Italian State Railway

If you’re going to be in Italy for a while, consider the discount passes offered by the Italian State Railway System on its regular trains.

Italian Tourist (BTLC) rail passes are available for eight to 30 days on a consecutive-day basis. The duration of the pass begins from your first use.

The eight-day pass costs $134 for first-class and $85 second-class. A 15-day pass is $164 first-class, $103 second-class. You can get a 21-day pass for $195 first-class and $120 second-class, and a 30-day pass for $238 first-class and $150 second-class. These prices represent the first increase in five years, according to an Italian Railways spokesman.

With a first-class BTLC pass you may travel on any of the high-speed trains without paying a surcharge.

There are also Kilometric Tickets, which are valid for two months. You can take up to 20 trips totaling 1,875 miles or 3,000 kilometers. As many as five people, who don’t have to be related to you, can travel with you on this ticket. The number of miles/kilometers is multiplied by the number of persons using the ticket. The Kilometric Ticket costs $165 first-class and $93 second-class.

The passes can be bought in the United States or Italy. Contact travel agents or Italian State Railways, 15760 Ventura Blvd., Encino 91436, phone (818) 783-7245.

Lufthansa has extended its offer of a $49 rail pass that you can use for nine days of unlimited second-class rail travel within West Germany and Austria until Oct. 31. You have to fly round trip on Lufthansa and begin your transatlantic journey by Oct. 31.

This pass has to be obtained in the United States. Contact travel agents or Lufthansa at (800) 645-3880.

KLM is continuing its offer of a nine-day rail pass good for unlimited second-class rail travel through Holland, West Germany and Switzerland until Oct. 31. The rate is $119.

You have to fly round trip on KLM to Europe, with the rail pass only obtainable in the United States. Contact agents or KLM at (800) 556-7777.