My first Interrail Global Pass

[weepingwillowb]

My paper pass arrived today, less than a week after I'd ordered it, which, with the postal delivery situation, is excellent. It's a 7 days' pass which I'll use early next March, and I've reserved seats on the trains I'll be taking that require reservations (Paris to Karlsruhe, and return). Looking at previous posts here about Interrail was a big help.

The schedule I've worked out leaves me with two unused days on my pass, so, as London Luton Airport will be my border departure and entry place, can I use up those two days travelling by train from Lancaster to Luton (two or three changes, depending on the route taken), and on the return from Luton?

 

[DanielB]

Yes, the Interrail Global pass includes one outbound and one inbound journey which you can use in your home country to reach the point of departure. That usually would be the border station, but it applies for a trip to the (air)port where you'll depart from as well.

You should however mark those trips on your paper pass as out- and inbound, see the examples here.

 

[DeverseSam]

Presumably it includes the bus between Luton Parkway and the airport as well?

 

[Flying Snail]

Presumably it includes the bus between Luton Parkway and the airport as well?

No, I don't think so. Buses generally aren't included in interrail validity, nor are trams, metros and underground networks, the main exception being Rail Replacement Buses .

 

[DanielB]

The entire BLT tram network in Basel is included in the Interrail validity however.

 

[Flying Snail]

The entire BLT tram network in Basel is included in the Interrail validity however.

And aren't there 2 out of the 30 odd Zurich S-Bahn lines that do not accept interrail where the rest do?

There is very little simple fact without exception in interrail acceptance, so many seemingly random railway non-inclusions and a lesser number of buses/trams dotted around Europe that are included against the general no bus/tram rule.

 

[DanielB]

And aren't there 2 out of the 30 odd Zurich S-Bahn lines that do not accept interrail where the rest do?

When I've remembered correctly the SZU routes were not included indeed.
And fully agree it can be complicated where the pass is valid and where not. For example in Basel it would be valid in a BLT tram but not in a BVB tram on exactly the same route.
The Benelux is relatively simple in contrast, with pass validity on any train AFAIK.

 

[weepingwillowb]

My thanks to DanielB for answering my question. I've been trying to reserve seats on the Lancaster-Euston-Luton (and reverse) train journeys, but have been unable to so far. Perhaps because tickets aren't yet available in the UK for early March 2023? Or could it be because I'm trying to book them on Interrail UK?

The schedule I've pretty much settled on is from Paris to Germany, then Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein, and back to Paris. I found it a little difficult working out how to reserve seats on Interrail, but that's me, and I managed it okay eventually.

 

[ricohallo]

I've been trying to reserve seats on the Lancaster-Euston-Luton (and reverse) train journeys, but have been unable to so far. Perhaps because tickets aren't yet available in the UK for early March 2023? Or could it be because I'm trying to book them on Interrail UK?

I'm not sure whether it's too early or not, but you can make free Interrail reservations using the GWR website. See https://community.eurail.com/train-...o-get-reservations-105?postid=11554#post11554

 

[DanielB]

I found it a little difficult working out how to reserve seats on Interrail, but that's me, and I managed it okay eventually.

That's not your fault, there actually are things you'd not easily find when you don't know it. I made good use of guides written by experienced Interrailers when making reservations for my first Interrail trip last summer (those were in Dutch however, so not much use to link them here).

In general it's easy for services not having an Interrail quota (just buy a seat reservation, usually quite clear how to do that at the websites of foreign operators). It becomes more complicated for services with mandatory reservations, sleepers or trains with surcharges. But when you eventually know it, it's not that difficult anymore.

 

[30907]

My thanks to DanielB for answering my question. I've been trying to reserve seats on the Lancaster-Euston-Luton (and reverse) train journeys, but have been unable to so far. Perhaps because tickets aren't yet available in the UK for early March 2023?

Almost certainly not. Even in more normal times the maximum was 12 weeks ahead. And from and to Lancaster you don't need reservations (whatever Avanti may say) - though I presume you are not using your free days for that bit, so want Advances?

 

[weepingwillowb]

I got the necessary seat reservation between Lancaster and London Euston sorted today at Preston Station. Just have to wait now until the return journey comes on system, and then hope that the trains I'll have seat reservations for don't get cancelled or that's there's a rail strike on the days.

"Reservations are free of charge if purchased in Britain from any National Rail Ticket Office."