Yes, you have it validated before you get on your first train. Make sure they get the dates right. This is pasted from the "info center" at railpass.com/new

quote:Your rail pass will be validated twice. The first stamp is printed automatically by our office and will appear on the top right hand corner of the pass. You must begin to use your pass within 6 months of this validation.

On the day you begin your travel, go to the ticket office of the train station and have an official validate your pass. They should put a second stamp on your pass under the first one. You must do this in order to start your journey and not risk having your pass confiscated. Please note that you must have your pass validated at the station. A conductor on a train cannot validate your pass.

This is probably redundant, but just so that you’re clear about this point—- once your pass has been validated prior to your first travel, you do not have to valdate it again. For all subsequent trips, you just board the train (except for those few that require reservations or supplements).

The easiest thing to do is to take your railpass to the ticket window without writing a thing on it and having the staff there walk you through the process. A good railpass can be invalidated with a silly error by the unknowing train traveller. Most cannot be re-issued in Europe or create a big change of travel plans to do so.

Once validated, you will need to write in the date of each day you use your pass. Write carefully and don’t cross anything out or write over a number.

You should receive propoganda with your railpass purchase. Read it carefully and also check out the Rick Steves’ website for other good information about using your railpass.

quote:Once validated, you will need to write in the date of each day you use your pass. Write carefully and don’t cross anything out or write over a number.

Thanks everyone, that clears it up a lot. What is the Rick Steves website address?

www.ricksteves.com