European Rail Glossary

Advance Ticket

An Advance ticket is a lower-price fare sold ahead of travel, with limits on refunds, changes and which train it covers, set by the named operator.

Includes: Advance fare, Advance purchase fare

Also known as: advance fare, advance purchase fare, saver fare, promo fare

Booking Window

A booking window is the product-specific period when a train journey can be bought, from sales opening to the operator's deadline or departure rule.

Also known as: sales opening, advance booking period, ticket release date, booking horizon

Fare

A fare is the price and the set of conditions, such as class, flexibility and route validity, attached to a particular train ticket product.

Includes: Fare conditions, Flexible fare, Fare flexibility

Also known as: rail fare, ticket price, tariff, fare product

Seat Reservations

A reservation secures a seat or sleeping place. It may be compulsory, optional or included with a ticket. With Interrail, the pass is still required.

Includes: Seat reservation, Compulsory reservation, Optional reservation, Passholder reservation

Also known as: seat reservation, compulsory reservation, mandatory reservation, optional reservation, passholder reservation

Split Ticket

A split ticket is two or more separate tickets bought for successive parts of one journey, instead of one ticket covering the whole route.

Includes: Split ticketing

Also known as: split ticketing, combination of tickets, ticket splitting

Supplement

A supplement is an extra charge for a specific train or service, on top of a ticket or rail pass, separate from an optional seat reservation fee.

Includes: Train supplement, Rail supplement, Pass supplement

Also known as: rail supplement, pass supplement

Ticket flexibility

Ticket flexibility covers permitted departures, exchanges and refunds. Each is a separate condition set by the exact fare.

Includes: Train-specific ticket, Flexible ticket, Open ticket, Exchangeable ticket, Refundable ticket, Semi-flexible ticket

Also known as: train-specific ticket, train-bound ticket, flexible ticket, flexible fare, open ticket, semi-flexible ticket, exchangeable ticket, refundable ticket, changeable ticket, ticket refund

Ticket Validation

A ticket may need stamping, activation or check-in before inspection. The exact rule depends on the operator, product and timing.

Also known as: validate a train ticket, ticket activation, ticket check-in, paper ticket, e-ticket, mobile ticket, booking confirmation

Train Seating: Layouts, Compartments and Quiet Coaches

Train seating ranges from open saloons to compartments; seat choice, direction and quiet-area rules depend on the operator and service.

Includes: Train seating, Open-plan seating, Table seating, Train compartment, Window seat, Aisle seat, Quiet area, Window and aisle seat, Seat-facing direction, Seat preference

Also known as: train seating, train seat layout, open-plan seating, airline-style seating, table seat, compartment seating, window seat, aisle seat, quiet coach, quiet carriage, quiet area

Flexi vs Continuous Pass

A Flexi Pass gives you selected Travel Days within a validity period; a Continuous Pass makes every date in that period a Travel Day.

Includes: Flexi Pass, Continuous Pass

Also known as: Flexi Pass, Flexi travel days, Continuous Pass, Continuous travel days

Pass Activation

Pass activation sets up a rail pass for use; it is separate from the validity start date, Flexi Travel Day activation, journeys and required reservations.

Also known as: activate a rail pass, activating an Interrail Pass, activating a Eurail Pass, pass start date

Rail Passes, Railcards and Discount Cards

A rail pass grants defined travel rights; a Railcard or discount card reduces eligible fares but is not your train ticket.

Includes: Rail pass, Railcard, Rail discount card, Discount card

Also known as: train pass, network pass, rover pass, rail rover, train discount card, half-fare card

Travel Day and Pass Validity

Travel Days are local calendar days inside your Interrail or Eurail Pass's Validity Period; Flexi and Continuous products use them differently.

Includes: Travel day, Pass validity

Also known as: travel day, pass validity, validity period

Overnight Accommodation: Couchettes, Sleepers and Berths

Night-train accommodation may be a seat, berth, pod or whole compartment. Privacy, occupancy and facilities depend on the booked product.

Includes: Couchette, Sleeper, Berth, Private compartment, Mini Cabin, Night train

Also known as: couchette, sleeper, sleeping car, berth, private compartment, Mini Cabin, night train accommodation

Change of Station: What It Means for Train Connections

A change of station means travelling from one station to another before your next train. Plan the transfer, access needs and ticket conditions separately.

Includes: Change of station

Also known as: change of station, station transfer, station change, changing stations, inter-station transfer

Connections, Minimum Connection Time and Through-Tickets

A connection links services; MCT is the operational minimum. Through-ticket status can change the help available after disruption.

Includes: Connection, Minimum connection time, Through-ticket, Separate tickets

Also known as: minimum connection time, MCT, rail connection, train transfer, connection time, through ticket, through-ticket, separate train tickets, split tickets

Direct vs Non-Stop Trains: What the Terms Mean

A direct train needs no train change; a non-stop train also skips intermediate stops. Operators and retailers may label services differently.

Includes: Direct train, Non-stop train

Also known as: direct train, direct service, direct journey, non-stop train, nonstop train, non-stop service

European Train Categories and Abbreviations: ICE, IC, EC, RE and More

ICE, IC and EC are DB long-distance labels; RE, RB, IRE and S-Bahn are regional. TER is SNCF's French regional category.

Includes: European train categories, Train service abbreviations, Rail timetable labels, ICE, IC, EC, RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn, TER

Also known as: train category abbreviations, train service labels, rail timetable abbreviations, train type codes

High-Speed Train

A high-speed train runs on track built for 250 km/h or more, or upgraded for around 200 km/h, under EU interoperability rules.

Includes: High-speed rail

Also known as: high-speed rail, high speed rail, HSR, bullet train

Regional Train

A regional train is a shorter-distance service with more stops than long-distance trains, often run under a regional transport contract.

Includes: Regional service, Local train

Also known as: regional service, local train, regional rail

Through Train and Through Coach: Numbers, Formation and Train Portions

A through train keeps one service; a through coach keeps the same carriage across services. Formation displays help locate the right coach.

Includes: Through train, Through coach, Train number, Coach number, Seat number, Train formation, Platform sector, Train portion

Also known as: through service, through carriage, same train, same coach, direct carriage, Kurswagen, train number, service number, coach number, carriage number, car number, seat number, train formation, coach sequence, carriage order, platform sector, platform section, train portion, train section, through-ticket

European Station Names and Abbreviations: Hbf, HB and More

Hbf, Zürich HB, hl. n., Centrale and Centraal are local station-name forms. Read the full city and station name together.

Includes: European station names, Station abbreviations, Railway station names, Hauptbahnhof, Zürich HB, hlavní nádraží, Centrale, Centraal

Also known as: train station abbreviations, railway station abbreviations, Hbf meaning, station name codes

Platform vs Track: What the Number Means at a Train Station

A platform is where passengers board; a running track carries trains. Local signs may use different terms, so follow live station information.

Includes: Platform, Track

Also known as: platform number, track number, boarding platform, railway platform, perron, quai, Gleis, voie, spor

Rail Replacement Bus: Meaning, Stops and Ticket Rules

A rail replacement bus substitutes for part or all of a train journey. Stops, tickets, luggage, bikes and access vary by operator.

Includes: Rail replacement bus

Also known as: replacement bus, rail replacement service, replacement coach, bus for train, Schienenersatzverkehr, Bahnersatzbus, car de substitution, cars travaux

Request Stop on a Train: Meaning, Boarding and Alighting

A request stop is served only when someone needs to board or alight; the signal and timing depend on the train, station and operator.

Includes: Request stop

Also known as: stop on request, halt on request, arrêt à la demande, arrêt facultatif, Anrufhalt

Terminus in Train Travel: What the End Station Means

A terminus is the end of a train service or line. Cities can have several terminal stations, so use the full station name for your journey.

Includes: Terminus

Also known as: terminal station, end station, Endbahnhof, gare terminus, terminus technique