Europe Travel> Eurail Select Pass

Image: Eurailing across the Continent
Image by: Miss Rouge

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Do you want a good deal from a Eurail pass? Then go for a Eurail Select Pass that allows you to see some neighboring countries apart from the usual route. In this pass, you can choose 3, 4 or 5 countries and cover them in 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days within the two month validity. You can also choose a 15 day travel option if you wish to see 5 countries.

The countries to choose from are:

• Austria (including Liechtenstein)
• Belgium/Netherlands/Luxemburg
• Bulgaria/Montenegro/Serbia
• Croatia/Slovenia
• Denmark
• Finland
• France (including Monaco)
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Norway
• Portugal
• Republic of Ireland
• Romania
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Neighboring Countries
There are in all 23 countries that are connected by train/ ship. But here you need to select two countries that must be linked by a direct train and are part of the Eurail offer. Ireland is an exception to this rule, which can be combined with Benelux, even though there is no direct rail or boat link.

Select Pass for 3 Countries
You can select three countries out of 23 European countries for a span of 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days within a 2-month period.

Select Pass for 4 Countries
You can select four countries out of 23 European countries for a span of 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days within a 2-month period.

Select Pass for 5 Countries
You can select five countries out of 23 European countries for a span of 5, 6, 8, 10 or 15 travel days within a 2-month period.

Types of Eurail Select Passes
Each Eurail Select pass – 3, 4 and 5 countries have the following types of passes:

• Select Pass Countries Adult
• Select Pass Countries Saver, and
• Select Pass Countries Youth

The overall common travel clauses are:

1. The countries must be connected by rail/ ship
2. The traveler needs to be 26 years or older on the day of travel to avail of an Adult Pass
3. Super saver passes are offered to travelers who are traveling in a group of two or more
4. To avail of youth passes, one can be traveling individually or in a group, provided he/ she is 25 years or younger on the day of travel
5. There are discounts offered on group/ youth travel depending on the number of countries they are visiting

Europe Travel> Eurail Global Pass

Image: Travelling across Europe

Image by: Mis Roug

Text by: Tanya Munshi

A Eurail Global Pass allows you an extensive traveling opportunity across the European continent. Is this a kind of rail pass that you're looking for?

An unlimited travel that allows you to cover around 18 Global Pass countries starting from –

• Austria (including Liechtenstein)
  
• Belgium
  
• Denmark
  
• Finland
  
• France (including Monaco)
  
• Germany
  
• Greece
  
• Hungary
  
• Italy
  
• Luxembourg
  
• The Netherlands
  
• Norway
  
• Portugal
  
• Republic of Ireland
  
• Romania
  
• Spain
  
• Sweden, and
  
• Switzerland

Validity

The validity of the Global Pass varies from –

• 15 days
  
• 21 days
  
• 1 month
  
• 2 months
  
• 3 months
  
• 10 days in 2 months
  
• 15 days in 2 months
  

Types of Eurail Global Passes

The types of Eurail Global Pass range from –

1. Adult Passes: for individual travelers who are 26 years or older on their first day of travel
   
2. Saver Passes: for group travelers
   
3. Youth Passes: for individual/ group travelers who are 25 or younger on their first day of travel

Europe Travel> Know the Airport Rules

Image: Security check at the airport

Image by: Redjar

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Beginning September 26, 2006, certain amendments in the airport security rules have been made. The Transport Security Administration (TSA), have lifted their ban on certain hang-baggage rules. Here are some vital points you need to know before you pack.

• Ensure the gels, deodorants, lotions etc. are within 3 ounces/ smaller in size.
• Note that half used/ rolled toothpaste tubes in your toiletry bag is not permitted in your hand baggage.
• Pack all the gels, deodorants, lotions etc. in a separate zip-lock/ air-tight transparent bag. The sizes of these bags should be quart size, anything larger than this size, like a gallon size bag, non-transparent bag etc. are not permitted.
• You have to remove this zip-lock bag and place it on the tray for an x-ray screening to allow the airport security personnel to check your belongings.
• Carry your medical prescriptions for any kind of over the counter drugs (OTCD). The list of items that can fall under OTCD are – eye drops, saline solutions etc.
• In case your medicines exceed the 3 ounce size limit, you must declare it to the security personnel. In such cases, keep your prescriptions ready.
• There is no problem on carrying medicines such as pills and inhalers. But keep your prescriptions ready during the screening process.
• You can choose not to send your medicines through the x-ray. In such cases, you can ask for a visual inspection by the security officer. This would depend on the type of medication you are carrying.

As the Transport Security Administration (TSA) suggests the 3-1-1 for your hand luggage/ carry ons.

• 3 ounce bottles or less
• 1 quart size zip-lock/ air tight plastic bag
• 1 hand baggage/ carry on per passenger

For more information regarding prohibited and permitted items go to TSA