Crisis lures European traveller into train

Netherlands (PRNewswire / WorldTourismNews) — More and more European travellers are hopping on the train this year during their holiday. While the number of flights are decreasing due to the economic crisis, the number of InterRail passengers throughout Europe has risen again in the passed few months, with the traditional summer rush yet to start.

Between January and April 2009 the number of people travelling with a InterRail Pass increased with 5 percent compared to last year. In 2008 almost 240,000 Europeans travelled with the pass, an increase of 37 percent compared to 2007.

Despite the economic slowdown we see that our growth continues and more people chose to go on a holiday by train", says marketing director Ana Dias e Seixas of the Eurail Group, the company which manages the InterRail Passes on behalf of the participating European companies. ,,Especially in the summer, the train turns out to be a popular way to travel."

The InterRail Pass allows people unlimited train travelling to or through 30 European countries at relatively low costs. Although more and more adults over 26 travel on this pass, it's especially popular amongst youngsters. They represent 60 percent of the InterRail customers.

Last summer, between June and August almost 140,000 Europeans travelled by InterRail, an increase of 24 percent. This year Eurail expects another increase. Dias e Seixas: ,,The summer always is the best time for young people to travel by train. The journey itself turns into a holiday because they meet all kinds of other young people from different countries and cultures. That is precisely the appeal of the InterRail Pass."

The Eurail Group was formed in 2001 as an organization dedicated to manage and market the Eurail Pass, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which enables non-Europeans to explore the European continent by train. Since April 2007 the company also manages and markets the InterRail Pass, which has been introduced 37 years ago, but was revived by its new management.

The InterRail Global Pass enables customers to explore up to 30 countries throughout Europe by train opening up numerous travel possibilities. Prices start from just €159 for a five-day youth pass and €249 for an adult pass. The Eurail Group also offers a wide range of InterRail One Country Passes. For more information and to purchase visit www.InterRailnet.com or contact a rail travel agent or participating Railway company.

Note for the press:

For More Information: Eurail Group corporate website and press room: www.eurailgroup.com. Press Contacts: Ana Dias e Seixas & Rachel Morton-Young, email: Pressinfo@eurail.nl, tel: + 31 (0)30 7516 500. Eurail photo library: http://eurail.informationstore.net/

Editor's note: The national railway companies of the following countries participate in the InterRail offer: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, (FYR) Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Turkey.