locolanza

I'm having the hardest time understanding all that I need for the railpasses.

I used railsaver and entered in the following itinerary.

Oct 9 Arrive London, 4 nights in London
Oct 13 Train (chunnel to Paris), 4 nights in Paris
Oct 17 Train to Luzern, 3 nights in Luzern
Oct 20 Train to Munich, 2 nights in Munich
Oct 22/23 Night train to Amsterdam
Oct 23 Arrive Amsterdam

Railsaver says that I need:
1) Eurostar (chunnel) ticket for London to Paris
2) Eurail 4 country Benolux/France/Germany/Switzerland 5 day 1st class Adult Save SelectPass
3)A small extra fare for one of our legs (Paris to Luzern)

Does this make sense?

What does the Eurail pass get me? Do I still have to reserve seats (or sleeping cars for the night leg)?

Once again, thanks again for all of your help.

Robespierre

That looks about right (you <u>did</u> tick the button saying &quot;Only if passes save me money&quot; didn't you?)

The pass gets you from Paris to Amsterdam via Switzerland and Germany. The &quot;extra fare&quot; is probably for TGV reservations (which are mandatory). Note that Eurostar offers a discount for passholders.

It isn't usually necessary to reserve seats unless you are several traveling together and want to sit in adjacent seats.

If you want a bed on an overnight train, you will need to pay a supplement when you reserve it. There are relatively inexpensive <u>couchettes</u> (like a hostel), and pricier <u>compartments</u> (more like a hotel with tiny rooms).

locolanza

Robespierre- Yes, I did click the button. So how do I determine how much extra a sleeper cart would be? How long before our trip would I need to reserve a sleeper?

Also, are most of the European trains timely? How long do before do you need to be at the train station before the train departs?

Sorry for so many questions. I'm having so much fun planning our trip but for some reason this train stuff baffles me.

suze

You just need to be standing on the platform by the time the train pulls in. So truly a few minutes before is enough.

You definitely need to pay a supplement for a bed on a night train, it is not covered by a pass.

(sorry that's all i know of your questions but this will 'top' the post for you)

PalQ

The European Rail Hotline, a free service by Budget Europe (800-441-9413), will answer all your questions by talking to a real person who has travel Europe by train for years - i always recommend this to folks like you - web is great but if you want to talk to someone this is it. I know of no other service that is free - Rick Steves' company i believe charges $40 or such for such counselling and doesn't have a toll-free number. Like railsaver.com they too sell passes but there is no obligation. Someone on this board also said Euraide has a similar service but i'm not familiar with it or if they have 800 number.
the passholder Eurostar fare is $75 each way - can be changed once up until time of train.
There are no uniform prices for sleeping accommodations on night trains. Your railpass pays for the train fare but not sleeping accommodations - you could slep in regular seats for no extra cost on trains that have regular cars - some 'hotel trains' don't - couchettes, the cheapest sleeping option run about $25 more or less for a berth in a 6-person compartment, sometimes 4 in first class. Private doubles run at least $50 p.p to $100 p.p. - the few that have showers and toilet in compartment may cost much more. Reservations are not always required on night trains but you should reserve them to guarantee a berth. I don't suggest sleeping in regular seats as you'll constantly be woken up by conductors and other folks coming and going. In couchettes or sleeping cars (which has triples, doubles and singles in it) you are not woken up as the conductor will take your ticket or pass and reservation placard just after boarding then return it to you in the morning so you aren't bothered by Customs or ticket checkers. Sleeping berths come with blankets and sheets and pillows and doors that lock from the inside. It seems the 4-country saver pass is the best bet.

GeoffHamer

The night train from M&uuml;nchen to Amsterdam is a City Night Line train (www.citynightline.ch). These are modern trains with a variety of sleeping accommodation.
The web site gives fares which are normally inclusive fares including sleeping accommodation. It also lists the prices for reservation only which is what you want if you already have a rail pass. These vary from 19.50 euros for a berth in a six-berth couchette compartment to 149.50 euros for a single-berth de-luxe compartment. A berth in a two-berth compartment is 49.50 euros.

locolanza

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'm not sure how I would be planning my trip without all of your help.

The hotline sounds is exactly what I need.

Also thanks for clueing me in to which rail line covers my night train route.

PalQ

CNL trains also have reclining seats, which i would not recommend after taking them but they are there - cost a few euros to reserve. If you don't have a pass RailEurope has 'Value fares' as low as $49 for a couchette and train fare on CNL routes (Zurich-Amsterdam, Dresden, Berlin, Hamburg; and Munich-amsterdam and Dresden; and Salzburg-Frankfurt and Koeln; and Vienna-Frankfurt. Value fare for a double p.p. is $87; $37 for a reclining seat (all including rail fare and sleeping accommodation - book at least 14 days in advance thru RailEurope - probably exists on www.bahn.de site as well - hard to book can book up to 60 days in advance. Note the $49 couchette with rail fare price would be cheaper than a day on some Eurail flexipasses!

metlc

As mentioned above (but not by Railsaver, apparently), the purchase of a Eurailpass makes you eligible for a half-price EuroStar Chunnel ticket. This would be $75, second class. However, you must purchase that ticket early or the seats allotted for that fare class will be sold out.

sandi_travelnut

I called the hotline last year just to go over what I needed as I was traveling with my parents and my tickets included the channel tunnel, and a railpass and individual tickets for certain legs so I feel your pain. It'll work out...just breathe.

PalQ

Yes and even though the passholder fare is changeable once in Europe without fee up until the time of the train, in effect these can be hard to change so put the best date and time on your reservation, mandatory with passholder fare thru RailEurope. Passholder fares available in London, but at a higher price i believe but may well not be available on short notice - especially on Fridays and weekends.