There are two facilities:

• The FIP International Reduced Rate Card (FIP Card) for unlimited discounted leisure travel.
• FIP Coupons for a limited annual allocation of free leisure travel.

Your passport supports the use of FIP facilities. The name on your FIP facilities must match your passport name.

After 12 months’ service, TOC employees may apply to RSTL for FIP facilities. They are issued for the same class of travel as your Rail Staff Leisure Card.

A FIP Card is issued to the employee and each of their eligible family members. Please note:

• FIP cards are valid for 2 calendar years and renewed automatically.
• The FIP discount is usually a set reduction (usually 50%, sometimes 75%) on the full adult fare (even for children). However, on some international trains, the FIP fare is priced independently of the full public fare. These are referred to as Global Fares. Check the Travel Tips for Europe.

An employee can apply for FIP coupons when required. The following points relating to coupons should be noted:

• Separate coupons are issued for each railway or shipping company.
• You can apply for different carriers at different times of the year to cover separate holidays.
• Not all carriers offer free travel. Notably, Eurostar and Thalys.
• Some carriers only offer free travel to employees, not partners and dependant children.
• Coupons are valid for 3 months from the specified outward travel date. The coupons have 4 date boxes each of which is valid for 2 days’ of unlimited free travel. The 2 days comprise the date entered and the following day up to 23:59 hrs.
• The free travel only covers the cost of the fare. Mandatory reservation charges, supplement charges and port taxes must be paid. Sometimes inclusive public tickets may be cheaper.
• An allocation is per calendar year (normally 1 per carrier).
• If the journey is on a train which crosses an international border, you will need coupons for the main carrier in each country.

The Travel Tips for Europe contains a list of the carriers and shows the number of coupons per year that you can apply for.

To get from Britain to Europe, you can either purchase FIP discounted fares for travel on Eurostar, or you can obtain FIP coupons for travel on Stena Line services from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. Within Europe, the FIP facilities are valid on the major railway companies including SNCF in France, SNCB in Belgium, NS in Holland, DB in Germany, TrenItalia (FS) in Italy, RENFE in Spain, CP in Portugal, CD in the Czech Republic and many more.

FIP facilities are generally not valid:

• On franchised, open access and private operators
• On regional services and urban commuter routes subsidised by local authorities (even if provided by the national operator)
• In Sweden or Corsica
• On some services in Germany run by DB. A list is published on the RSTL website

On many high-speed and long-distance intercity routes, reservations must be made in advance. Our Travel Tips for Europe is a country by country guide to your FIP facilities.  It is advisable to check this before planning any travel.

Eurostar from London St Pancras offer FIP discounted fares only. FIP coupons are not valid on Eurostar.

The FIP SP (Swiss Private) group covers many narrow gauge and mountain railways in Switzerland including:

• Jungfrau Railways (discounted travel on some routes only)
• The Glacier Express (reservations mandatory)
• The Bernina Express (supplements payable)
• The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Disentis/Mustér to Zermatt, and Andermatt to Göschenen. Discounted travel only Zermatt to Gornergrat).

For FIP coupons, apply to RSTL giving at least 3 weeks’ notice. Coupons are posted to your home address 2 weeks before your outward departure date.

For FIP tickets and reservations before you leave Britain, there are a small number of Travel Agents. With an FIP Card, you can make bookings, even if you will be using FIP Coupons and have not received them yet.

For Eurostar FIP tickets, you can also do this in person at St Pancras on presentation of your FIP card.

Otherwise, discounted tickets can be purchased at railway ticket offices at stations in Europe. Please note that in some countries such as Holland and Germany, not all station ticket offices are authorised to sell FIP discounted tickets. Please check the Travel Tips for Europe.

Key links on the following pages:

• Travel Tips for Europe 
• Application form for FIP Cards (xx09a), coupons for employee only (xx09b) and coupons for employee and all eligible family members (xx09c)
• FIP Fares on Eurostar
• Travel agents for FIP bookings

FIP - Facilités de circulation Internationales du Personnel des chemins de fer: (International Travel Facilities for Railway Staff) comprises a group of European rail and shipping carriers who have voluntarily agreed a mutual exchange of staff travel facilities.  Rail Staff Travel (RSTL) is a member identified as GB National Rail.

Employees of National Rail Train Operating Companies are eligible to benefit from FIP facilities after 12 month’s service. FIP facilities are provided subject to the goodwill of RSTL and the reciprocal third parties concerned and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. No person has any contractual right or entitlement to FIP facilities.

If you hold Standard Class National RSTL facilities, your FIP facilities will be issued as Second Class.

FIP facilities are for leisure use only (unless endorsed for duty travel). It is forbidden to use FIP leisure facilities for journeys undertaken for lucrative purposes (i.e. residential, business or duty) or for journeys serving the interests of a third party.

Some duty travel FIP facilities are available to employees only. Please contact RSTL for more information if you are required to travel on business.

The two principal FIP facilities are:

• FIP International Reduced Rate Card (FIP Card) for purchase of discounted tickets
• FIP Coupons for limited free travel

These are the carriers in the FIP scheme, the number of coupons available in each calendar year for an active employee and family members, and the discount available using the FIP Card.

[1] Stena Line BV free travel for one return journey – present an FIP coupon + Port Tax ticket + Environmental Charge. Reduced rate tickets available at ports only. Advance reservations mandatory – phone 01255 202352

These are the carriers in the FIP scheme, the number of coupons available in each calendar year for a retired employee and family members, and the discount available using the FIP Card.

For these carriers for retired employees there is no allocation of coupons and the ticket discount is 50%.

[1] Stena Line BV free travel for one return journey – present an FIP coupon + Port Tax ticket + Environmental Charge. Reduced rate tickets available at ports only. Advance reservations mandatory – phone 01255 202352

The International Reduced Rate Card (FIP card) provides eligibility for a discount off the full adult public fare on the domestic services of all FIP members except your own. Non-standard discounts may apply on cross-border journeys, depending on the agreements under which these cross-border services operate.

FIP cards are personal issue, must be signed and are not transferable. When buying a ticket and when presenting that ticket for inspection, the card holder must present the FIP card and their passport as supporting photographic ID. The passport name must match that on the FIP card.

FIP cards have a printed period of validity of two calendar years but one additional month validity is added either side, i.e. from 1 December of the year preceding the dates printed, to 31 January of the year following. (i.e. a card for 2025-2026 is valid from 01/12/2024 to 31/01/2027).

Discounted ticket purchasing before you leave Britain

FIP discounted tickets can be bought from International Rail Ltd.

• Submit your journey details www.bookmyrst.co.uk
• International Rail prepare the quote and contact you with pricing.

International Rail Ltd can assist with booking travel on Eurostar and Thalys and also for travel in the following countries:

Please note that the table above is correct as of December 2024. However, carriers can add or withdraw services from the international retail systems without notice.

To buy tickets for SNCF domestic services in France please see the chapter later in this document.

FIP fares are usually quota controlled. Each operator decides how far in advance quotas for FIP discounted fares are made available to retailers. If your requested journey is not available, you need to amend either the time or date, or pay the full public fare if you can’t be flexible.

The FIP card lists the carriers and the discount on the adult fare available. There is no discount on public child fares.

International Rail have access to European rail ticketing systems to sell FIP discounted fares. Sometimes public travel cards, advance purchase fares or promotions are cheaper than the FIP discount on a single/return full fare ticket. The International Rail system cannot guarantee that where a public fare is cheaper than the FIP fare, that this will always be offered.

FIP discounted ticket purchasing whilst travelling abroad

You can buy tickets at railway station ticket offices in the local country.

Many carriers do not permit the purchase of tickets on-board trains unless boarding from an unstaffed station. The guide highlights where boarding without a ticket is not permitted.

This guide highlights where carriers permit the purchase of tickets:

• at ticket vending machines.
• using smartphone apps or carrier websites.

Conditions of carriage using discounted tickets

The use of discounted tickets is subject to the local conditions of carriage on the carrier concerned. There may be requirements to validate tickets before use or restrictions on freedoms such as break of journey.

FIP fares for children

Children holding the FIP Card are eligble for a reduction on the public adult fare. This may or may not be less than the public child fare.

For domestic journeys the entries for each carrier show ages at which children can obtain public child fares.

For international journeys children up to the age of 4 may travel free of charge unless the journey requires a mandatory reservation. Children up to the age of 12 are eligible for a reduction on the public adult fare. Where the journey is on an international train and entirely within specific country, a few countries have higher limits up to the age of 16 which apply. International Rail can advise for specific journeys.

Changes to FIP membership during the validity of a card

During the two-year validity of a FIP card, a carrier may resign from FIP membership. This carrier will then not accept the FIP card for purchasing discounted tickets. RSTL is not liable for any changes which result in inability to purchase discounted tickets.

If a carrier joins as an FIP member during the validity of a card, then discounts are available from the date of joining the scheme, even if the new carrier is not listed on the FIP card. The RSTL guides and website will contain information of new carriers.

FIP coupons provide a limited amount of free travel. However, when using FIP coupons some long distance and high-speed service may be subject to supplement charges and mandatory reservations. For more information please check the entry in this document for the relevant carrier.

Your passport provides the supporting ID document and needs to be presented alongside your FIP coupons when travelling. The name printed on your coupons must match the passport name.

Each carrier sets how many coupons each employee may apply for in each calendar year. The numbers available are in the Introduction section above.

Validity of coupons

FIP coupons are valid for 3 months from the outward date of travel. The start and end validity dates are printed by RSTL on each coupon.

The outward date of travel determines which allocation year the coupons are drawn from. (i.e. if you apply for coupons with an outward travel date of 1 December 2025, these will come from your allocation for 2025).

Unused coupons in your allocation for a particular calendar year, may be applied for for travel up to 31 March in the following year. Submit an application to RSTL with an outward travel date of 31 December (even if your actual outward travel date is after this date).

Applications to RSTL for coupons

Apply using either of the following forms on the RST website www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#international:

• xx09b – International Coupons Application – Employee only
• xx09c – International Coupons Application – Employee and family members

Submit the form on-line no later than 3 weeks prior to travel.

Issue of coupons by RSTL

FIP coupons are issued by RSTL around 2 weeks prior to travel.

Use of the coupons for travel

The coupon tickets show your name. Your passport is the supporting identification.

Four numbered boxes when dated by you are valid for 2-days, from 00:01 that day and up to midnight of the following day (unless that day is after the end of validity date of the coupon) for free travel (subject to any supplements or mandatory reservation charges) on the services of the carrier in the class of travel shown on the coupon (1. Cl is 1^st Class, 2. Cl. is 2^nd Class).

Boxes must be dated using a permanent ink pen in numerical order and completed before boarding a train. Use of erasable pens or pencils is a travel irregularity which will result in the permanent withdrawal of both domestic and international travel facilities.

Enter the date of travel in the format dd/mm/yy with leading zeros for any number less than 10 – i.e. 01/05/25 for 1 May 2025.

The specific countries section of this guide will help to identify whether supplements are payable or reservations are required. International Rail can help with advice and make reservations.

Not all carriers allow independent retailers to make reservations where tickets are not being bought at the same time.

Depending on your journey and the countries that you will be travelling in you may find that you can only use your FIP card to obtain privilege rate tickets rather than using free coupons. If you provide your proposed itinerary to International Rail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., they can advise of any restrictions about the services you wish to use.

The maximum age at which children are carried free of charge varies in Europe from country to country. The lowest is 4 years, so we will always issue FIP documents for a child aged 4 or over.

International Free Coupons are issued as a batch for the journey requested.

Each FIP carrier defines its fare boundaries using Transit Points. These are listed in the relevant section of this document. A Transit Point is a fare location which may or may not be a passenger station of the same name.

This example shows ÖBB Transit Points with DB AG.

Virtual Border Transit Points

Transit point locations with a suffix such as (Gr), (fr), (mp) or (ms) are Virtual Border Transit Points (i.e. a location which is not a passenger station).

An example is the transit point of Mittenwald (Gr). This is a location on the geographical border 0.7km north of Schamitz railway station in Austria and 5km south of Mittenwald railway station.

If you are travelling north from Austria to Germany on this route and are using coupons on ÖBB but need to buy FIP discounted tickets for DB AG, your ÖBB coupon is valid for the 0.7km from Schamitz station to Mittenwald (Gr). The Origin of your DB AG ticket must be Mittenwald (Gr) and not the first DB AG station in Germany which is Mittenwald.

Please see the Glossary entry for Transit Points for the suffix meanings.

Passenger Station Transit Points

Where the Transit Point location has no suffix then coupons are valid for travel to/from that station, even if the station is in a neighbouring country.

As an example of a location with no suffix, the Transit Point for ÖBB with DB AG is Lindau Reutin. This indicates that ÖBB coupons may be used on the Vorarlberg Railway north east as far as Lindau Reutin in Germany.

The illustration shows (bottom to top) the railway from Bregenz in Austria to Lindau Insel in Germany crossing the border at the 5.941 km point.

Cross-border journeys

The transit points define the geographical extent to which FIP coupons are valid.

On a cross-border journey (where coupons are accepted), FIP coupons are required for each country travelled through, irrespective of the train operator which provides the train service.

As an example, on EN 234/235 services (Vienna <> Venice/Rome) trains cross the border between Austria and Italy at Tarvisio Boscoverde. The table of Transit Points for ÖBB shows that this is the border with FS and the table of Transit Points for FS shows that this is the border with ÖBB. Both ÖBB and FS coupons are required if crossing the border on this service.

FIP Coupons which are lost or stolen cannot be replaced. Neither RST nor any other FIP carrier is liable for any refund of fares paid after loss or theft of FIP cards or coupons.

Theft - Theft of FIP Travel cards or coupons must be reported immediately to

• the police in the country in which the theft took place and a certificate obtained from the police to confirm the report was submitted.
• RST in the form of a notification giving the circumstances of the theft along with a copy of the certificate received from the police.

Loss- Any loss of cards or coupons must be reported immediately to RST in writing or by e-mail giving the circumstances of the loss and steps undertaken to recover the cards or coupons.

It is your responsibility to ensure you only use FIP facilities for the intended purposes. Where misuse is detected, then the holder will be subject to Travel Irregularity proceedings by both the local carrier and RSTL.

Examples of Travel Irregularities include:

• non-leisure travel, i.e. travelling for residential, business or duty purposes, or for journeys serving the interests of a third party
• use of FIP Coupons or discounted tickets bought with an FIP Card and unable to support their use with a passport
• attempting to buy a discounted ticket with the FIP Card and unable to support its use with a passport
• modifying a date box on an FIP coupon
• travelling after the expiry date of an FIP coupon
• travelling on restricted services
• travelling in a class of accommodation not available with the FIP facilities
• travelling on mandatory reservation or supplement services without reservations or supplements
• transfer of FIP facilities to non-eligible persons
• using FIP facilities when not eligible
• travelling in breach of the Conditions of Travel of the carrier

This list of examples is not comprehensive.

Travel Irregularities reported to RST by any FIP member will be dealt with following the same procedure in force for the National Rail domestic schemes.

When an FIP Travel Irregularity warrants temporary or permanent withdrawal of travel facilities, RST will apply this to domestic travel facilities as well as international travel facilities allocated to the employee and/or dependants.

Neither RST nor any FIP carrier is liable for any refund of fares paid after seizure of FIP cards or coupons during a Travel Irregularity investigation.

General Tips

Most carriers require you to purchase a ticket before boarding a train (and will refuse to sell discounted tickets on board) unless boarding from a station with no ticket office.

On long distance and high-speed journeys, supplements may be payable, and reservations required. Carriers may not permit payment of supplements on-board trains.

Tickets are subject to the Conditions of Carriage imposed by the carrier.

Unlike in Britain and on Eurostar, it is usually possible to hold 2^nd class FIP facilities and upgrade to 1^st class on payment of the difference between the public 2^nd class and 1^st class fares.  Upgrades for transferring to a higher class of travel must be paid before departure.

Problems using FIP facilities

If you encounter difficulty with FIP facilities, buying or using discounted tickets, or experience problems using free FIP coupons, RSTL can only raise this with the carrier concerned if we have full details.

As a minimum please provide:

• the main passenger name and number of FIP passengers travelling
• the location of the incident (station or train service)
• the name of the employee of the FIP company (if possible)
• the date and time of the incident
• which aspect of the FIP facilities was not accepted

Issues should be submitted in writing (by e-mail) to RSTL. RSTL makes no guarantees about getting satisfactory responses from FIP member carriers. The arrangements with FIP are based on a mutual exchange of facilities managed through goodwill, rather than any formal contractual agreement

Global Fares

Global Fares on cross border and premium long distance and high-speed services include the FIP discounted ticket price, tunnel charges, seat reservation fee or sleeper/couchette charge and in some cases food and drink. They may be quota-controlled and subject to availability.

Unless otherwise specified the 2^nd class FIP card can only be used to purchase discounted tickets for travel in 2^nd class.

This table lists services on which Global Fares apply.  Not all these FIP facilities may be enabled for sale in retail systems used by Travel Agents. Some may only be available from the station ticket offices of the carrier.

Passenger and vehicle ferry services between Harwich and the Hook of Holland.

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 14 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 14 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by SLL defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SLL network.

The RET metro Hoekse Lijn from Hoek Van Holland to Schedam Centrum does not accept FIP facilities.

FIP discounted tickets must be bought in advance of travel. FIP discounted tickets cannot be bought on-board ships. For overnight journeys, the reservation of a cabin is mandatory.

Port fees and the environmental charge must be paid. More details on the environmental charge are here:

www.stenaline.co.uk/faqs/book-quote-online/what-is-the-environmental-charge

There is no 1^st class accommodation.

Advance reservations mandatory – phone 01255 202352

Stena Line operate passenger and vehicle ferry services on the Irish Sea.

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by SLL defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SLL network.

FIP discounted tickets must be bought in advance of travel. FIP discounted tickets cannot be bought on-board ships.

Port fees and the environmental charge must be paid. www.stenaline.co.uk/faqs/book-quote-online/what-is-the-environmental-charge

There is no 1^st class accommodation.

No FIP discount is given for the carriage of cars, bicycles and caravans.

Thalys (Eurostar Red)

THI Factory operates Thalys high-speed services between the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. These trains are branded as Eurostar Red.

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a reduction on the adult global fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult global fare.

The following table supplied by THI defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the THI railway network.

Thalys offer Premium, Comfort and Standard. FIP first class facilities are valid in Comfort, and FIP second class facilities are valid in Standard. FIP facilities are not valid in Premium.

There are no FIP coupons available for free travel on Thalys (Eurostar Red) services.

The FIP Card or International Senior Manager Free Pass may be used to purchase tickets.

FIP discounted tickets cannot be purchased on-board. Where no tickets are held, a supplement of €25 is levied on the on-board purchase of full fare tickets.

Travelling on a different Thalys train

If you have an FIP discounted ticket and you travel in the same class on a different train to the one you are booked on, you will have to pay the difference between the discounted ticket you hold, and the full fare for the same class.

Upgrading from Standard to Comfort

If you have an FIP discounted ticket for travel in Standard class and wish to upgrade to Comfort class:

• on the same train, you pay the difference between the ticket you hold, and full fare for Comfort class.
• on a different train, you pay the difference between the ticket you hold, and full fare for Comfort class plus a supplement of €25.

The following carriers are relevant for Austria:

• ÖBB – Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian Federal Railways)
• GySEV – Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurti Vasút (Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurti Railway) known as Raaberbahn, operating services in south-east Austria and Western Hungary
• BSB/VSU - Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe / Vereinigten Schifffahrtsunternehmen für den Bodensee und Rhein (Lake Constance shipping services)

ÖBB FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 15 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 15 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by ÖBB defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ÖBB railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

 ÖBB coupons are valid on services in Lichtenstein. See the pages for Lichtenstein.

When buying FIP discounted tickets for ÖBB services, a service charge is levied on on-train payments.

On Railjet (RJ) services on ÖBB sections of route:

• holders of 2^nd class FIP facilities may use Economy Class.
• holders of 1^st class FIP facilities may use First Class
• Premium/Business class in railjet services may not be used by holders of any FIP travel facilities.

Business compartments only may be used by holders of personal International Senior Manager Free Passes by obtaining a free reservation before boarding the train. Business compartments may not be used by other FIP facilities holders.

FIP coupons are valid on S-Bahn services operated by ÖBB.

Break of journey is not permitted on journeys of up to and including 100km. For journeys of 101km or longer, break of journey is valid without formality.

Seat reservation labels on ÖBB services may display ggf. reserviert. This means that the seat has been set aside in the booking system for last minute reservations. The official advice is not to occupy the seat, but if you do, you will have to vacate it if a ticket holder has a reservation.

Supplements

For trains designated IC, ICE, EC RJX, RJ and D a supplement of €15 (1^st class) or €10 (2^nd class) must be paid.  Supplements are valid for the same period as an FIP coupon dated box (i.e. max. 48 hours) and are available both from ÖBB ticket offices and conductors on trains. The supplement does not include seat reservations which must be made and paid for separately.

The requirement to purchase a supplement does not apply:

• when using NV trains
• when using ÖBB night trains
• to holders of coupons endorsed with No Supplement Necessary (except on specific routes as below)
• to holders of the International Senior Manager Free Pass (except on specific routes as below)
• when a supplement has been purchased on trains from Brenner.

Railjet (RJ) to/from Italy (Venezia via Tarvisio Boscoverde)

If using a FIP coupon (with or without the “No supplement required” stamp) or an International Senior Manager Free Pass, the FIP supplement must be paid for journeys to/from Italy as well for journey which are entirely within Italy.

DB-ÖBB Eurocity München – Innsbruck – Bolzano – Venezia and RJX trains from/to Bolzano via Brenner

With FIP free coupons on DB-ÖBB Eurocity services operated jointly by DB and ÖBB via the trans-Alpine Brenner Railway (München – Innsbruck – Bolzano – Venezia), and RJX trains from/to Bolzano via Brenner

• a DB, ÖBB or FS coupon is required for travel in each country
• for journeys in or between Austria and Germany, no supplement is payable
• holders of a 1^st class coupon not endorsed by a stamp stating No Supplement Necessary and travelling 1^st class within Austria must purchase a seat reservation ticket or travel authority ticket

Travel to and from Wien (Vienna) Airport

FIP facilities are not valid on the CAT (City Airport Train) service from Wien Airport.

FIP coupons are valid on ÖBB operated local trains on S-Bahn line S7.

The ticket offices for ÖBB and CAT are in terminal 3.

Non-FIP advice: If using Vienna area public rate transport tickets on the S-Bahn (i.e. singles or 24/48/72-hour tickets through the WienMobil app) these are only valid as far as the city boundary at Schwechat. You will need an additional ticket from a ticket office or vending machine between Schwechat and Vienna Airport. WienMobile app public rate tickets are only valid on CAT services or Vienna Airport Lines (VAL) bus services to and from the airport with the CAT or VAL add on product in the app.

Discounted ticket purchase in Austria

ÖBB provide a contact centre for enquiries and booking FIP discounted and non-FIP tickets. Tel: +43 (0) 5 1717. Calls to this number from the UK are at the standard international rate. ÖBB does not charge any additional costs.

For domestic journeys within Austria tickets may be purchased from a ticket vending machine. Select Fahrkarte Inland mit Zielwahl (inland destination), followed by the ‘Ermäßigung (reduction) and ändern (change) buttons should be used with the code Mitarbeiterticket 50% / FIP-Inland. [1]

Tickets purchased on board a train are generally more expensive than tickets purchased through other retail channels before boarding the train. On suburban routes, ticket purchase is mandatory before boarding the train.

ÖBB bus and coach services

Apart from the specific services listed below, FIP facilities are valid only on rail replacement bus services.

Graz to Klagenfurt

FIP facilities are valid on Intercity Buses (ICB) between Graz and Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt/Villach to Udine/Venezia

On Intercity Buses (ICB) special FIP fares apply and a mandatory seat reservation is included. FIP coupons and International Senior Manager Free Passes may also be used but a surcharge applies and a seat reservation is mandatory.

Motorail

FIP facility holders may use motorail services. The public cost of transporting the vehicle is payable. There is no FIP discount on special fares.

Tunnel shuttles

FIP free coupon holders may use the tunnel car shuttle (Autoschleuse or Tauernschleuse) through the Tauern tunnel (Böckstein-Mallnitz-Obervellach) if the tunnel shuttle permits the vehicle and the vehicle is registered in the name of one of the passengers holding FIP free coupon facilities.

FIP coupon holders are transported free of charge. The vehicle and passengers without FIP coupons are charged at the full public rate.

No reduction is offered with a FIP Card.

Nightjet (NJ) and EuroNight (EN)

FIP facilities are accepted on NJ and EN services. When using FIP Coupons, a valid coupon from the relevant national operator is required for each country that the train passes through.

FIP coupons endorsed ‘No Supplement Required’ are obliged to pay the seat, couchette or sleeper berth reservation fee when booking either leisure or business travel.

GySEV FIP facilities

(The entry for Hungary covers GySEV services. Conditions listed here are specific to Austria.)

In Austria, childrenup to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 15 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 15 and older pay the adult fare. (Note that the child ages are different for GySEV services operated in Hungary. See the GySEV entry in Hungary.)

BSB/VSU FIP facilities

See separate entry for Lake Constance Ferries.

Non-FIP companies

FIP travel facilities are NOT valid on these services in Austria:

• Achenseebahn
• CAT (City Airport Train) Wien
• Graz–Köflacher Bahn
• Montafonerbahn
• NÖVOG
• Pinzgauer Lokalbahn
• Salzburger Lokalbahn
• Steiermärkische Landesbahnen
• WESTbahn
• Wiener Lokalbahn (Badner Bahn)
• Zillertalbahn

This list should not be considered exhaustive.

[1] Source RST Ref:90-081-009/ D7741INC

The following carriers are relevant for Belgium:

• SNCB - Société nationale des chemins de fer belges (National Railway Company of Belgium)
• EIL – Eurostar International (see separate entry)
• THI – THI Factory operating Thalys (separate entry in Global Fares)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by SNCB defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SNCB railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets are valid without restrictions on SNCB services. 

A supplement is payable by holders of FIP coupons (even if endorsed No Supplement Necessary), the International Senior Manager Free Pass, and tickets bought with the FIP Card when travelling on SNCB services from Brussels Airport.

FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased on-board where the customer joins a train at a station with no ticket office and approaches the train conductor of their own accord.

Eurocity services Bruxelles – Rotterdam – Amsterdam – Lelystad

On both the Eurocity Direct ECD and Eurocity EC services on this route, the NS supplement is payable if travelling between Rotterdam – Schiphol. (See the Netherlands section for more information).

If travelling using FIP discounted tickets, then the ticket prices are different for Eurocity Direct ECD and Eurocity EC and are not interchangeable.

The following carrier is relevant to Bulgaria:

• BDZ - Български държавни железници or Balgarski darzhavni zheleznitsi (Bulgarian State Railways)

The following table supplied by BDZ defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the BDZ railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the Glossary.

On mandatory reservation services, reservations must be obtained prior to departure.

FIP ticket purchase on-board trains is only permitted when the journey starts at an unmanned station.

If you travel beyond the ticket destination and purchase a ticket to cover the additional distance, a supplement is payable.

Break of journey is not permitted.

The following carrier is relevant to Croatia:

• HŽ - Hrvatske željeznice (Croatian Railways)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by HŽ defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the HŽ railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

Supplements are payable for travel on EC and “high comfort” services.  Reservations are mandatory on IC and ICN trains for which a reservation fee is payable.

FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased on-board trains if arriving into Croatia and continuing a journey in the same train which crossed the frontier, or when starting a journey at a station where the ticket office is unstaffed.

Break of journey is permitted within the period of validity of the ticket, and with the following conditions:

• At staffed stations it must be confirmed by station staff on leaving the station where the break of journey starts
• At stations which are temporarily not staffed when break of journey occurs, confirmation can be provided at the next major station, or at the same station on the next working day, as appropriate
• At stations which are permanently unstaffed, confirmation of break of journey is to be made by on-train staff.

Luggage may not weight more than 30kg. If the luggage cannot be stowed over or under a seat, a fee will be charged.

FIP facilities are not valid on HŽ bus services except on rail replacement services.

The following carrier is relevant to Czechia:

• ČD - České dráhy (Czech Railways)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free in Standard Class only. Children up to 18 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 18 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by ČD defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ČD railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

FIP discounted tickets can only be purchased on board trains when travelling from stations where the ticket office is closed.

FIP discounted tickets cannot be purchased from the ČD app, as the discounts in the app which give 50% reduction are not from FIP quotas.

Seat reservations are needed with FIP discounted tickets on SC services.

FIP facilities are not available:

• in Business Class on RailJet services (not to be confused with RegioJet, an independent operator)
• on cable car services operated by ČD
• on special and historic trains
• on ČD trains where the service is provided as a result of ČD winning a public tendering process (ČD have not not provided details on which services this exception applies to).

FIP travel documents are valid for through journeys that leave and re-enter Czechia on routes 083 and 098 (Děčín - Rumburk via Dolni Žleb and Dolní Poustevna and return).

Break of journey

Break of journey is not permitted on domestic services where the ticket is for a distance of up to 100km. It is permitted where the ticket is for a distance of 101km or greater (except when their train is passing through Germany. Leaving or joining these trains in Germany is also not permitted).

Supplements on Commercial Services

A supplement is payable on trains classified as “commercial”, and:

• when travelling with an FIP leisure coupon (but not an FIP duty coupon or using tickets purchased with a FIP Card)
• it costs the equivalent of €6 (as of December 2022). A receipt will show the number of the travel document to which it relates.
• is valid from 00.01hrs on the 1^st day to midnight the following day i.e. 48 hours. It can be purchased up to 60 days in advance from UNIPOK 2G ticket counters, ČD ticket offices, the ČD eShop or on-train where the conductor has the appropriate equipment.
• is issued to each traveller. It will show the number of the FIP coupon to which it relates and is non-transferrable.

Refunds on supplements

Refunds can be made up to 23.59hrs on the day prior to the first day of validity (no deduction applicable) or within 15 minutes of purchase (no deduction applicable). If an unused supplement is returned by 08.00hrs on the first day of validity, an admin charge of 100 CZK is applied. In any other cases, no refund is possible.

ČD Commercial Services

FIP facilities are not valid on ČD Commercial Services. CD kommerzielle Zuge und ausgewahlte Linien 2024-2025

Regional services in South Moravia (Brno area)

FIP facilities are not valid on regional services in South Moravia, even if operated by ČD. Sperrliste CD JMK 2024-2025

Regional services in Pilsen (Plzeň) area

FIP facilities are not valid on some regional services in the Pilsen area. Sperrliste CD Region Pilsen 2024-2025

ČD Bus services

FIP coupons and International Senior Manager Free Passes are not valid on any ČD bus service.

FIP discounted facilities are available on the following bus services:

• Václav Havel Airport Prague to Praha hl. n. (Prague main station)
• Hranice na Moravĕ to Frýdek-Místek via Nový Jičin and Příbor

FIP discounted facilities are not valid on other ČD bus services.

You must buy a ticket (reservations compulsory) at least 15 minutes before boarding from ČD ticket offices, ticket machines, or from the ČD eShop.

Other Operators

ČD FIP facilities are not available on other operators including:

• Desná Railway (Arriva Morava)
• GW Train Regio
• Jindřichohradecké místní dráhy (JHMD)
• Leo Express
• RegioJet

The following carrier is relevant to Denmark:

• DSB - Danske Statsbaner (Danish State Railways)

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 15 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 15 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by DSB defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the DSB railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

Reduced rate tickets cannot be bought for travel wholly within the Greater København, and Aarhus-Grenå areas. FIP coupons are valid without restriction in these areas.

Break of journey is permitted but tickets must be endorsed by train staff.

FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets are only valid on Scandlines ships in connection with a rail journey.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• Øresundståg services
• DSB bus services
• Arriva Tog A/S
• Lokaltog A/S
• Midtjyske Jernbaner A/S
• Nordjyske Jernbaner A/S

Travel to and from Copenhagen Airport

FIP facilities are not valid on Øresundståg services from Københavns Hovedbanegård (Copenhagen Central Station) to Københavns Lufthavn Station (Copenhagen Airport railway station).

FIP facilities are valid on ICL trains

FIP facilities will cease to be valid in Finland from 1 January 2026.

The following carrier is relevant to Finland:

• VR – VR Group – Finnish State Railways

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

On Pendolino and IC trains a compulsory supplement includes a seat reservation. This is payable with an FIP Coupon or a FIP discounted ticket.

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board trains. A Penalty Fare and the public fare is charged if a passenger is found without a valid ticket.

FIP discounted tickets cannot be purchased from ticket vending machines.

FIP discounted tickets can be purchased from ticket offices or VR customer service. 

FIP discounted tickets are not valid when travelling only in commuter trains within the HSL area, even if they are branded VR. If you have a long-distance ticket which includes travel in the commuter trains (HSL area) it is valid.

Break of journey is not permitted except for changing onto connecting services.

The following carriers are relevant to France:

• SNCF - Société nationale des chemins de fer français (National Railway Company of France)
• EIL – Eurostar International (see separate entry)
• THI – THI Factory operating Thalys services (see separate entry)

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by SNCF defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SNCF railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

FIP facilities are valid on the following services, however local authorities are responsible for fares and conditions of use. Information should be obtained at ticket offices concerning validity of tickets bought with the FIP Card.

• TER (Trains Express Régionaux) trains operated by SNCF
• bus services operated by SNCF

Global Fares apply for travel on Lyria services, and services between Belgium and the South of France.

On the following NOMAD routes only all tickets must be validated before starting any outward or return journey, and also before departure after a break of journey, using the endorsing machines (compositeurs or compostage de billets) provided for passengers at stations

• Paris - Caen Cherbourg/Trouville Deauville
• Paris - Rouen Le Havre
• Paris - Granville
• Paris- Evreux Serquigny
• Caen - Le Mans - Tours

This requirement to validate does not apply to use of FIP coupons.

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board trains.

Upgrading from 2^nd class to 1^st class by payment of the difference in fares is available at station.

SNCF TGV services are branded as TGV inOui.

FIP travel facilities are not valid on

• services operated by Ouigo which include OUIGO “Train Classique”, TGV OUIGO and TGV OUIGO Spain
• rail services in Corsica
• coach services provided by SNCF

Mandatory seat reservations on SNCF services

Seat reservations are compulsory and supplements payable on TGV and most Intercité services.

www.sncf-voyageurs.com/fr/voyagez-avec-nous/en-france/tgv-inoui

www.sncf-voyageurs.com/fr/voyagez-avec-nous/en-france/intercites

Seat or berth reservations are also compulsory on night trains.

www.sncf-voyageurs.com/fr/voyagez-avec-nous/en-france/intercites/voyagez-de-nuit/

On TER services seat reservations are compulsory as follows:

Normandy TER NOMAD “Krono +” train services:

• Paris – Rouen – Le Havre
• Paris – Caen – Cherbourg
• Paris – Caen
• Paris – Trouville-Deauville

Nomandy TER NOMAD « Krono » train services:

• Paris – Argentan – Granville
• Paris – Dieppe

www.ter.sncf.com/normandie/tarifs-cartes/offre-krono-plus/tarification-kronoplus

TER Grand Est

• Line 1 : Paris – Troyes – Chaumont – Mulhouse
• Line 4 : Paris – Épernay – Châlons – Strasbourg

On these TER Grant Est routes, the reservation is compulsory where the journey starts or finishes in Paris. On any other journey segment, there is no compulsory reservation.

www.ter.sncf.com/grand-est/services-contacts/reservation-a-bord

Domestic journeys on TGV and IC services operated by SNCF

On SNCF domestic journeys (i.e. entirely within France), the reservation fee payable depends on whether the service is classified as peak or off-peak.

The designation of a train as peak or off-peak is made in the fares distribution system, so it is not possible for RST or individuals to check specific examples.

Seat reservations on off-peak services are €1.70 in either 1^st or 2^nd class (correct as of January 2024).

Seat reservations on peak services are €10.00 in 2^nd class and €15.00 in 1^st class (correct as of January 2024).

FIP discounted tickets bought for domestic TGV and IC services which have a mandatory seat requirement include the seat reservation.

The restrictions on the quantity of luggage each passenger may carry with them is outlined on the SNCF website here

www.sncf-voyageurs.com/fr/voyagez-avec-nous/en-france/tgv-inoui/vos-bagages-et-consignes/

International journeys TGV services operated by SNCF

On cross-border journeys on International TGV services, global fares apply. FIP coupons and the FIP International Senior Manager Free Pass are not valid for free travel on these journeys but can be used to purchase FIP discounted fares.

The FIP discounted fares vary by route but may be up to €130.00 (correct as of January 2024).

Travel in the Paris area

Île-de-France Mobilités (ÎDF Mobilités) is the authority that controls and coordinates different transport companies operating in the Paris-area including RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) and SNCF.

RATP operates Paris Métro (Métro de Paris), tram and bus services and part of the RER (Réseau Express Régional) network. SNCF operates the rest of the RER network.

Transilien and Île-de-France tramways

Transilien is the branding identity covering the network of commuter services operated by SNCF in the Paris area.

FIP facilities are valid on all Transilien routes, H, J, K, L, N, P, R, U, and V.

FIP facilities are also valid on Tramway Line T4, T9, T11, and T13. However, if using FIP discounted tickets rather than FIP coupons or the International Senior Manager Free Pass, tickets can only be purchased at Transilien ticket offices at railway stations.

FIP facilities are not valid on the other Tramway Lines, T1, T2, T3, T5, T6, T7, T8, T10 and T12.

If using FIP Coupons or the FIP International Senior Manager Free Pass to travel on Tranilien railway routes, you will need a Contremarque de Passage obtainable from the Transilien ticket office. The Contremarque de Passage is used for entry at the start of the journey and exit at the end.

www.transilien.com/fr/page-lignes-et-gares

If using FIP discounted tickets with the FIP Card, these tickets can only be purchased at Transilien ticket offices at railway stations (including tickets for use on the tramway services).

RER (Réseau Express Régional)

The SNCF, RER and RATP services in the Paris suburban area accept FIP travel facilities on the following stretches of line operated by SNCF:

• RER Line A – only branches A3 & A5 west from Nanterre Préfecture to Poissy or Cergy-le-Haut
• RER Line B – only branches B3 & B5 north from Gare du Nord to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle or Mitry-Claye.
• RER Line C – SNCF in its entirety.
• RER Line D – SNCF in its entirety.
• RER Line E – SNCF in its entirety.

Please note that if travelling between Gare du Nord and Chatelet les Halles, only RER Line D operated by SNCF can be used. FIP is not valid on RER Line B operated by RATP on the same route.

To get through automatic gates on these routes with an SNCF FIP coupon, you will need a Contremarque de Passage from the Transilien ticket office. The Contremarque de Passage is used for entry at the start of the journey and exit at the end.

Paris Metro (Métro de Paris)

The Métro de Paris (short for Métropolitan) provides a metro rail service mostly underground in central Paris.

FIP facilities are not valid on any sections of the Métro de Paris.

Léman Express

The Léman Express is the network of international RER services operated jointly by SNCF and SBB-CFF linking the Haute Savoie and Ain districts to the canton of Vaud via the Geneva metropolitan area.

FIP facilities are available on the whole of the Léman Express network. SNCF coupons are valid for travel, even in the parts of the service which operate in Switzerland into Geneva.

Booking tickets and reservations for SNCF services

Tickets and reservations may be obtained from the English-speaking SNCF Voyageurs Call Centre. Please note that payment is only by Visa or American Express cards. Mastercard and other payment cards are not accepted.

The telephone number is +33 1 84 94 36 35

• At the end of the menu options presented in French, there is the option to connect to an English-speaking operator – press #85.
• On the next voice menu. Select “Voyages/Journey” by pressing 1.
• On the next voice menu. Select “Voyages on TGV” by pressing 1.

You will then be in the queue to speak to an operator.

Please confirm the travel dates and times, the number of passengers holding FIP facilities (and whether coupons or FIP cards), and the origin and destination of your journey.

You will need to provide your telephone number, personal information and an e-mail address.

Payment is by Visa, Eurocard or American Express card only. The list of payment cards is subject to modification without notice. You should state the type of card you intend to use before starting the transaction with the agent.

Once the tickets/reservations are confirmed, you will receive a PNR (booking confirmation reference) by e-mail and the eTicket.

When travelling by train, you will need to present the eTicket along with your FIP coupon or FIP card.

Guidance notes for travel from London to Disneyland Paris

There are two main options to travel from London to Disneyland Paris. The station for Disneyland Paris is Marne-la-Vallée Chessy.

Option 1 – Eurostar to Lille Europe, then TGV to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy.

From London, take Eurostar to Lille Europe. Journey time around 1 hour 25 minutes.

Then take an Inoui TGV from Lille Europe or Lille Flandres to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy. Lille Flandres is a 10-minute walk from Lille Europe. Journey time around 1 hour 10 minutes.

Please remember that FIP is only valid on Inoui TGV services. FIP is not valid on Ouigo TGV services.

Option 2 – Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. Then RER to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy.

From London, take Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. Journey time around 2 hours 20 minutes.

Then take RER line B or D to Châtelet - Les Halles, change for RER line A to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy. Journey time approximately 1 hour 5 minutes. Adult single fare €2.50 (as of Jan 2025).

FIP is not valid on the RER Lines B or D from to Paris Gare du Nord to Châtelet - Les Halles, or RER line A from Châtelet - Les Halles to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy.

Franchised TER passenger services in France

French regional authorities have started a programme of inviting tenders to operate regional TER services currently provided by SNCF.

Tenders currently in the bidding process include Marseille – Toulon – Nice, and the Azur concession. The likely start date for the first concession is 2025.

No information is available yet on whether FIP facilities will be available on TER services once concessions are in operation.

The following carriers are relevant for Germany:

• DB AG – Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railways)
• BSB/VSU - Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe / Vereinigten Schifffahrtsunternehmen für den Bodensee und Rhein (See entry for Lake Constance)
• THI – THI Factory operating Thalys services (see separate entry under Global Fares)

DB AG FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 14 are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare (but see the section below on free accompanying children). Persons aged 14 and older pay the adult fare.

Free accompanying children

DB AG have national travel discount rules for accompanying children (aged 6 to 13) to travel free with a FIP holder provided that the FIP holder is aged 15 or over and has a valid ticket or FIP permit to travel.[1]

Accompanied children taken free of charge do not have to be the children of the accompanying adult. This means that children travelling for free with an accompanied adult do not need to carry any kind of documentation.

On Long-Distance DB trains

Maximum 4 children per FIP traveller's ticket:

• FIP Discounted long-distance travel ticket with the FIP card
• FIP coupon
• FIP International Senior Manager free pass

These rules also apply if the long-distance ticket is used on local transport before or after the journey.

On Local DB trains

Maximum 3 children per FIP traveller's ticket:

• FIP Discounted local travel ticket with the FIP card
• FIP coupon
• FIP International Senior Manager free pass

The following applies to the travel tickets mentioned above:

• The accompanying children who are travelling free of charge do not have to be recorded on the ticket.
• Children who are not accompanied by persons over the age of 15 who are entitled to a travel concession must buy their own ticket.

Children under the age of 6 continue to travel free of charge and do not need their own ticket.

The table supplied by DB AG defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the DB AG railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

Most long-distance services within Germany are provided by DB AG.  No supplement is necessary for travel on ICE, EC and IC trains for holders of FIP coupons, the International Senior Manager Free Pass or FIP Card discounted tickets. 

Seat reservation labels on DB AG services may display ggf. reserviert. This means that the seat has been set aside in the booking system for last minute reservations. The official advice is not to occupy the seat, but if you do, you will have to vacate it if a ticket holder has a reservation.

Planning journeys on DB AG services

When planning journeys, please look at the Auslastungsanzeige (i.e. Loading Indicators) at www.bahn.de and in the DB Navigator app. DB AG request you choose alternative services to those ones marked with the red icon. [1]

Ticket purchase in Germany for DB AG services

FIP discounted tickets cannot be purchased on-board DB AG trains. This applies even when boarding a service from a station which has no open ticket office. FIP discounted tickets must be purchased in advance either from DB travel centres or travel agents.

Those found on a train without a ticket will receive a penalty fare charge of double the fare (at least €60.00) for the route already covered plus the flex price for the distance to the destination station.

Ticket vending machines offer 50% discounted tickets for other German schemes such as Bahncard. These tickets are not valid with the FIP Card.

In some areas of Germany a Verkehrsverbund (combined fares structure) is in operation. In many of these areas FIP coupons and FIP reduced rate tickets are not valid if your journey is entirely within the area concerned. There is no official list available to RSTL of which Verkehrsverbund areas accept FIP facilities. Local ticket offices will be able to advise

Booking DB services online

DB Fernverkehr AG has provided Rail Staff Travel with some information about their website which retails FIP discounted tickets. The website will let you buy FIP discounted tickets for journeys in Germany, and also for international journeys on DB services which originate or terminate in Germany.

This is the link to the website int.bahn.de/en/buchung/start?KL=2&ET=FIP_SONSTIGE

It is only necessary to specify the journey you wish to make to see the FIP discounted fares. You do not have to select a FIP Card in the “Passenger, bicycles, BahnCards” section on the main search page. FIP discounted fares will be shown once the train service has been selected.

Those travelling with FIP coupons can book seat reservations only using the “Book seat only” selector.

It is not possible for those holding 2nd class FIP facilities to purchase upgrades to travel in 1st class.

Barcode format tickets are delivered by e-mail. They can be printed off or presented on screen using a mobile device. An alternative for users who have created a registered account with DB is to receive tickets directly in the DB Navigator app.

The site is provided as a goodwill gesture by DB without any service level guarantees in relation to the availability of the site. Rail Staff Travel cannot answer any queries in relation to the site or deal with any enquiries in relation to tickets purchase through the site. Employees need to contact DB Fernverkehr AG directly with any booking, refund or ticket usage issues.

Restricted DB-AG trains

Some services are subject to staff restriction. DB AG publish a list here db-mobidig.deutschebahn.com/md-home/Navigation/Sperrliste

Where a train is listed on specific days then the ban on using FIP facilities applies on the days listed including public holidays.

Use of a restricted train is a Travel Irregularity, and the passenger is deemed to be holding no ticket for the recovery of fare revenue and application of penalty.

Special conditions

For journeys on High Speed Services between Germany and France, special conditions of use apply.

• For journeys entirely within Germany, FIP facilities may be used without seat reservation.
• For cross border journeys, a global price ticket and seat reservation endorsed ‘FIP Leisure’ is required. The International Senior Manager Free Pass is valid, but FIP coupons are not valid. Children aged 6 – 14 must also have a ticket with inclusive seat reservation. No child reduction on the FIP discounted fare is available. For security reasons, luggage must be labelled with labels downloaded from www.bahn.de.
• Cycles are not carried
• Luggage must be labelled with a luggage tag bearing the traveller’s name. Tags are required for all luggage placed in the luggage compartments located at the end of each carriage, above and between the seats. This rule does not apply to hand luggage which is kept on the the traveller’s person, such as handbags.

On Railjet services

• holders of 2^nd class FIP facilities may use Economy Class
• holders of 1^st class FIP facilities may use 1^st class or Economy Class
• under no circumstances can Business Class be used by holders of any FIP facilities, even if the Business Class supplement is paid.

DB-ÖBB Eurocity München – Innsbruck – Verona - Bologna

If using FIP free coupons on DB-ÖBB Eurocity services operated jointly by DB, ÖBB and FS via the trans-Alpine Brenner Railway (München – Innsbruck – Verona – Bologna):

• a DB, ÖBB or FS coupon is required for travel in the country concerned
• for journeys which cross the Italian border, or entirely within Italy the supplement is payable even if the coupon is endorsed No Supplement Necessary or the holder has an International Senior Manager Free Pass
• for journeys between Austria and Germany, or entirely within Austria or Germany, no supplement is payable
• holders of a 1^st class coupon not endorsed by a stamp stating No Supplement Necessary and travelling 1^st class within Austria must purchase a seat reservation ticket or travel authority ticket

Ferries

FIP discounted tickets are valid without restriction on the Harlesiel to Wengerooge ferry services.

FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets are only valid on Scandlines ships in connection with a rail journey.

DB-AG IC Coach services

FIP reduced rate tickets are available but must be purchased in advance from staffed booking offices. They cannot be bought from ticket vending machines or on-board coaches.

FIP coupons may be used but reservations must be paid for in advance from manned booking offices. FIP coupons must be held for the carrier concerned when the IC Coach service is on a foreign section of route outside of Germany.

For journeys within Germany, DB family travel rules apply and accompanied children aged 6 to 14 travel free. Reservations are required for all children, including those under 6 years old.

For journeys on a foreign section of route outside of Germany, Children aged 6 to 14 must have a ticket and all children must have a reservation.

DB-AG bus services

FIP facilities are accepted only where the bus provides a rail replacement service arising from operational occurrences such as accidents.

Other operators

‘Global’ fares apply for travel on Thalys international services in France, Germany and the Netherlands. See THI Factory – Thalys.

FIP facilities are not available on other operators in Germany. This list of non-FIP operators comprises: [1]

[1] Information updated 2 June 2023. Source RST Ref: 90-081-005/D8520INC

The following carriers are relevant for Greece

• Hellenic Train (formerly TrainOSE)
• Attica – Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and Anek Lines

Hellenic Train FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The table supplied by Hellenic Train defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the Hellenic Train railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

 Supplements are payable by holders of FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets for travel on IC services. The full supplement is payable by children between the ages of 4 and 12.

FIP facilities are not valid on the Pelion railway from Volos to Pelion

FIP facilities are accepted on bus services operated by Hellenic Train.

FIP free and discounted travel facilities are valid on Hellenic Train suburban services without restriction.

FIP discounted tickets can be purchased at Hellenic Train ticket offices, via the Hellenic Train official website and via the Hellenic Train mobile app.

FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased on-board trains if arriving into Greece and continuing a journey in the same train which crossed the frontier, or when starting a journey at a station where the ticket office is unstaffed.

Break of journey is not permitted.

Attica FIP facilities

Children under 4 years of age who do not occupy a bed, bunk or chair pay €5.50 per crossing.

On services to and from Ancona and Venice, children between 4 and 16 pay 50% of the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

On services to and from Bari, children between 4 and 12 pay 50% of the adult fare selected.  Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The table supplied by Attica defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the Attica ferry routes.

FIP discounted travel only is available on Attica Ferries routes between Italy and Greece and on domestic ferry routes in the Aegean.

For Superfast Ferries use Attica Ferries Bari Form 90030 or Attica Ferries Ancona form 90031. www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#other

Aegean routes – No reductions are granted in July and August.

On international routes

• there is no distinction in the facilities available to holders of 1^st class and 2^nd class FIP travel facilities.
• cabins are available at 50% reduction. Book at the Purser’s office.

On internal (domestic) ferry journeys on Blue Star Ferries:

• holders of 1^st class tickets are eligible for reclining chairs
• holders of 2^nd class tickets are eligible for deck facilities.
• cabins are available at 25% reduction. Book at the Purser’s office.

Registration at the port office is mandatory, tickets may not be purchased on-board.

No reduction is granted for the conveyance of vehicles.

FIP facilities are not available on other Attica subsidiaries including Africa Morocco Link.

Attica agents in the UK recognising FIP facilities

The Travel Gateway

2morrow Court, Appleford Road, Sutton Courtenay, Oxon OX14 4FH. Tel: +44 (0) 8445 765503. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Viamare LTD

Suite 108, 582 Honeypot Lane Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1JS. Tel: +44 (0)208 206 3420. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Attica agents in Greece recognising FIP facilities

Adriatic Sea route agents

Greek Domestic Lines agents

FIP reservations are possible through Premium Sales agents or Port Agents. Alternatively, FIP card holders may book via e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning the Call Centre in Athens: +30 210 8919800 or +30210 8919700. [2]

The following carriers are relevant for Hungary:

• MÁV – Magyar Államvasutak (Hungarian State Railways)
• GySEV – Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurti Vasút (Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurti Railway) operating services in Western Hungary and also in South East Austria (known as Raaberbahn)

MÁV FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free (providing a separate seat is not required). Children up to 14 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 14 and older pay the adult fare.

On international journeys children under 10 years of age cannot travel without an adult. Children aged 10 years and above must have a signed Parental Declaration.  MÁV is not responsible for children travelling alone. Parents are responsible for all damages caused by the child. If a child is found travelling without an adult and without a Parental Declaration, the authorities will be informed.

The table supplied by MÁV defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the MÁV railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

For international journeys tickets and reservations cannot be issued more than 6 months before the first day of validity.

For domestic journeys with FIP discount, the presale period is 60 days.

Changes (refund and new ticket sale) to international tickets purchased at ticket offices in Hungary can only be made on the same day as purchase and at the same station.

FIP facilities on MÁV domestic services are subject to the following supplements and reservation charges.

• Supplement charge (for reservation compulsory trains).
• Supplement for a premium compartment
• Bicycle reservations

The price of the supplement is dependent on the date of travel and the date of purchase of the ticket.

On cross-border journeys in compulsory supplement international trains:

• holders may occupy empty seats without paying for a reservation or pay the seat reservation charge to secure a seat.
• a supplement is payable unless the coupons are endorsed “no supplement necessary”.

FIP facilities are not available on MÁV bus services unless they are providing rail replacement services.

Surcharges apply to the following transactions on board a train:

• Buying FIP discounted tickets
• Upgrading from 2^nd class to 1^st class

Change of route is not possible on board a train. It is only available at a ticket office before starting a journey. The original ticket will be invalid, and a surcharge will be applied to purchase the new ticket.

Supplements and reservation charges are payable in Forint (HUF). Euro/Forint conversion rates are published in international ticket offices and on the company website.

Payments in cash are rounded to the nearest 5 Forint (HUF).

Break of Journey is permitted without formality.

FIP facilities are valid

• between Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely (advertised as TramTrain)
• on the Balatonfenyves GV narrow-gauge railway line

Bicycles

Bicycles (excluding those with auxiliary motors, recumbent bicycles and those with cycle trailers) can be carried only on trains which are designated for this purpose and marked with a bicycle sign in the timetable Tandems can only be transported in a luggage van which is equipped for bicycle transport. Bicycle tickets must be purchased in advance.

Foldable bicycles are carried without fee as hand luggage only if folded and wrapped and can be stored in a luggage rack or under a seat. It cannot be left in a corridor or where it may disturb free movement. Passengers leaving a bicycle in an area in contravention of this will be excluded from the train.

Dogs and small pets

Each adult may carry two dogs or small pets. Dogs must be either in a closed pet transport container, or on a lead with a muzzle. All dogs must have a certificate of vaccination not older than 1 year.

If transporting a dog or small pet in a closed pet container, then carriage is free. If transporting a dog on a lead, then the animal transport fee must be paid. The only exception is an assistance dog with an official certificate.

With the exception of assistance dogs, animals are not allowed in any first class coach or restaurant car. Those not in closed containers are not allowed in any car or train with compulsory reservation. Dogs over 20kg can only be carried in the luggage van.

MÁV smartphone app

MAV provides FIP discounted facilities through their mobile app called MÁV. The default language is Hungarian. You can change to English. Go to Menu > Choose Beállítások (settings) > Choose Nyelv (language) > Choose English (pop up) > Click in OK in the new pop up to restart the MÁV application. When purchasing a ticket, a code will be sent to active the ticket. The code is not valid for travel. The ticket must be generated from the code.

Mobile tickets valid only for domestic journeys are acceptable only within the application (i.e. you cannot print out the booking – you must display it within the app). Tickets purchased through the app do not contain the usual FIP protections so may not be changeable or refundable.

Mobile tickets valid for international journeys may be displayed in the app or printed out on A4 paper by the passenger.

Refunds of international tickets are only possible in writing from MAV Customer Service.

GySEV FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 14 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 14 and older pay the adult fare. (Note the ages for children are different on GySEV services operated in Austria – see the Austrian section.)

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board.

In the event of a break of journey, tickets must be endorsed at the station where the break is made.

FIP facilities are not valid on GySEV bus services.

The following table supplied by GySEV defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the GySEV railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

In addition to the boundary table above, GySEV have confirmed that GySEV FIP coupons are valid on their services in Austria which operate between Deutschkreuz and Wien (Vienna).[8]

The following carrier is relevant to the Republic of Ireland

• CIE - Córas lompair Éireann (Irish Transport System)

Passenger train services on which CIE FIP facilities are valid are provided by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail).

For public fares, children up to 5 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by CIE defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the CIE railway network.

If using FIP Coupons for free travel on the Enterprise service to Northern Ireland, then both CIE and NIR coupons must be held.

With FIP coupons you must not use Citygold class (Peak hour services between Dublin and Cork.

Holders of 2^nd class FIP facilities may travel in 1^st class on payment of the Superstandard supplement. In some large stations this can be paid before departure, in other cases it has to be paid on the train.

The holder of 1^st class FIP coupons only has to pay the 1^st class supplement if a seat reservation is required.

You can pay the supplement at www.irishrail.ie. To make a seat reservation or purchase an upgrade, choose the Seat Reservation button, which is called ‘Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket’. [1]

A CIE commuter service crosses Laytown viaduct, County Meath [2]

FIP reduced rate tickets must be endorsed at the station where a break of journey is made.

FIP facilities are valid on DART suburban services in the Greater Dublin Area.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• the Dublin light rail network (LUAS)
• buses

Non-FIP benefits available to Staff Travel Card holders.

Safeguarded staff with a Staff Travel Card may buy reduced rate tickets.

Non-safeguarded holders of Rail Staff Leisure Cards cannot use this to buy reduced rate tickets but can use an FIP card.

The following carrier is relevant to Italy:

• FS - Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (Italian State Railways)

TrenItalia, a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, operates the passenger rail services on which FS FIP facilities are valid. This includes local services operated by Trenitalia TPER in the Emilia-Romagna region.

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. On local trains children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare. On long distance trains, children up to 15 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 15 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by FS defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the FS railway network.

On long-distance services (i.e. Frecciabianca, Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, EC, EN, IC, ICN):

• With FIP coupons, seat reservations are compulsory and supplements are payable
• With FIP discounted tickets, seat reservation and supplements are included in the fare.
• Break of journey is not permitted.

If supplements or boarding fees are not purchased before the start of journey an additional on-train fee is levied (except in cases where there are no booking offices or ticket machines at the departure station).

There is no restriction or supplement for use of FIP coupons on R or RV services.

Passengers holding FIP discounted tickets travelling on R or RV services may break their journey without formality except where the train(s) on which the ticket is valid are printed on the ticket.

Tickets must be validated using at station stamping equipment (obliteratrici) before travel.

FIP facilities are only valid to cross the Straits of Messina when the journey is on the train using the Villa San Giovanni to Messina train-ferry.

Global fares are payable for travel on the night services between Italy and Austria via Tarvisio.

FIP facilities are not valid on:

• International Frecciarossa services between Paris and Italy
• Leonardo Express services to/from Aeroporto Internazionale di Roma–Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci
• Trinacria Express services to/from Aeroporto Falcone Borsellino (Palermo)

• services provided by other operators in Italy (including open-access operator Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori and commuter railways of Naples: Circumflegrea, Circumvesuviana, Cumana, and Naples–Aversa)
• Ferrovie Sud Est services in Puglia[3]
• R and RE services operated by Trenord (even if trains have FS markings)
• Bus services operated by TrenItalia (unless providing a temporary rail replacement service)

DB-ÖBB Eurocity München – Innsbruck – Bolzano – Venezia

If using FIP free coupons on DB-ÖBB Eurocity services operated jointly by DB, ÖBB and FS via the trans-Alpine Brenner Railway (München – Innsbruck – Bolzano – Verona - Venezia):

• a DB, ÖBB or FS coupon is required for travel in the country concerned
• for journeys which cross the Italian border, or entirely within Italy the supplement is payable even if the coupon is endorsed No Supplement Necessary or when using an International Senior Manager Free Pass
• for journeys between or entirely within Austria and Germany, no supplement is payable
• holders of a 1^st class coupon not endorsed by a stamp stating No Supplement Necessary and travelling 1^st class within Austria must purchase a seat reservation ticket or travel authority ticket

Sardinia

FIP travel facilities are valid on TrenItalia services in Sardinia.

FIP travel facilities are not valid on Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) services.

How to book seat reservations on FS trains if using FIP coupons

For FIP Coupon holders travelling on leisure journeys, reservations and supplements can be purchased in Trenitalia tickets offices and in all authorised travel agencies (including those operating outside Italy) with the following conditions:

Frecciarossa trains with 4 service levels:

• No FIP facilities in “Business” or “Executive” service level
• 1^st class FIP ticket can access “Premium” service level
• 2^nd class FIP ticket can access “Standard” service level
• Customers need to buy “Cambio Servizio TO/AV” (upgrade from base tariff to HS) ticket for the relevant service level. Price depends on route

Frecciarossa and Frecciargento (1^st and 2^nd class): Buy a “Cambio Servizio TO/AV” (upgrade from base tariff to HS) ticket for the relevant class. Price depends on route

Frecciabianca: Buy a “Cambio Servizio TO/FB” (upgrade from base tariff to Frecciabianca) ticket for the relevant class. Price depends on route

IC: Buy a “Cambio Servizio TO/IC” (upgrade from base tariff to IC) ticket for the relevant class. Price depends on route

ICN (seat places): Buy a “Cambio Servizio TO/ICN” (upgrade from base tariff to IC) ticket for the relevant class. Price depends on route

Couchette: Buy a “Cambio Servizio Cuccetta” (upgrade to couchette) ticket. Price depends on route

Wagon Lit: Buy a “Cambio Servizio VL” (upgrade to wagon lit) ticket. Price depends on route

Express trains (seat places): Free access without seat assignment or buy a non-refundable reservation for a fixed price (as of 2019 this is €3.00)

Regional trains: free access

Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008, but the Republic of Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory.

Serbian Railways (Srbija Voz) has in the past operated services on the routes now controlled by Trainkos a (Albanian: Operimet me Trena të Hekurudhave të Kosovës sh.a).

Due to the political situation, RSTL is unable to verify whether Srbija Voz (SV) FIP facilities are still available within Kosovo.

In the FIP rules, Srbija Voz (SV) still claim an FIP border with Macedonian Railways (MŽ-T) at Elez Han (formerly Ðjeneral Jankovic - Serbian: Ђенерал Јанковић, Albanian: Han i Elezit), which is in the Republic of Kosovo. However, this appears to be an historic statement which may not be updated until the Republic of Serbia formally accepts the independence of the Republic of Kosovo.

Trainkos is not a member of FIP.

Lake Constance (German: Bodensee) is situated in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

BSB/VSU FIP facilities

Coupons are issued under the VSU label and provide free passenger travel on all timetabled shipping services on Lake Constance on the following companies:

• BSB (Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH)
• VLB (Vorarlberg Lines Walter Klaus Bodenseeschifffahrt GmbH)
• SBS (Schweizerische SBS Schifffahrt AG)
• URh (Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee und Rhein)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

The table supplied by BSB defines the boundaries of FIP across the services operated under the VSU label.

There is no 1^st class accommodation.

There is no reduction for vehicles between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn.

Tickets may be purchased at ticket offices on land and on-board ships.

The full standard public fare for bicycles is payable.

Break of journey is permitted without formality.

The passenger rail service in Liechtenstein is operated by Austrian railway company ÖBB. ÖBB FIP facilities are valid on ÖBB services in Liechtenstein.

The following table supplied by ÖBB defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ÖBB railway network relevant to Liechtenstein.

Please see Austria – ÖBB for using FIP facilities on their services.

FIP coupons from SBB, BLS and SP are not valid on rail services in Liechtenstein.

The following carrier is relevant to Lithuania:

• LTG-Link - Lietuvos geležinkeliai

We have no information on ages for children to benefit from child fares.

A seat reservation is mandatory for these routes:

• Vilnius - Klaipėda - Vilnius
• Vilnius - Riga - Vilnius

For all 1st class trains on local routes, reservation is required, but seat reservation is made without additional fees.

During the journey, the train ticket issued by UAB "LTG Link" entitling to a 100% discount must be carried and the FIP discount card must be presented upon request of the train/control staff.

Ticket purchase in Lithuania

FIP discounted tickets can be obtained from the LTG Link Customer Information Centre (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or from the centres at Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai and Klaipėda railway stations.

UAB "LTG Link" Customer Information Center: Opening hours: weekdays 06:00-20:00 CET (Central European Time).

Tickets are not sold if there is less than 5 minutes before the departure time.

When contacting the UAB "LTG Link" Customer Information Center via the above-mentioned contacts, you must provide the following information:

• First name, last name of the traveler(s)
• Indication of the carriage class as printed on the FIP discount card
• FIP discount card number
• Railway company for which the traveler(s) works or is (are) entitled to discounts according to the FIP regulations
• Your e-mail address

After receiving your data, the Customer Information Center will send you an electronic train ticket by e-mail. Please note the opening hours of the Customer Information Center

The following carrier is relevant to Luxembourg:

• CFL - Société nationale des chemins de fer luxembourgeois (National Railway Company of Luxembourg)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare (but see below for general public free travel).

The following table supplied by CFL defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the CFL railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the Glossary.

Luxembourg offers free public transport for domestic journeys. This includes the Pfaffental-Kirchberg funicular.

On train, travel is free in 2^nd class.

On train, travel in 1^st class requires either a 1^st class CFL FIP coupon or

if travelling with a FIP card the upgrade on the FIP fare. The upgrade must be paid in advance of boarding the train.

The following carrier is relevant to Montenegro:

• ŽPCG - Жељезнички превоз Црне Горе or Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (Railway Transport of Montenegro)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 14 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 14 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by ŽPCG defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ŽPCG railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

FIP discounted tickets may be purchased on train, but a supplement will be payable. No supplement is charged when the journey starts at a station with no booking office.

Berth reservations in international sleeper trains incur a 10% service tax.

Holders of FIP Coupons must pay a supplement for travel on trains which are priced with Global Fares. The FIP discount is applied to global fare tickets for holders of the FIP Card.

Break of journey is allowed during the validity of the ticket.

Charges apply to the transport of luggage. Enquiries should be made at a station booking office before boarding a train.

FIP facilities are valid on rail replacement buses, but not valid on any other bus services operated by ŽPCG.

The following carriers are relevant to the Netherlands:

• NS - Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Netherlands Railways)
• EIL – Eurostar International (see separate entry)
• THI – THI Factory operating Thalys services (see separate entry)

For public fares, the ages for child fares are as follows:

• All children up to 3 years old travel free (if not occupying a seat themselves) [1]
• For children up to 11 years old, the Railrunner ticket is usually better value than an FIP 50% discount on the public adult fare.
• Persons aged 11 and older pay the public adult fare

In 2^nd class children can travel independently with a Railrunner-ticket. In 1^st class children can travel if accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over (each accompanying adult can take 3 children with them, each with their own Railrunner). A Railrunner ticket can be purchased online or from a ticket machine. More information on Railrunner:

www.ns.nl/producten/en/meest-gekocht/p/railrunner

The following table supplied by NS defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the NS railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

NS FIP facilities are not valid on

• the Hoekse Lijn from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam Centrum, on either the bus or metro system
• other operators’ services (e.g. Arriva Netherlands, Breng, Connexxion, Keolis Nederland, Qbuzz, and Abellio Rail NRW)
• Thalys international services to Belgium and France
• Eurostar international services to Belgium and the UK

In International express trains (designated ‘D’ in the Netherlands timetable), holders of FIP reduced rate tickets must pay a supplement which may be settled on the train. (No supplement is payable if using FIP coupons).

From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Rotterdam:
www.ns.nl/en/season-tickets/other/intercity-direct-supplement.html

• Supplements are payable on FIP reduced rate tickets.
• No supplement is payable if you are using FIP free coupons.

EC Bruxelles – Rotterdam – Amsterdam – Lelystad

On both the Eurocity Direct ECD and Eurocity EC services on this route, the NS supplement is payable if travelling between Rotterdam – Schiphol.

If travelling using FIP discounted tickets, then the ticket prices are different for Eurocity Direct ECD and Eurocity EC and are not interchangeable.

Ticket purchase in the Netherlands

FIP discounted tickets cannot be bought on train.

FIP discounted tickets cannot be bought on train.[4] FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased at full service and full-service light stations with ticket desks. As of December 2023 these are: Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid, Arnhem Centraal, Breda, Den Haag Centraal, Eindhoven Centraal, Enschede, Haarlem, Leeuwarden, Leiden Centraal, Maastricht, Rotterdam Centraal, Schiphol Airport, Utrecht Centraal, Zaandam, Zwole

NS gate pass barcode coupons for FIP coupon holders

FIP coupon holders are issued with a NS gate pass barcode coupon for opening barriers at NS stations. The following information has been provided by NS. The NS gate pass barcode coupon is valid only in combination with an FIP country coupon for NS. It is a gate pass, not a travel pass. It is valid for use on 8 separate days (00:00 to 23:59) within a 3-month period from the date of first use. The first presentation at a gate sets the start date. Within each day:

• you can enter 6 times and exit 6 times at the same station
• you can enter 12 times and exit 12 times nationally in total

The following carrier is relevant to the Republic of North Macedonia:

• ŽRSM - Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija (Railways of the Republic of North Macedonia)

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by ŽRSM defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ŽRSM railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

FIP discounted tickets cannot be purchased on-board trains.

FIP facilities are not available on bus services, or for the transport of vehicles on motorail trains.

The following carrier is relevant to Northern Ireland

• NIR – Northern Ireland Railways

For public fares, children up to 5 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by NIR defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the NIR railway network.

If using FIP Coupons for free travel on the Enterprise service to the Republic of Ireland, then both CIE and NIR coupons must be held.

The FIP Card can be used to buy reduced rate tickets at station or on board trains.

Break of journey is not permitted, except to change trains.

First class is available on the Enterprise route from Belfast to Dublin. Payment for upgrades to first class travel must be made on the train.

Non-FIP benefits available to Staff Travel Card holders.

Safeguarded staff with a Staff Travel Card may buy reduced rate tickets. 

Non-safeguarded holders of Rail Staff Leisure Cards cannot use this to buy reduced rate tickets but can use an FIP card.

The following carrier is relevant to Norway

• Vy Group (formerly Norges Statsbaner - Norwegian State Railways)

Entur AS operates on-line and station ticket office retailing of passenger rail tickets.

Hardangervidda between Haugastøl and Finse, Norway

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 18 years old are eligible for a reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 18 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by Vy defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the Vy railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• Vy bus services
• Flåmsbana between Myrdal and Flåm
• Ofoten Line between Narvik and Bjørnfjell
• Flytoget Airport Express to and from Oslo Airport (see below)
• Oslo – Karlstad – Stockholm:  Not valid on Vy Tåg Sverige or SJ Sverige services.

Travel between Oslo Airport, Oslo and Drammen

FIP facilities are not valid on the Flytoget Airport Express services to and from Oslo Airport.

FIP facilities are vaild on VY, SJ and Go-Ahead intercity trains, and Vy local trains to and from the airport (except the long-distance service from Trondheim which stops to set down passengers only).

Travel on local services in the Oslo area

FIP coupons are valid on Regiontog and Lokaltog trains operated by Vy group in the Oslo area.

However it is not possible to buy FIP discounted tickets for travel entirely within the Oslo area bounded by Lunner (RE30 R31), Eidsvoll (RE11, R12), Dal (R13), Årnes (R14), Spikkestad (L1), Asker (R14, R13, RE10, FLY1, RE11, R12), Tomter (R22), and Sonvsveien (R21).

Travel on local routes in Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger

FIP discounted tickets are not available within the Skyss fares area in Bergen, the AtB area within Trondheim and the Kolumbus area within Stavanger.

 Ticket purchasing

Only five stations in Norway have staffed ticket offices:

• Bergen
• Oslo Airport (Gardermoen Station)
• Oslo Central (Oslo S)
• Stavanger
• Trondheim Central (Trondheim S)

FIP discounted tickets cannot be purchased from ticket vending machines or on-board trains.

Tickets can be obtained from Entur, the ticket retailing division of Norwegian Railways. Details of how to contact them can be found on their website here https://entur.no/. The contact centre speak English.

Breaks of journey

Breaks of journey are not permitted when using FIP discounted tickets.

Franchised passenger services in Norway

FIP facilities are available on franchised operators of services who win the Traffic Packages under the tendering process implemented by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Go-Ahead Nordic operate:

• Sørlandet Line Oslo to Stavanger
• Arendal Line Arendal to Nelaug

The following supplements apply on Go Ahead Nordic services:[8]

• Standard 50 NOK. Choose your seat free of charge when you book and have access to wifi and power outlets. You can buy food, snacks, and drinks in the café.
• Extra 250 NOK. Choose your seat free of charge when you book and have access to wifi and power outlets. Access to free coffee, tea and snack bar.
• Hvile 500 NOK. A reclining seat with adjustable reading light, table and power socket. Free coffee, tea and snack bar.
• Sleeper Cabin 1000 NOK. Access to two beds. You can decide if you want to sleep alone in the cabin or share with another person in your party. Children under 6 years old travel for free and can share a bed with an adult. However, it is recommended that children over 4 years old have their own bed. The maximum number in a compartment is 2 adults and 2 children.

Entur can provide more information of the facilities available with each supplement.

SJ Norge (under the brand SJ Nord) operate:

• Røros Line Trondheim to Hamar (and on to Oslo)
• Meråker Line Trondheim to Storlien (and on to Sweden)
• Rauma Line Åndalsnes to Dombas (and on to Oslo)
• Nordland Line Trondheim to Bodø
• regional services in Trøndelag county

The following supplements apply on SJ Norge services: [9]

• Seat 50 NOK. Seat reservation with the opportunity to purchase a “Night train package” in the cafeteria, which includes a sleeping mask, ear plugs, a blanket and an inflatable pillow.
• Premium 200 NOK. Daytime trains only. Free water and snacks and free access to the hot drinks vending machine. Also includes a small meal served to your seat on the following departures
  • Daytime departures with boarding before 9.00am
  • Standard departures from Bodø 12.27pm to and from Røkland
• Premium Plus 500 NOK. Adjustable reclining chairs with small table, reading light, USB and power outlet at each chair. One small free meal is included.
• Sleeper Berth 1,000 NOK. This is the charge for a sleeping compartment for up to 2 adults and 2 children (under the age of 6). The compartment has two single beds, towels and a sink. Toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage. Animals are not allowed in sleeping compartments except for service dogs on duty.

Entur can provide more information of the facilities available with each supplement.

Vy Tog operate:

• Oslo S – Bergen
• Bergen – Voss – Myrdal
• Bergen – Arna

The following supplements apply on Vy Tog services:

• Standard 50 NOK. Seat reservation fee.
• Plus 300 NOK. More comfortable seat with tables and power sockets, and coffee or tea provided.
• Plus Night 600 NOK. Reclining seat which extends out to allow you to lay down. Includes a small table, reading light, USB and power outlet at each chair. Free blankets, ear plugs and a mask are provided.
• Compartment 1500 NOK. Has 2 couches with seating for up to 6 people. The price is for the compartment irrespective of the number of passengers. Suitable for small groups who want to travel in more private surroundings.
• Compartment Night 3000 NOK. Comprises 6 beds with simple comfort. The prices is for the compartment irrespective of the number of passengers.
• Sleep Compartment 1000 NOK. Has 2 beds, bedding, sink, power outlets, water and towels available. The prices is for the compartment irrespective of the number of passengers.

Entur can provide more information of the facilities available with each supplement.

Travel on Vy services in Norway
Entur publish a webpage which gives information on the use of FIP on services in Norway. personalbillett.entur.no/fip-travel-in-norway.
updated 19 March 2025

The following carriers are relevant for Poland:

• PKP - Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State Railways)
• KD - Koleje Dolnośląskie (Lower Silesian Railways)
• KŚ - Koleje Śląskie (Silesian Railways)
• KW - Koleje Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland Railways)
• ŁKA - Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna (Łódź Metropolitan Railway)

PKP FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by PKP defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the PKP railway network. PKP do not denote boundaries with the other independent FIP members within Poland. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

PKP FIP Facilities are only available on services provided by:

• PKP InterCity
• POLREGIO S.A
• Koleje Mazowieckie-KM, (Masovian Railways)
• PKP Szybka Kolej Miejska w Trojmiescie (Fast Urban Railway Tricity)
• Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa. (Warsaw Commuter Railway)
• Some KD routes (see the entry for KD)

PKP specific rules

On PKP Intercity EIP (Express InterCity Premium) trains, passengers holding FIP coupons, International Senior Manager Free Passes or tickets bought with an FIP Card are obliged to obtain a seat reservation and buy an EIP supplement (43 PLN /approx 10 Euro) before starting the journey. 

Passengers already holding a reservation may pay the supplement on the train; passengers who have not made a reservation must pay the supplement at PKP ticket offices at the same time as making a reservation.  A receipt will be issued.

Travel on EIP trains without a seat reservation is not permitted. Passengers using PKP Intercity EIP trains without a reservation or who refuse to pay the supplement will pay an additional charge, as well as the journey fare. It is not possible to buy passenger tickets and seat reservations on-board.

On EIC (Express InterCity), IC (InterCity) and TLK (Twoje Linie Kolejowe) trains subject to compulsory reservation, passengers holding FIP coupons, International Senior Manager Free Passes or tickets bought with an FIP Card must obtain a seat reservation at a price of 3 PLN (purchased in Poland only)

On EIC (Express InterCity), IC (InterCity) and TLK (Twoje Linie Kolejowe) trains not subject to compulsory reservation, seat reservations are optional at a price of 3 PLN (purchased in Poland only)

On board purchase of tickets is possible subject to a supplement of 20 PLN.

In IC and TLK trains, passengers without a ticket should approach on-train staff (immediately on departure) to buy a ticket.

Additional supplement charges apply to holders of FIP free coupons or tickets bought with an FIP Card as follows:

• Sleeper berths: Single 299 PLN, Double 159 PLN, Triple 79 PLN
• Couchette: In 3 and 4 couchete compartment 69 PLN, in 6 couchette compartment 59 PLN

Passengers holding International Senior Manager Free Passes:

• must pay a supplement if occupying a Seat in a Manager Compartment 99 PLN
• do not pay couchette or sleeper berth charges (reservations are free of charge) but pay a service charge: Single berth 140 PLN, Double berth 74 PLN, Triple berth 65 PLN.

Break of Journey is not permitted.

FIP facilities are valid on rail replacement bus services operated by PKP.

FIP facilities are not valid on cable and rack railways operated by PKP

POLREGIO S.A specific rules

Reduced rate tickets can be issued on train but are subject to a special fee (unless the passenger is departing from an unstaffed station or stop). Passengers must board by the door at the front of the train (direction of travel) and immediately buy tickets from the on-train staff. Upgrades to 1^st class are permitted on-board providing the passenger informs the on-board staff of their intention immediately.

A ticket for a single journey is valid until midnight on the day of issue. One break of journey without the need to have this confirmed is permitted. Validity of single tickets bought with the reduced rate card is dependent on distance:

1. up to 50km: 3 hours from date and time of issue (or as determined by the passenger),
2. 51 km – 100 km: 6 hours from date and time of issue (or as determined by the passenger),
3. 101 km and above: until midnight on the day of issue. (The day is 0001 hrs to 2400 hrs).

Koleje Mazowieckie – KM specific rules

Passengers who board trains at staffed stations and who cannot provide confirmation that they have not been able to buy a ticket at the booking office must, in addition to the fare, pay a supplementary charge.

Passengers without validated tickets must board by the door at the front of the train (direction of travel) and immediately buy (or have validated) tickets from the on-train staff in the first compartment. If no staff are to be seen, then passengers should wait in the first compartment. Otherwise the passenger will be deemed to be travelling without a ticket and will be liable to a surcharge (in addition to the fare).

Tickets bought with the FIP Card are not valid in the Słoneczny train.

The validity period for single or return tickets is 1 day. It begins with the date/time printed/written on the ticket. The day runs from 00.01 to 24.00.

Journeys undertaken using a single ticket must start on the first day of validity (shown on the ticket as day of journey), specifically:

1. Journeys with singles and outward portions of return tickets must commence within one hour of ticket issue or as determined by the passenger. KM tariff conditions may permit other periods of validity.
2. Journeys with return portions of tickets valid for distances over 100km may be made on any day of the ticket validity.

Tickets bought with the FIP Card are not valid on KM buses between Modlin and Warsaw Modlin airport.

Break of journey is generally permitted, although there are some exceptions to this rule. if you intend to break your journey you should check when buying your ticket that the break is permitted.

PKP Szybka Koleje Miejska w Trójmieśce specific rules

Tickets for single journeys issued by machine are valid from the time of issue/validation. Tickets bought at the ticket office are valid as determined by the salesperson according to time and zone.

The validity of tickets depends on the distance

• up to 50 km - 3 hours from the date and time of issue or as indicated by the traveler,
• from 51 km to 100 km - 6 hours from the date and time of issue, -or according to the traveler's instructions,
• 101 km or more - 1 day. A day is valid from 0:01 to 24:00.

A passenger who has not purchased a ticket before the start of the journey is required to report to the conductor/controller or any other person authorized to control the train as soon as he boards the train to purchase a ticket. To do this, the traveler must use the front doors of the train, determined by direction of travel and, if the person mentioned is not in this part of the train, wait for them.

Issuing a ticket on board the train is subject to a fee, the amount of which is fixed in the tariff available on the website www.skm.pkp.pl (C-PKP SKM).

No fee is levied for issuing a ticket on board the train to the following passengers: disabled people and their companions, people aged over 60, people with reduced mobility, people accompanied by children under the age of 6 years, pregnant women and minors, in accordance with the provisions relating to the transport of people, objects and animals (RPO-PKP SKM) available on the website www.skm.pkp.pl.

Break of journey is permitted but subject to the provisions on the transport of people, objects and animals (RPO-PKP SKM) on the website www.skm.pkp.pl .

Lotnisko Chopina w Warszawie (Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport)

Between Warszawa and Lotnisko Chopina w Warszawie, PKP coupons are not valid on line S2 and S3 services operated by SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska) but are accepted on services operated by KM.

FIP discounted ticket purchase from PKP ticket vending machines

At PKP ticket vending machines an FIP discounted ticket may be purchased using the discount “50% UMOWA-FIP-MKZ”

Travel on PKP services in Poland
In addition to the information on travel in Poland published by us in the Travel Tips for Europe guide above, there is a PKP document which explains the use of FIP on their services. www.intercity.pl/en/site/for-passengers/buy-a-ticket/where-to-buy-the-ticket/przejazdy-z-fip-en.html.

KD FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the SCIC-NRT base adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by KD defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the KD railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

On these routes, KD coupons are also valid on services between Zgorzelec and Görlitz in Germany.  

• Zgorzelec (Gr) – Zgorzelec – Węgliniec – Legnica – Wrocław
• Zgorzelec (Gr) – Zgorzelec – Lubań Śląski – Jelenia Góra

FIP discounted tickets purchased on-board KD services must be made in cash (PLN or contactless with credit cards (Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro). Payment in Euros is not allowed.

Reservations are not available on KD services.

There is no 1^st class accommodation on KD services.

Trains from Wroclaw to Berlin which are operated in conjunction with DB AG are marked in the timetable with Train not available for local journeys; special KD/DB tickets ‘Special fare Wroclaw – Berlin’ apply. FIP discounted tickets are not valid. Global Fares apply to these trains. FIP free coupons are valid.

FIP facilities are valid on bus services operated by KD.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• services marked in the timetable as ‘KD Specjal’.
• summer trains “KD Premium” Wrocław – Świnoujście – Wrocław. In the timetable, the trains are marked with the note “The special KD tickets apply”.

Online purchase of KD tickets.

Purchasing a ticket is possible in the following e-shops and apps:

• pl
• pl and “BILKOM Bilety” app,
• e-podroznik.pl and “e-podróżnik.pl” app,
• pl and “KOLEO” app (purchasing in KOLEO requires a personal account)

KS FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Persons aged up to 26 are elegible for a 20% reduction on the adult fare. Persons 26 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by KS defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the KS railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

On these routes, PKP facilities are also valid.:

• Gliwice – Katowice – Częstochowa
• Częstochowa – Lubliniec
• Katowice – Tychy – Pszczyna – Czechowice Dziedzice – Bielsko Biała – Zwardoń
• Żywiec – Sucha Beskidzka – Zakopane
• Czechowice Dziedzice – Zebrzydowice
• Pszczyna – Wisła Głębce
• Kluczbork – Katowice

Reservations are not available on KS services.

FIP discounted tickets may be purchased on the train but only for cash in PLN. Euros are not accepted.

There is no 1^st class accommodation on KS services.

Break of journey is permitted without formality.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• KS bus services unless they are providing rail replacement services.
• Special trains as provided by KS from time to time.

KW FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by KW defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the KW railway network.

There is no 1^st class on KW services, or seat reservations or supplements.

On presentation of the FIP Card tickets may be purchased on board trains, but payment is only in cash (PLN), or contactless by credit card. Payment in Euros in not permitted.

Break of journey is permitted without restriction.

FIP facilities are valid on rail replacement buses, but not other bus and coach services operated by KW.

FIP facilities are not valid in special trains.

ŁKA FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the base adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by ŁKA defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ŁKA railway network.

There is no 1^st class accommodation on ŁKA services.

Payment of fares on board ŁKA services is possible only in PLN. Euros are not accepted.

Break of journey is permitted without formality.

FIP facilities are not valid on special trains.

Other Operators in Poland

PKP, KD, KS, KW and ŁKA FIP facilities are not available on other operators including RegioJet services.

The following carrier is relevant for Portugal:

• CP - Comboios de Portugal (Railways of Portugal)

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by CP defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the CP railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

You must have a reservation for travel on IC and AP (Alfa Pendular) trains, and on international trains (Sud Express and Lusitania HotelTrain). On AP trains, coupons (irrespective of class) are valid in tourist class only.

Reservations are not required on trains designated ‘R’ in the timetable.

Global fares apply on the international services between Lisboa, Madrid and Hendaye.

FIP facilities are valid on CP suburban services (with exceptions listed below).

The Linha de Sintra and Linha de Cascais are accessed via ticket barriers.

• Passengers using FIP discounted facilities must purchase a Viva Viagem ticket (Eur 0.50) at the ticket counter to be able to pass through the ticket barrier.
• Passengers using FIP coupons for free travel must press the Help Point button on at the access point (between 06.00am and 10.00pm). The call will be answered by an operator who will allow access.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• Fertagus trains (commuter railway in Lisboa)
• the underground services in Lisboa, Porto and Mirandela
• ferries between Lisboa and Barreiro.

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board trains, except where the passenger boards a train at a station without a ticket office.

Passengers holding an FIP discounted ticket obtained in Portugal may not break their journey. Break of journey (with reservation if appropriate) is permitted for tickets bought outside Portugal.

The following carrier is relevant for Romania:

• CFR - Căile Ferate Române (Romanian Railways)

For public fares, children up to 5 years old travel free. Children up to 10 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 10 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by CFR defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the CFR railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the Glossary.

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board trains.

For mandatory reservation services, reservations must be obtained prior to departure.

Break of journey is permitted only once and for a maximum period of 24 hours from the time of arrival at the station where the break of journey is being made. The ticket must be endorsed within one hour of arrival.

The following carrier is relevant for Serbia

• SV - Србија Воз or Srbija Voz (Serbian Railways)

For public fares, children up to 4 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory.

Serbian Railways has operated services on the routes now controlled by Trainkos in Kosovo. The following table supplied by SV defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SV railway network.

RSTL is unable to verify whether Srbija Voz (SV) FIP facilities are still available within Kosovo. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

When using Global Fare trains, FIP coupon holders pay a supplement. Holders of the International Reduced Rate Card pay 50% of the global fare.

On the Belgrade - Novi Sad route, FIP facilities are subject to mandatory reservations and supplements which can only be purchased at stations.

FIP facilities are not available on buses operated by SV unless they are providing a temporary rail replacement service.

FIP facilities holders should check locally before attempting to use facilities on the lines into Kosovo south of Kuršumlija (Serbian: Куршумлија) and Raška (Serbian: Рашка).

The following carrier is relevant for Slovakia

• ŽSR - Železnice Slovenskej republiky (Slovak Republic Railways)

ŽSK FIP facilities are valid on train services operated by a ŽSSK (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko).

Children on ŽSR services

For children up to 6 years old

For free travel the child must be accompanied by person older than 16.

• Free travel in 2^nd class (neither ticket nor ID card is required).
• Free travel in 1^st class (maximum 2 children, must be accompanied by fare-paying adult. Additional children pay 50%).

In EuroCity trains no supplements (except where children travel in 1^st class and are paying 50%, a €1 supplement is payable).

In SuperCity trains pay a supplement of €1 in 2^nd class, €3 in 1^st Class.

In InterCity trains, a seat reservation inclusive supplement may be bought.

For children up to 16 years old – free travel

Registration is necessary for children 6 - 16 (sixteenth birthday) irrespective of nationality.

Registration must be done by the legal representative of the child using the following documentation:

• Photo (2cm x 3cm) of the child
• ID card of the child
• If the child does not have their own ID card, the child’s birth certificate and the ID card of the legal representative is sufficient.

Where can you register?

• at a ticket office which uses the KVC system (immediate registration is usually possible).
• at a ticket office staffed by ZSSK personnel (registration usually within three days).

Documentation to be shown in the event of on-train ticket check:

• “free” ticket
• Permit issued at the time of registration
• See www.slovakrail.sk/en/zero-fare.html for more information.

Free travel availability

• On any Os or REX train for the route specified on the ticket within the validity period.
• On the specific R, RR, Ex, EN, EC or SC train as printed on the free ticket.
• On EC trains a 1 Euro mandatory reservation fee is payable.
• On SC trains a 5 Euro mandatory reservation fee is payable.
• Free travel is not available on IC and Railjet xpress trains.

For children up to 16 years old – reduced rate travel

If they do not take advantage of the free travel arrangement, then they travel at 50% of the standard 1st or 2nd class fare.

For travel in InterCity trains a supplement of 1 Euro is payable; for travel in SuperCity trains the supplement is 1 Euro in 2nd class, 3 Euro in 1st class.

In InterCity trains children aged 6 to 16 may also take advantage of the supplement which includes seat reservation.

For on train ticket checks you must have an official document (with photo) showing age, date of birth, and (where appropriate) birth number.

TIP FROM ZSSK: children up to 10 years of age do not need to have their own berth (bed) or couchette; 2 children up to the age of 10 may share but further children require their own berth/couchette. Children aged 10 and above must have their own berth/couchette. The fare payable for the berth/couchette depends on the number of berths/couchettes used.

For persons aged 16 and older

The adult fare applies.

General travel on ŽSR services

The following table supplied by ŽSR defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the ŽSR railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

On mandatory reservation trains, seat reservations must be purchased in advance.

Passengers will have to pay the following supplements:

• With EC (EuroCity), a supplement of €1 applies (1st and 2nd class). Note: children under 6 years old (maximum two) do not pay extra; each additional child pays half the ticket price with a supplement of €1.
• With SC (SuperCity) trains, a supplement of €3 is applied, which includes a seat.

When using trains with compulsory reservations, the reservation fee must be paid in full. Seat reservations must be purchased in advance of travel.

On trains with compulsory seat reservations, the reservation fee must be paid before travel. 1st class - €2; 2nd class - €1

ZSSK (ŽSR) FIP facilities are valid on:

• TEŽ narrow-gauge services in the Tatra region (Tatranská elektrická železnica)
• rack railways operated by ŽSR/ZSSK (i.e. Štrbské Pleso–Štrba).

FIP facilities are not valid on:

• ŽSR/ZSSK bus services, except rail replacement services.
• cable cars

FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased when starting a journey at a station where the ticket office is unstaffed.

Break of journey is allowed without limitation of distance or formalities, unless otherwise indicated for a given reduced fare. An interrupted journey can only be started on the first day of validity of the travel ticket.

Break of journey does not extend the validity of the ticket. A change of train between two stations in the same municipality is not considered an interruption of a continuous journey.

During an interrupted journey, the validity of the ticket for a seat, sleeping car or berth ends at the station where the journey was interrupted.

Other Operators

ŽSR FIP facilities are not available on other transport providers in Slovakia including RegioJet, LEO Express, Čiernohronská železnica (Čierny Hron Railway).

The following carrier is relevant for Slovenia:

• SŽ - Slovenske Železnice (Slovenian Railways)

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by SŽ defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SŽ railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

Supplements are payable for travel by EC and IC trains if you have bought a FIP discounted ticket. This full supplement applies also to children from 6 to 12 years of age.

For travel by ICS trains reservations are compulsory. FIP coupons may be used on ICS trains, but a reservation and supplement must be obtained, either at the ticket office, or on the train.

FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased on-board trains in three cases:

• when arriving into Slovenia and continuing a journey in the same train which crossed the frontier
• when starting a journey at a station where the ticket office is unstaffed.
• when holding a 1^st class International Reduced Rate Card and a 2^nd class reduced rate ticket purchased prior to departure, and wanting to upgrade to a 1^st class ticket

Break of journey is permitted without formality within the validity of the ticket.

FIP facilities are not valid on

• motorail services
• SŽ bus services

The following carriers are relevant for Spain:

• RENFE - Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (National Network of Spanish Railways)
• Euskotren Trena - Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos S.A (Basque Railways)

RENFE facilities

Passenger train services are operated by Renfe Operadora and Renfe FEVE.

Children up to 4 years old travel free providing they share a seat with another passenger. Children up to 12 years old are eligible for a 40% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 12 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by RENFE defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the RENFE railway network. For the meanings of (Gr) or (fr) suffixes, please see the section - Transit Points of FIP carriers.

On high-speed AVE, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity and Avant services FIP coupons do not grant free travel on these services. A fixed supplement must be purchased.

Reservations are mandatory on long-distance and medium-distance trains. Access to platforms may be prevented if you do not hold a reservation. Reservations are not available online. They can only be booked at station ticket offices.

The mandatory seat reservation fees (as of April 2023) are:

• MD trains with reservation and AVANT trains: €4
• AVE trains: €10 in Elige option, €13 in Elige Confort option and €23,50 in Premium option.
• Alvia and Intercity trains: €6,50 in Elige option and €10 in Elige Confort option.
• Euromed trains: €6,50 in Elige option, €10 in Elige Confort option and €23,50 in Premium option.

AVE, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity trains offer Elige Standard (2^nd class), Elige Confort (1^st class seat without meal) and Premium (1^st class seat with meal).

Holders of FIP coupons travel for free without reservation on:

• Commuter Trains
• MD trains without reservation

Most MD trains in Catalonia are non-reservable while most of the rest are with reservation (but there can be exceptions).[4] Before using any MD train, you should check if it is a service which requires a reservation.

Break of journey is not permitted.

Holders of 2^nd class FIP facilities may not upgrade to 1^st class discounted tickets on RENFE services.

Supplements are payable by holders of FIP coupons for travel on IC, Talgo, Trainhotel and Euromed trains. Passengers booking the Luxury Class or Shower Car (Cama Gran Clase) must pay the full sleeping car supplement.

Passengers with 2^nd class FIP who wish to book sleepers in Cama Preferente or Cama Gran Clase can use 2^nd Class FIP facilities but must pay the difference between the public 2^nd class and public 1^st class fare in addition to the sleeper supplement. Public promotional fares may be cheaper if you book in advance.

FIP discounted tickets may only be purchased on-board when starting at a station where the ticket office is unstaffed.

FIP facilities are valid on RENFE metre gauge railway (formerly FEVE) services.

FIP travel facilities are valid in metropolitan areas on the Cercanías/Rodalia/Aldiriak suburban services provided by RENFE.

• Cercanías Asturias
• Cercanías Bilbao (Basque: Bilboko Aldiriak)
• Cercanías Cádiz
• Cercanías Madrid
• Cercanías Málaga
• Cercanías Murcia/Alicante (Valencian: Rodalia de Múrcia/Alacant)
• Cercanías Sevilla
• Cercanías Santander
• Cercanías San Sebastián (Basque Renfe Aldiriak - Donostia)
• Cercanías Valencia (Valencian: Rodalia de València)
• Cercanías Zaragoza
• Rodalies de Catalunya

FIP facilities are not valid on:

• Renfe Avlo high-speed services
• Ouigo España services
• Iryo services
• RENFE bus services
• Ferrocarril de Sóller (FS)
• Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM)
• Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV)
• Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC)
• Metro de Madrid
• Metro de Barcelona
• Metro de Bilbao (Basque: Bolboko metroa)
• Metro de Palma
• Metro de Sevilla
• Metrovalencia

Euskotren Trena facilities

Euskotren Trena services are operated by Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos S.A

The following table supplied by Euskotren Trenbideak defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the Euskotren railway network.

Once information is received from Euskotren on the ages for child fares and the transit points, this guide will be updated. Until then employees should check at Euskotren Trena ticket offices before attempting to travel with their FIP facilities.

Upon presentation of the FIP Card at the ticket office or customer service point, a ticket valid for 7 days will be issued. After expiration, a new ticket can be purchased. There is no limit per annum to the number of tickets which can be requested.

Break of journey is permitted without formality.

Customer service outlets are located at:

• Bilbao: Zazpikaleak station
• Donostia - San Sebastián: Estación station
• Gernika – Gernika station
• Durango – Durango Station
• Vitoria-Gasteiz (only for tram tickets): Sancho el Sabio Kalea, 9

FIP discounts are valid on Euskotren trains and trams as well as on line 3 of the Bilbao metro (operated by Euskotren). They are not valid in the rest of the Bilbao metro network.

Tickets are required to access and exit platforms (except at some small stations). You must have a valid ticket before boarding a train.

It is not necessary to validate the ticket on the Vitoria-Gasteiz tram, but it is necessary to do so on the Bilbao tram. The 7-day ticket should only be presented upon request. For the trip, the reduced rate card and a proof of identity is also required.

On the Trapagaran - Larreineta funicular you can get an individual ticket at the ticket desks of both stations.

The discount card entitles you to a single entry to the Euskotren Railway Museum in the town of Azpeitia. FIP facilities are not accepted on the Railway Museum tourist train.

FIP facilities are not accepted on bus services operated by Euskotren.

FIP facilities are not valid on any carriers in Sweden.

FIP facilities are also not valid on DSB Øresundståg trains over the Øresund Bridge.

The following carriers are relevant for Switzerland:

• BLS - BLS AG provides services near Bern
• SBB – Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (formally SBB CFF FFS Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses, Ferrovie federali svizzere) Swiss Federal Railway
• SP – Schweizer Privatbahnen (Swiss Private Railways) – this covers many smaller operators
• BSB/VSU - Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe / Vereinigten Schifffahrtsunternehmen für den Bodensee und Rhein (See separate entry for Lake Constance)

In general, you may use FIP coupons and buy single, return and round-trip tickets tickets with the FIP Card for travel without restriction on rail services (exceptions below).

In some locations, tickets must be stamped in platform ticket validation equipment before boarding a train.

Discounted ticket purchase online and at TVMs

Self Service purchase is available online from www.sbb.ch/en/home.html or at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs). Use the Half Fare option “Reduziert ½” to obtain the 50% reduction.

In urban areas a request for a ticket from one specific station to another may result in a ticket to or from a Zonal destination. The ticket may cover other carriers (e.g. trams) which are not in the FIP scheme, as the ticket can be used by Swiss Half Fare Card holders. With an FIP Card you can only use the ticket on the services of the companies within the FIP scheme.

BLS AG FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by BLS AG defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the BLS AG railway network.

FIP facilities are valid on all rail and bus services provided by BLS (including Busland AG) and BLS Schifffahrt services on Lake Thun (German: Thunersee) and Lake Brienz (German: Brienzersee).

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board trains. A penalty fare will be levied if passengers do not have a valid ticket.

BLS FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets are not valid on:

• funicular railways and cable cars
• vehicle transport in Simplon tunnel (Brig <> Iselle di Trasquera)
• vehicle transport in Lötschberg tunnel (Kandersteg <> Goppenstein).

SBB FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

The following table supplied by SBB defines the boundaries of both SBB and SP FIP availability across the network in Switzerland.

Only SP coupons are valid on the line between Domodossola and Locarno as it is operated by Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie.

Holders of FIP free coupons and FIP discounted tickets travelling on EC trains between Switzerland and Italy or on cross-border TGV services must pay the full supplement.

Seat reservations are mandatory on EC trains (requiring the payment of a supplement) and on all TGV trains.

FIP discounted tickets may not be purchased on-board trains. A penalty fare will be levied if passengers do not have a valid ticket.

FIP facilities are not valid on bus services operated by SBB unless they are providing a temporary rail replacement service.

Map provided by SBB covering their services in Switzerland on which FIP facilities are valid

SP rail and bus FIP facilities

For public fares, children up to 6 years old travel free. Children up to 16 years old are eligible for a 50% reduction on the adult fare. Persons aged 16 and older pay the adult fare.

FIP discounted tickets must be purchased in advance of travel and cannot be purchased on-board trains.

The SP rail and bus operators are:

The following table supplied by SP defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SP railway and bus network in Switzerland.

SP shipping FIP facilities

Boat services (car ferries excepted) are provided by SP operators on

• Lake Geneva (French: Lac Leman, German: Genfersee)
• Lake Lucerne (French: lac des Quatre-Cantons, German: Vierwaldstättersee)
• Lake Zürich (German: Zürichsee)

The SP Boat operators are:

• BSG - Bielersee-Schifffahrts-Gesellschaft
• CGN - Compagnie générale de navigation (Lac Léman (Lake Geneva))
• LNM - Société navigation sur les Lacs du Neuchâtel et Morat
• SGV - Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersee
• ZSG - Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft

The following table supplied by SP defines the boundaries of FIP availability across the SP shipping services in Switzerland.

Summary notes for Interlaken and the Jungfrau area

Most companies operating services from Interlaken to the Jungfrau area are owned by Jungfraubahn AG which comprises formerly independent operators BGF, BLM, BOB, HB, JB, WAB.

SP FIP coupons and FIP fares are available on these routes:

• BOB Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald
• WAB Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen via Kleine Schiedegg and Wengen
• BLM Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp (cable car)
• BLM Grütschalp to Murren (railway)
• JB Eiger Express cableway from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher.

On the following services FIP discounted fares are available but SP FIP coupons are not accepted:

• BGF Grindelwald–First (gondola)
• BOB Wilderswil–Schynige Platte (railway)
• HB Interlaken – Harder Kulm (funicular)
• JB Kleine Scheidegg – Jungfraujoch (railway)

FIP facilities are not valid on:

• Heimwehfluhbahn funicular from Interlaken to Heimwehfluh
• Luftseilbahn Wengen-Männlichen
• Gondelbahn Grindelwald-Männlichen, (GGM)
• Seilbahn Mürren-Allmendhubel (SMA)
• Luftseilbahn Stechelberg-Mürren-Schilthorn (LSMS)

Summary notes for Zermatt to Gornergrat

On the service between Zermatt and Gornergrat operated by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) FIP discounted fares are available, but FIP coupons are not accepted.

Summary notes for the Glacier Express

The Glacier Express on the St Moritz – Chur – Andermatt – Brig - Zermatt route is operated jointly by Rhätische Bahn (RhB) and the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB). In the summer months there is more than one service per day and some start and end at Chur and Brig.

SP FIP coupons can be used and FIP discounted fares are available, but reservations are compulsory for travel on Glacier Express trains.

Reservations can be made through International Rail. Advance recommendatations are strongly recommended as specific trains are often sold out several weeks in advance.

Other RhB services not branded as Glacier Express operate on the St Moritz – Chur – Andermatt – Brig - Zermatt route and can be used with FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets without reservation.

Summary notes for the Bernina Express

The Bernina Express between Chur and Tirano (Italy) is operated by Rhätische Bahn (RhB). In summer months there is more than one service per day.

SP FIP coupons can be used and FIP discounted fares are available, but supplements are payable for travel on the Bernina Express.

Reservations and supplements can be made through International Rail. Advance recommendatations are strongly recommended as specific trains are often sold out several weeks in advance.

Other RhB services not branded as Bernina Express operate on the Chur - Tirano route and can be used with FIP coupons and FIP discounted tickets without reservation.

Summary notes for the Treno Panoramico Vigezzo Vision

The Treno Panoramico Vigezza Vision is operated by Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi (FART) and Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie (SSIF) on the Domodossola – Càmedo – Locarno route.

SP FIP coupons and FIP discounted fares are available, but reservations are compulsory for travel.

Summary notes for the Rigi Mountain Railways (Rigi Bahnen)

FIP discounted travel with the FIP International Reduced Rate Card and free travel with a FIP Coupon on the following stretches of route:

• Vitznau – Rigi Kulm (rack railway)
• Goldau – Rigi Kulm (rack railway)
• Weggis – Rigi Kaltbad (cable car)
• Kräbel – Rigi Scheidegg (cable car)

FIP facilities are not valid on other Rigi Bahnen services, including:

• Obergschwend – Rigi Burggeist (cable car)
• Küssnacht – Seebodenalp (cable car)
• Vitznau – Hinterbergen (cable car)
• Vitznau – Wissifluh (cable car)
• Brunnen – Urmiberg (cable car)

Pilatus Railway (Pilatusbahn)

Holders of the FIP- international reduced rate card for railway staff may get a 50% reduction when buying a ticket at Pilatusbahn counters.

Pilatusbahn is not a member of the FIP organisation and the offer of FIP discounted travel is a concession which may be withdrawn at any time and without notice.

This is a glossary of terms used in in relation to FIP carriers, including transport carrier abbreviations.