submit the claim to Rail Europe within thirty (30) days including a police report, replacement passes or tickets purchased abroad, Rail Protection voucher, airline tickets from North America to Europe and return. A brief explanation of the situation is also necessary to better evaluate the claim.
How is a rental car day calculated? A car day is calculated 24 hours from the time the car is picked up.
Do you need an international driver's license to drive a rented car in Europe? While an international driver's license is not required in most countries, it is recommended. An international license is required in Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Italy. Keep in mind that the license needs to be valid for at least one year prior to rental.
Do you offer discounts to students with an international student identification card? No, but we do offer discounted rate for many of our tickets and passes for Youth passengers. To qualify for a Youth Pass, you must be under age 26 on the first day of travel.
What is the policy regarding children's accommodations on overnight trains?Children 4 and under who do not need a bed travel free and do not require a sleeper reservation or a ticket. If the child is between the ages of 4 - 11 or is under 4 but will require a separate bed, then a special child's fare will apply.
How do I obtain a refund?To obtain a refund, please return your unused, unvalidated tickets/pass to your travel agent, or send to: Rail Europe, Attention: Customer Relations, Westchester One, 44 South Broadway, 11th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. Most tickets are required to be returned at least 3 days prior to the departure date, or to be stamped "Unused" at a rail station in Europe to be eligible for a refund. Please add a short note including the original booking number of the order. It is suggested that you send these documents by some type of traceable mail for proof of delivery, should they get lost in the mail.
What is the refund policy for tickets? Refund policies for tickets will vary depending on the type of train and fare that are booked. Please check the "details" tab of each fare to obtain specific refund information for the fare you are purchasing.If you have already purchased your tickets, please review the terms and conditions that came with your documents. Refunds and Exchanges are subject to a 5% administrative fee per ticket.
What types of payments does Rail Europe accept?Rail Europe accepts all major Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Hotel bookings on Raileurope.com can be made only with a Visa card.
Q. Can I get a refund on my partially used railpass?A. Sorry, partially used passes are not refundable.
Q. How much are the shipping fees?A. The shipping fee for regular delivery in the US is $18 via UPS for 2-3 day delivery. We also offer Express delivery in the US for $36. Canadian orders are $26 CAD for all deliveries. Shipping to the Caribbean and Central America are $35 USD for regular deliver. These rates are subject to change.
