Canada(Prices In CAD)France Rail Pass Premium
Frequently Asked Questions about France Rail Pass Premium
- How do I know if the France Rail Pass Premium is right for me?
In addition to everything that you will get with the France Rail Pass, the France Rail Pass Premium also provides you with your own private concierge (much like those available in luxury hotels). Your private concierge will assist with your needs while you are in France, such as luggage transfers, restaurant reservations, theatre tickets, hotel reservations and much more - Can the concierge service assist with train reservations for my rail pass?
The best way to make your train reservations for France is directly with Rail Europe (either online or through our contact center) as we have direct access to the French train reservation system. - What are all the different services my concierge can assist with?
Your concierge can assist with the following services within France: hotel reservations, restaurant reservations, theatre & event tickets, personalized travel planning, wine & champagne tastings, baby sitting services, luggage transfers, specialized shopping days, exclusive museum tours, special experiences (such as helicopter rides), limousine service, personalized chef, personal trainer, anniversary (and other special occasion) arrangements and more. - Can I make arrangements with my concierge for other countries I may be traveling in?
No, the concierge service can only assist for arrangements within France. - Is the first date of rail travel required to book the France Rail Pass Premium?
Yes, your France Rail Pass Premium will be pre-validated. Once you receive your France Rail Pass Premium just enter in the passport numbers of those traveling in the spaces provided and you are ready to hop on the train. - Why is the email address needed for everyone traveling with the France Rail Pass Premium?
This is requested so the concierge can send your welcome email about the concierge services and contact details. - What if I have a child (or other traveler) in my traveling party who does not have an email address?
The passenger name field will require that a email address be entered for each person. But if you do not have an email address for one of the travelers, you can simply re-enter the email address for the primary traveler. - How soon can I make arrangements with my private concierge?
Once you have booked and paid for your France Rail Pass Premium the concierge service will automatically be notified of your enrollment into the program. Registration into the program usually takes about 3-5 business days. Once the registration with the concierge is complete, you will receive a welcome email from France Rail Pass Premium Program introducing you into program and providing you with the contact information for your concierge. - What if I am departing for Europe and I still have not received my welcome email?
When you receive your France Rail Pass Premium you also receive information about how to contact your concierge by email or phone. The contact information is found on the conditions of use coupon stapled to the back of your France Rail Pass Premium documents. - Can I use my private concierge to make arrangements for friends or colleagues who will be meeting me in France, but not traveling with the France Rail Pass Premium?
No, the service is strictly available to the travelers who have booked the France Rail Pass Premium. -
How do I know which pass (and # of days) is right for me?
Well, that all depends on how long you plan to travel for, not to mention the number of countries and cities you intend to visit. Our recommendation would be if you plan on traveling for more than 3 days, consider getting a pass. For less than 3 days, purchasing individual tickets is the better way to go. You should also consider a pass if you are not sure about your itinerary. The pass will give you the flexibility to change your plans at will. There are two types of passes, Flexipass and Consecutive Pass. Consecutive passes provide unlimited rail travel every day for the duration of the pass. This is ideal for anyone who expects to move around a lot and travel by train each day. A Flexipass is valid for a specific number of travel days within a longer period (e.g. 3 days within one month), so it gives you more flexibility to choose the specific days when you want to travel by rail. For help with choosing the best product for your travels click here.
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Do the names on the pass and on the passport have to match?
Yes.
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What is a rail month and rail day?
A rail pass month is counted as a calendar month. For example, a pass that begins on July 15th will expire at midnight on August 14th. A rail day lasts from midnight to midnight. You can take as many trains as you wish during this time. The number of days used on your pass when traveling on an overnight train will vary depending upon the situation.
- Overnight train trips departing after 7:00pm and traveling through at least 4:00am (with no change of train) require the traveler to only enter the following day's date on the pass (which means only one travel day is counted).
- Overnight train trips departing after 7:00pm and traveling through at least 4:00am (with any change of train) count as two days of travel.
- Overnight train trips departing after 7:00pm and arriving before 4:00am counts as two days of travel.
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On what date is my rail pass considered validated/activated?
With most passes, the pass starts the day you get it validated by a rail official.
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Can I buy a pass if I have a European passport and a green card from the United States?
We are not able to sell rail passes or tickets to residents of Europe, the UK, Morocco, Turkey, or any of the countries of the former Soviet Union. If you are a resident of these countries, we will not be able to sell you one of our passes. If you are a citizen of any of these countries, but are a resident of the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America or Canada, we are able to sell the rail pass or tickets to you. Passes are based on residency not citizenship, and the country of your residence will be printed on the rail pass.
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How do I use the bonuses that come with the passes?
Any bonus that is free will use a travel day on your rail pass. Discounted bonuses will not require the use of a travel day, but does require a valid rail pass. All bonuses are handled locally and are subject to change.
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How far in advance can I buy my rail pass?
A pass can be purchased up to 6 months before your first travel day (and must be validated within 6 months of the original date of issue). As long as you validate your pass within 6 months of the original date of issue, your pass is valid for use for the full duration of the timeframe for which you purchased it. .
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How do I validate/activate my pass?
Just go to the ticket window at the rail station before boarding your first train. A railroad official will enter the first and last day of the validity on your pass and stamp your pass. You will have to show your passport.
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How do I file a request to receive reimbursement through the Rail Protection Plan™ if there has been loss or theft?
- Pass/ticket holders must file a police report within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident.
- Pass/ticket holders may purchase a replacement rail pass or rail tickets in order to continue with his/her travel plans.
- Upon return to North America, pass/tickets holder must submit the traveler request form to Rail Europe within thirty (30) days including a police report, replacement passes or tickets purchased abroad, Rail Protection voucher, airline tickets from North America to Europe and return. A brief explanation of the situation is also necessary to better evaluate the traveler request form.
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