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thresheld · 05-28-2006, 07:11 AM

I made the mistake of thinking that I could use the Eurail pass like an electronic ticket, assuming that it wouldn't be delivered to me. Now I'm well on my trip, in London, and I have no eurail pass. I definitely need one, though considering the amount of places I'll be visiting. What is the easiest way for me to get a hold of a pass in the least amount of time, without it being delivered to an address?
Immediate responses greatly appreciated, I don't have a lot of time!
Feeling kind of stupid about it of course, but all the help I can get on this would be greatly appreciated.
-Dan

**benna2** · 05-28-2006, 07:17 AM

I can't help ya bud because I have never been to Europe and needed a Eurail pass! But I am going to move this topic to the "I NEED HELP-ASAP" section so it can get some attention asap!

Good luck!

thresheld · 05-28-2006, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by benna2@May 28 2006, 09:17 AM
I can't help ya bud because I have never been to Europe and needed a Eurail pass!* But I am going to move this topic to the "I NEED HELP-ASAP" section so it can get some attention asap!

Good luck!

[snapback]122954[/snapback]

Le sigh. Thank you for moving it, at least.
*proceeds to freak out*

**tumblezweedz** · 05-28-2006, 08:51 AM

How long are you going to be in London? You could get someone to mail it to you, but generally the travel agent needs to see your passport or some sort of ID to prove that you are in fact not living in Europe. Touch base with someone back home, and see if they can pick one up and courier it to you (you'll need a street address - like the hostel where you're staying). We got ours at BCAA - your local automobile association is probably a good bet. If someone explains the situation they might be able to get one for you, just make sure they have all your passport details, and something to prove that you actually live outside Europe.

In London, you could look into getting an interrail pass, but I think you have to be a European resident to qualify. Definitely a sticky situation. Good luck.

**blinkchick2134** · 05-28-2006, 09:21 AM

I found this posted on another travel message board (google search I swear). "Remember though that you cannot buy a Eurail pass in Europe. These types of passes must be purchased outside of Europe. Also you must purchase it before your trip, and have it validated at a train station in Europe before boarding a train in your selected European destination."

So pretty much sounds like you're screwed. I'd say if you have someone in the states have it overnighted to them and then have them overnight it to you. Might cost a bit but your have your pass.

All their customer service numbers are in the US so I suggest trying to email them here.

**expatben** · 05-28-2006, 09:47 AM

Without an adress it will be hard. My advice is get someone to send you your pass. Surely you are staying somewhere and that place will have an adress. Until then you need to buy yourself some time. I suggest going to a train station and looking into rail passes for a week or so. How long do you have in London? If you are leaving London do you know where you are going next? You can always get your pass mailed there and collect it when you arrive?
Sorry dude
XPat

**space virgin** · 05-28-2006, 05:08 PM

Don't freak out. Point to point tickets are NOT really that much more expensive than the pass. Sure, it may end up costing you a little more at the end, but the effort you'll have to go to try to obtain a Eurail pass while actually IN EUROPE is going to far outweigh those costs.

Seriously. The pass is not the be all and end all of European train travel.

**worldwidemike** · 05-29-2006, 03:28 AM

Okay, so you can't get a Eurail pass, but you can still get an Inter Rail one:

Inter Rail pass
Another Inter Rail pass
Plus, you can google some more...I didn't get a chance to read through restrictions and such...

Good luck!

worldwidemike

JeanB · 05-29-2006, 04:59 AM

Interrail as far as i know is only available to European residents (and its shitter than Eurail so trust me you North Americans get the better deal). Did you get to Amsterdam ok thresheld???? Hope there were no problems or anything like that.

When do you need your train pass for? Would you like me to find a place here where you can buy it immediately? I know that i had no worries buying mine in London, and i'm sure they will do eurail and interrail depending on your passport.

tell me what you need and i will do my best.

thresheld · 05-30-2006, 05:12 AM

I made it to Amsterdam, though we had some troubles with the train to ferry business.. we weren't told that we had to switch to a different train in Manningtree, so we missed the first ferry and had to wait over 7 hours for the next. Anyway, we made it here nonetheless..
We will be leaving here on the third, and I will need my Eurail pass before then. I'm thinking I will buy it either today for the higher price, or perhaps just buy individual tickets. I'm not really sure which one I'm going to do at this point , as I am still a little panicky about it.
What do you think?

**elfmaiden** · 05-30-2006, 06:06 AM

I'm with Spacevirgin on this one. Point to point is alittle more expensive, but the upside is you can be as flexible as you'd like!! Maybe stop at a train station and see if they have a really good schedual available for all the trains, that helps buying tickets ahead of time a breeze.

Jenn

JeanB · 05-30-2006, 06:10 AM

Point to point without a doubt. Just chill and relax wherever you are and don't go extra on the travelling. good luck matey, have a damn good time. Europe is there for the taking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**MeTurk** · 05-30-2006, 06:40 AM

Did you try contacting them or one of their agents? If you've already bought and payed for the ticket then they know your not a European resident and it's just a matter of collecting the ticket maybe.

I can't copy and paste the address but the website has lists of aid offices in each country under - where to buy (buying in Europe) with contact telephone numbers.

thresheld · 06-01-2006, 05:30 AM

so it seems like it will be best at this point, as pointed out to me, that taking individual trains and paying each train price is my best bet at this time.
Now my question is this: which is the best way to purchase individual tickets? Is there a website? Should I assume that I should be buying tickets at least one day in advance? What else would I need to know?
Thanks again, so much!!
By the way, Amsterdam is amazing. LOVE getting around on a bike.

**expatben** · 06-01-2006, 06:40 AM

I'm sure every country has its own individual websites. You can also go to the station and book your tickets. I am glad you're loving Amsterdam, where to next?

**tumblezweedz** · 06-01-2006, 08:11 AM

For schedule info, check out the German rail website, www.diebahn.de. They have info on all routes throughout Europe, but not price info, unfortunately. Or you can pick up a copy of the Thomas Cook European Timetable through a Thomas Cook travel agency.

As for buying tickets, for shorter trips or frequently traveled routes, you will probably be fine buying tickets the day of - you might have to wait for a later train if the first one is full, but that's part of the adventure. For overnight, high speed or major intercity ones you may need a reservation, so if you can, I'd try to get to the train station the day before you want to go, to make the booking.

If you know you want to leave Town A three days after you arrive there, I'd go ahead and book the next train as soon as you arrive at the station, so you don't have to make a separate trip, and so that you know exactly when you have to be there. It would suck to have a date in Town B that night, and arrive at the Town A train station 10 minutes after the only train of the day to Town B...

**bellelass** · 06-01-2006, 12:28 PM

Dan, you should be able to go to the train stations and purchase tickets. Another thing to consider (if you're going some huge distance in one whack) is inter european flights through Ryanair or EasyJet. Its not too likely in the summer, but often you can get decent deals.

I'm glad you're having a good time despite the setbacks. That's what its all about! Stay safe man.

JeanB · 06-01-2006, 12:33 PM

Bellelass is spot on............... if you dont care where your going do ryan air. Loads of flights for a hundred of your american bucks or less!

crackcat · 06-07-2006, 02:39 AM

Im in the same boat here but am fortunate enough to have a perminate address so tried to apply online for tix to be sent home then here by a friend. Now they ask for your departure date. Can anyone whos got a flexipass, tell me if this is printed on your pass? Do they check the date I arrived in London and the arrival date I have on my pass. basically I was wondering if I'll get away with it?