Eurail or Direct tickets?
May 4th, 2016, 09:43 AM
#1
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Eurail or Direct tickets?
HI, I am planning a solo trip around europe (4 countries - France, Italy, Germany, Denmark) and wanted to know if getting a eurail pass is actually worth it? What are the trains that need paid reservations ( It would be great if you could mention the names of the high speed/night trains). Does TGV trains need paid reservations in spite of having a eurail pass?
It makes more sense for me to take direct fast trains. So is eurail feasible?
Also, all the train booking sites - trainline, trentalia, bahn.de, all show actual prices and not pass discounts. Some don't even have an option to choose if we are a pass holder or no. So how do i book tickets with a eurail pass?
I am so very confused about this. I'm waiting for some help! Thanks a ton, guys!
It makes more sense for me to take direct fast trains. So is eurail feasible?
Also, all the train booking sites - trainline, trentalia, bahn.de, all show actual prices and not pass discounts. Some don't even have an option to choose if we are a pass holder or no. So how do i book tickets with a eurail pass?
I am so very confused about this. I'm waiting for some help! Thanks a ton, guys!
May 4th, 2016, 10:25 AM
#3
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With a pass, the rule of thumb for reservations & extra fees is:
a) In pass-unfriendly countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, you can reckon on needing a reservation for EVERY longer-distance/fast/high-speed train, costing an extra €10.
That also goes for any international train to, from or between those countries.
The fee can be as high as €18-€25 on a few train types.
b) In pass-friendly countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Denmark and most of Eastern Europe reservations are almost always optional, you can just hop on any train and show your pass when asked.
For railpass vs. point to point tickets, the rule of thumb is...
a) For just a few short hops, you obviously wouldn't buy an expensive pass. So we'll assume longer trips each day.
b) If you plan to take 1 train per day and have a specific fixed itinerary, so you can commit 2-3 months ahead to a particular date and train, cheap 'budget train fares' bought direct from the relevant train operator will almost always be cheaper than an unlimited travel gold-plated 1st class pass. But less flexible, obviously...
c) If you are under 26, the youth 2nd class Eurail can cost only a little bit more than even the cheapest advance-purchase tickets, so the pass can be worth the extra cost for the extra flexibility, even as a sort of insurance policy to cope with changes of plan.
d) If you DON'T want to commit to specific dates and trains, and want the freedom to go as you please and explore, then pay for a pass and forget saving money by committing. A pass MAY save money over the full-whack full-flex tickets bought at the station on the day, IF the journeys are long enough distance.
I've written an article covering all this at http://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-E...-point-tickets
a) In pass-unfriendly countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, you can reckon on needing a reservation for EVERY longer-distance/fast/high-speed train, costing an extra €10.
That also goes for any international train to, from or between those countries.
The fee can be as high as €18-€25 on a few train types.
b) In pass-friendly countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Denmark and most of Eastern Europe reservations are almost always optional, you can just hop on any train and show your pass when asked.
For railpass vs. point to point tickets, the rule of thumb is...
a) For just a few short hops, you obviously wouldn't buy an expensive pass. So we'll assume longer trips each day.
b) If you plan to take 1 train per day and have a specific fixed itinerary, so you can commit 2-3 months ahead to a particular date and train, cheap 'budget train fares' bought direct from the relevant train operator will almost always be cheaper than an unlimited travel gold-plated 1st class pass. But less flexible, obviously...
c) If you are under 26, the youth 2nd class Eurail can cost only a little bit more than even the cheapest advance-purchase tickets, so the pass can be worth the extra cost for the extra flexibility, even as a sort of insurance policy to cope with changes of plan.
d) If you DON'T want to commit to specific dates and trains, and want the freedom to go as you please and explore, then pay for a pass and forget saving money by committing. A pass MAY save money over the full-whack full-flex tickets bought at the station on the day, IF the journeys are long enough distance.
I've written an article covering all this at http://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-E...-point-tickets
May 4th, 2016, 10:32 AM
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Also crucial that you compare prices for point to point tickets at the relevant train operator's site, or at least a specific agency with a direct connection to that operator's ticketing system - NOT a general overseas train ticketing agency who may not be able to access the cheapest fares for every train operator on every route.
Advice for what website to use to book which European train route is at www.seat61.com/Europe-train-tickets.htm
Advice for what website to use to book which European train route is at www.seat61.com/Europe-train-tickets.htm
May 4th, 2016, 11:12 AM
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Booking those discounted tickets on multiple web sites takes a lot of time and often frustration - especially with Trenitalia.com. In addition to www.seat61.com - Man in Seat 61's commercial site also check www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com for info on your questions and less a bias against railpasses.
May 4th, 2016, 11:48 AM
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In any case do not judge a pass's efficacy based on price alone - as Man in Seat 61 opines above flexibility to chose which trains to take once there can be key and such fully flexible tickets can cost a ton. I've never had any problem making required seat reservations in any country with umpteen passes - France though on a few key TGV lines can be a problem as they have a passholder cap on those trains so even if regular seats remain you may not be able to use a pass.
Look into country passes too - like Germany - if taking several trains there the German (Twin) Railpass may be a great deal and buy point-point discounted tickets in the others. If looking at a pass look at the Eurail Select Saverpass valid in your four countries.
Look into country passes too - like Germany - if taking several trains there the German (Twin) Railpass may be a great deal and buy point-point discounted tickets in the others. If looking at a pass look at the Eurail Select Saverpass valid in your four countries.
May 4th, 2016, 01:46 PM
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Many folks want to have it all nailed down before going and in that case yes book discounted tickets - yet at times a series of discounted tickets may approach the cost of a pass if traveling enough in different countries so do the maths but yes for most folks who are not train zombies the discounted ducat route is the best - no mysteries just don't miss that specific train or you will usually be out and have to buy a full-fare ticket. Leave plenty of time to leisurely arrive early and have a cuppa in the train station rather than rushing to make that specific train.
May 5th, 2016, 05:30 AM
#9
>>>Some don't even have an option to choose if we are a pass holder or no.<<<
Trenitalia allows you to buy your seats on their website, but you must already have the pass because you will have to enter the pass #. In Italy, seats are mandatory for all the faster trains. Depending on your itinerary, for some areas, buses are your only option (and sometimes just as fast). Trains don't go everywhere (especially the fast trains which mostly just stop at major cities).
You also need to look at budget flights because they can make more sense (and sometimes be cheaper) than taking trains for some connections. There are a lot of budget airlines in Europe.
www.whichbudget.com
www.skyscanner.com
Trenitalia allows you to buy your seats on their website, but you must already have the pass because you will have to enter the pass #. In Italy, seats are mandatory for all the faster trains. Depending on your itinerary, for some areas, buses are your only option (and sometimes just as fast). Trains don't go everywhere (especially the fast trains which mostly just stop at major cities).
You also need to look at budget flights because they can make more sense (and sometimes be cheaper) than taking trains for some connections. There are a lot of budget airlines in Europe.
www.whichbudget.com
www.skyscanner.com
May 5th, 2016, 05:52 AM
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You can take overnight trains too - save on the cost of of a hotel and save time even over flying - daytime travel time that is. so if there is an overnight train on the route you are pondering flying that may be a better bet in some ways and these trains are safe for solo women - compartments have locks that lock on the inside.
May 5th, 2016, 09:59 AM
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Trains don't go everywhere (especially the fast trains which mostly just stop at major cities).>
There are very very few places where the average tourist may go that trains do not serve - some places in the Swiss Alps but that's about it - and at times in the Alps trains are the only way to reach a certain town.
There are very very few places where the average tourist may go that trains do not serve - some places in the Swiss Alps but that's about it - and at times in the Alps trains are the only way to reach a certain town.
May 5th, 2016, 10:51 AM
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So where in Devon or Cornwall or Scotland on the type of trip the OP has described - can't they get there by train?
The typical traveler does not go to Devon or Cornwall even and in Scotland at most to Edinburgh - note I said the average tourist on a first time visit.
The typical traveler does not go to Devon or Cornwall even and in Scotland at most to Edinburgh - note I said the average tourist on a first time visit.
May 5th, 2016, 01:00 PM
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Talking about Americans then or non-Europeans (which Brits may be soon I guess)- for the average person on a first visit to Europe the train will take you in nearly every case to anyplace you want.
What major tourist city is not reachable by train? Even in the UK?
Of course Brits go by car- they're on holiday just like in the US we go by car usually on vacation trips - what major tourist draws for first-time travelers are there in Cornwall or Devon not reachable by train?
I've taken trains to Penzance, Torquay, Barnstaple, etc. But yes the Exmoor, Clovelly, etc are not on rail lines.
What major tourist city is not reachable by train? Even in the UK?
Of course Brits go by car- they're on holiday just like in the US we go by car usually on vacation trips - what major tourist draws for first-time travelers are there in Cornwall or Devon not reachable by train?
I've taken trains to Penzance, Torquay, Barnstaple, etc. But yes the Exmoor, Clovelly, etc are not on rail lines.
