seat reservations
Jul 26th, 2017, 02:04 PM
#2
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Most likely -maybe much more but at times RE can be competitive - try to book your own online - check www.seat61.com for insights on that. For general info on trains -also www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
Jul 26th, 2017, 02:14 PM
#3
RE is often more expensive, since it is a travel agency, not a rail company.
If you are not already familiar with seat61.com, take a look at it.
I checked, seat61 says:
"The train fare from Sofia to Bucharest is 48.21 LEV (2016 price, about €25) including seat reservation, bought at international ticket windows at Sofia station. There are always places available, even on the day of travel. 2nd class only."
You might want to read the rest of that section. Good luck, trains in that part of the world are often slooow, especially if crossing borders. And hot.
If you are not already familiar with seat61.com, take a look at it.
I checked, seat61 says:
"The train fare from Sofia to Bucharest is 48.21 LEV (2016 price, about €25) including seat reservation, bought at international ticket windows at Sofia station. There are always places available, even on the day of travel. 2nd class only."
You might want to read the rest of that section. Good luck, trains in that part of the world are often slooow, especially if crossing borders. And hot.
Jul 26th, 2017, 02:38 PM
#4
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RE is often more expensive, since it is a travel agency, not a rail company.>
Not really a travel agency like in middlemen - RE is owned by the French National Railways and part by the Swiss Railways and eternal plans are to start tapping more into the European railway booking sites to also offer lower fares -this is done now in Italy I believe with TrenoItalo = I've seen $23 fares Venice - Florence for example.
But yes thursdaysd is right - currently often more expensive and a handling fee I believe.
Not really a travel agency like in middlemen - RE is owned by the French National Railways and part by the Swiss Railways and eternal plans are to start tapping more into the European railway booking sites to also offer lower fares -this is done now in Italy I believe with TrenoItalo = I've seen $23 fares Venice - Florence for example.
But yes thursdaysd is right - currently often more expensive and a handling fee I believe.
Jul 27th, 2017, 05:53 AM
#7
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Only one direct train -lv 9 am ar 7pm - seat reservations compulsory - would be cheaper in Sofia than thru RE (especially if you already have your pass - just a reservation will incur a hefty handling fee)- I'd pay more and book here simply to guarantee a seat.
Jul 27th, 2017, 06:32 AM
#8
"I'd pay more and book here simply to guarantee a seat."
If you read my post... seat61.com says:
"There are always places available, even on the day of travel"
And I still question the value of a pass for Eastern Europe, if the OP hasn't bought it yet.
If you read my post... seat61.com says:
"There are always places available, even on the day of travel"
And I still question the value of a pass for Eastern Europe, if the OP hasn't bought it yet.
Jul 27th, 2017, 06:42 AM
#9
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"There are always places available, even on the day of travel">
Yes Man in Seat 61 is 100% positive of that -wonder how?
This is not eastern Europe but the Balkans and do you know how cheap a Eurail Select Pass can be in that area?
But good point - unless traveling on several trains may not be a great deal.
Yes Man in Seat 61 is 100% positive of that -wonder how?
This is not eastern Europe but the Balkans and do you know how cheap a Eurail Select Pass can be in that area?
But good point - unless traveling on several trains may not be a great deal.
Jul 28th, 2017, 11:11 AM
#11
>>maybe a rail pass might not be a good idea.<<
I thought you said you have the rail pass? If not - where all are you traveling and how many train trips do you plan? Very often (not always but VERY often) just plain old point-to-point tickets are cheaper. Sometimes MUCH heaper.
I thought you said you have the rail pass? If not - where all are you traveling and how many train trips do you plan? Very often (not always but VERY often) just plain old point-to-point tickets are cheaper. Sometimes MUCH heaper.
Jul 28th, 2017, 12:03 PM
#14
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What countries are you going to and how many train trips -1st or 2nd cl?
$286 p.p. buys a 5-day 1st class pass in a 2-month period (flexipass) to use in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria for example -that's about $57/day for fully flexible 1st class travel in those countries - adjoining countries up to a max of 2 more can be added on at extra price - if traveling 5 days in those countries on trains not sure how much you could save on local fully flexible first class fares.
It all depends on what countries you are traveling in (northern western European country passes cost more for same days).
So yes a pass for many may not be a great deal but for some it can be- especially if you want fully flexible first class travel and don't wish to buy tickets -discounted ones usually non-changeable from a specific train - that set the dates in stone weeks or months in advance.
Very often (not always but VERY often) just plain old point-to-point tickets are cheaper>
True with discounted tickets in 2nd class vs 1st class Eurailpass (if under 29 there is a cheaper 2nd cl youthpass) that allows fully flexible travel on virtually any train in countries selected (a few have mandatory seat reservations for a few euros) - so often it is like comparing oranges to apples.
2nd cl discounted restricted tickets are nearly always better than a pass - for 1st or 2nd class full-fare fully flexible tickets a pass is often, for someone taking more than a few long trips, a good deal.
$286 p.p. buys a 5-day 1st class pass in a 2-month period (flexipass) to use in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria for example -that's about $57/day for fully flexible 1st class travel in those countries - adjoining countries up to a max of 2 more can be added on at extra price - if traveling 5 days in those countries on trains not sure how much you could save on local fully flexible first class fares.
It all depends on what countries you are traveling in (northern western European country passes cost more for same days).
So yes a pass for many may not be a great deal but for some it can be- especially if you want fully flexible first class travel and don't wish to buy tickets -discounted ones usually non-changeable from a specific train - that set the dates in stone weeks or months in advance.
Very often (not always but VERY often) just plain old point-to-point tickets are cheaper>
True with discounted tickets in 2nd class vs 1st class Eurailpass (if under 29 there is a cheaper 2nd cl youthpass) that allows fully flexible travel on virtually any train in countries selected (a few have mandatory seat reservations for a few euros) - so often it is like comparing oranges to apples.
2nd cl discounted restricted tickets are nearly always better than a pass - for 1st or 2nd class full-fare fully flexible tickets a pass is often, for someone taking more than a few long trips, a good deal.
Jul 28th, 2017, 12:18 PM
#15
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It will be just Bulgaria and Romainia. Did plan on a few day trips. That is why i was thinking of a pass? I see the Sofia to Buch. is only 2nd class. as you said, and no service at all?
Jul 28th, 2017, 12:29 PM
#16
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2-country Eurail Select valid in Bulgaria and romanis about $180 for 4 days of 2nd cl travel and $155 on a Saver Pass -two people traveling on one pass.
4 days is the minimum.
$155 / 4 = $39/ day fully flexible travel.
All the various days and saver - non-saver:
http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id...0select%20pass
The train fare from Sofia to Bucharest is 48.21 LEV (2016 price, about €25) including seat reservation, bought at international ticket windows at Sofia station.>
so that's about $40 - if only doing short day trips then you will be better off just buying as you go along it seems. But short day trips are return trips too. 1st cl may be a better deal for pass than 2nd cl - and most local trains don't require reservations so you can just hop on -priceless for some not having to deal with ticket window. Check www.bahn.de/en for trains where 'seat reservations are compulsory' to see if they are.
4 days is the minimum.
$155 / 4 = $39/ day fully flexible travel.
All the various days and saver - non-saver:
http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id...0select%20pass
The train fare from Sofia to Bucharest is 48.21 LEV (2016 price, about €25) including seat reservation, bought at international ticket windows at Sofia station.>
so that's about $40 - if only doing short day trips then you will be better off just buying as you go along it seems. But short day trips are return trips too. 1st cl may be a better deal for pass than 2nd cl - and most local trains don't require reservations so you can just hop on -priceless for some not having to deal with ticket window. Check www.bahn.de/en for trains where 'seat reservations are compulsory' to see if they are.
Jul 29th, 2017, 04:11 AM
#20
Couple of train rides that may give you an idea of what travel can be like in this area.
Second half of this one (I down-played the smuggling):
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...sofia-via-nis/
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...o-the-balkans/
Second half of this one (I down-played the smuggling):
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...sofia-via-nis/
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...o-the-balkans/
