CIV (rail travel)
Encyclopedia
CIV or International Convention for the transportation of Passengers in rail transport refers to a set of uniform rules shared by European railway operators, to cover international journeys. The acronym "CIV" is printed on the corner of tickets issued to show that they are covered under the terms of the contract—primarily providing compensation for lost baggage and a guarantee of onward transport, in the event of cancelled or missed connections.
Established by the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF), article 3. The full current title is the Uniform Rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Rail (CGT-CIV).
It provides equivalent protection to the Warsaw Convention
(now Montreal Convention
) for international travel by air, and the Athens Convention covering international travel by sea.
The conditions cover the rail journey itself, along with any intermediate inland waterway, international ferry or coach transport. The transport carriers are required to deliver the passenger and their luggage to their destination, as shown on their ticket. Alternatives must be provided by the carrier to cover missed or cancelled connections.
Compensation is available in certain circumstances, particularly relating to death, personal injury or lost luggage.
Some accompanied goods may be required to be comply further with the Regulation concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID).
to France/Belgium) are able to buy UK domestic segment tickets to the virtual destination London International (CIV), whose station code is LNE. Such London International (CIV) tickets, in principle, are only issued upon presentation of the existing international "CIV"-denoted ticket, but provide additional benefits such as unrestricted peak-time travel and apply the benefits of guaranteed onward connections.
Established by the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF), article 3. The full current title is the Uniform Rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Rail (CGT-CIV).
It provides equivalent protection to the Warsaw Convention
Warsaw Convention
The Warsaw Convention is an international convention which regulates liability for international carriage of persons, luggage or goods performed by aircraft for reward....
(now Montreal Convention
Montreal Convention
The Montreal Convention, formally the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, is a treaty adopted by a Diplomatic meeting of ICAO member states in 1999. It amended important provisions of the Warsaw Convention's regime concerning compensation for the...
) for international travel by air, and the Athens Convention covering international travel by sea.
Background
The contract covers the passengers, along with any accompanying articles (hand luggage, registered baggage, vehicles and trailers) and live animals. The traveller is responsible for full supervision of animals and their hand luggage.The conditions cover the rail journey itself, along with any intermediate inland waterway, international ferry or coach transport. The transport carriers are required to deliver the passenger and their luggage to their destination, as shown on their ticket. Alternatives must be provided by the carrier to cover missed or cancelled connections.
Compensation is available in certain circumstances, particularly relating to death, personal injury or lost luggage.
Some accompanied goods may be required to be comply further with the Regulation concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID).
United Kingdom
Passengers travelling via London to connect with an onward international train, or rail inclusive ferry journey (Rosslare, Dublin, Hoek van Holland, or EurostarEurostar
Eurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London with Paris and Brussels. All its trains traverse the Channel Tunnel between England and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel....
to France/Belgium) are able to buy UK domestic segment tickets to the virtual destination London International (CIV), whose station code is LNE. Such London International (CIV) tickets, in principle, are only issued upon presentation of the existing international "CIV"-denoted ticket, but provide additional benefits such as unrestricted peak-time travel and apply the benefits of guaranteed onward connections.
External links
- OTIF (Intergovernmental Organisation for International carriage by Rail]
- COTIF Convention
- CIV rules in French from the Swiss Railways website (PDF)
- Description of CIV from the point of view of travel on Eurostar from the UK, from Seat61