WHITE PLAINS — Rail Europe is offering multiple new and upgraded options for exploring Europe in 2019.

The Eurail Global Pass now features unlimited rail travel in 31 countries, with the addition of Great Britain, Lithuania, and Macedonia in 2019. A new, more competitive pricing structure makes it a better deal as well, says Rail Europe. Compared to 2018 prices, Eurail Global Passes are now permanently up to 37% cheaper.

To accommodate shorter itineraries, a new 3-days-in-one month Eurail Global Pass has also been added for 2019. Travellers can now choose a flexi pass offering 3, 5 or 7 days of unlimited travel within a 1-month period, or 10 or 15 travel days to be used within a 2-month period, with a choice of consecutive or non-consecutive travel days. They can also opt for a continuous pass good for 15 or 22 travel days, or 1, 2 or 3 travel months.

Rail Europe is advising that Eurail Global Passes purchased in 2018 will not be valid for use in Great Britain in 2019. However Eurail Select Passes and Saver Passes purchased in 2018 will still be valid for travel in 2019, even though the passes will be discontinued as of Dec. 31, 2018. The company recommends checking its Eurail Global Pass page for details.

For clients looking to explore a single country, the Eurail One Country Pass is now available for 6 days in 1 month. Choices now include 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 days in 1 month. The France Pass remains 1-8 days in 1 month. A Eurail Lithuania Pass and Eurail Macedonia Pass are also new.

Rail Europe also says seniors age 60+ receive 10% off the adult fare on any Eurail Global Pass or Eurail One Country Pass for 1st and 2nd class travel. Eurail’s existing programs include discounts for Youth ages 12 to 27. Children up to age 11 travel for free when traveling with an adult, but not with those using the Senior Fare.

Meanwhile the Eurail Greek Islands Pass has expanded to include 53 participating islands. The international option, available in 1st and 2nd class, is valid for 6 trips within 1 month, with one round-trip Italy-Greece ferry connection and 4 domestic trips, including Trainose rail/bus transfer from Patras to Piraeus. A new 5-trip option is available in 2nd class for 5 domestic trips within 1 month as well.

Coming soon, Thalys is opening new routes that will provide direct connections to Roissy – CDG Airport and Marne-la-Vallée (Disneyland Paris, La Vallée Village) from Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport, and Amsterdam. Tickets are now available through Rail Europe for travel starting in April 2019.

Also coming up, the Berner Oberland Pass is anticipated to become available for purchase through Rail Europe beginning in March 2019. Those who wish to explore the Bernese Oberland region including Bern, Lucerne, Brig, and Emmental can use the Berner Oberland Regional Pass for travel by rail, PostBus, or boats on Lake Thun and Brienz. Available for both 1st and 2nd class travel and one flat fee for children, the pass features more than 15 mountain excursions. Choices include 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 consecutive days, valid for travel April 20 to Oct. 31, 2019.