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Overview
Overnight
High speed
Local trains
Car carriers
Take your car to the continent
An introduction to the AutoTrain
What's a car carrier?
This type of train transports motor vehicles (within certain size limits) over long distances, using special double-decker trains.
You drop off your car at the station, it’s loaded onto the train and then you pick it up at your destination.
These trains don’t have passenger compartments – you travel onwards by another train (or however you wish).
What are the benefits?
Using a car carrier service you can:
Take your own car on holiday but avoid a tiring drive to your destination.
Save money on fuel, road tolls and overnight accommodation en route.
Save on car rental at your destination.
Take whatever luggage you like, as well as bikes.
Arrive with more energy
Where can I travel to?
There are several car carriers in Europe. The most useful for travellers from the UK is the
AutoTrain.
This service runs between
Paris
and 12 different destinations across the south of France.
What does it cost?
The fares vary according to the destination and how far ahead that you book.
Fares start from £91 all destinations. Book early to get the best fares.
See the AutoTrain guide for full details >
 
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Please make sure this matches the class of your rail pass.
Depart:
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00:00
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02:00
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04:00
05:00
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08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
23:00
Return:
07:00
00:00
01:00
02:00
03:00
04:00
05:00
06:00
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
23:00
Passengers
Adults:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
(26-59 yrs)
Children:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
(Check child ages
here
)
Seniors:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
(60+ yrs)
Youths:
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2
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(25 yrs and under)
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Access
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Useful travel information
Train travel for disabled passengers
When planning your trip, bear in mind that the standard of disabled facilities on trains and at stations around Europe varies. Special equipment can sometimes be reserved in advance. Read up on what to expect in the
Destinations & stations
and
European routes and trains
sections of this site.
What about disabled seating?
Some of Europe's more modern trains have special onboard areas for disabled passengers.
To travel in these spaces you'll need to book a ticket in advance. For advice and to book tickets, phone the Rail Europe
call centre
or visit our
London Travel Centre
.
Useful travel information
Taking your bike
Almost all European trains allow bikes folded in a bike bag with the saddle, handlebars and wheels removed. And, as long as it's no bigger than a normal suitcase, it'll be covered as part of your luggage allowance. Check our train pages for more information.
If you can't fit your bike into a bike bag, some trains also have bicycle spaces.
These must be pre-booked at the same time as you book your passenger ticket.
To make your booking along with a bicycle space, phone the Rail Europe
call centre
or visit our
London Travel Centre
.
Useful travel information
Special dietary requirements
There's a choice of meals on the Eurostar for Business Premier and Standard Premier passengers. Special meal requests must be indicated at time of booking. Please note, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for any Vegetarian or Child meals, and 48 hours for all other Dietary requests. You can find out more about the food served on trains in the
European routes and trains
sections of this site.
For further advice on the above and to book tickets, phone the Rail Europe
call centre
or visit our
London Travel Centre
.
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Passenger Numbers:
Adult:
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1
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7
8
9
Children:
0
1
2
3
4
5
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8
9
Youths:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Seniors:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total:
Children aged 6 - 15 years go free when travelling with at least one parent holding a Swiss Travel System product. To claim free child travel and complete your booking, please call us on 08448 484 064 (Mon to Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm).
Continue booking
Passenger age requirements
Rail Passes
When you fill in the rail passes search form, you’ll need to indicate the ages of the passengers travelling.
InterRail Passes
Global Pass:
Below are the different types of InterRail Global Pass.
To work out which one you qualify for, take your age on the first day you’ll use your pass.
Youth pass: 12-25 years
Adult pass: 26-59 years
Child pass: 4-11 years
Senior pass: 60+ years
Children under 4 travel free.
If you’re thinking of travelling on a Youth pass, please note that there’s no first class option. If you want to travel first class you should choose an Adult pass.
One Country Pass:
Below are the different types of InterRail One Country Pass. When working out which one you qualify for, take your age on the first day you’ll travel with your pass.
Youth pass: 12-25 years
Adult pass: 26+ years
Child pass: 4-11 years
Children under 4 travel free.
Please note that there is no Senior option when booking an InterRail One Country Pass.
Plus there’s no first class InterRail pass for travel in Norway.
Swiss Travel System
Swiss Pass & Swiss Flexi Pass:
When working out which pass you qualify for, take your age on the first day you’ll travel with your pass.
Youth pass: 16-25 years
Adult pass: 26+ years
Children: Children under 6 travel free while children aged 6-15 travel free with a parent or guardian holding a Swiss Travel System product. To complete your booking including free travel for your children, please call us on 08448 484 064 (Mon to Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm).
Swiss Card / Swiss Transfer Ticket:
Available for adults and children only, in first or standard class.
Important:
Children under 6 travel free while children aged 6-15 travel free with a parent or guardian holding a Swiss Travel System product. To complete your booking including free travel for your children, please call us on 08448 484 064 (Mon to Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm).
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Seat reservations for InterRail pass holders
Please note that a reservation alone is NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL unless used alongside a valid InterRail pass.
If you already have a valid InterRail pass, or are planning to buy one, selecting 'Reservation' allows you to pre-book a seat on a specific train.
Why do I need to make a seat reservation when I already have an InterRail pass?
Seat reservations are compulsory on most high speed and overnight trains and are not included in the price of an InterRail pass. Find out more in our
Rail Pass Guide
.
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