Another train question .......
 

Hi,<BR><BR>I'm about ready to cave-in and order tickets through the travel agent.<BR><BR>Are the fares quoted on railsaver.com, what I would expect to pay in Europe or are they also inflated like raileurope?<BR><BR>Thanks for any help.<BR><BR>Nancy<BR>

They seem to be lower than raileurope.com but not the true lowest, at least for some routes.<BR><BR>Why "cave in"?<BR><BR>What routes? Why not use the actual countries' web sites?<BR><BR>There was also a post in the last 4 hours about a www.budgettravel.com - - or something like that.<BR><BR>Would you like some more specific help?<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I just tried Railsaver for Berlin to Munich, and came up with $91. According to www.bahn.de the actual fare is 102.4 Euros; given normal currency fluctuations, this seems pretty accurate to me (although, as Rex says, it may not be so accurate for all routes).<BR><BR>I agree that it's best to use the actual countries' websites whenever possible; but for international routes, they usually don't quote fares (except sometimes at www.sncf.com), and that's where Railsaver may be the best option.

Thanks Rex & ahoulih,<BR><BR>It's not a simple route ---<BR><BR>Sestri Levante, Italy to<BR>Wengen, Switzerland.<BR><BR>The sncf.com is in french and every other site is maddening.<BR><BR>So, that's where I'm at - and I am generally a very calm person :)<BR><BR>Nancy<BR><BR>

Here is a specific question. I'm a first time rail user, and want to travel from Prague to Vienna by 1st class rail during the day. End of June area. What is the best way to get these reservation/tickets? Do I give the credit card #? How do I pick up the tickets? etc., etc.

I was able to get a fare of 22.72 Euros (2d class, not including seat reservations) for Sestri Levante to Domodossola from www.trenitalia.com, and 63.80 Swiss Francs (equals 43.8 Euros) for Domodossola to Wengen from www.rail.ch, for a total of about 66 Euros. Add about 3 Euros for each seat reservation you care to make.<BR><BR>For Bill: Assuming you'll be in Prague for a couple of days before traveling to Vienna, I'd recommend just waiting till you get to Prague and buying the tickets at a train station there. Especially in first class, there's no need to buy far in advance.

The consistent "theme" I've seen on this site is to wait until you get to Europe to buy tickets. That said, everyone always adds the caveat "Assuming you're not traveling the same day . . ." What do you regulars do if you absolutely must travel via train the day of your arrival in Europe? Do you wing it or bite the bullet and dial up Rail Europe?

Bob:<BR><BR>I always buy my tickets the day I arrive in Europe. I take a taxi from the airport to the station, buy a ticket, and get on the train. I've done this probably 30+ times, and the only problem I had was once there was so much traffic on the p&eacute;riph&eacute;rique in Paris that I was just punching my ticket when the train pulled out of the station. I had to taxi to another station and leave from there. I've also never traveled on a holiday or the days when kids get out for school breaks. <BR><BR>I don't necessarily advocate this for all travelers (I'm rarely on any kind of fixed schedule when traveling in Europe, and a lot of people are), but it has always worked for me.<BR><BR>

I have only done this two times - - gone straight from plane to train; bought train tickets on the spot at the time. Why chance plane late in arriving - - or sometimes even much earlier (through customs etc) than expected?<BR><BR>One of those two times I was able (just by minutes) to catch a train that was late leaving CDG - - by rights it should have left before my plane was supposed to arrive.<BR>

I had really good luck (and great service) using www.euraide.com for rail pass, train reservations and Eurostar reservations.

I have travelled by train in Europe many times and have never bought tickets in advance - except once when I bought a Swisspass to save money. I have never had a problem buying my ticket at the station. And as Rex pointed out, you won't have to sweat it out if your plane is late or early.<BR><BR>The only time I had a bit of a problem was when I decided to be efficient - I was arriving in Milan at Malpensa Airport and was headed to Kandersteg Switzerland. I decided that I could save time by going to the train station nearest to the airport (Gallaratte - about 15 minutes by taxi) rather than going all the way into Milan and travel back past the airport.<BR><BR>The problem was communication - I had the SwissPass for part of the journey, and the ticket seller didn't seem to be aware of the train schedule.(Didn't speak any English). I had to show him my computer printout for the train I wanted to take. Finally got the tickets after about a half hour (he had to smoke about three cigarettes while he thought about it). Actually, I look back on the experience rather fondly. We did save time and we got a real taste of the laid back Italian approach to life.<BR><BR>But I emphasize that this was the exception. I would not hesitate to wait and buy my ticket there. It is actually preferable in my opinion because it takes away the stress of trying to make the train by a certain time.<BR><BR>

topping<BR>

Rex says "why chance plane late in arriving -- or even sometimes early"?<BR><BR>Well, for some train destinations (Bordeaux and P&eacute;rigueux being two of them) there are trains about every half-hour to hour throughout the day, and if I miss one, I'll catch another. This is true in France for many, many major to medium-major destinations.<BR><BR>

I agree with you, St. Cirq - - but it still adds up to anxiety in my mind - - to have tickets for 9:10 am - - and your plane doesn't land until 8:35, 90 minutes late.<BR><BR>Why bother to have bought them ahead? I buy when I get to the station, that's all I meant.<BR>

We took the train down from Wengen-Interlakken through the Centrovalli to Locarno. It was fabulous. We stayed in Intragna and were able to walk and take funiculars everywhere. Have fun on your trip! Chris

do not cave in. It is so easy and convenient to do once you get to Europe. I try and always go to the station a day ahead of when I travel and go a time that is not real busy. Early or late. Stand in line at the youngest person possible. They usually speak English. If possible print out the train number and time that you are requesting. I just hand the slip to the person with a smile. It has always worked for me.

up<BR>