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

Europe Travel> Posing for your Visa photo

Image: Tips to get your visa photo done

Image by: Chadrogers

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Here are some handy tips that travel experts recommend while going in for a passport size photograph.

Your face has to show clearly. So, a well combed hair and a neat shirt should do the trick. Avoid hair covering your face or smiling too much at the camera. As far as possible keep a straight face. Avoid the happy expressions.

Usually, embassies prefer passport photos with a white backdrop. While this criterion may differ from one embassy to another, it’s best to research before going in for a passport photograph. In fact, some embassies and travel agents have photo booths to take your photographs, but this can cost a bomb as compared to your local photo studio.

Editor's note: Compare rail pass prices at the cheapest source of rail passes online: Rail Pass and Rail Europe.

Europe Travel> What to pack for a Europe trip

Image: A checklist before packing for a Europe trip

Image by: Mil8

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Ready, steady and hop on to the Eurail. Your pulse is racing and you are excited as you embark upon a journey to see a beautiful continent. The best time to visit Europe is in the summers, where the balmy sun will keep your spirits high.

But before all this, it’s important to pack wisely. So here are some handy hints –

Backpack: Start with a backpack. Consider it as an investment so buy a good quality backpack that will not wear out during your trip.

Documentation: Set aside your passport, travel passes, air and train tickets, student identity cards etc. Localize them into one single place where you can find them when you need them. To be on the safer side, keep a photo copy of all these documents separately in your bag.

Sealable plastic bags: Carry all your toiletries in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from leaking and spoiling your clothes and accessories.

Maps & Calendars: Get hold of city maps, road maps and the Eurail route maps to help you decide where all you want to go. A foldable paper calendar can be used to jot down your travel plans and view them at a glance.

Guide books & Address books: The source of your research could be guide books, internet downloads, inputs from previous travelers and better still getting hold of their travel book where they have jotted down everything in detail. Address books come handy to drop in a line or call back home in case of an emergency.

Linen: If possible, carry a couple of bed sheets and inflatable pillows that you can use at a hostel. At times, hostel beds may not be as clean.

Medication: To prevent any sickness during your trip, carry medicines along with a doctor’s prescription. Just in case you are searched by security personnel, then your possession of medicines should be justified.

Money matters: Traveler’s checks, ATM/ Debit cards and some amount of cash (maybe up to $400) should be with you at all times.

Checklist for general items –

1. A small lock for a locker in the hostel.
   
2. An umbrella to take shelter from the rain or if the sun gets unbearable.
   
3. A small flashlight to help you through the dark.
   
4. A couple of good novels to drive boredom blues away.
   
5. Mobile phone, iPod, laptop/ notebook to keep you connected.
   
6. Insect repellents, first aid kit, sunscreen lotions and sunglasses are a must.
   
7. A travel journal and a camera to keep memories with you forever.

Note: You can compare rail pass prices at the cheapest source of rail passes online: Rail Pass and Rail Europe.

Europe Travel> How to Choose a Travel Website

Image: Flight
Image by: Leginmat

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Getting the cheapest airfare for travel can be the hardest part. Hence a thorough online research will help you find the cheapest airfare and discounts. And how do you go about this hunt? A range of travel portals will give you options of itinerary and its respective fares. But then again, you are faced with another dilemma as to which is the best travel portal!

Here are some tips to help you find reliable websites that will offer you a good deal on airfares:

1. Check if the travel website is registered under any authoritative body – such as the Better Business Bureau.
2. Some travel websites have a tie-up with several universities and only specialize in student traveling. These websites are worth a try.
3. Read up testimonials for the given website to give you an idea of the services and fares offered by that site.
4. Remember, you need to be a student to avail of special airfares, so try not faking any details. Usually the travel website will verify your details from your school for further processing.
5. Check whether the special discount rates offered to you are inclusive all taxes.
6. Student travel websites should offer valuable inputs and updated travel information to its readers.
7. Ideally, a travel website should offer you flexible options such as – date change, one way fares, and open tickets etc.
8. The travel website should be able to provide you with links to other local/ international travel agencies, hostels and hotels in Europe for you to make prior bookings once you reach there.
9. And yes, don’t forget to bookmark the sites that you have short listed.
10. Popular student travel websites worth checking out are –
    ~ Studentuniverse
    ~ STAtravel
    ~ Travelcuts

Europe Travel> Hostel Discount Cards

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Traveling long distance by the Eurail can make you tired and a need for a good night sleep. You look for the best option available that is a combination of a comfortable room and saving yourself some dough. Maybe you could try using a hostel discount card.

What is a hostel discount card?
With a hostel discount card, you can avail of discounts for a few hostel bunk nights including some additional benefits. These discounts and additional benefits may vary from hostel to hostel. Before signing up for a hostel discount card, its better to find out the kind of discounts offered. Sometimes hostel discount cards only waive off the booking fees. So read the fine print.
There are two kinds of hostel cards that can come handy during your Europe trip -

Hostels of Europe Discount Card: this card offers a discount of $2 for online hostel bookings only. No extra discounts are offered by the hostel.
For more information go to Hotelsofeurope

YHA/ HI Hostels: Youth Hostelling Associations (YHA)/ Hostelling International (HI) are a part of the International Youth Hostel Federation. As a result, hostels under this board stick to certain standards. You can apply for an annual membership of an HI Hostel for about $28.