Rail Staff Travel
European rail staff travel information
Guides for using Rail Staff Travel issued FIP facilities in Europe, and also using FIP facilities and some Staff Travel Cards for discounted travel on Eurostar.
Staff Travel in Europe
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.
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 They can be changed or withdrawn at any time and are not a contractual entitlement.
Class of Travel
If you hold Standard Class RSTL facilities, your FIP facilities will be issued as Second Class.
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.
Types of FIP Facilities
- FIP International Reduced Rate Card (FIP Card): For buying discounted tickets
- FIP Coupons: For a limited amount of free travel
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
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 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.
- Go to www.bookmyrst.co.uk and submit your journey details.
- 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.
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
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 in RSTL guides and on the website.
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.
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).
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.
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
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.
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 |
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.
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:
- To the local police in the country where the theft happened and get a certificate confirming the report.
- 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.
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
- 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.