Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about planning European journeys, multi-carrier ticketing, sleeper trains, ferries, and passenger rights.

What is Voyage² and how does it work?

Voyage² is an intelligent door-to-door European travel platform designed to make low-carbon overland travel effortless. By combining high-speed trains, regional rail, overnight sleeper services, and passenger ferries, Voyage² calculates optimal routes comparing total travel time, price, transfer comfort, and CO₂ savings compared to flying.

Which countries and regions does Voyage² currently cover?

Voyage² covers the pan-European rail and ferry network across more than 30 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and Central/Eastern Europe.

Is Voyage² completely free to use for journey planning?

Yes! Exploring routes, comparing transfer options, discovering destinations, and calculating carbon savings is 100% free with no subscription required. When purchasing tickets through our integrated booking checkout, a transparent service booking fee is itemized and displayed before payment.

Do I need an account to search for journeys or book tickets?

No. You can search, compare itineraries, and complete ticket purchases as a guest. Creating a free Voyage² account allows you to save favorite itineraries, store traveler profiles for faster 1-click checkout, and customize default routing preferences.

How does Voyage² find journeys that combine trains, night trains, and ferries?

Our multi-modal routing engine (McRAPTOR) evaluates door-to-door connections across synchronized European transit timetables, linking rail terminals directly with ferry ports and sleeper hubs to discover journeys standard booking engines miss.

Can I use Voyage² on mobile devices without downloading an app?

Yes. Voyage² is a responsive web application designed for mobile phones, tablets, and desktop browsers. You can also add Voyage² to your home screen as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for instant access.

In which languages and currencies is Voyage² available?

Voyage² currently supports English, Dutch (Nederlands), and German (Deutsch). Ticket prices and booking checkouts are processed in Euros (€ / EUR).

How does the multi-criteria route planner work (Speed, Cost, Eco, Comfort, Transfers)?

Unlike standard booking engines that sort solely by departure time, Voyage² evaluates every journey across five distinct criteria: total duration, ecological CO₂ footprint, estimated ticket fare, comfort level (such as sleeper berths vs. early-morning departures), and the number of platform transfers. You can drag the interactive Compass sliders or choose balanced presets to match your travel style.

Can I plan door-to-door journeys from a specific street address rather than a station?

Yes. You can enter any street address, landmark, or postal code across Europe as your origin or destination. Voyage² calculates the walking or local transit time from your starting point to the nearest hub station.

Can I save custom priority weightings (e.g., "Family Trip" or "Eco Commute") to my account?

Yes. When logged into your account, you can save custom weighting configurations with a single click in the route preferences panel, enabling you to reuse them on future searches.

How does ticket booking work on Voyage²?

When you select a bookable journey, Voyage² connects directly with European railway reservation gateways via our ticketing partner All Aboard AB. We hold your seats, collect traveler details, and process payment securely. Once payment is confirmed, official carrier e-tickets are generated and sent to your email.

What payment methods are supported?

We currently support iDEAL via our licensed payment service provider Mollie B.V., with additional European payment methods (Credit Card, Bancontact, Sofort/Klarna) rolling out across supported corridors.

What is the Voyage² booking fee and why is it charged?

To operate our independent multi-modal routing algorithms, provide customer assistance, and maintain direct ticketing integrations without advertising, Voyage² charges a transparent booking fee (clearly itemized in the checkout total before payment, in compliance with EU PSD2 Art. 62(4) rules).

How do I receive my tickets after completing a booking?

Immediately after payment confirmation, your booking reference and ticket download links are displayed on screen and sent to your contact email address as digital PDF e-tickets and QR codes.

Can I save traveler details (names, passport numbers) to speed up future bookings?

Yes. Logged-in users can save traveler profiles to their account. On subsequent bookings, you can populate passenger details with a single click.

Are my passport and personal data securely encrypted?

Yes. All passport and identity document numbers stored in your profile are encrypted at rest using military-grade Fernet AES-256 symmetric encryption. Data transmitted during checkout is secured using TLS 1.3 encryption.

What should I do if my payment succeeded but I haven't received my tickets yet?

Ticketing systems generally issue digital tickets within 1 to 5 minutes. If your confirmation email has not arrived within 15 minutes, check your spam folder or contact our support desk at [email protected] with your order reference.

Can I book journeys for groups of more than 5 passengers?

Currently, our standard online checkout supports up to 5 passengers in a single booking session. For larger groups or school/business parties, we recommend making multiple bookings or contacting the operating rail carrier directly for group rates.

What is a "separate ticket" (split ticket) vs. a "through-ticket"?

A through-ticket (doorgaand biljet) is a single transport contract covering an entire multi-leg journey with guaranteed connection protection. A separate ticket journey combines two or more independent tickets from different rail operators (e.g., NS International + Eurostar).

If I book a journey with two separate train operators and the first train is delayed, is my connection protected?

On separate tickets, each leg represents an independent contract of carriage. If an initial operator delays your arrival and you miss an onward train with a different operator, the second carrier is legally not required to rebook you for free unless covered by an alliance agreement. Voyage² highlights separate ticket segments with a clear warning in the checkout modal so you can choose comfortable transfer buffers.

What is the Agreement on Journey Continuation (AJC) and does it apply to my trip?

The AJC is an agreement between major European passenger rail operators (including NS, DB, SNCF, ÖBB, SBB, Eurostar, and SNCB). If an international passenger misses a connecting train due to a delay on a preceding member railway, the passenger may travel on the next available train of the connecting carrier without extra charge. Station staff will stamp your delayed ticket to authorize travel.

Why do some legs have live prices while others show tariff estimates?

When an operator provides a live digital ticketing API, Voyage² displays real-time live availability and exact fares. For regional operators that do not offer open public booking APIs, Voyage² displays accurate distance-based tariff estimates and direct booking links to the national carrier portal.

Can I use rail discount cards (e.g., BahnCard, NS Voordeel, Carte Avantage) on Voyage²?

Discount card integration is being rolled out across supported operator connections. Where specific discount cards require direct national portal verification, Voyage² directs you to the carrier's booking link.

Can I buy seat reservations only if I already have an Interrail or Eurail pass?

Voyage² is optimized for point-to-point ticket purchases. If you are traveling on an Interrail or Eurail pass, you can use Voyage² to plan your ideal route and reserve passholder seats directly on the carrier website or the official Interrail reservation portal.

Which night train operators are integrated into Voyage²?

Voyage² integrates European night train services including ÖBB Nightjet, European Sleeper, Snälltåget, SJ Nattåget, Trenitalia Intercity Notte, and SNCF Intercités de Nuit.

What is the difference between seats, couchettes, and private sleeper cabins?

Standard Seat: Reclining passenger seat in an open coach or 6-seat compartment (most economical).
Couchette (Liegewagen): Shared 4-berth or 6-berth compartment with bunk beds, fresh linen, and pillows.
Sleeper Cabin (Schlafwagen): Private 1, 2, or 3-bed compartment with premium bedding, washbasin, and complimentary breakfast (deluxe cabins feature private en-suite shower and WC).

Can I select specific berth preferences (e.g., women-only compartments, lower berths)?

Yes. Where supported by the operating night train carrier, you can select women-only couchette compartments or berth positions during the booking selection step.

Are meals and bedding included in night train bookings?

Bedding (sheets, blanket, pillow) is included with all couchette and sleeper cabin bookings. Sleeper cabins typically include a complimentary breakfast and mineral water. Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase from the train attendant.

Which ferry routes and operators are included in the planner?

Voyage² features major passenger ferry corridors across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, English Channel, and Mediterranean, including operators like Stena Line, DFDS, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries, Color Line, and Tallink Silja.

Can I book foot passenger tickets on ferry crossings?

Yes. Many major European ferry routes allow foot passengers to board without a vehicle, providing seamless train-to-ferry connections at dedicated port stations (such as Hook of Holland, Harwich, or Dover).

Can I bring my passenger car, van, or motorcycle on ferry connections?

Yes. You can enable the "Bring car onto ferry" option in your travel preferences to view vehicle-accessible ferry sailings.

How much check-in time is required before boarding a ferry?

Foot passengers typically need to check in 45 to 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Passengers with vehicles generally require 90 to 120 minutes for vehicle staging and border checks.

Are cabin accommodations mandatory on overnight ferry crossings?

On most overnight sailings (e.g., Rotterdam–Hull or Hoek van Holland–Harwich), reserving a private cabin or reclining seat is mandatory for passenger safety and comfort.

What are the luggage limits on international European trains?

Unlike airlines, most European train operators (such as Eurostar, ICE, TGV, and Nightjet) do not charge for luggage. You can generally bring up to 2 large suitcases plus 1 piece of hand luggage free of charge, provided you can carry them onto the train yourself.

Can I bring my bicycle on trains and ferries?

Regional Trains: Bicycles are permitted outside peak rush hours (often requiring a small bike ticket).
High-Speed & Sleeper Trains: Require an advance bike space reservation, or require the bicycle to be disassembled and placed in a standard travel bag (120x90cm).
Ferries: Bicycles are welcome on virtually all passenger ferry crossings for a small surcharge.

Are pets allowed on cross-border trains and night sleepers?

Small pets in secure carriers generally travel free on European trains. Larger dogs require a leash, muzzle, and a child-rate ticket. On night trains, pets are permitted only if you book an entire private sleeper compartment. Note that Eurostar does not allow pets (except registered guide/assistance dogs).

How do I request special assistance for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM)?

Under EU law, European railway and ferry stations offer free assistance for travelers with disabilities. Assistance must be requested directly with the operating carrier (e.g., NS Assistance, DB Mobility Service, or Eurostar Assist) at least 24 to 48 hours before departure.

What travel documents, IDs, or visas do I need for international routes?

Passengers traveling internationally are solely responsible for carrying a valid passport, national ID card, and any required visas, UK ETA, or EU ETIAS authorizations. Border and passport controls take place prior to boarding (e.g., Eurostar) or at international boundary crossings.

What is the cancellation and refund policy for booked tickets?

Refund eligibility depends on the tariff conditions set by the operating carrier at the time of purchase:
Flexible / Semi-Flex fares: Can be cancelled or exchanged prior to departure subject to carrier conditions.
Non-Flex / Advance fares: Strictly non-refundable and non-exchangeable once booked.

Why does the statutory 14-day right of withdrawal not apply to transport tickets?

Pursuant to Article 16(l) of EU Directive 2011/83/EU and Article 6:230p sub d of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), statutory 14-day cancellation cooling-off rights do not apply to passenger transport contracts with specific travel dates.

What are my rights if a train is delayed or cancelled under EU Regulation 2021/782?

Under EU Rail Passenger Rights, if your train is cancelled or delayed by more than 60 minutes, you are entitled to:

Continuation of your journey on the next available train or rerouting at no extra cost.
Free meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time.
Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary.
Delay compensation (25% for delays of 60–119 minutes; 50% for delays of 120+ minutes).

If an operator cancels my train, do I get a full refund including the Voyage² booking fee?

Yes. If an operating carrier cancels a service and our ticketing partner All Aboard approves the refund, Voyage² returns 100% of the ticket fare and refunds the Voyage² booking fee via Mollie back to your original payment method.

How do I claim delay compensation from the operating railway company?

Delay compensation claims must be submitted directly to the railway company that operated the delayed leg (e.g., NS International, Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, or SNCF), as carriers process delay compensation through their central passenger compensation desks.

How can I contact Voyage² customer support?

Our support team is available by email at [email protected]. Please include your booking reference or order UUID in your message for rapid assistance.

How are the CO₂ emission comparisons calculated between rail, ferry, and flights?

Voyage² uses carbon modeling based on official European Environment Agency (EEA) and EcoTransIT methodologies. Calculations factor in total journey distance, transport mode, traction energy type (electric vs. diesel), passenger occupancy rates, and country-specific electrical grid carbon intensities.

Do electric trains in Europe run on renewable electricity?

In many European countries, electric passenger rail is powered substantially by renewable energy. For example, 100% of electric passenger trains in the Netherlands (NS) run on wind power, and Deutsche Bahn long-distance ICE trains run on 100% green electricity.

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