Euro Train travel this summer through Western Europe
May 24th, 2006, 02:23 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Euro Train travel this summer through Western Europe
Need HELP!, We are planning a trip touring Europe in July We are planning on boarding train in Paris overnite to Vienna, Using Vienna as a base city site see and then day trip to Salzburg, then travel to Bern as a base,day trip to Lucerne and Interlaken, Then travel to Milan site see and day trip to Venice, Then travel to Rome as a base, See Rome and day trip to Piza and Florence, then night trip back to Paris for site seeing. and Ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We have never travelled Europe before...
May 25th, 2006, 03:01 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi chunchulaalvin,
I think some of your day-trips are too ambitious, namely from Vienna to Salzburg and from Milan to Venice. Each of those train trips will be about three hours in each direction, so your memory of the trip will likely be six hours or more in that moving carriage.
There is really a lot to see right where you are, so I recommend:
1. You see what the immediate area has to offer, or
2. You extend your trip to spend 3-4 nights at the "day-trip" destination, or
3. You extend your trip overall!
You would be wise to research these train trips to see how long & involved they are. You can get started at the Swiss rail website (covers all your routes) at www.rail.ch.
Good luck!
s
I think some of your day-trips are too ambitious, namely from Vienna to Salzburg and from Milan to Venice. Each of those train trips will be about three hours in each direction, so your memory of the trip will likely be six hours or more in that moving carriage.
There is really a lot to see right where you are, so I recommend:
1. You see what the immediate area has to offer, or
2. You extend your trip to spend 3-4 nights at the "day-trip" destination, or
3. You extend your trip overall!
You would be wise to research these train trips to see how long & involved they are. You can get started at the Swiss rail website (covers all your routes) at www.rail.ch.
Good luck!
s
May 25th, 2006, 03:21 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi CH,
I fear that you have too many daytrips.
As noted, Salzburg/Vienna is about 3 hr each way.
Ditto for Milan/Venice
I would much rather use Venice as a base than Milan.
Are you planning to visit Pisa and Florence in one daytrip?
I fear that you have too many daytrips.
As noted, Salzburg/Vienna is about 3 hr each way.
Ditto for Milan/Venice
I would much rather use Venice as a base than Milan.
Are you planning to visit Pisa and Florence in one daytrip?
May 25th, 2006, 04:51 AM
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ditto the above suggestions.
you may need to research your trip more on the Swiss rail site and revise your plans.. unless you want to spend a large chunk of your trip on the train. You would probably be better off moving from town to town rather than doing day trips and thus doubling back on your route each day.
you may need to research your trip more on the Swiss rail site and revise your plans.. unless you want to spend a large chunk of your trip on the train. You would probably be better off moving from town to town rather than doing day trips and thus doubling back on your route each day.
May 25th, 2006, 06:13 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi again,
Storing your bags should not be your first concern; the distances you want to cover in only 15 days should be your first concern!
Hey, this is a very common misperception for folks who have never traveled in Europe and who have never taken the trains -- they (and you) do not realize the distances & time involved.
Again, I suggest you research each train trip you're planning, then imagine if you want to spend the majority of your time on a moving, walled carriage (I LOVE trains, but wouldn't spend my whole vacation in them).
I know people on this board who don't remember which town or city they've been to after they get home -- you're setting yourself up to be one of them. The trip & the memories of it will be worthless.
s
Storing your bags should not be your first concern; the distances you want to cover in only 15 days should be your first concern!
Hey, this is a very common misperception for folks who have never traveled in Europe and who have never taken the trains -- they (and you) do not realize the distances & time involved.
Again, I suggest you research each train trip you're planning, then imagine if you want to spend the majority of your time on a moving, walled carriage (I LOVE trains, but wouldn't spend my whole vacation in them).
I know people on this board who don't remember which town or city they've been to after they get home -- you're setting yourself up to be one of them. The trip & the memories of it will be worthless.
s
May 25th, 2006, 06:27 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi - I use the German rail site for doing research on train travel all around Europe. It may not list all of the trains for countries other than Germany but it will give you an idea of how much time it takes to get from one place to the next. I enjoy traveling by train but like the others here, day trips that take 3 hours each way are not worth it to me. That is too much time sitting on a train. If I had to do it, I'd probably do it just once during a trip not every day.
http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en
http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en
May 25th, 2006, 06:37 AM
#10
I think 11 cities beginning and ending at Paris is far many places for a 2 week trip!
Most train stations have a "left luggage" but that would be the least of the concerns in your plan.
As people have already explained doing a "day trip" which involves 6 hours on a train doesn't leave much time for sight-seeing.
I might suggest planning a big circle with what you want to see, staying in the cities you want to see, and continuing on, and picking about 5 places, rather than 11.
The two overnight train rides are a great idea, and something I have enjoyed very much.
Most train stations have a "left luggage" but that would be the least of the concerns in your plan.
As people have already explained doing a "day trip" which involves 6 hours on a train doesn't leave much time for sight-seeing.
I might suggest planning a big circle with what you want to see, staying in the cities you want to see, and continuing on, and picking about 5 places, rather than 11.
The two overnight train rides are a great idea, and something I have enjoyed very much.
May 25th, 2006, 06:40 AM
#11
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For novice European rail travelers i always recommend getting the free European Planning & Rail Guide which will explain the rail system, railpasses, gives rail maps of each country, itinerary suggestions, etc. Available at www.budgeteuropetravel.com
www.ricksteves.com also has a lot on European rail travel as does www.euraide.com
You certainly would warrant a Eurailpass of some type with your wide-ranging itinerary - i travel like you do all the time but many will think it too ambitious - i'm of the opinion for the first trip to Europe you do want to see as much as possible and then come back to dwell on places that tickled your fancy.
You can day trip to Florence from Rome but Pisa on the same day would be a stretch - base in Florence and day trip to Pisa and Rome both from there.
www.ricksteves.com also has a lot on European rail travel as does www.euraide.com
You certainly would warrant a Eurailpass of some type with your wide-ranging itinerary - i travel like you do all the time but many will think it too ambitious - i'm of the opinion for the first trip to Europe you do want to see as much as possible and then come back to dwell on places that tickled your fancy.
You can day trip to Florence from Rome but Pisa on the same day would be a stretch - base in Florence and day trip to Pisa and Rome both from there.
