eurail pass/help!
 

My friends and I (3girls) are going to Europe for 24 days in October. This is our first trip. We are having a hard time deciding what to do transportation wise. I need tips on what we should do. <BR>Here is what we thought would work. I don't know if it's realistic or not or if there is other ways of doing it and more cost effective.<BR>1.travelling around Bruxelles<BR>2.use train from Bruxelles to Brugge [14 USD/person]<BR>3.train from Brugge to Gent [7 USD]<BR>4.train from Gent to Bruxelles [10 USD] and Bruxelles<BR>to Cologne [32 USD]<BR>5. from Cologne,we will rent a car around 2 weeks and leave the car at Munchen.[have to check cost for 4 seat car in 2 weeks]<BR>6. We will use train travel from Munchen to Verona [Italy] about 5.30 hours cost 55 USD<BR>7.Verona to Venezia [14 USD]<BR>8.Venezia to Firenze [26 USD]<BR>9.Firenza to Siena [12 USD]<BR>10.Siena to Piza [14 USD]<BR>11.Piza to Milano [29 USD]<BR><BR>I think all train cost around 217 USD.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance<BR><BR>

I guess you're wondering about point-to-point vs. Railpass?<BR><BR>Try your itinerary at:<BR>www.railsaver.com

You might be able to get a first class eurail pass for what it would cost point-to-point where (from your price quotes) you'll be in 2nd class. You may have a little trouble finding seats together in 2nd class unless you RUSH the train as soon as you can board, particularly in Belgium.<BR><BR>The problem with the eurail pass will be the two week gap in the car. Im pretty sure that there are longer eurail passes than two weeks but they are considerably more expensive.<BR><BR>My biggest complaint about train travel in Europe is the hidden expense and toll on the body. If you are packing for 24 days you will end up lugging quite a bit of luggage with you so you either pay a porter or haul your own. Also, when you end up at a train station you are generally near higher priced accommodation (and sometimes "seedier" accommodation). So you end up taking public trans. to find other hotels.<BR><BR>Why not just rent the car for the entire 24 days?<BR><BR>Steve

Susie, look into leasing-rather than renting- for the full time. Leasing covers all insurance with no VAT tax to pay. You may have some drop off charges.

susie,<BR><BR>First of all: that sounds like a GREAT itinerary! One small suggestion: you might want to spend less than 2 weeks in Germany and lengthen your stay in Italy instead.<BR><BR>I'm assuming you priced your point-to-point tickets at RailEurope - big mistake.<BR><BR>a) Domestic train rides in Belgium<BR>Go to the belgian railyways' site for schedules and fares:<BR>www.b-rail.be<BR>I just checked the Brussels to Brugge journey and it's 10.3 EUROS, so about 40% less... You don't need to purchase tickets in advance for your domestic journeys in Belgium (reservations aren't available anyway). <BR><BR>b) Brussels to Cologne<BR>You can either take the Thalys trains (about 2.5 hours) or normal trains (3 hours). Again, you will find schedule and fare information on the same web site. You can also book the Thalys online. For the normal trains (which are definitely cheaper), you must call the number indicated for exact fares and bookings.<BR><BR>c) Munich to Verona<BR>Check out schedules at:<BR>http://www.bahn.de/pv/uebersicht/die_bahn_international_guests.shtml<BR>You won't be able to order, but if you go to a station once you arrive in Germany, you should have no trouble booking seats. You should also check with the Belgian Railways when you call them - they could very well be able to book this journey as well.<BR><BR>d) Domestic journeys in Italy:<BR>You only need to book your journey from Venezia to Firenze and Pisa to Milano, preferably on Eurostar trains. Check<BR>www.trenitalia <BR>for schedules & fares. Bookings can be made at any train station or accredited travel agency in Italy. Again, the Belgian Railways might be able to book this for you, but I wouldn't necessarily want to do that, because you might have trouble exchanging your tickets should you decide to change your plane (the Italian Railways don't enjoy having to deal with foreign-issued tickets).<BR><BR>I know this all sounds complicated but it's really not that bad, will most probably be a LOT cheaper (especially if you add the costs of getting reservations to the rail pass base cost). Also, by checking out these web sites, you will get detailed schedules and get a better idea of what to expect when you arrive in Europe.<BR><BR>Have a great time!<BR>Andre

Oops!<BR><BR>Of course I meant change of PLANS, not PLANE when referring to your journeys in Italy!<BR><BR>Also, you should note that the German name for Cologne is K&ouml;ln.<BR><BR>Andre