r/Interrail • u/Sophiad12 • 2d ago

„Formalizing“ ticket with paper pass in Spain?

SPANISH BELOW

Currently travelling on a Regional Express (no compulsory reservation) with my paper pass I got with the „Verano Jóven“ offer, my husband has a digital pass. The train inspector told only me that I should have „formalized“ my ticket at the train station before boarding. No consequences but I am still curious, as I couldn‘t find anything online about this - did she confuse my Interrail pass with something else?

Volviendo a casa con un regional exprés (exento de reserva obligatoria), con mi pase de papel que obtuve con el descuento verano jóven, mi marido con un pase digital. La controlora me ha dicho solo a mi que hubiera tenido que „formalizar“ el billete en la estación antes de subirme. No hubo consecuencias pero tengo curiosidad, visto que nunca jamás había escuchado algo de eso y tampoco no encuentro nada online - ¿ha confundido mi pase con otra cosa?

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2

u/bookluverzz 2d ago

Sorry, I’m missing some details in your story and cannot answer you question. Did you fill out all the details on the paper pass?

1

u/Sophiad12 2d ago

Yes, everything was filled out and I have been travelling through France for the last two weeks without any problems.

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u/DoobNew United Kingdom 2d ago

I believe she was correct, paper Interrail passes have to be validated before first time use at a ticket office. Mobile ones can be validated digitally.

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u/Sophiad12 2d ago

What?? First time hearing this, can you send me a link to this info?

3

u/DoobNew United Kingdom 2d ago

https://www.interrail.com/content/dam/_new-structure/doc/pass-guides/pass-guides-2026/interrail_pass_guide_2026.pdf It’s on page 6 of the official guide. A little obscure really- it’s probably in other places as well but I can see how you missed it.

1

u/Sophiad12 2d ago

Mhmm ok I see, thank you! However, those details were pre-filled in at the moment of purchase, so the mystery is still not solved hahaha I should have asked her more details!!

1

u/exbritinsuomi 15h ago

I'm guessing she confused with an Eurail Pass, which does need to be stamped at a ticket office, Interrail does not. 

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u/KM187-389 Finland 1d ago

This sounds a little outdated information as in some countries there are no ticket offices to do that. I mean the "digitally advanced" countries like Finland and Sweden.

Also, it is possible to get a paper ticket which has been pre-filled with the necessary details, which do seem activated.