Is it true that the price of an Inter Rail ticket has been reduced to #120

Asks Jamie

A. Rail Europe has just (April 2002) introduced a new, shorter Inter Rail pass that provides 12 days of unlimited travel in up to four countries (or one travel zone) for �119 (�169 for over-26s). The standard Inter Rail pass for one month's travel through Europe is more expensive and starts at �139 for 22 days unlimited travel in one travel zone.

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Q. What exactly is an Inter Rail pass

A. It is a rail ticket that allows unlimited travel within certain travel zones in Europe for an agreed period of time. It allows you to visit 28 countries in total and travel on any train (as long as there are seats available) at any time of day depending on your travel schedule. You can find out more online at http://www.raileurope.co.uk/railpass/.

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Q. What are Inter Rail travel zones

A. Rail Europe, the company that controls all Inter Rail passes, has eight designated travel zones - and depending on the ticket you buy, you can have unlimited travel within one or more zones for the period that your ticket is valid.

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Zone A covers the Republic of Ireland; Zone B covers Finland, Norway and Sweden; Zone C covers Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland; Zone D covers the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Poland; Zone E covers Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Zone F covers Morocco, Portugal and Spain; Zone G covers Greece, Italy, Turkey and Slovenia; and Zone H covers Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia and Macedonia.

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Q. Do you have to be a student to buy an Inter Rail pass

A. No, although if you are under 26 you are entitled to a cheaper ticket.

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Q. How much does travel through each travel zone cost

A. Inter Rail tickets cost the following prices (prices quoted are valid until 14 December 2002):

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Any one zone (for 12 days) costs �119 for under 26s, �169 if for over 26s;

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Any one zone (for 22 days) costs �139 for under 26s, �209 if for over 26s;

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Any two zones costs �189 for under 26s, �265 if for over 26s;

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Any three zones costs �209 for under 26s, �299 if for over 26s;

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Travel in all zones costs �249 for under 26s, �355 if for over 26s. If you book online you are entitled to a �5 discount on any ticket.

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Q. How would I book if I didn't want to book online

A. You can book over the phone on 08705 848 848 or in person at the Rail Europe Travel Centre, 178-9 Piccadilly, London W1.

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Q. Does Rail Europe offer any other rail passes in Europe

A. Yes, it offers three other types of tickets.

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The ScanRail Pass provides unlimited rail travel on the national railways of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Passes are available for travel for 5 days in any two-month period, 10 days in any two-month period or for 21 consecutive days. Prices start at �105 (under 26) and �139 (over 26).

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A ScanRail pass also entitles the traveller to free travel on several ferry and bus routes. Free ferry crossings include Helsig�r (Denmark) - Helsingborg (Sweden); R�dby F�rge (Denmark) - Puttgarden Mitte (Germany) and Trelleborg (Sweden) - Sassnitz Mitte (Germany). A ScanRail pass also entitles you to a 50% discount on all other ferries, buses and private railways throughout Scandinavia; 20% discount on all travel in Oslo; free or discounted admission to any railway museum in Scandinavia and reduced room rates in Best Western's 160 hotels throughout the region.

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France Rail Pass: Prices for a rail pass that entitles you to travel on the whole SNCF network throughout France start at �73 for three days travel (under 26) and �93 (over 26). Tickets can run from 3 to 9 days within a one-month period, consecutively or non-consecutively.

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Pass holders are also entitled to reduced fares on Eurostar services to France; 50% discount on SeaFrance Dover-Calais passenger fares and a 30% discount on ferry fares between Marseille, Nice or Toulon and Corsica (Ajaccio, Bastia or Propriano).

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A EuroDomino Pass offers unlimited travel within one of any of the 28 countries included in the scheme for anything between 3 and 8 days within a one-month period. Prices vary depending on the country you are visiting, but as an example a three-day pass for Turkey would cost �14 (under 16) and �18 (over 26), for Germany it would cost �89 (under 26) and �118 (over 26).

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To qualify for a EuroDomino pass you have to be resident in Europe for at least six months.

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Q. Does Rail Europe have any other travel offers apart from those listed above

A. Discounted fares on Eurostar are standard for any Inter Rail pass holder as is a Hostels of Europe discount card - which entitles you to discounted accommodation in over 300 independent hostels and hotels.

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If you have any other Travel related questions, please click here

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By Karen Anderson