CIV (rail travel)


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, article 3. The full current title is the Uniform Rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Rail.
It provides equivalent protection to the Warsaw Convention 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 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.

United Kingdom

Passengers travelling via London to connect with an onward international train, or rail inclusive ferry journey are able to buy UK domestic segment tickets to the virtual destination London International , whose station code is LNE. Such London International 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.