While traveling by rail is a really fun and convenient way to see Europe on the Eurail system, there are ultimately going to be times when you need an automobile. You might stop in a town and stay in a hotel and tour the sights the next day where the trains do not go. The European rail system has packages that combine train travel with rental car access that you should check out. These packages are known as Rail ‘n Drive and there are several:
BritRail Pass ‘n Drive
This Pass ‘n Drive package is great for traveling and driving in Britain. You get four days of unlimited rail travel and auto rental for 2 days in Britain with unlimited mileage. This is all within a two-month period. You can choose first class or standard travel and your rental can be either automatic or standard transmission among three distinct auto categories (three for each type of transmission).
Eurail Global Pass ‘n Drive
With this pass you get two days of auto rental and four days of rail travel in between the countries of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Eurail Select Pass ‘n Drive
With this pass you get two days of automobile rental and three days of rail travel all within a 22 European countries. Just like the Eurail Select Pass for rail only, the countries traveled must have adjoining borders and you can purchase options for travel in between three, four, and five countries.
France Rail ‘n Drive
Like the BritRail Pass ‘n Drive, this is for travel in France. You get two days of unlimited rail travel and two days of unlimited mileage automobile rental in France. There is a one-month limit on the pass to complete your travel and you can travel by rail in first class.
Eurail Italy Rail ‘n Drive
This is another rail travel and auto rental package that is like the others except for travel in Italy. You get three days of unlimited rail travel in the country of Italy plus unlimited mileage automobile rental. You can travel in first class or second class by rail and you have a two month limit to complete all travel on the pass. This package is different in that you can get a discount if two persons are traveling with each other.
Eurail Spain Rail ‘n Drive
This rail ‘n drive pass is good for two days of automobile rental on the mainland of Spain (Balearic and Canary Islands not included) along with three days of unlimited rail travel. You get two months to complete all travel and your travel by rail will be in first class.
German Rail ‘n Drive
Germany is great for traveling by train, picking up your rental, and traveling to stay in some quaint guest house in some sleepy village. With this pass you get two days of unlimited mileage automobile rental and two days of unlimited rail travel within Germany. You get one month to complete all travel on the pass and you can travel in first or second class by rail.
Scanrail ‘n Drive
This rail ‘n drive pass takes you through beautiful Scandinavia where you can experience the Northern Lights, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Copenhagen. The landscape in this region is filled with pastures and you can drive your auto along the roads to enjoy their beauty. It is a land dreams are made of. You have choice of five and eight days of unlimited rail travel and you get two days of unlimited mileage automobile rental good in Finland, Denmark, Norway, or Sweden. You also get two months to complete your travel and travel by rail is in second class.
Driving and traveling by rail is an exciting way to see Europe and the rail ‘n drive packages make the experience convenient and affordable. Have fun.