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A new Austria and Czech Pass, available from Rail Europe, is the
latest addition to the many railpass options for touring the former
Communist countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. This is the
first railpass linking the Czech Republic to one of its Western neighbors.
Rail Europe's new Austrian Railpass and Czech Pass provides four days of unlimited
1st class rail travel within a 2 month period, starting at $200 US/$262 CAD
per person when two or more people travel together, $230 US/$302 CAD for a
solo traveler. A discounted version for young people under 26 traveling in
2nd class sells for $167 US/$219 CAD. Additional days may be purchased.
"Off-the-beaten-path" destinations best discovered by rail
For American travelers looking for an "off-the-beaten path" destination
that's a good buy for the shrinking dollar, with plenty of culture, history
and scenery as well as fewer tourists, the newly democratic countries of
Central/Eastern Europe are the right choice: Czech Republic, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovakia, and
Slovenia.
Rail is the easiest and most cost-effective way to tour the area.
Low-cost rail passes from Rail Europe give travelers even more for their
dollar, since a pass lets you ride as many trains as you can squeeze into
each rail day. Not available in Europe, these passes must be purchased here
before leaving for Europe. Rail Europe is the leading North American
distributor of European rail products.
Two "big" passes for Eastern Europe and the Balkans
Two other railpasses available from Rail Europe provide the widest range
of countries:
-- European East Pass - valid throughout the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Austria for $162 US/$213 CAD (2nd class), $230
US/$302 CAD (1st) for 5 days of rail travel within 1 month, and extra days may be purchased.
-- Balkan Flexipass  - for 1st class travel throughout southeastern
Europe: Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. Available for 5, 10 or 15 rail travel days within 1 month, starting at $189 US/$248 CAD. Discounted versions are available for seniors (60 and over) and youth (under 26).
Three more new-for-2005 railpasses
In addition to the new Austria and Czech Pass, Rail Europe offers three
other new passes combining countries in Central/Eastern/Balkan Europe:
-- Eurail Austria 'n Slovenia/Croatia Pass - 4 days of rail travel within 2 month period, starting at $200 US/$262 CAD per person when 2 or more travel together; additional days available.
-- Eurail Hungary 'n Slovenia/Croatia Pass - 5 days of rail travel within 2 months, starting at $170 US/$223 CAD per person when 2 or more travel together; available for 6-10 days.
-- Eurail Hungary 'n Romania Pass - 5 days of rail travel within 2 months, starting at $170 US/$223 CAD per person when 2 or more travel together. Available for 6-10 days.
This year and last saw new options for the Balkans added to the Eurail
Selectpass, which is a customizable pass, allowing purchasers to choose any
3, 4 or 5 connected countries. Originally offered for the 17 Eurailpass
countries, the Eurail Selectpass was expanded in 2004 to include Romania as
an option. In 2005, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro have been added (counted
as one country), likewise Slovenia and Croatia (counted as one). A 3-country
Eurail Selectpass starts at $316 US/$414 CAD per person for 2 traveling
together.
Inexpensive single-country railpasses for the "New Europe" -- most under
$100
-- Bulgaria Flexipass - 3 days within 1 month in 1st class for $70 US/$92 CAD;
-- Czech Flexipass - 3 days of rail travel within 15 days in 1st or 2nd class, starting at $52 US/$69 CAD. Additional days may be purchased;
-- Hungarian Flexipass - 5 days of 2nd class rail travel within a 15-day period for $52 US/$69 CAD (2nd class) or $79 US/$104 CAD (1st);
additional days available;
-- Romanian Pass - 3 days of 1st class rail travel within 15 days for $99 US/$130 CAD, and additional days may be purchased.
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