If you have an unused, unvalidated rail pass that you would like to submit for a refund, please send it to us with a brief letter that includes your original booking number.

Documents can be sent to:

Rail Europe
Attn: Customer Relations
Columbia Centre II
9450 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 400
Rosemont, IL 60018

It’s strongly suggested that you send these documents by some type of traceable mail for proof of delivery. You may also call Rail Europe for help coordinating a UPS Prepaid Return Shipment.

No. Unfortunately once it has been printed, a rail pass cannot be exchanged.

Unused and unvalidated rail passes can be refunded, but a 15% penalty and 7% administrative fee will apply. Unless your plans change drastically, you may be better off keeping your rail pass and purchasing additional train tickets if you just need to travel in some countries not covered by your rail pass.

The only exception is if you bought the Rail Protection Plan™ when you placed your rail pass order. Then you’d be eligible to receive the full value of your original pass as a credit and use it towards any future Rail Europe purchase within 2 years, with no fee or penalty incurred. Read more about our Rail Protection Plan ™coverage and how to file a claim.

Unfortunately, no. Rail passes can only be refunded by the office that issued them. Only Rail Europe can exchange or refund a rail pass it sold. To exchange a rail pass, we must receive your original unused and unvalidated rail pass, process the refund, issue a new rail pass, and ship it to you. We generally do not send travel documents to Europe, though in exceptional cases we may be able to do so. Additional shipping fees would apply.

If you really need a new rail pass and you’re in Europe, call us during American business hours at 1-847-916-1028 and follow the prompts for customer service to see what’s possible.

Make sure not to activate your original rail pass or use it so you can file a refund claim when you return.

No. Partially used rail passes cannot be refunded. Only unused rail passes that have not been activated are eligible for a refund within the allowed time frame.

Unfortunately, refunds can only be provided for totally unused rail passes or rail passes that have not been activated. If your pass has been activated and you’ve begun using it, a refund cannot be given.

Passes that have been activated or partially used are not eligible for a refund. You may wish to have your pass cancelled and noted by a European railroad official that it was “not used due to a strike” and return it to our customer relations department at the address below. They will review your claim and may be able to provide compensation depending on the European railroad’s policy.

Rail Europe
Attn: Customer Relations
9450 W Bryn Mawr Suite 400
Rosemont IL 60018