Cheap Train Tickets

Most people cross national borders during their European trips, but they don't necessarily need a pass that's good in every nation. Most of us stay within three to five contiguous countries. Because that's true, some of the most useful and popular passes are these Multiple Country offers. Some of the rules here defy what you learned in geography class. For example, Ireland "borders" France because they're connected by shipline; for logistical reasons, Norway and Finland do not count as bordering countries, while Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg together count as one country. Confused? It's not as bad as it sounds at first, and the costs are attractive: $465-$1029 USD depending upon the number of days and countries chosen.

Many people associate youth passes and Europe with students, and you will see many students take advantage of this offer. But you do not have to be a student, and "youth" as defined as no older than age 26. Choose three, four or five contiguous countries. Prices increase as you add nations. Another price factor is the number of days it is valid. The days do not have to be consecutive. The pass is good for two months after activation. The passes are good for second-class travel. On many European trains, the only added benefit in first-class is fewer fellow passengers. Five days of travel within three contiguous countries in two months goes for $302 USD. For 15 days within two months and visits to five contiguous countries, the cost is $669.

This is not a single pass, but a collection of eight that are available only to travelers age 60 and older. The passes include travel in the Balkans, Great Britain, France, Ireland, and Romania. For example, the France Senior Pass gives you three rail days within 30 for $299 USD; but note that you may purchase up to six more days for just $42/day. So you could take unlimited train trips on nine days within a month for less than $600/person.

This handy tool will ask you for information about your itinerary. It will help you select the least expensive options for passes. For example, if you'll only spend five of your 21 days in Europe changing cities, you probably don't need a 21-day rail pass. One that affords five days within a 30-day period is cheaper and still enables your travel plan.

An unusual opportunity to combine a car rental with rail passes valid for unlimited travel on the national rail networks in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. That's a real plus when you're planning a budget itinerary. The car rental choices are between four car categories, three with manual transmission and one automatic. The type of car and duration of pass determine the price of the pass, which varies from $473-$778 USD for one person and $838-1304 for two people. Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively.

This is perhaps one of the best travel values in Asia. You get one week of unlimited coach passage on all Japanese trains for just 28,300 JPY ($279 USD). Japan is connected by more than 12,000 miles of track, so it's literally possible to go just about anywhere in the country by train. Note that the pass is available only to travelers entering Japan on a non-Japanese passport with "temporary visitor" entry status. There are a few restrictions (read the fine print) but generally, you will do much better with this pass than trying to buy a week's worth of single point-to-point tickets. Check it out for your itinerary, and notice that 14- and 21-day passes are also offered.

A CanRail Pass is promoted for people who want to go a long way on a limited budget. It will cost you more in the summer months, when tourism in Canada reaches its peak. Summer season is June 1-Oct. 15 ($923 CAN) and Off-Peak Season is any other time of year ($576 CAN). You get 12 days of unlimited travel in Comfort (economy) class and may make as many stopovers as you wish. It's valid anywhere VIA goes, from coast-to-coast and up to Hudson Bay. Drawbacks: taxes are not included, and you still have to obtain tickets before boarding. Up to three days may be added to the pass at a per-day cost. Discounts available for children, students and seniors.

Here is a pass that allows you to travel on any seven days during a 21-day period for $159 USD (adults) and $80 (children 2-15). The only catch: this pass is not valid on any long-distance trains. It is only for intra-California trips. Eligible trains include Capitols, San Joaquin, and Pacific Surfliner corridor trains, most connecting Thruway services and Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and Dunsmuir. You cannot purchase the pass online. Call Amtrak or use a travel agent.

Passes are available in 15 days/8 segments ($389), 30 days/12 segments ($579) and 45 days/18 segments ($749) throughout the entire U.S. Children ages 2-15 get the passes for half the adult price. Travel must begin within 180 days of the date the pass purchased. A word about segments: because the U.S. rail system isn't as inter-connected as in Europe, it might take a circuitous two or three "segments" as defined by Amtrak to go from one city to another. The example they use is Washington, D.C. to Oklahoma City, which would require three segments: Washington and Chicago, Chicago and Fort Worth and Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. Obviously, you need to plan carefully and weigh the costs against buying conventional tickets.

No less than 12 rail lines in Australia accept this pass for travel over 15 or 22 days in a six month period from the first day of travel. They're great for long-term exploring, because only the days you travel are deducted from the pass. With this pass, you can spend days on each coast exploring cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Alice Springs and Darwin. Any 15 days for $950 AUD ($662 USD); any 22 days for $1330 AUD ($927 USD). Two drawbacks: children pay the same price as adults, and you cannot purchase the pass online. These passes are available only to overseas visitors holding valid passports and a return airline ticket.