Idnas71

Hello, everyone. Was just looking over the Rail Europe website and was interested in the Eurail Select Pass Saver where you can travel freely between 4 or 5 neighboring countries. Seems like a good deal, especially for 1st class. I wanted to start my journey in Krakow and travel to Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich. But it seems that Poland is not included in the plan. Am I missing something or is that true?

Is first class train ticket a wise choice for travel between these destinations or is 2nd class just as well? Late November, early December, 2007 is the anticipated time period of travel.
Thanks in advance,
Sandi

PalQ

The European East pass would be the only pass you'd consider for this trip.

No Poland not in Eurail Select pass or in Eurailpass, which also are much more expensive for the same number of days than the European East pass, which covers Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and most importantly Austria. Then buy in Salzburg a point-point ticket to Munich. And first class is always more leisurely than 2nd class, which is not bad, but there is a big difference. And the Eastern European pass comes in 1st class for not much more than 2nd - an even better deal in 1st class.
European East Flexipass (official title) - starts at 5 days of travel in a one month period - a flexipass for $172 in 2nd class ($34/day) or in 1st class at $244 ($49/day) and extra days can be added on at time of issuance only for $23 and $29/day respectively to a maximum of 10 days. I always recommend calling BETS (800-441-2387; www.budgeteuropetravel.com) for any questions - and expertise in my years of dealing with them, and if you want reservations on trains along with the pass - some may be mandatory. Request their free European Planning & Rail Guide on their home page and it will answer many of your questions. www.ricksteves.com also has good info and sells passes - however at high S&H charge and they only sell passes but won't book individual trains for you (probably because it's such a pain in the xxx!)

Idnas71

Thank you so much, PalQ. I did not notice the listing for the European East pass, which sounds like what I would get the best use of. And thanks for reminding me about BETS. Had forgotten about them. I actually have an older copy of their magazine lying around somewhere.. will search for it.

Another quick question that I'm almost sure you or someone can answer without much thought. When using up your designated number of days of train travel on a railpass, does one day mean just one route (one direction) or maybe a round trip? Or is it as much riding of the rails in a 24-hour period as wanted or necessary?

Thanks again,
Sandi

PalQ

Each day of unlimited rail travel in all countries covered runs from midnight to midnight - like paying to go into Disney World - ride all day if you want - any train (noting the few that may require reservations before boarding - pass covers train fare but not reservation fees which are minimal.
The only exception is if taking night trains (practical between Krakow and Prague) then if the train leaves after 7pm you put the next day's date in as your unlimited travel day from midnight to midnight - in effect you travel gratis from 7pm to midnight - the so-called 7pm rule. Thus you could take a night train from Krakow to Prague and then the next day do a day trip from Prague by train and be covered.
Note until last year the European East Flexipass did not honor the 7pm rule and on night trains you had to use two days on your pass - but that changed last year so the 7pm rule, meaning using only one flexible travel day for overnight trains is in effect. (Taking a connecting train to the night train does not qualify however.)

Idnas71

That's very helpful advice about the night train from Krakow to Prague. Thank you for the clarification. I'm just in the earliest of planning stages right now, trying to figure out routes and logistics, expenses to budget for, etc.

PalQ

I'd highly recommend going to your library and checking out Lonely Planet Guide to Eastern Europe or at any bookstore. Not great on accommodations but many other aspects - geared towards independent traveler.

PalenqueBob

For schedules throughout Eastern Europe and Germany go to the German Rail web site: www.bahn.de - i reference BETS' home page above and on it there is a handy link to the English schedule page of the great German rail site - click on the link All European Railway Schedules and it pops up - then you just put in the two towns, date and you'll get all the schedules. Print these out and take to Europe - especially if reserving the night train in Europe or any other train it helps to have the train number, time, etc. printed out to just hand to the clerk - no language problem in this case. The BETS home page also gives several tips on using the fabulous www.bahn.de site.