More information, a discussion forum & to read up on the small

print...
 I've simplified things a bit In the explanation above.  The place to read up on the details is at the ATOC
website, in the documents linked from this page: www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-staff-travel/where-can-i-
go, starting with the first PDF document 'Where can I go' and looking for section 6 on page 23, 'Travel
facilities on Foreign Undertakings'.

 Also see www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-staff-travel/forms/conditions-of-issue-use.

 There's a Yahoo discussion group for staff with Priv travel facilities in Europe which may help if you have a
query or problem:  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Eurorailstaff/info.

So how does it work?  A simple explanation...

There are two basic options for travelling in Europe on 'privs':  (1) using an FIP International Reduced Rate card to
get a discount or (2) using FIP International Free Travel Coupons for (in most cases) completely free travel.

(1) FIP International Reduced Rate Card & how to get one...
 You can apply for an 'FIP' International Reduced Rate card from your staff personnel office at any time, giving
at least 6 weeks notice.

 I recommend you get an FIP Reduced rate card right now, even before having any firm travel plans, as it's
valid for 6 years.  You can then order free coupons when you have a specific trip in mind.

 The card is valid for 6 years, and it gives you reduced rate travel on most European railways, including
Eurostar, any time you want to go.  Just show your card at a European station, and you can buy tickets with
the relevant discount or special fare.  The card covers most trains in most countries, notably except Russia,
Ukraine, Belarus and Sweden.

 Most European national railways simply give either 50% or 75% off their normal full-price fares, but Eurostar
and a few other services such as Thalys and Lyria offer special cheap priv fares for holders of this card.

 The class of travel is the same as you get in Britain.  So if you are entitled to first class priv travel in Britain,
you'll get first class priv train travel in Europe too.  Although in a handful of cases including Eurostar, you
can choose to buy a 1st class FIP ticket even with a 2nd class FIP card.

 With an FIP card, Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels in standard class costs £23 one-way or £46
return starting in the UK, £25 one-way or £50 return starting on the Continent.  In first class (Standard
Premier) it's £38 each way starting in the UK or £45 each way starting on the Continent.

 As you need to apply for your reduced rate card at least 6 weeks before travel, I recommend applying for an
International Reduced Rate Card now even if you don't have any firm travel plans.  It lasts for 6 years, so
you'll have one when you need it, even if that's at short notice, or you find yourself abroad unexpectedly
needing to buy a train ticket!
Ireland – CIE (Irish Rail) If you have a 1st class coupon you may not use Citygold class (Peak hour services between Dublin
and Cork); otherwise there are no restrictions. FIP facilities are not valid on the Dublin light rail network (LUAS) but are
valid on DART suburban services. If you hold a staff travel card (safeguarded staff) you may also use this to buy reduced
rate tickets.

Netherlands – NS (*GF) Special arrangements apply for travel on Thalys international services to Belgium and France. FIP
facilities are not valid on services provided by other operators (Arriva, Syntus, Connexxion). Northern Ireland – NIR You
may use NIR coupons for free travel on all NIR services. If you hold a staff travel card (safeguarded staff) you may also
use this to buy reduced rate tickets.

Norway – NSB FIP facilities are not valid between Myrdal and Flåm. FIP facilities are not valid on Airport Express services
to Oslo Gardermoen Airport. You may however use Intercity and local services that serve the airport. If you are travelling
between Norway and Sweden note especially that FIP facilities are valid only as far as the border at Charlottenberg (Oslo
– Stockholm route) or Storlien (Trondheim – Östersund route).

No FIP facilities are available in Sweden.

Finland – VR If you have a coupon you can either reserve a seat (global price “FIP leisure”) or travel free, without a seat
reservation. If you are travelling using the International Reduced Rate Card (FIP card)m you must buy an Integrated
Reservation Ticket (IRT) with the FIP reduction (global price ticket with the relevant discount).

All aboard the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland...

It's the most civilised, romantic, time-effective & environmentally-friendly way between central London and the
heart of Scotland, for a stress-free weekend in the Highlands or business meeting in London.  Every night except
Saturday night, Caledonian Sleeper trains link London with towns & cities all over Scotland, arriving in time for
breakfast.  See photos of what the sleeper is likeor  watch the sleeper video guide.

A bright future for the sleeper:  A new 15-year Caledonian Sleeper franchise was awarded starting March 2015, with
brand-new sleeper trains to be introduced from summer 2018, featuring business class sleepers with en suite toilet
and shower, flatbed pods, cradle seats and 'brasserie-style' lounge car.  See www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-
scotland-business-27599963.

InterRail passes give unlimited travel on...

All the 20+ privatised train operators who together make up National Rail,www.nationalrail.co.uk.  Also valid on
Northern Ireland railways.  They are not valid on London Underground.

But remember that your InterRail passes don't cover trains in your home country, so if you're British you don't get
any free travel in Britain or Northern Ireland.

Reservations & supplements to pay for national trains:

No surcharges to pay.  Seat reservation is never compulsory.  A supplement is payable to travel in a sleeper from
London to Scotland or Cornwall.  See theCaledonian Sleeper page or the Cornwall sleeper page.

Reservations & supplements to pay for international trains:

Eurostar isn't covered.  Well, there's a £94.50 one-way, £189 return passholder fare, but as regular fares start at
£45 one-way or £58 return, they are usually far cheaper than the passholder fare if you're booking in advance.