Interrail Paper Travel Diary

[lancededcena]

Hello everyone. I just got a 10 day Interrail paper pass to use this summer, this is my first time using Interrail so I have a few questions about the travel diary. I ultimately chosen to go with a paper pass instead of a mobile pass for the same reasons I use physical\paper tickets instead of relying on my phone for tickets.

I will be going on trains in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia and Poland. I checked with the Book Reservations portion of their website and I am sure that I don't need any reservations\surcharges for any train

• First small one, are you able to use the Rail Planner app and the paper travel diary as a backup, or do I have to pick between the paper travel diary or the rail planner app? It doesn't matter either way, thats just one thing I had in mind
• Using a paper travel diary, am I able to "pre-fill" the trains I will have to take in the diary if I have a set itinerary in mind the day before\during the day or do I have to fill out the exact service I am at on the spot. I will be using the DB app as well as the rail planner app to help me plan this out. The rail planner app shows the itinerary with connections already prefilled as far as I am aware.
• If I did need to abandon my itinerary due to delays\cancellations, am I able to cross out the trains I would have took and write new services in, or am I not allowed to do that and just have written out the exact service I am at on the spot?
• How much paper does the Interrail pack give you? If you run out of paper, how often do stations have paper for interrail?
• If I did need to book a reservation, are they delivered as e-tickets like in the mobile pass?

Thanks for everyones help on this!

 

[Trainbike46]

• First small one, are you able to use the Rail Planner app and the paper travel diary as a backup, or do I have to pick between the paper travel diary or the rail planner app? It doesn't matter either way, thats just one thing I had in mind

Not sure about this one, in my experience very few people care about the travel diary. I'd go with paper, but that's just my preference

• Using a paper travel diary, am I able to "pre-fill" the trains I will have to take in the diary if I have a set itinerary in mind the day before\during the day or do I have to fill out the exact service I am at on the spot. I will be using the DB app as well as the rail planner app to help me plan this out. The rail planner app shows the itinerary with connections already prefilled as far as I am aware.

Generally you don't pre-fill in the travel diary, because your plans might change / delays happen. Just fill in the trains you're taking as you're taking them.

• If I did need to abandon my itinerary due to delays\cancellations, am I able to cross out the trains I would have took and write new services in, or am I not allowed to do that and just have written out the exact service I am at on the spot?

This is why you shouldn't fill in the diary in advance. It just makes everything more complicated. Last time I used interrail, I did end up correcting some mistakes I made when filling in and noone seemed to mind.

• How much paper does the Interrail pack give you? If you run out of paper, how often do stations have paper for interrail?

In my experience you get more than enough paper. If you're worried about it you could ask for some extra at a ticket office, or just write the details down on a regular sheet of paper if nothing else is available, I think.

• If I did need to book a reservation, are they delivered as e-tickets like in the mobile pass?

I think that depends on the service you're using and where you get your reservations from (you can get reservations from places other than interrail, for example DB and OeBB allow for arranging reservations directly), but I'm not sure.

 

[43096]

In my experience you get more than enough paper. If you're worried about it you could ask for some extra at a ticket office, or just write the details down on a regular sheet of paper if nothing else is available, I think.

Depending on what you’re doing, you may well run out of travel diary lines. I certainly always do on a 10-day ticket.

You can get extras here: https://www.interrail.eu/content/dam/pdfs/Additional My Trip lines 2021.pdf

Just print out before you go.

 

[rvdborgt]

Generally you don't pre-fill in the travel diary, because your plans might change / delays happen. Just fill in the trains you're taking as you're taking them.

Exactly. When using a paper pass, I generally fill in the travel diary first thing when I sit down in the train.

In my experience you get more than enough paper. If you're worried about it you could ask for some extra at a ticket office, or just write the details down on a regular sheet of paper if nothing else is available, I think.

The paper travel diary has shrunk over the last few years. In the brochure (if that is still handed out), there's a page with extra lines but you can always download this PDF and print it yourself.

I think that depends on the service you're using and where you get your reservations from (you can get reservations from places other than interrail, for example DB and OeBB allow for arranging reservations directly), but I'm not sure.

Reservations are entirely separate from the app and will not show up there. Some reservations are stil only available on paper, such as reservations in/to Spain.

 

[trei2k]

The paper travel diary has shrunk over the last few years. In the brochure (if that is still handed out), there's a page with extra lines but you can always download this PDF and print it yourself.

This is good advice and normally what I have done when I have run out of space.

I know some have said that a lot don't bother looking at the diary, some nations, e.g. Switzerland, you do get a lot of staff that do as they clip/stamp the diary.

 

[blackfive460]

• How much paper does the Interrail pack give you? If you run out of paper, how often do stations have paper for interrail?

Probably not enough for a long trip but you can download and print extra pages via this link.

Edit:
Beaten to it!

 

[dutchflyer]

as above-incidentally I´ve just started also a 10-dy pass a few days ago, whilst in the UK-going Scotland.
Just 1 minor note: in PL ALL PKP trains must be reserved-do that when there for free at a counter-brush up your POlski- or write down this handy list in advance then. Only PolRegio and KD trains are locals without REServ. NOte that in PL there are also numerous other local rail-comp. that do not accept the pass, the major one the green K. Mazowieskie around WAW.
Untill last yr one had (was asked to) send the diary IN to the IR/Eurail office, as they were indeed analysed, so that takings could be divided up between the +100 companies in 33 countries. Thats the major reason why this new mobile pass has enlightened this considerably. In the distant past you could even get a few € (or likely other money before € came) back by doing that. That is no more.
there is also community.eurail.com where anyone asks the very same newby Questions abd REServations and all the things we here know but ignorant tourists not. There was a recent announcement that sale of these passes has suddenly gone up a lot and is now even more as just before covid hit us.

 

[AY1975]

Exactly. When using a paper pass, I generally fill in the travel diary first thing when I sit down in the train.

I would say that you can probably usually get away with doing that, although I think strictly speaking you are supposed to do it before boarding the train and it is generally best to do that if you can to be on the safe side, just in case the ticket inspector appears as soon as you get on or as you are making your way to your seat.

I believe that in Switzerland, if you are using an e-ticket or m-ticket they insist that you must have bought it (and activated it in the case of m-tickets) before you get on the train and before your train's scheduled departure time from the station where you get on, otherwise you may be treated as having boarded the train without a valid ticket and fined. I would guess that the same may apply in Switzerland if the inspector sees you filling in the travel diary after instead of before boarding.

It's also worth remembering that in the Netherlands, many stations have now had ticket gates installed as part of the "OV-Chipkaart" smartcard ticketing system. I believe that paper Interrail passes that are valid in the Netherlands normally have a barcode to operate Dutch ticket gates. If yours doesn't, it may be worth going to the ticket office or travel centre at the first Dutch station that you visit to try to obtain a barcode or gate pass.

 

[rvdborgt]

It's also worth remembering that in the Netherlands, many stations have now had ticket gates installed as part of the "OV-Chipkaart" smartcard ticketing system. I believe that paper Interrail passes that are valid in the Netherlands normally have a barcode to operate Dutch ticket gates. If yours doesn't, it may be worth going to the ticket office or travel centre at the first Dutch station that you visit to try to obtain a barcode or gate pass.

The cover of the Interrail pass has a barcode for Dutch and French stations. Never used it in France though: when the platform is closed off, it's often for TGVs, for which you have a reservation that also opens the gate. In the Netherlands, you can always press the blue "i" button on the pole next to each group of gates and say the gate doesn't like your international ticket. A gate will then be opened remotely, no questions asked.
In Italy, some platforms (e.g. in Milan) are also closed with gates. I tried my mobile pass and that worked. Don't know if the barcode on the paper pass cover also works but there's always staff present.

 

[DanielB]

It's also worth remembering that in the Netherlands, many stations have now had ticket gates installed as part of the "OV-Chipkaart" smartcard ticketing system. I believe that paper Interrail passes that are valid in the Netherlands normally have a barcode to operate Dutch ticket gates.

Adding to rvdborgt's reply: look for a gate with the "scan ticket" symbol to be able to open it with your pass, which looks like this.
On stations with multiple operators that have gates, there are separate gatelines for each operator. It doesn't matter which gate you use with your pass, as long as it's a barcode enabled one your pass should open it.

However: at the stations Duivendrecht and Amsterdam Amstel be aware to always use an NS gate. (These stations have a shared NS/GVB gateline and you're pass probably won't open the GVB metro gates).

 

[lancededcena]

Thanks for all the help,. I checked that some of these journeys I plan to make have really tight connections or very short journeys and it would be a hassle to find a table or a spot to write the details on (but I do have a first class pass which I guess doesn't really matter).

I have one other question (slightly non interrail related), I know this is quite early to ask as my journey is still quite a few months away and things can change but as far as I know, I would have to fill out Passenger Locator Forms for Italy even though I will be only there for an hour and won't be staying there? Has anyone had any experience doing interrail recently like that? Hopefully that changes in a couple of months.

I believe that in Switzerland, if you are using an e-ticket or m-ticket they insist that you must have bought it (and activated it in the case of m-tickets) before you get on the train and before your train's scheduled departure time from the station where you get on, otherwise you may be treated as having boarded the train without a valid ticket and fined. I would guess that the same may apply in Switzerland if the inspector sees you filling in the travel diary after instead of before boarding.

I hope the Swiss railways will allow me to write the journey details whilst on the train as that will be super convienent but if thats not the case that would be fine.

It's also worth remembering that in the Netherlands, many stations have now had ticket gates installed as part of the "OV-Chipkaart" smartcard ticketing system. I believe that paper Interrail passes that are valid in the Netherlands normally have a barcode to operate Dutch ticket gates. If yours doesn't, it may be worth going to the ticket office or travel centre at the first Dutch station that you visit to try to obtain a barcode or gate pass.

The cover of the Interrail pass has a barcode for Dutch and French stations. Never used it in France though: when the platform is closed off, it's often for TGVs, for which you have a reservation that also opens the gate. In the Netherlands, you can always press the blue "i" button on the pole next to each group of gates and say the gate doesn't like your international ticket. A gate will then be opened remotely, no questions asked.
In Italy, some platforms (e.g. in Milan) are also closed with gates. I tried my mobile pass and that worked. Don't know if the barcode on the paper pass cover also works but there's always staff present.

Thanks for the tips with Dutch ticket barriers, my hotel for the first few days is in Arnhem but initially I will be taking a Holland ticket after my Eurostar so the following days is reserved for Interrail, I won't be travelling much on the Dutch railway system on Interrail so I wouldn't be using it much. I won't be going anywhere near France on my Interrail trip due to the absurd reservations and surcharges for Interrail.

I will only be going to Tirano via the Rhaetian Bahn for Italy so I don't really need to worry about ticket barriers there I think.

Just 1 minor note: in PL ALL PKP trains must be reserved-do that when there for free at a counter-brush up your POlski- or write down this handy list in advance then. Only PolRegio and KD trains are locals without REServ. NOte that in PL there are also numerous other local rail-comp. that do not accept the pass, the major one the green K. Mazowieskie around WAW.

I've planned getting a Polreigo from Neubrandenberg to Szcezin I think so I don't need to worry about reservations there.

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

I hope the Swiss railways will allow me to write the journey details whilst on the train as that will be super convienent but if thats not the case that would be fine.

Not recommended, I would say, particularly in the German speaking part of CH. The rule is that you have to write up your journey before boarding the train and the ticket is invalid if you don't. I'm sure you'd be OK in the French and Italian areas, but less so on the German speaking area. Also, CH is the only place I have ever been chastised for writing a journey in which involves a change of train: the rule is that each train boarded must have its own entry. Generally, conductors in most places don't seem to worry so much about this. To be fair, that was on an SOB services from Arth-Goldau to Luzern and I was coming from Lugano (I think), so there was in principle a choice of operator between those stations and the SOB conductor said that they wanted to make sure they got all the revenue they should...(one of the very few journeys where there is a UK-style choice of operator).

 

[blackfive460]

Thanks for the tips with Dutch ticket barriers, my hotel for the first few days is in Arnhem but initially I will be taking a Holland ticket after my Eurostar so the following days is reserved for Interrail, I won't be travelling much on the Dutch railway system on Interrail so I wouldn't be using it much.

If you do find that the barcode on your Interrail ticket cover stops working just go to the ticket office or the international desk at Amsterdam Centraal, explain the problem and they'll issue you with a gate pass.
The barcodes on Interrail tickets and on the NS issued gate passes only work for a limited number of times (10 or so).

 

[rvdborgt]

If you do find that the barcode on your Interrail ticket cover stops working just go to the ticket office or the international desk at Amsterdam Centraal, explain the problem and they'll issue you with a gate pass.
The barcodes on Interrail tickets and on the NS issued gate passes only work for a limited number of times (10 or so).

NS claimed they should work for 3 months, since that is the maximum pass validity and pass covers can be used for any pass.
A friend of mine noticed last year that it is not 3 months but probably 1 month. Not 10 times, since he hadn't even used it on gates that many times. He's now doing an experiment: he has used a new cover for the first time last Friday and will test it every time he goes to the Netherlands over the coming weeks, so we can establish how long it lasts. If it's not 3 months, I'll take it up with NS again.

 

[blackfive460]

NS claimed they should work for 3 months, since that is the maximum pass validity and pass covers can be used for any pass.
A friend of mine noticed last year that it is not 3 months but probably 1 month. Not 10 times, since he hadn't even used it on gates that many times. He's now doing an experiment: he has used a new cover for the first time last Friday and will test it every time he goes to the Netherlands over the coming weeks, so we can establish how long it lasts. If it's not 3 months, I'll take it up with NS again.

I was only going by previous experience from a few visits in recent (but pre-Covid) years.

 

[Route115?]

I have just come back from Switzerland & Germany. I put one journey per row (Chur - Pontresina, etc) even where several changes were required without problems. I got an additional cover which I could have used if required. The problem is short journeys. I got stopped by ticket inspectors on the Berlin S-Bahn once having dated my pass but not filled in the journey. There was no problem but given the impression that I needed to fill it in. I got asked to show my passport on several occasions but I that was reasonable if just to show my age as I was using an Over 60s pass.

I have two questions:

Presumably there is an allocation process between operators similar to London travelcards. Does anyone know how it works - I would be interested to know as many years ago I was indirectly involved in the process.

I can't find the address to post my diary to (I've found it in the past). Does anyone know what it is? (I am willing to provide an envelope & stamp if necessary.) Of course it doesn't make any difference if I don't post it but I'm happy to be helpful. I'm a;so happy to fill it in online as long as I can use my laptop and not a smartphone (my mobile is VERY non-smart and bottom of the range). Do they now assume that everyone has a smart phone and don't want to bother with anyone else. As an aside I am the Chair of an NHS Patient Participation Group and the biggest problem - by far - is older people not being able to cope with NHS I.T. when the system expects everyone to be able to do so.

 

[rvdborgt]

Presumably there is an allocation process between operators similar to London travelcards. Does anyone know how it works - I would be interested to know as many years ago I was indirectly involved in the process.

Previously, you could send in your travel diary (now renamed to My trip, as in the app...) in return for a small gift and this was apparently a big enough sample. Nowadays they don't do that anymore. I noticed in the app settings that you can enable "Share app statistics", which may be the same but then electronically. It is disabled by default.

I can't find the address to post my diary to (I've found it in the past). Does anyone know what it is?

As I wrote above, they don't do that anymore. Travel diaries are not evaluated anymore.

Do they now assume that everyone has a smart phone and don't want to bother with anyone else.

No they don't. Paper passes can be used as well.

 

[43096]

As I wrote above, they don't do that anymore. Travel diaries are not evaluated anymore.

Which makes the whole exercise utterly, utterly pointless.