Rail Staff Travel

Introduction to FIP for new TOC employees

Staff Travel in Europe

Travel Tips for Europe

International Rail can sell tickets with FIP discounts because they have access to European rail ticketing systems. However, public fares—such as travel cards, advance purchase tickets, or promotional offers—can sometimes be cheaper than an FIP discount on a standard single or return ticket.

International Rail cannot guarantee that they will always find the cheapest public fare when it is lower than the FIP fare.

Email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.bookmyrst.co.uk.

• Introduction to FIP

  FIP stands for Facilités de circulation Internationales du Personnel des chemins de fer (International Travel Facilities for Railway Staff). It is a group of European rail and shipping companies that have agreed to offer staff travel facilities to each other on a reciprocal basis.

  Rail Staff Travel Limited (RSTL) represents GB National Rail within FIP.

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  Eligibility

  Employees of National Rail Train Operating Companies can use FIP facilities after 12 months of service.

  FIP facilities are provided as a goodwill arrangement by RSTL and its partners. They can be changed or withdrawn at any time and are not a contractual entitlement.

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  Class of Travel

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

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  Leisure Use Only

  FIP facilities are for leisure travel only, unless specifically endorsed for duty travel. They cannot be used for:

  • Residential journeys
  • Business or duty travel
  • Journeys for the benefit of a third party

  Some duty travel FIP facilities are available for employees only. Contact RSTL for details if you need to travel on business.

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  Types of FIP Facilities

  • FIP International Reduced Rate Card (FIP Card): For buying discounted tickets
  • FIP Coupons: For a limited amount of free travel

• Facilities for active staff

  FIP Carriers and Benefits

  This section lists:

  • The carriers included in the FIP scheme
  • How many coupons you can get each calendar year for an active employee and their eligible family members
  • The discount available when using the FIP Card

  Carrier and location	Coupon allocation for active employees and:	Ticket discount
  Attica Ferries – Adriatic and Aegean seas	Nil	Global fares
  BDZ -– Bulgaria	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  BLS AG – Switzerland	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  BSB-VSU – Lake Constance	1 (employee only)	Global fares
  ČD - Czechia	1 (employee only)	50%
  CFL - Luxembourg	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  CFR – Romania	1 (employee only)	50%
  ClÉ – Republic of Ireland	2, and 2 for each dependant	75%
  CP – Portugal	1 (employee only)	50%
  DB – Germany	1 (employee only)	50%
  DSB – Denmark	1 (employee only)	50%
  EIL – GB, Northern Europe	Nil	Global fares
  Euskotren – Spain	1 (employee only)	100%
  FS – Italy	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  GYSEV (Raaberbahn) – Austria, Hungary	1 (employee only)	50%
  HT – Greece	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  HŽ – Croatia	1 (employee only)	50%
  KD – Poland	1 (employee only)	50%
  KŚ – Poland	1 (employee only)	50%
  KW – Poland	1 (employee only)	50%
  ŁKA – Poland	1 (employee only)	50%
  LTG Link - Lithuania	1 (employee only)	50%
  MAV – Hungary	1 (employee only)	50%
  NIR – Northern Ireland	2, and 2 for each dependant	75%
  NS – Netherlands	2, and 2 for each dependant	50%
  ÖBB – Austria	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  PKP – Poland	1 (employee only)	50%
  RENFE – Spain	1 (employee only)	50%
  SBB–CFF -– Switzerland	1 (employee only)	50%
  SLL – Irish Sea	Nil	50%
  SNCB – Belgium	2, and 2 for each dependant	75%
  SNCF – France	2, and 2 for each dependant	75%
  SP – Switzerland	1 (employee only)	50%
  StL[1] – North Sea	2, and 2 for each dependant	Global fares
  SV – Serbia	1 (employee only)	50%
  SŽ – Slovenia	1 (employee only)	50%
  THI – Northern Europe	Nil	Global fares
  Vy – Norway	1 (employee only)	50%
  ŽFBH – Bosnia Herzegovina	Nil	50%
  ŽPCG – Montenegro	1 (employee only)	50%
  ŽRS – Bosnia Herzegovina	1 (employee only)	50%
  ŽRSM – North Macedonia	1 (employee only)	50%
  ŽSR – Slovakia	1 (employee only)	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

• Facilities for retired staff (safeguarded only)

  FIP Carriers and Benefits

  This section lists:

  • The carriers included in the FIP scheme
  • How many coupons you can get each calendar year for an retired employee and their eligible family members
  • The discount available when using the FIP Card

  Carrier and location	Coupon allocation for retired employees and:	Ticket discount
  Attica Ferries – Adriatic and Aegean seas	Nil	Global fares
  BSB-VSU – Lake Constance	Nil	Global fares
  CFL – Luxembourg	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  ClÉ – Republic of Ireland	1, and 1 for each dependant	75%
  EIL – GB, Northern Europe	Nil	Global fares
  Euskotren – Spain	Nil	100%
  FS – Italy	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  HT – Greece	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  NIR – Northern Ireland	2, and 2 for each dependant	75%
  NS– Netherlands	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  ÖBB – Austria	1 (Retired Employee only)	50%
  SNCB – Belgium	1, and 1 for each dependant	50%
  StL[1] – North Sea	1, and 1 for each dependant	Global fares
  THI – Northern Europe	Nil	Global fares

   

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

  Carrier and location – No coupons available for retired employees. Ticket discount 50%.
  BDZ – Bulgaria	PKP – Poland
  BLS AG – Switzerland	RENFE – Spain
  ČD – Czechia	SBB–CFF – Switzerland
  CFR – Romania	SLL – Irish Sea
  CP – Portugal	SNCF – France
  DB – Germany	SP – Switzerland
  DSB – Denmark	SV – Serbia
  GYSEV (Raaberbahn) – Austria, Hungary	SŽ – Slovenia
  HŽ – Croatia	Vy – Norway
  KD – Poland	ŽFBH – Bosnia Herzegovina
  KŚ – Poland	ŽPCG – Montenegro
  KW – Poland	ŽRS – Bosnia Herzegovina
  ŁKA – Poland	ŽRSM – North Macedonia
  MAV – Hungary	ŽSR – Slovakia

  [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

• FIP International Reduced Rate Card

  FIP International Reduced Rate Card (FIP Card)

  The FIP Card gives you a discount on the full adult public fare for domestic services of all FIP member companies except your own. Different discounts may apply on cross-border journeys depending on the agreements for those services.

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  Important Rules

  • FIP Cards are personal, must be signed, and cannot be transferred.
  • When buying or using a ticket, you must show your FIP Card and your passport as photo ID. The name on your passport must match the name on your FIP Card.

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  Validity Period

  FIP Cards are valid for two calendar years, plus an extra month on each side:

  • From 1 December of the year before the printed dates
  • Until 31 January of the year after the printed dates

  Example: A card for 2025–2026 is valid from 01/12/2024 to 31/01/2027.

  

  Discounted ticket purchasing before you leave Britain

  You can buy FIP discounted tickets through International Rail Ltd.

  1. Go to www.bookmyrst.co.uk and submit your journey details.
  2. International Rail will prepare a quote and contact you with the price.

  They can also help you book travel on Eurostar, Thalys, and in the following countries:

  Country	Domestic bookings	International bookings
  Austria	Yes	Yes
  Bulgaria	No	Yes for trains to Romania only
  Belgium	Yes for the 50% discount only. 75% discount only available at ticket offices.	Yes
  Croatia	Yes for day trains only)	Yes for trains to Austria and Slovenia
  Czechia	Yes	Yes
  Denmark	Yes	Yes for trains to Germany
  France	No	Yes for Alleo services to Germany and TER/IC services to Belgium
  Germany	Yes except some DB Regio and s-bahn	Yes
  Greece	No
  Hungary	Yes except some local and regional services	Yes for trains to Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, and Slovakia
  Ireland	No	No
  Italy	Yes except some regional services	Yes
  Luxembourg	No	Yes for trains to Germany and Belgium
  Netherlands	Yes	Yes
  Norway	No	No
  Poland	PKP day trains with seat assignment. Not for night trains	Yes except the Vilnius to Krakow route
  Portugal	No	No
  Romania	No	Yes for trains to Hungary and Bulgaria
  Slovakia	Yes	Yes
  Slovenia	Yes	Yes for trains to Austria and Croatia
  Spain	Yes	Yes
  Switzerland	Yes except some local and regional services	Yes except TGV Lyria

  Important Information
  The table above is correct as of December 2024. However, train operators can add or remove services from international booking systems without warning.

  Buying Tickets for SNCF Domestic Services
  For tickets within France on SNCF trains, please refer to the relevant section later in this document.

  FIP Fare Availability
  FIP fares are usually limited by quota. Each operator decides when these discounted fares become available for sale. If your chosen journey is not available, you will need to change the date or time, or pay the full public fare if you cannot be flexible.

  FIP Card Discounts
  Your FIP card shows which operators offer discounts and the percentage off the adult fare. There is no discount on child fares.

  Booking Through International Rail
  International Rail can sell FIP discounted tickets using European rail systems. Sometimes public fares, advance purchase tickets, or special offers are cheaper than the FIP discount. International Rail cannot guarantee that the cheapest fare will always be offered.

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  Buying FIP Discounted Tickets Abroad

  • You can buy tickets at station ticket offices in the country you are visiting.
  • Most operators do not allow ticket purchase on board unless you boarded at an unstaffed station. This guide shows where boarding without a ticket is not allowed.
  • Tickets may also be available:
    • At ticket machines
    • Through smartphone apps or operator websites

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  Conditions of Carriage

  Discounted tickets are subject to the local conditions of carriage. This may include ticket validation before travel or restrictions such as no break of journey.

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  FIP Fares for Children

  • Children with a FIP card get a discount on the adult fare. This may or may not be cheaper than the normal child fare.
  • For domestic travel, each operator sets age limits for child fares.
  • For international travel:
    • Children under 4 usually travel free unless a reservation is required.
    • Children up to 12 usually get a discount on the adult fare.
    • Some countries allow discounts up to age 16 for certain journeys. International Rail can advise on specific cases.

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  Changes to FIP Membership

  • If an operator leaves the FIP scheme during your card’s two-year validity, they will no longer accept the card. RSTL is not responsible for this.
  • If an operator joins the scheme during your card’s validity, discounts apply from the date they join, even if they are not listed on your card. Updates will be published in RSTL guides and on the website.

• FIP Coupons

  FIP Coupons – What You Need to Know

  Free Travel with FIP Coupons
  FIP coupons allow a limited amount of free travel. However, some long-distance and high-speed trains may require you to pay a supplement and make a reservation. Check the relevant carrier’s section in this document for details.

  Identification
  You must carry your passport when travelling with FIP coupons. The name on your coupons must match your passport.

  Annual Allocation
  Each train operator decides how many coupons you can request each year. These details are in the Introduction section.

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  Coupon Validity

  • Coupons are valid for 3 months from the outward travel date. The start and end dates are printed on the coupon.
  • The outward travel date determines which year’s allocation the coupons come from.
    Example: If your outward date is 1 December 2025, the coupons count against your 2025 allocation.
  • Unused coupons from one year can be used for travel up to 31 March of the following year. To do this, apply with an outward date of 31 December (even if you travel later).

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  How to Apply

  Apply online at:
  www.raildeliverygroup.com/rst/forms.html#international
  Use one of these forms:

  • xx09b – Employee only
  • xx09c – Employee and family members

  Submit your application at least 3 weeks before travel.

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  Issue of Coupons

  Coupons are issued about 2 weeks before travel.

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  Using Coupons

  • Coupons show your name and class of travel (1st Class = “1. Cl”, 2nd Class = “2. Cl”).
  • Your passport must be shown as ID.
  • Each coupon has four numbered boxes. When you date a box, it is valid for two days:
    • From 00:01 on the day you write
    • Until midnight the following day
      (Unless this goes beyond the coupon’s printed expiry date)
  • Travel is free on the carrier’s services in the class shown, but supplements or reservations may still apply.

  

  Dating Boxes on Coupons
  Write the travel date in each box using a permanent ink pen, in numerical order, before boarding the train. Do not use erasable pens or pencils. Doing so is considered a travel irregularity and will result in permanent loss of both domestic and international travel privileges.

  Enter the date in the format dd/mm/yy, using leading zeros for single digits (e.g., 01/05/26 for 1 May 2026).

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  Supplements and Reservations
  Check the country-specific section of this guide to see if you need to pay supplements or make reservations. International Rail can provide advice and make reservations for you.

  Not all operators allow independent retailers to make reservations unless tickets are purchased at the same time.

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  Using FIP Cards
  Depending on your journey and the countries you travel through, you may only be able to use your FIP card for discounted tickets rather than free coupons. Send your itinerary to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and International Rail will advise on any restrictions.

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  Children’s Free Travel
  The maximum age for free travel varies by country. The lowest is 4 years, so FIP documents will always be issued for children aged 4 or older.

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  International Free Coupons
  Free coupons are issued as a batch for the journey you request.

   

• Transit Points of FIP carriers

  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.

  Neighbouring carrier	Transit points up to which ÖBB coupons are valid
  DB AG	Kufstein, Liefering, Lindau Reutin, Mittenwald (Gr), Passau Hbf, Salzburg Hbf, Simbach an Inn

  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.

• Loss or theft of FIP Travel documents

  Lost or Stolen FIP Coupons

  • FIP coupons that are lost or stolen cannot be replaced.
  • Neither RST nor any FIP carrier will refund any fares you pay after losing your FIP card or coupons.

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  If Your Coupons Are Stolen

  You must report the theft immediately:

  1. To the local police in the country where the theft happened and get a certificate confirming the report.
  2. To RST, including:
     • Details of how the theft occurred.
     • A copy of the police certificate.

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  If Your Coupons Are Lost

  Report the loss immediately to RST:

  • In writing or by email.
  • Include details of how the loss happened and what steps you have taken to recover the coupons.

• FIP Travel Irregularities

  Your Responsibility
  You must only use FIP facilities for their intended purpose. If you misuse them, you may face Travel Irregularity proceedings by both the local train operator and RSTL.

  Examples of Misuse (Travel Irregularities)

  • Using FIP facilities for non-leisure travel (e.g., commuting, business trips, or travel for someone else’s benefit)
  • Using FIP coupons or discounted tickets without being able to show your passport
  • Trying to buy discounted tickets with an FIP card without a passport
  • Altering the date on an FIP coupon
  • Travelling after the coupon has expired
  • Using services that are restricted under FIP rules
  • Travelling in a class not allowed by FIP facilities
  • Using services that require reservations or supplements without having them
  • Giving FIP facilities to someone who is not eligible
  • Using FIP facilities when you are not eligible
  • Breaking the carrier’s Conditions of Travel

  This is not a complete list.

  What Happens if Misuse is Reported
  If a Travel Irregularity is reported to RST by any FIP member, it will be handled under the same rules as the National Rail domestic schemes.

  If the irregularity is serious enough to remove your travel facilities, this will apply to both your international and domestic travel benefits, including those for your dependants.

  Refunds
  Neither RST nor any FIP carrier will refund fares paid after your FIP card or coupons are seized during an investigation.

• General Tips and Problems using FIP facilities

  General Tips

  • Most train operators require you to buy a ticket before boarding. Discounted tickets are usually not sold on board unless you boarded at a station without a ticket office.
  • For long-distance or high-speed trains, you may need to pay a supplement and make a reservation. These payments are often not allowed on board.
  • All tickets are subject to the carrier’s Conditions of Carriage.
  • Unlike in Britain and on Eurostar, you can usually upgrade from 2nd class FIP facilities to 1st class by paying the difference between the public fares. Upgrades must be paid before departure.

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  Problems Using FIP Facilities

  If you have trouble buying or using discounted tickets, or using free FIP coupons, RSTL can only raise the issue with the carrier if you provide full details.

  Please include:

  • Main passenger name and number of FIP passengers
  • Location of the incident (station or train)
  • Name of the carrier’s employee (if possible)
  • Date and time of the incident
  • Which part of the FIP facility was refused

  Send issues in writing by email to RSTL. Please note: RSTL cannot guarantee a satisfactory response. FIP arrangements are based on mutual goodwill, not a formal contract.

Travel Tips for Europe

• Germany
• Greece

Introduction

Introduction to FIP facilities for TOC new starters

• What FIP facilities are provided?

  Types of FIP Facilities

  There are two types of FIP facilities:

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

  Your passport is required when using FIP facilities, and the name on your FIP card must match your passport.

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  Applying for FIP Facilities

  After 12 months of service, TOC employees can apply to Rail Staff Travel Limited (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 eligible family member.
    • Valid for 2 calendar years and renewed automatically.
    • Discounts are usually 50% (sometimes 75%) off the full adult fare, even for children. Some international trains use “Global Fares,” which are priced differently—check Travel Tips for Europe.

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  FIP Coupons

  Employees can apply for coupons when needed. Key points:

  • Separate coupons are issued for each railway or shipping company.
  • You can apply for different carriers at different times for separate holidays.
  • Not all carriers offer free travel (e.g., Eurostar and Thalys do not).
  • Some carriers only offer free travel to employees, not partners or children.
  • Coupons are valid for 3 months from the outward travel date. Each coupon has 4 date boxes, each valid for 2 days of unlimited free travel (the date entered and the following day until 23:59).
  • Free travel covers the fare only. You must pay reservation fees, supplements, and port taxes. Sometimes public tickets may be cheaper.
  • Allocation is per calendar year (usually one per carrier).
  • For trains crossing borders, you need coupons for the main carrier in each country.

  The Travel Tips for Europe guide lists carriers and shows how many coupons you can apply for each year.

• Where Can I Go with FIP facilities?

  Getting from Britain to Europe

  You can travel from Britain to Europe by:

  • Buying FIP discounted tickets for Eurostar, or
  • Using FIP coupons for Stena Line ferries from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.

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  Where FIP Facilities Apply

  Within Europe, FIP facilities are valid on major rail companies such as:

  • SNCF (France)
  • SNCB (Belgium)
  • NS (Netherlands)
  • DB (Germany)
  • TrenItalia (Italy)
  • RENFE (Spain)
  • CP (Portugal)
  • CD (Czech Republic)
    …and many more. The Travel Tips for Europe guide has the full list.

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  Where FIP Facilities Do NOT Apply

  FIP facilities are generally not valid:

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

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  Reservations

  On many high-speed and long-distance intercity routes, you must book reservations in advance.

  For full details, check Travel Tips for Europe, which provides a country-by-country guide to FIP facilities. It’s recommended to review this before planning your trip.

• How can I book travel using my FIP facilities?

  Applying for FIP Coupons

  Apply to Rail Staff Travel Limited (RSTL) at least 3 weeks before your trip. Coupons will be posted to your home address about 2 weeks before your outward travel date.

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  Booking Tickets and Reservations Before Leaving Britain

  • A few travel agents in Britain can book FIP tickets and reservations.
  • If you have an FIP Card, you can make bookings even if you plan to use FIP coupons and haven’t received them yet.
  • For Eurostar FIP tickets, you can also buy them in person at London St Pancras by showing your FIP Card.

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  Buying Tickets in Europe

  Discounted tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices in Europe. However, in some countries—such as the Netherlands and Germany—not all ticket offices are authorised to sell FIP discounted tickets. Check Travel Tips for Europe for details.

• Key links

  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

   

Rail Staff Travel

View guides

Welcome, Safeguarded Employees

Jump to a guide

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• Rail Staff Leisure Card
• RST Online Leisure Card
• Staff Travel Card
• Leaving Railway Employment

Contact us

• Call us

  Phone lines are open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (excl Bank Holidays). 

  Our phone lines are for those without internet access. For other queries, the information is on our website, or you can e-mail us.

  +44 20 7841 8274

• Email us

  Please include your full name and postal address so that we can find your Rail Staff Travel record and respond appropriately.

  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Write to us

  Rail Staff Travel,
  PO Box 80612,
  London
  EC4P 4NH

  If you are sending us cards or passes by post, we strongly suggest Signed-For Delivery.

Rail Staff Travel

View guides

Welcome, Non-Safeguarded Employees

Jump to a guide

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• Rail Staff Leisure Card
• RST Online Leisure Card
• Staff Travel Card
• Leaving Railway Employment

Contact us

• Call us

  Phone lines are open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (excl Bank Holidays). 

  Our phone lines are for those without internet access. For other queries, the information is on our website, or you can e-mail us.

  +44 20 7841 8274

• Email us

  Please include your full name and postal address so that we can find your Rail Staff Travel record and respond appropriately.

  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Write to us

  Rail Staff Travel,
  PO Box 80612,
  London
  EC4P 4NH

  If you are sending us cards or passes by post, we strongly suggest Signed-For Delivery.