'Train ticket mistake in Europe cost me $115 - here's how to avoid it'
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Travelling in Europe is refreshingly easy, with an abundance of train and bus routes. But there are also many rules you have to follow.
One, which many visitors get wrong and can actually be fined for, is not validating tickets.
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Train travel in Europe is fast and convenient. But you need to know the rules. Getty
Recently conversations on Facebook advice groups have revealed many travellers are getting caught out.
"My son is travelling in Hungary and he got a written ticket for $US40 ($56) because he didn't get his bus and train ticket validated," one woman posted in a travel Facebook group.
"They gave him a written ticket and wrote down his ID number. Is this a scam or should he pay it?"
Sadly it wasn't a scam.
Another person fell foul of the rules in Paris. In this case, they got the purchase process wrong and they were pulled up by police.
They had both their and their partner's online tickets for the metro on one phone. But that's not allowed.
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Follow the rules for tickets on the Paris Metro. Getty
"They gave her a 70 euro ($115) fine," one person posed. "Is that right? They don't allow you to buy tickets for two people on one phone?"
Indeed, that's right according to the official site.
"It is not possible to validate several Metro-Train-RER Tickets on the same contactless device to allow several people to travel on the same journey," it says.
Always check the rules
The issue is the rules can vary from country to country and even on different trains and buses, and it's best to check.
For example, if you have digital or online train tickets and not paper tickets, you don't usually have to validate them.
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Rules for ticket validation vary across Europe. Getty
In France if you have paper tickets you have to validate your ticket on the platform at a machine. That basically shows you have used it.
However in Italy, even some online tickets must be validated.
"Trenitalia tickets for regional trains that are purchased online need to be validated," the train firm says.
This can be done online via the ticket link.
This validation must be done before your train departs and you'll incur a fine if your ticket isn't validated. Please click here for instructions on how to validate your regional tickets.
Note that tickets for Trenitalia's high-speed trains do not need to be validated before boarding.
Sometimes you have to validate paper tickets on the platform. Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Then, in Spain, according to Rail Europe, tickets will be scanned which validates them.
So you don't need to go hunting for a machine.
Tickets for trains in the UK don't need validating, but you must buy them before getting on board.
If you're travelling to multiple countries its best to do some research before you go.
Check the local train company websites, guides at Man in Seat 61 (a must-read if you're using trains in Europe) or if in doubt, ask at the station.
Drop us an email with all your wisdom to travel@nine.com.au, and your tip could be featured in an upcoming story on 9Travel.
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