Elisabeth

I have been planning a European vacation since July; our plane leaves on Thrusday morning. I have been wondering about the necessity of obtaining seat reservations for the trains while in France and Italy, even though I already have a Europass Youth Flexipass. After perusing almost every post ever written on train reservations that is still in the Fodors archive, I was still befuddled. I decide to go into a reputable travel agency, travel faire, that is a few doors down from my work. When I asked if I should look into getting seats reserved, Donna immediately sat me down and got all the pertinent information: names, dates, times, cities, exisiting plans... <BR> <BR>Now after reading many Fodors postings, I simply assumed that I would be able to hop on any train whenever I wanted, and just paying whatevery supplementary fee, for example, the TGV would require of me. Not so! Quite a few trains seems to have been full! I was hoping to catch a Paris to Firenze that departed around 19:20. Full. We are now going Paris-Milano, Milano-Firenze. The second train seat reservations are costing us $25 each. And so on. <BR> <BR>Certain Chunnel times are filling up as well. We have a horrid first day that takes us from Aberdeen into Firenze. We have a very set schedule what with all the connecting trains we must now take. So one of the 2 Chunnel times that would work for us was booked solid. Also, there is a Chunnel discount available to those with a Europass/rail, as well as those under 26, I believe. People should be warned that these rates are on a first come first serve basis. They only have so many seats they are willing to sell at the discounted rates. Subsequently, my friends and myself (21/22 years old) are paying $212 RT. The special youth price advertised is much less. <BR> <BR>That said, I am relieved I went into the office to inquire about reservations, otherwise I would have gotten to Waterloo and been out of luck. Despite the extra costs, I am glad I can now sit back and relax (hah! can any trip planner do this?) because that is one less worry for me to deal with. <BR> <BR>So, even though I haven't packed, written an itinerary, bought little travel essentials, changed some money, and finished my finals yet...I'm still very excited...because once Thursday arrives all the pre-trip hassles will be a thing of memory. <BR> <BR>Wish me luck!

Ben Haines

<BR>Fodors <BR> <BR>Thanks for this timely warning. As Dona will have told you, you're flying into Europe at the start of Christmas holidays, which will fill trains and hotels in many places. I expect the crowding to last until about 5 January, and to recur every Friday in January. After that I expect most things to be easy until mid Lent, about 10 April, and then busy until the day after May Day, 2 May. In Scandinavia and Germany 12 to 4 May and 23 to 25 May will be busy, for national holidays. <BR> <BR>The Fodors archve would certainly give the impression you report, that one just turns up and jumps on a train, but that is because for the last couple of months people giving advice (including me) have been answering low-season questions. I'll be more careful in my wording in future. <BR> <BR>You will feel more relaxed if you buy at the bureau de change desk in any branch of Thomas Cook (for example Aberdeen) their European Timetable. With this on the seat beside you on any express train you know where you are, whether you're late and if so how much, and if you're really late where you could leave the train and look for a cheap hotel for the night, or transfer to a couchette on a night train. <BR> <BR>Just footnote on Aberdeen to Florence, for use of other readers. Saturdays excepted, a sleeping car train, with restaurant car, leaves Aberdeen at 2140 and reaches London Euston at 0748, where one can tube to Waterloo for the Eurostar departure at 0853 for Lille and Paris. <BR> <BR>And another note for other readers. If you can't get the Eurostar booking you want, or can't afford their high prices, you'll find single fares by train boat and train from London to Paris at 40 pounds or 62 US dollars at the Europe desk of any southern rail terminal in London (such as Charing Cross) and in the bigger stations of Kent. The trip is long, a little over nine hours, but one set of connections lets you leave London at 2200 (not Saturdays) and reach Paris at 0830 -- somewhat weary. <BR> <BR>I wish you a happy and relaxed journey. Wrap up well. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

Kristin

Ben -- Thanks for the wonderful information. I always appreciate your posts. Could you tell me approximately how much the Thomas Cook European Timetable costs? Thanks. Kristin <BR>

greg

I too use Thomas Cook European Timetable but only as a backup during the travel when I do not have an access to the Internet, for example, when the train is arriving late and need to come up with an alternate connection. <BR> <BR>Before the trip, I go to <BR>http://bahn.hafas.de <BR>and have trip planner produce all up to date connections. <BR> <BR>If you have not read the Timetable, it is quite daunting figuring out how to read the table with milliads of footnotes regarding exceptions, specific day changes, etc. <BR> <BR>I have found connections on the WEB which I could not find out in the Timetable. Until you get good at reading the table, recommend checking your routing against the WEB train planner. <BR> <BR>I believe I paid less than $30 for my Thomas Cook European Timetable.

Ben Haines

<BR> <BR> <BR>Thank for your kind words. I can't have been that good, or you would not have been traped into the idea that December trains needed no booking. The Thomas Cook European Timtable costs nine pounds or 15 dollsars in Britain, 14 pounds or 22 US dollars in France and the Low Countries, and 34 dollars 50 in north America. The use of timetables is part of school tests for twelve year olds in England. I suppose whether you find it daunting depends on you. <BR> <BR>Please write again if I can help further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR>

elvira

I feel renewed; I had begun to think that being an obsessive-compulsive was becoming old-fashioned. <BR>Even in off-season I make reservations ahead - just in case the Pope decides to visit or the Boss decides to play a free concert. I'm really paranoid about the Chunnel and overnight trains, because as you pointed out, Elisabeth, miss one and your entire schedule is battered. <BR>A couple of times, with prepaid tix or reservations, I've cancelled and gotten most of my money back. I'd rather lose a few dollars on a ticket I didn't need, than not catch a train I did need. <BR>