Eurail pass - what to do?
Dec 2nd, 2006, 10:49 PM
#1
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Eurail pass - what to do?
Has anyone got an opinion as to whether it's cheaper to buy a Eurail pass or buy individual point to point 1st class tickets. We'll be travelling by train between Rome, Siena, Florence, Venice, Lake Como and Paris - at least 6 trips.
Also, is it cheaper to get a Eurail pass online or from a travel agent?
Thanks for your help!
Also, is it cheaper to get a Eurail pass online or from a travel agent?
Thanks for your help!
Dec 2nd, 2006, 11:48 PM
#2
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Try entering your itinerary into this website to figure out your first question:
http://railsaver.com/railsaver.asp
I found it was cheaper and quicker to purchase my Eurail pass through my local Flight Centre office (no shipping cost and pick-up within 1-2 days of order).
http://railsaver.com/railsaver.asp
I found it was cheaper and quicker to purchase my Eurail pass through my local Flight Centre office (no shipping cost and pick-up within 1-2 days of order).
Dec 3rd, 2006, 12:00 AM
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Thanks tcl. I entered our itinerary and the railsaver site gave me a much cheaper price than our travel agent. It only classed us as travelling through 2 countries though - does part of the Lake Como trip go through Switzerland? Our travel agent said it did.I've bookmarked the site to use closer to our trip. Thanks again!
Dec 3rd, 2006, 12:08 AM
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I have always found that for Italy it is cheaper to buy point to point tickets. Particularly as online tickets booked in advance are a bargain.
As a general, very loose rule in Europe - to get your moneys worth out of a pass each train trip needs to cost E50 or more. I think only your trip to Paris will be that expensive.
As a general, very loose rule in Europe - to get your moneys worth out of a pass each train trip needs to cost E50 or more. I think only your trip to Paris will be that expensive.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 12:48 AM
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I looked over your itinerary again and realized that I've traveled many of the routes you're planning. It was cheaper for me to buy point to point tickets for Italy (2nd class). However, I rode the bus from Rome to Siena and then Siena to Florence. I think the bus was much more convenient for both those routes (no need for train changes).
As for Lake Como to Paris, I think the fastest train route does require you to travel through Switzerland (I'm guessing that you'll go through Zurich and connect to Paris via a ICE train from there). So, if you're buying a rail pass, then it would have to be for 3 country one instead of just Italy and France.
As for Lake Como to Paris, I think the fastest train route does require you to travel through Switzerland (I'm guessing that you'll go through Zurich and connect to Paris via a ICE train from there). So, if you're buying a rail pass, then it would have to be for 3 country one instead of just Italy and France.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 01:08 AM
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That's what my husband thinks too.
He also thinks that even if we get a 3 country pass it's still cheaper online than through our travel agent. I assume the railsaver prices are $US. We live in Australia so have to convert to $AUD.
My Dad also said bus to Siena from Rome ( he loves Siena and is the reason we're visiting for 1 night!) is much less complicated than train.
You've been very helpful tcl, thanks.
Just an aside - why has my post been highlighted in blue. I'm new to forums. Am I doing something wrong?
He also thinks that even if we get a 3 country pass it's still cheaper online than through our travel agent. I assume the railsaver prices are $US. We live in Australia so have to convert to $AUD.
My Dad also said bus to Siena from Rome ( he loves Siena and is the reason we're visiting for 1 night!) is much less complicated than train.
You've been very helpful tcl, thanks.
Just an aside - why has my post been highlighted in blue. I'm new to forums. Am I doing something wrong?
Dec 3rd, 2006, 01:44 AM
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Re the Lake Como-Paris segment:
You do not say where on Lake Como you will be staying but <b>assuming</b> you are talking about mid-lake (Varenna/Bellagio/Menaggio) you woould probably be leaving from Milan to Paris.
If this is so, then there are two options <b>depending on the time</b> you want to travel. You can take a train through Brig in Switzerland and travel on to Paris that way, or you can travel from Milan through Turin and Modane (France) and bypass Switzerland altogether. Both routes include at least partial TGV services. But timing is crucial since these days I believe most of the services Milan-Paris do run through the Simplon Tunnel and Brig.
IOW don't necessarily assume you need a three-country pass for your trip.
You do not say where on Lake Como you will be staying but <b>assuming</b> you are talking about mid-lake (Varenna/Bellagio/Menaggio) you woould probably be leaving from Milan to Paris.
If this is so, then there are two options <b>depending on the time</b> you want to travel. You can take a train through Brig in Switzerland and travel on to Paris that way, or you can travel from Milan through Turin and Modane (France) and bypass Switzerland altogether. Both routes include at least partial TGV services. But timing is crucial since these days I believe most of the services Milan-Paris do run through the Simplon Tunnel and Brig.
IOW don't necessarily assume you need a three-country pass for your trip.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 07:27 AM
#9
"<i>why has my post been highlighted in blue. I'm new to forums. Am I doing something wrong?</i>"
Nope - you aren't doing anything wrong. If you click on your name (or any name for that matter) to bring up threads, all posts from that poster will be highlighted. depends on your settings if it is blue or not.
Nope - you aren't doing anything wrong. If you click on your name (or any name for that matter) to bring up threads, all posts from that poster will be highlighted. depends on your settings if it is blue or not.
Dec 4th, 2006, 01:49 PM
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Just go to www.trenitalia.com, the Italian train line web site. This site will not only give you the prices for a train trip, but the alternate prices depending on what time of day you want to go and how much you want to pay. Look for the English sign at the top. They have a new train that they're introducing, called the IC plus. First class on this train is as good as the much more expensive Eurostar. The difference is that IC Plus may stop one or two times more. All IC Plus trains are non-smoking. To go to Como from Milan (a large lake), you can take a commuter train from Milan and stop at the town you want to stop at. I stayed in Ravenna, a nice town opposite Bellagio and Menagio. Get a return ticket from the local tobacco shop. I would suggest flying to Paris from Milan, unless you want to spend an entire day on the train. the Orly airport is so-so, but easier to maneuver in and closer to the city of light.
Dec 4th, 2006, 11:58 PM
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Thank you. This has been most helpful!The new train sounds great value and actually, we're quite looking forward to a day on a train watching the countryside unfold. Beats driving on the "wrong" side of the road!(for us)
Dec 5th, 2006, 07:05 AM
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Check out the following link for a comprehensive rundown on the Eurailpass:
http://ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm
http://ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm
Dec 5th, 2006, 07:13 AM
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The pass you should consider is the France and Italy eurailpass - cheaper than a 3-country pass if you're only traveling in France and Italy and not Switzerland (though the France and Italy pass is valid on night trains Venice-Paris that go via Switzerland.
That said at least in the US there is a special on Eurail Select Passes bought before the end of the year - 6 days or longer and you get a free day - so this could tip the balance to Eurail Select, 3 country pass.
If you go the online www.trenitalia.com discount fare route for your trips to Paris or www.voyages-sncf.com then the pass may well not pay off - especially since as noted you must pay about $15 to ride Italy's premier trains - ES and ICp (InterCity Plus).
www.railsaver.com's fares are often higher than you'd pay online or in europe i believe. Wandrian rail owns railsaver.com and is actually Trenitalia's U.S. outlet for tickets and passes.
That said at least in the US there is a special on Eurail Select Passes bought before the end of the year - 6 days or longer and you get a free day - so this could tip the balance to Eurail Select, 3 country pass.
If you go the online www.trenitalia.com discount fare route for your trips to Paris or www.voyages-sncf.com then the pass may well not pay off - especially since as noted you must pay about $15 to ride Italy's premier trains - ES and ICp (InterCity Plus).
www.railsaver.com's fares are often higher than you'd pay online or in europe i believe. Wandrian rail owns railsaver.com and is actually Trenitalia's U.S. outlet for tickets and passes.
