Making European travel more affordable for those under 26

Eurail Global Pass Youth prices reduced in 2005

White Plains, NY, January 4, 2005 - To entice young travelers to continue exploring Europe by rail despite the rising Euro, the ever-popular Eurail Youth Passes for those under 26 are from 3-8% less expensive in 2005 than they were in 2004, it was announced today by Rail Europe, leading North American distributor of European rail products.

While 2005 railpass prices for adults either remained at 2004 levels or showed a slight increase, depending on the pass, prices were dropped for all validities of the 17-country Eurail Global Pass Youth (consecutive day), 17-country Eurail Global Pass Youth Flexi (rail travel days may be non-consecutive), Eurail Select Pass Youth for three, four or five connected countries. All these passes are for travel in second class and may be purchased for a varying number of rail travel days (validities) from five days to three months.

The biggest price reductions of 7-8% were for 17-country* Eurail Global Passes for youth. These start at US$382 for a 15 consecutive day pass (in 2004, US$414) or US$451 for a Eurail Global Pass Youth Flexi giving 10 days of rail travel within a 2-month period (in 2004, US$488.)

Prices for the newer Eurail Select Pass Youth, for which the purchaser chooses 3, 4 or 5 countries** connected by rail or ferry, were cut 3-4%. A three-country Eurail Select Pass Youth giving five days of rail travel within a 2-month period will cost US$241 in 2005, compared to US$249 in 2004. The same pass for 4 countries will cost US$269 (compared to US$279 in 2004) and one for 5 countries will go for US$296 (vs US$307 in 2004.)

“We’re pleased to offer these cost savings to young travelers,” said Fabrice Morel, President of Rail Europe Group. “Once people try Europe’s trains, either on summer vacation or a year or semester abroad, they keep coming back to ride the trains again and again.”

For more information or to book a Eurail Global Pass Youth or any European rail product, contact a travel agent or Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 or log on to www.raileurope.com.

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Notes:

* Eurail Global Pass’ 17 countries include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

**Eurail Select Pass - in addition to the 17 countries above, purchasers may also choose from Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia/ Croatia (counted as one), Serbia, Montenegro.

Photos: members of the press may download high-res photos of Eurostar and other European trains at www.raileurope.com/presspix