F.I.P Travelling to Italy

[valleyboy]

Good afternoon all. Myself (retired safeguarded) and my brother (presently employed, but not "safeguarded) are planning to go to Italy in September, by train,

Last time I used foreign travel by trains, was about 18 years ago! I was then employed as a driver, and went with my young daughter to a little town, an hour or so from Munich.

I booked everything (Eurostars, sleeper down to Munich, then return via Frankfurt) with one simple phone call to Deutsche Bahn in London!

I "suspect" , its not so easy these days...so am after a few quick pointers if anybody could spare the time please?!

Firstly, I know I will need to get my F.I.P tickets! (I may actually have had some posted to me thinking about it!?) This shouldnt be much of a problem...Im thinking?!

Being retired, (Im safeguarded") will I be able to get any "free" travel, or will I get a " reduced price" or how does it work?! As I say my brother is presently employed as a train driver, though he isnt safeguarded..so will need to find out what costs/prices etc. apply to him too!

I "assume" lots of info.regarding routes etc. (the Brenner Pass. looks like its a "must do"! though?) are available via the man in seat 61 etc?

When we have eventually decided on our routing (we intend to go down to Naples, so will more than likely stop off overnight once or more!) where is it "best/easiest to book and pay for it all please? Indeed, is there one "place" where it could all be booked. either either the phone or online etc please?!

Sorry for the myriad of questions, Im presently looking online, but its a lot to take in!!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Zerothebrake!]

I'm approaching railway retirement myself and I believe that you only keep free coupons for France, Belgium, Holland, Spain & Portugal and they can still be obtained from the ATOC website.

 

[High Dyke]

As a starter Rail Staff Travel (RSTL) are a good pointer for information (links below). I'm guessing your brother qualifies for Non-safeguarded travel?

Safeguarded Travel

Non-safeguarded Travel

 

[AndrewE]

I'm approaching railway retirement myself and I believe that you only keep free coupons for France, Belgium, Holland, Spain & Portugal and they can still be obtained from the ATOC website.

I think you get one full set to be claimed and used within 18 months of retirement. After that most of the useful ones disappear - especially France and Spain and the Swiss ones.
The RSTL / RDG website has docs on it which give chapter and verse.

 

[valleyboy]

Many thanks for the replies.

 

[306024]

I think you get one full set to be claimed and used within 18 months of retirement. After that most of the useful ones disappear - especially France and Spain and the Swiss ones.
The RSTL / RDG website has docs on it which give chapter and verse.

Sorry that’s not quite correct. See page 6 of this document for the definitive answer:

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/f...ices/rst/RST_What_Happens_When_I_Leave_v5.pdf

International Coupon Tickets (FIP Coupons)
The free travel facilities on FIP administrations granted to retired staff is not as generous as for active employees.
After the date of retirement there are two opportunities to receive coupons as if you were an active employee.
• You may apply for any coupons that you did not use in your last active annual allocation of coupons. The start date on the coupons can be any date up to 9 months after your leaving date.
• You may also apply for one additional free coupon on each FIP undertaking. The start date on the coupons can be any date up to 45 months after your leaving date.

I'm approaching railway retirement myself and I believe that you only keep free coupons for France, Belgium, Holland, Spain & Portugal and they can still be obtained from the ATOC website.

Sorry again, you lose France, Spain, and Portugal after the period indicated above. Retired staff keep Ireland, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, Greece and one return trip on the Harwich - Hook Stena ferry.

Many thanks for the replies.

Beware with Italy. FIP isn’t that useful except for travelling on slower trains. Reservations and supplements apply to the faster ones. Check the RSTL website closely, pages 89 to 94 of this document:

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/files/Publications/services/rst/RST_Travel_Tips_For_Europe_v55.pdf

 

[rvdborgt]

Beware with Italy. FIP isn’t that useful except for travelling on slower trains. Reservations and supplements apply to the faster ones. Check the RSTL website closely, pages 89 to 94 of this document:

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/files/Publications/services/rst/RST_Travel_Tips_For_Europe_v55.pdf

In Italy, you basically need to pay the difference between the full fares of the Frecce/IC and regional train. You can often calculate that using the Trenitalia website. For IC trains, that difference is not too bad; for the Frecce trains, it can be more expensive than an advance fare.

 

[306024]

In Italy, you basically need to pay the difference between the full fares of the Frecce/IC and regional train. You can often calculate that using the Trenitalia website. For IC trains, that difference is not too bad; for the Frecce trains, it can be more expensive than an advance fare.

Thanks for explaining that. Will be helpful in future planning.

 

[D6130]

Sorry again, you lose France, Spain, and Portugal after the period indicated above. Retired staff keep Ireland, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, Greece and one return trip on the Harwich - Hook Stena ferry.

Retired safeguarded staff travelling to or through Austria need to bear in mind that OeBB only allow FIP free travel coupons for the ex-staff member. Wives, husbands, partners and dependents have to purchase FIP tickets at 50% discount.