Country Railpasses from Rail Europe; Benelux-Germany and Hungary-Romania
White Plains, New York, February 11, 2004 -- Effective March 1, 2004, two more 2-country railpasses, the Benelux-Germany and Hungary-Romania Passes, will be added to the lineup of two-country railpasses available from the Rail Europe Group, which pioneered the concept of 2-country railpasses in 1998. With the addition of these two passes, the company offers a total of seven 2-country railpasses: the Iberic Railpass (Spain and Portugal), France ‘n Italy Pass, France ‘n Spain Pass, France ‘n Switzerland Pass and Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass -- the latter two introduced for 2004 just two months ago.
“Our research showed us several years ago that North American travelers are taking shorter and more geographically-focused European trips than previously,” notes Fabrice Morel, President of Rail Europe Group. “That's why we developed the 2-country railpass, starting in 1998 with the Iberic Railpass. And strong sales figures for these 2-country passes confirm that this is the kind of product the market wants.”
2-country passes and prices
• NEW for 2004 Benelux-Germany Pass - valid for travel throughout Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, starting at $200US/$274CAD (2nd class) and $246US/$337CAD (1st class) per person for 5 days of unlimited rail travel in 2 months when 2 people travel together.
• NEW for 2004 Hungary-Romania Pass - valid for 1st class travel only throughout Hungary and Romania, two countries linked by history and culture, as well as rail. Prices start at $170US/$233CAD per person for 5 days of unlimited rail travel in 2 months when 2 people travel together.
• NEW for 2004 France ‘n Switzerland Pass - 4 days in a 2-month period, starting at $259US/$355CAD per person for 2 people traveling together in 1st class.
• NEW for 2004 Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass - 4 days in 2 months, starting at $256US/$351CAD per person for 2 people traveling together in 1st class.
• France ‘n Italy Pass - debuted in 2002, provides 4 days in 2 months and starts at $229US/$314CAD per person for 2 people traveling together in 2nd class.
• France ‘n Spain Pass - new last year (2003), provides 4 days in 2 months and starts at $229US/$314CAD per person for 2 people traveling together in 2nd class.
• Iberic Railpass - for 3 days of unlimited rail travel in Spain and Portugal, prices start at $219US/$301CAD per person for two people traveling together in 1st class.
Extra days may be purchased for all these passes, and all passes must be purchased in North America. They are not available in Europe.
Rail Europe Group is the leading North American supplier of all European railpasses and tickets, including 1-country passes (such as the France Railpass, Germany Railpass, Eurail Italy Pass for Italy, Hungarian Flexipass, Romanian Pass, etc.), 2-country passes and 3- or more country passes (such as the ScanRail Pass for Scandinavia,, European East Pass, Balkan Flexipass and Eurail Global Passes.)
To book any European railpass or for more information, contact a travel agent or Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 in the U.S., 1-800-361-7245 in Canada or log onto www.raileurope.com.
Photos: members of the press may download high-res photos of Eurostar and other European trains at www.raileurope.com/presspix
