By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
Train ticket prices for the European Rail Pass are adjusted at the beginning of each year. The 2012 rates have been gradually released, with the Swiss Travel Pass seeing the highest increase of approximately 19–28%. Meanwhile, the UK, which will host the Olympic Games next year, also has an increase of 9–11% for related rail passes. Popular options among travelers, such as the Eurail Global Pass covering 23 countries and the Select Pass for 3, 4, or 5 European countries, have also seen a 1.5% price hike.
The London Olympics will kick off next year, and travelers planning to visit can save nearly NT$3,000 by booking before the end of December. (Image provided by Mook Editorial Department)
Taking the Swiss Travel Pass First Class for one consecutive month as an example, the newly announced 2012 price is €785, which is €168 more than in 2011. Booking now can save you around NT$6,720. As for the UK, which is expected to be a popular destination next year due to the Olympics, the popular BritRail Pass covering any 15 days within 2 months in First Class is priced at US$1,025 for 2012, up US$96 from 2011. Travelers planning to visit the UK before the Olympics can save about NT$2,880 by booking now.
Traveling across multiple European countries by train is the best choice for independent travel. (Image provided by Mook Editorial Department)
Travelers planning to head to Europe in the first half of next year can take advantage of booking before the end of December, as the new 2012/1/1 rates will take effect then. Rail passes booked by the end of this year can be activated within six months of the booking date, allowing you to use 2011 rates on 2012 trains. FlyDuck Travel is also running a “2011 Bye Bye Sale” in December—book any European Rail Pass before December 30 and receive a European hotel discount coupon worth up to NT$500 off.