The Beauty of Eurail Passes

Eurail experienced a significant hike in sales at the end of 2016, despite a year marked by several challenges.

“We were encouraged by the end-of-year sales for Europe in multiple markets,” said Clarissa Mattos, Eurail’s market manager for Americas & Pacific. “Year-end sales outperformed 2014 and 2015 in the U.S. With the product renewals for 2017, we are optimistic about Eurail’s growth in 2017.”

The company’s Eurail Pass allows for flexible, unlimited rail and ferry travel in up to 28 countries in Europe. Passengers can take as many trains as they want on each of their travel days since Eurail has partnerships with more than 35 rail and ferry companies.

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There are three types of Eurail passes: the Eurail Global Pass, which offers rail travel between 28 European countries; the Eurail Select Pass, which offers travel for two, three or four countries; and the Eurail One Country Pass, available in 22 countries. Different Eurail partners also offer discounts on sightseeing tours and hotel stays.

The U.S. has historically been (and continues to be) one of Eurail’s most important markets, said Mattos. It’s currently the largest Eurail market with a share of 32 percent of all Eurail passengers.

The typical American Eurail client is an adult (60 percent are older than 26) who travels in first class with one or more companions. Nearly half opt for the Eurail Global Pass, which means they are interested in visiting five or more countries.

“We see Eurail Passes as a product that goes beyond transportation. Eurail is a European experience that encompasses the benefits of rail travel and added value services,” said Mattos.

“For example, an exclusive discount for Disneyland-Paris, up to 20 percent off city cards in popular destinations, and a range of other discounts on museums, accommodations and ferries. Most importantly, Eurail offers a unique opportunity to authentically connect to European culture, its history and its people.”

Among Eurail’s other advantages, travelers arrive in the heart of a destination. With most rail stations located in city centers, they can begin exploring right away without having to transfer from airports located out of town or finding and paying for parking, Mattos said.

Eurail is also cost effective: The price per day of a Pass decreases as the number of travel days increase.

“Consumers should consider the transparency of an advertised price,” she said. “With airfare and car rental, often when you add baggage charges, payment fees and insurance add-ons, deals are not as attractive as they may at first appear.”

Travel agents are very important to Eurail’s U.S. sales, said Mattos: 

“The agent plays a decisive role by giving advice on the right Pass and may influence the product experience. Agents should be focusing on supporting travelers in their best choice and advising them how to maximize the use of the Pass. As we offer a very extensive portfolio, with a broad range of additional advantages, agents can make a difference by narrowing the choices and providing guidance to assure that travelers have a smooth Eurail trip and the best European experience.”

Eurail Passes are available through a worldwide network of authorized general sales agents on Eurail.com, Eurail’s online sales channel, along with major players in the rail and travel industry, including Rail Europe, ACP Rail International and STA Travel (student travel experts).

“We work separately with GSAs on education programs to better equip agents with detailed product insights and tips on how to sell Eurail,” Mattos said.

Commissions and compensation models vary from GSA to GSA, she added.

NEW EURAIL DEVELOPMENTS

Eurail added Eurostar, the high-speed rail service linking the U.K. with mainland Europe, to its membership. Under the new partnership, Eurail Pass holders traveling on Eurostar can obtain new special fares and greater availability of seat reservations.

READ MORE: How to Keep Kids Happy on the Train

Other new developments include the following:

New France One Pass: Previously, the France One Pass had to be purchased directly from the French Railways. Now, travelers can purchase it through Eurail for either three, four, five or eight days of travel within a month.

New Italy Switzerland Pass: This Two-Country Select Pass combination comes in response to demand from both consumers and travel agents. Included with the pass are many of Switzerland’s scenic trains—such as the Glacier Express, which links Zermatt with St. Moritz—and the Bernina Express, which travels between Chur, Switzerland and Tirano, Italy.

Change in eligible age for the Youth Pass from 26 to 28: Eurail raised the age so that it’s in-line with changing adult market demographics. It also wanted to work within European standards, as there has been a general rise in age for who is considered a “youth.”

New Eurail partnership with Disneyland-Paris: As part of the partnership, Eurail Pass holders receive a 20-euro discount ($19) on a Disneyland-Paris ticket, which includes one-day tickets to Disneyland Park or Walter Disney Studios Park, or a “one-day two parks” ticket.