arewethereyet

I'm new here - what a great site! I'm traveling with husband and 2 children for 3 week vacation to London/Paris/Gruyeres/Zermatt/Florence and again back to London. I have already purchased 5 day select saver railpasses (checked at Railpass.com and it saved money). I'm quite confused about whether I need to purchase any reservations at all before we leave (late July). We'll be using TGV, Cisalpino, IC, night train from Florence to Paris, and some local trains that I'm not worried about. I've read that passholder fares can sell out, that if I really need to be on a certain train, etc. I've spent quite a bit already, and I don't want to spend more than I need to. I read on Rick Steve's site that he has never made a reservation in the U.S. in 24 years, so of course I think that says alot, but has anyone ever had any trouble getting a reservation for a train that you really wanted? We especially need to be on the night train from Florence to Paris, and there are others that I would really like to be on, but it won't be a huge problem.

DeeDee

It all depends on how many days you will be in Europe before you use your pass. If you arrive and spend 3 or more days in your first city before you travel, I would buy the reservation once you arrive. Plan to visit a travel agent or a train station upon arrival (1st full day). On some trains reservations are required. Other trains do not take reservations and with many it is strictly optional.

I, personally, like to book seats on optional reservation trains if I'm traveling a fair distance, say 3+ hours. The $3Euro charge per seat is worth it for selection of no smoking preference and knowing there will be a seat next to my other family members.

gradyghost

Hello arewe:

I guess the answer to your question depends upon the importance of getting the very best price and the amount of effort you are willing to expend to get it. We are traveling on Eurostar trains in Italy this summer and I already have our railpasses and seat reservations in hand. To me, that means zero hassle in a country in which I do not have the language. All I have to worry about in the train station are: (1) arriving in time on the first leg to have my pass validated (2) thereafter arriving in time to get on the right car of the right train and (3) all the while beating off the pickpockets described by some on this board. I don't know about SuperFordorites, but for a mere mortal these are enough daunting tasks. To tackle the ticket office each time for either purchase or pick-up is more than I wish to do. So is the $11 or $15 per seat charge for my reservations now in my hot hand worth it -- you bet. Gradyghost

ira

Hi are,

Good, conflicting, advice above.

>We especially need to be on the night train from Florence to Paris, ..."

I would buy those tickets now and get the other reservations upon arrival in each country.

You are going to Florence, but not Venice?

hopscotch

You will need a reservation for the Eurostar between London and Paris and for all TGV trains. It is optional for the Cisalpino and IC. You may be required to pay a supplement for some of the trains you mentioned. Ask the travel agency from whom you bought your rail pass. If you want a bunk on the EuroNight it would be best to reserve. There is no way that Steves could ride a TGV without a reservation so he is either BS or has never been on a TGV. Your reservations will cost about $3 each if made in Europe. Do it in any travel agency in London.

massagediva

arewethereyet- In case you didn't know,Ira is the president of the Venice Tourist Board. You can't see it all!

ira

Hi massagediva,

>Ira is the president of the Venice Tourist Board.<

Not until July 1, when the current president's term is up.

I know you can't see it all.

This is a case where I would recommend Venice over Florence.

Actually I would recommend skipping Gruyeres and Zermatt in favor of Florence and Venice, but I wasn't asked.

DeeDee

hopscotch,

you misread arwethereyet's comment about Rick Steves.

"I read on Rick Steve's site that he has never made a reservation in the U.S. in 24 years"

Rick Steves makes his reservations in Europe, not in US before leaving.

arewethereyet

Thanks, all. I think I will go ahead and pay the $57 passholder fare for the night train (x 4, ouch), and then do the other reservations when I get to Paris. I already have the London-Paris tickets, also. Will I be able to make my France, Switzerland, Italy reservations in London, or will I need to wait until I reach Paris? As far as countries we are going to, we were very democratic - it is our family's dream trip that we have been planning for a number of years. Selecting the countries was easy - we each picked one, so even the 12 and 15 year old got to have input and go to her choice of spots. Personally, I would rather spend more time in Italy also, but there's always next time!

ira

Hi A,

I'm not sure if you can make Paris/Gruyeres/Zermatt reservations in London, but you will be able to do that in France.

I think that Zermatt to Florence will have to be done in Switzerland.