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Europe and FIP

Rail Staff Travel

RomeThis page contains information for

  • using FIP facilities issued by Rail Staff Travel on rail and shipping carriers in Europe
  • using FIP facilities and some Staff Travel Cards for discounted travel on Eurostar.

To understand the basics of the FIP arrangements, new TOC employees are encouraged to read the introduction before looking at the detailed information below 

Introduction to FIP for new TOC employees

Staff Travel in Europe

Ospizio BerninaMany carriers make FIP tickets, reservations and supplements available to travel agents through European rail ticketing systems to enable it to be booked in advance before leaving Britain. (A notable exception is SNCF where domestic French journeys can only be booked through the SNCF Contact Centre).

RST works with International Rail, a Travel Agent, to provide bookings on a wide range of carriers for a fixed transaction fee. Employees wishing to take advantage of this service should submit their journey enquiry request through the International Rail website. Please be aware that 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.

  • 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.


    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.

    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 France page.

    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.


    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. Some even prohibit boarding without a ticket altogether, even if there is no ticket office available. 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

    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.


    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.

    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 on the RSTL 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 other FIP coupons sections for active and retired staff.


    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 2026, the coupons count against your 2026 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).

    How to Apply

    Apply online least 3 weeks before travel at using the International Coupons Application - Employee and family members xx09c


    Issue of Coupons

    Coupons are issued about 2 weeks before travel.


    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).


    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.


    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.


    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.


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

     

  • List of FIP coupons and the discounts available 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 (Eurostar Blue and Eurostar Red) – 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 (Stena Line) – Irish Sea routes

    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 (Stena Line) – North Sea (Harwich to Hook of Holland)

    2, and 2 for each dependant

    Coupon provides 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

    Global fares

    SV – Serbia

    1 (employee only)

    50%

    SŽ – Slovenia

    1 (employee only)

    50%

    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%

  • List of FIP coupons and the discounts available 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 (Eurostar Blue and Eurostar Red) – 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 (Stena Line) – North Sea (Harwich to Hook of Holland)

    1, and 1 for each dependant

    FIP coupon provides 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

    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

     

Country and operator guide

A

B

C

D

E

F

G
H

I

K

L

M

N

P

R

S

V

  • 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.

    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.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • Glossary

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

    Term

    Meaning

    Notes

    <> 

    Between

    i.e. Kandersteg <> Goppenstein means between Kandersteg and Goppenstein.

    In the direction of

    i.e. > Domodossola means in the direction of Domodossola

    AB

    Appenzeller Bahnen

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    ASm

    Aare Seeland mobil

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    ATOC/GBPR

    Association of Train Operating Companies / Great Britain Passenger Railway

    The name given to British membership of FIP through RSTL until 31 December 2019

    BDWM

    BDWM Transport, Bremgarten

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    BDZ

    Български държавни железници (Balgarski darzhavni zheleznitsi)

    Bulgarian State Railways

    BLS AG

     

    A Swiss railway company created by the merger of BLS Lötschbergbahn and Regionalverkehr Mittelland AG.

    BLT

    Baselland Transport

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    BSB

    Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH

    A shipping company on Lake Constance. BSB manages the VSU FIP arrangements.

    BSG

    Bielersee-Schifffahrts-Gesellschaft

    A shipping operator under SP

    ČD

    České dráhy

    Czech Railways

    CFL

    Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois

    Luxembourg National Railways

    CFR

    Căile Ferate Române

    Romanian National Railways

    CGN

    Compagnie générale de navigation (Lac Léman

    A shipping operator under SP

    CIÉ

    Córas Iompair Éireann

    Irish Transport System incorporating Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

    CJ

    Chemins de fer du Jura

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    CLC

    Carta di Libera Circolazione

    Italian for Free Rail Pass (FIP Coupons fall into this category)

    Compositeur

    French name for ticket validation equipment. (Italian version Obliteratrici)

    Usually based on platforms. Tickets must be inserted to validate them before travel.

    CP

    Comboios de Portugal

    Portuguese Railways

    DB AG

    Deutsche Bahn

    German Railways

    DSB

    Danske Statsbaner

    Danish State Railways

    EIL

    Eurostar International Limited

     

    FART

    Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    FB

    Forchbahn

    A rail operator under SP

    FIP

    Facilités de circulation Internationales du Personnel des chemins de fer

    International Travel Facilities for Railway Staff. RSTL is a member of this group within the UIC.

    FIP Card

    A card enabling discounted tickets to be bought. Also known as the International Reduced Rate Card

    Can only be used in conjunction with a valid passport.

    FIP Coupon

    A coupon enabling free travel for a specified duration of time

    Can only be used in conjunction with a valid passport.

    FS

    Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane

    Italian State Railways. Passenger services are mostly provided by subsidiary company Trenitalia

    FW

    Frauenfeld–Wild-Bahn

    A rail operator under SP

    GB National Rail

    Great Britain National Rail

    The name given to British membership of FIP through RSTL from 1 January 2020

    Grenztarifpunkt

    German for Border Tariff Point.

    See Transit Point

    GySEV

    Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurti Vasút

    A joint enterprise between Hungary and Austria. Known in Austria as Raaberbahn.

    Hbf

    Hauptbahnhof

    German: Main Railway Station

    Hellenic Train

     

    The passenger operator in Greece

    hl.n.

    hlavní nádraží

    Czech: Main Station

    Hrvatske željeznice

    Croatian Railways

    ÎDF Mobilités

    Île-de-France Mobilités

    Formerly STIF. The organisation that controls transport companies in the Paris-area including RATP and SNCF.

    KD

    Koleje Dolnośląskie

    Lower Silesian Railways. Poland

    JB

    Jungfraubahn

    A rail operator under SP

    KS

    Koleje Śląskie

    Silesian Railways, Poland

    KW

    Koleje Wielkopolskie

    Greater Poland Railways

    LNM

    Société navigation sur les Lacs du Neuchâtel et Morat

    A shipping operator under SP

    MÁV

    Magyar Államvasutak

    Hungarian State Railways

    MBC

    Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    MGB

    Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn

    A rail operator under SP

    MIB

    Meiringen-Innertkirchen Bahn

    A rail operator under SP

    MOB

    Montreux-Oberland Bernois

    A rail operator under SP

    MVR

    Montreuz-Vevey-Riviera

    A rail operator under SP

    NIR

    Northern Ireland Railways

     

    NS

    Nederlandse Spoorwegen

    Netherlands Railways

    NSB

    Norges Statsbaner AS

    Norwegian State Railways

    NStCM

    Nyon-St Cergue-Morez (Nyon-La Cure)

    A rail operator under SP

    ÖBB

    Österreichische Bundesbahnen

    Austrian Federal Railways

    Obliteratrici

    Italian name for ticket validation equipment (French version Compositeur)

    Usually based on platforms. Tickets must be inserted to validate them before travel.

    OeBB

    Oensingen-Balsthal

    A rail operator under SP

    OSE

    Οργανισμός Σιδηροδρόμων Ελλάδος or Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados

    Hellenic Railways Organisation based in Greece

    PKP

    Polskie Koleje Państwowe

    Polish State Railways

    Points de transition

    French for Transit Point

    See Transit Point

    RA

    RegionAlps, Martigny

    A rail operator under SP

    RailJet

     

    Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Czech Railways (ČD) joint venture in high speed train services

    RATP

    Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens

    Public transport operator in Paris

    RegioJet

     

    Private Czech provider of passenger rail. Not part of FIP.

    RBS

    Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    RDG

    Rail Delivery Group

    The management organisation under which RST operates in Great Britain

    RENFE

    Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles

    Spanish State Railways

    RER

    Réseau Express Régional

    Suburban commuter/rapid transit operator serving Paris

    RhB

    Rhätische Bahn

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    RJ

    Railjet

    High-speed train ÖBB and ČD with international services to Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Czechia and Italy.

    RSTL

    Rail Staff Travel

    The organisation providing staff travel facilities in Great Britain. Part of the Rail Delivery Group.

    SBB-CFF-FFS

    Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses, Ferrovie federali svizzere

    Swiss Federal Railways. Often shortened to SBB-CFF, or just SBB.

    SBS

    Schweizerische SBS Schifffahrt AG

    A shipping company on Lake Constance. Part of the BSB/VSU grouping

    SCIC-NRT

    Special Conditions of International Carriage for Journeys using Non Integrated Reservation Tickets

    The conditions applicable to international rail tickets issued in accordance to the Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of International Carriage of Passengers by Rail (CIV)

    SGV

    Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersee

    A shipping operator under SP

    SKM

    Szybka Kolej Miejska

    Fast City Rail. Rail operator providing services in Warsaw

    SNCB/NMBS

    Société nationale des chemins de fer belges/Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen

    Belgian National Railways (usually abbreviated to just SNCB)

    SNCF

    Société nationale des chemins de fer français

    French National Railways

    SOB

    Schweizerische Südostbahn

    A rail operator under SP

    SP

    Swiss Private

    An FIP grouping for minor railway companies in Switzerland

    SSIF

    Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie

    A rail operator under SP

    STB

    Sensetalban

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    STIF

    Syndicat des Transports d'Île-de-France

    Predecessor of ÎDF Mobilités

    SV

    Србија Воз (Srbija Voz)

    National Passenger Railways of Serbia

    SZU

    Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn

    A rail operator under SP

    THI

    THI Factory

    Operator of Thalys international rail services from Amsterdam and Dortmund through Brussels to Paris

    THURBO

    Regionalbahn THURBO, Kreuzlingen

    A rail operator under SP

    TMR

    Transports de Martigny et Régions

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    TPC

    Transports publics du Chablais

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    TPF

    Transports publics fribourgeois

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    TrainOSE

     

    The former passenger train service provider in Greece

    Transit Point

    A fare location which defines the fare boundary of the carrier.

    (German: Grenztarifpunkt or Übergangspunkte)

    (French: Points de transition)

    Location suffix (Gr), (fr), (mp), or (ms) has the following meanings:

    Gr = Grenze (German for border)

    fr = frontière (French for border)

    mp = mjesto prijelaza (Croatian for Place of transition)

    MS/ms = Mitte See (German for Middle of the Lake)

    TRAVYS

    Transports Vallée de Joux-Yverdon-Ste. Croix

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    TRN

    Transports régionaux neuchâtelois

    A rail and bus operator under SP

    UIC

    Union Internationale des Chemins de fer

    International Union of Railways. The international rail transport industry body

    URh

    Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee und Rhein

    A shipping company on Lake Constance. Part of the BSB/VSU grouping

    VLB

    Vorarlberg Lines Walter Klaus Bodenseeschifffahrt GmbH & Co

    A shipping company on Lake Constance. Part of the BSB/VSU grouping

    VR

    Suomen Valtion Rautatiet

    Finnish State Railways

    VSU

    Vereinigten Schifffahrtsunternehmen für den Bodensee und Rhein

    FIP label for Lake Constance Shipping services. Managed by BSB. Comprises BSB, VLB, SBS, URh

    WB

    Waldenburgerbahn

    A rail operator under SP

    WSB

    Wynental- und Suhrentalbahn

    A rail operator under SP

    ZB

    Zentralbahn (Luzern-lnterlaken Ost/Engelberg)

    A rail operator under SP

    ŽFBH

    Željeznice Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine

    Railway company of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    ŽPCG

    Жељезнички превоз Црне Горе

    (Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore)

    Railway transport of Montenegro

    ŽRS

    Жељезнице Републике Српске (Željeznice Republike Srpske)

    Republika Srpska Railways, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    ŽRSM

    Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija

    Railways of the Republic of North Macedonia

    ZSG

    Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft

    A shipping operator under SP

    ŽSR

    Železnice Slovenskej republiky

    Railways of the Slovak Republic

    ZSSK

    Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko

    Slovakian Railway Company

     

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Europe and FIP Introduction

Introduction

Contents

Introduction to FIP facilities for TOC new starters

Landwasser viaduct, SwitzerlandFIP Facilities for New Employees

New TOC employees can use FIP staff travel facilities on participating rail and shipping companies in Europe after completing 12 months' service.

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 carriers 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. 

RST will contact new TOC employees by e-mail shortly before they complete 12 months' service advising them how to apply for FIP facilities.

Keleti stationWhat is FIP?

The FIP organisation is a group of European rail and shipping companies that offer staff travel facilities to each other’s employees on a reciprocal basis.

Rail Staff Travel Limited (RSTL) is the FIP representative for all TOCs in Britain and provides these facilities as a goodwill arrangement—they are not part of your employment contract.

Different Eligibility Rules Apply

The FIP group sets its own rules for eligibility which may differ from those set by Rail Staff Travel for national rail staff travel benefits in Britain.


The FIP facilities provided to an employee

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.


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.

FIP International Reduced Rate Card

FIP Coupons

Employees can apply for coupons when needed. Please only apply for coupons that you intend to use.

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 coupons for free travel (e.g., Eurostar, Attica Ferries, Stena Line Irish Sea services and ŽFBH in Bosnia Herzegovina 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. 
  • Allocation is per calendar year (usually one per carrier).
  • For trains crossing borders, you need coupons for the main carrier in each country.

The Europe and FIP page lists carriers and shows how many coupons you can apply for each year.


Where you can go with FIP facilities

Getting from Britain to Europe

You can use your FIP facilities to travel from Britain to Northern Ireland or Europe by:


InnsbruckWhere FIP Facilities Apply

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

  • NIR (Northern Ireland)
  • CIE (Republic of Ireland)
  • SNCF (France)
  • SNCB (Belgium)
  • NS (Netherlands)
  • DB (Germany)
  • ÖBB (Austria and Lichtenstein)
  • TrenItalia (Italy)
  • RENFE (Spain)
  • CP (Portugal)
  • CD (Czech Republic)
    …and many more. The Europe and FIP page has the full list.

Where FIP Facilities Do Not Apply

FIP facilities are generally not valid:

  • On franchised, open-access, or private operators (some examples are TGV OUIGO in France, Leo Express and RegioJet in Czechia, Avlo and Iryo services in Spain etc)
  • On regional or urban commuter routes subsidised by local authorities (even if run by the national operator)
  • In Corsica, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden
  • On some DB services in Germany (see the list on the page for Germany)

Reservations and supplements

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

On some high-speed and long-distance intercity services supplements also apply when using FIP coupons.

For full details check the specific country guide. It’s recommended to review this before planning your trip.


How you can book travel using 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.


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.

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 the relevant country page for details.


Key links

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For Safeguarded Employees

For Safeguarded Employees

Rail Staff Travel

View guides

Welcome, Safeguarded Employees

Jump to a guide

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.

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For Non-Safeguarded Employees

For Non-Safeguarded Employees

Rail Staff Travel

View guides

Welcome, Non-Safeguarded Employees

On this page you can:

Find the guides which explain the use of your Rail Staff Leisure Card.

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Jump to a guide

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.

Continue reading