At The Station
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| Meet your train station | |
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Many European cities have multiple train stations and come in all shapes and sizes. Before heading out the door, double-check the Eurail Timetable with the railway or hotel desk to make sure you are going to the correct station. Major railway stations are centrally located and well served by public transportation - trams, metros or buses. Taxis are plentiful. Some stations are like mini cities with every imaginable service: Restaurants, newsstands, post offices, telephones, hotel booking offices, currency exchange, ATM's, shops and so on. | |
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| Schedules | |
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At major stations huge computerized boards, usually near the entrance, offer up-to-the-minute schedule and platform listings. Station information offices also can provide schedules. When it’s time to go to your train, signs at platform entrances reconfirm the information on the main schedule board. | |
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| Pictograms | |
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Pictograms are everywhere. It helps if you know a few words and phrases. But even if you don't, pictograms remove the language barrier. Pictograms will be found in all stations to assist you in locating information booths, restaurants and even restrooms. | |
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| Luggage tips | |
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Most major railway stations have luggage carts, while only very few still have porters. Left-luggage offices or coin-operated lockers are convenient for short-term storage. Aboard the train, luggage racks are found above seats or at the end of the car. It’s up to the traveler to watch his luggage as the railway is not responsible for lost or stolen bags. We would advise that you purchase baggage insurance before leaving home. | |
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| The 24 Hour Clock | |
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Europe uses the 24 hour clock system. So if your train is departing at 15:00, that will be 3pm to you and me. An easier way to translate this would be to take the 24 hour time. Subtract the second number by 2. Then drop the 1. | |
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| Getting To Your Car And Seat | |
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After checking the schedule and departure platform, it’s time to find your train. If you have made a reservation, you need to check the car number and seat number printed on the ticket. On the platform, railway employees can show you where your car will stop. Glass-enclosed cases on platforms at some stations called "Composition of Trains" show long-distance and overnight trains, car-by-car. There you can see exactly where your car will stop on the platform. The traveler should be ready to board the train the minute it arrives; station stops are often very short unless boarding is done at the beginning of the train’s route. Numbers posted near the train’s door or on a window show if the car is 1st or 2nd class; some trains have both classes in one car. Destination placard and car numbers are placed near the door. Trains can be split and sent in different directions. Make sure the car you are going on goes where you want it to go.Once the car is found, finding the right seat is easy. If a seat in a compartment is reserved, a sign on or next to the compartment door showing the seat’s number must match the seat number on the ticket. For open-car seating, seat numbers are on the headrest. Travelers have to be prepared to vacate a reserved seat that does not belong to them when the rightful seat-holder arrives. | |
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