Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia
Tour the new countries of the European Union with low-cost rail products from Rail Europe

White Plains, NY, April 2, 2004 -- The former East Bloc countries joining the European Union on May 1 offer North American travelers eager to discover a “new” destination one of the best buys for a shrinking dollar: a wealth of culture, history and scenery at significantly lower prices than those in Western Europe, not to mention fewer tourists.

Low-cost railpasses from Rail Europe are another way travelers can get more for their money when they tour the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and other Eastern European countries. Railpasses give travelers a certain number of rail travel days (days need not be consecutive), and there is no limit to the number of train rides you can take on any of those days. Not available in Europe, these passes must be purchased here before leaving for Europe. Rail Europe is the leading North American distributor of European rail products.

• European East Pass - valid throughout the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Austria at a cost of $158 US/$309 CAD (2nd class), $225 US/$309 CAD (1st) for 5 days of rail travel within 1 month, and extra days may be purchased.
• Czech Flexipass - available in 1st or 2nd class, this pass covers 3 days of rail travel within 15 days, starting at $48 US/$66 CAD. Additional days may be purchased.
• Prague Excursion Pass - a special rail ticket lets you make a roundtrip by rail in 1st or 2nd class between any point on the Czech border point and Prague for $40 US/$55 CAD (2nd class) or $55 US/$76 CAD (1st.) Perfect for use with a Eurail Global Pass, since the 17 countries of Eurail Global Pass do not include the Czech Republic.
• Hungarian Flexipass - provides 5 days of 1st class rail travel within a 15-day period for $76 US/$105 CAD or 10 days within 1 month for $95 US/$131 CAD.
• Romanian Pass - for 3 days of 1st class rail travel within 15 days for $99 US/$136 CAD, and additional days may be purchased.
• Balkan Flexipass - regional pass for travel throughout southeastern Europe: Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. Available for 5, 10 or 15 rail travel days within 1 month, starting at $189 US/$259 CAD (1st class.) Discounted versions are available for seniors (60 and over) and youth (under 26.)

For more information or to book, contact a travel agent or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 in the US or 1-800-361-7245 in Canada, or log onto www.raileurope.com, which features interactive rail maps, schedules and fares for trains throughout Europe and the U.K.

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