Eurail Passes: Let me get this straight...
 

I was pondering the option of getting a 5-day Eurail Selectpass Youth for $249. But, please correct me if I'm wrong, these passes do NOT cover Eurostar??? So, the pass will only cover the IC, IR, etc. trains?

I thought I might save money by getting the pass but if it limits my train and scheduling options, it's probably not even worth the hassle. My intended use for it was for the following:

Florence to Paris (thru Milan?) 7nts
Paris to Brussels to Bruges 1-2nts
Back to Florence
(if I have extra days on the pass or time to spare, I was planning on maybe stopping by Amsterdam but that's kinda pushing it probably)

I did check railsaver and they told me to get this pass but again, if it doesn't cover Eurostar, I'll probably just purchase ptp tickets. Does this sound logical to you or am I missing something?

Will I get a youth discount for ptp tickets by showing them my passport or will they require the Int'l Student card?

So many questions, I know...this is why I'm desperately seeking your help! THANK YOU!!!

Why do you need eurostar? - it does not cover it but if you are not going to london you don't need it. Also - I thik you will get a discount if you are under 25 and buying point to point

It doesn't cover the Eurostar that goes to London, but it does cover the Italian trains that are also called Eurostar. However, the Italian Eurostar trains require seat reservations, which the pass doesn't cover, but the reservations only cost a few Euros for each train ride.

yeah, when they say it doesn't cover eurostar i think that means that you can still use the pass for a eurostar train, but you will have to pay a small supplement charge (also all passengers on Eurostar have to pay a few Euro extra for a seat reservation).

By the way, point to point prices will be much higher than the daily cost of the Eurail pass. The only exception is if you only travel short distance (such as Florence to Pisa). However, Florence to Paris is a long way and will probably cost more than your entire eurail pass if you bought that point to point.

The Eurail passes entitle the holder to a special discount on the London-Paris EuroStar. It works out to a $60 discount (one way) for a second-class reservation, and does NOT count against your pass as one punched day of travel. However, you need to reserve early (a week or so), as these discounted seats may not be available on the day of travel.

jahoulih, thanks for the clarification on the Eurostar to London vs slightly higher-speed Eurostar Italia! Whew, what a relief! (Coz nope, London is not on the itinerary)

My primary purpose for the pass (should I decide to do the train route) was to save on the long, expensive Florence to Paris and back to Florence trip. The extra days, if any, I'll use for somewhere in the Benelux region, if I can work out an itinerary to include that.

So, it looks like I'll prob'ly be better off with this pass. Anything else I've overlooked or misunderstood?

Hi craisin,

When you compared prices at railsaver.com did you click the box that says "only if it saves me money"?

Otherwise you almost always get the recommendation for the railpass.

Craisin, Ira is right. Railsaver will almost always recommend a pass. In this case they are also recommending the lowest cost as well. I figure it should cost a little over $300 to buy tickets for the route you have planned, therefore a pass should save you money. You should also consider how you are going to travel between Paris and Florence. A night train will require some additional cost in the form of a supplement, unless you are planning on doing this during the day?? The cost of a NT supplement varies depending on how confortable you want to be. That should be all you need to know before buying a pass or not. Have a good trip.

Greg

ira was definitely right. I tried it again with just Florence to Paris, then Paris to Florence and clicked on the "only if it saves me money" option and came up with ptp tickets at $91 each.

It's pretty close <sigh>. So, if I add some visits to the Benelux region it should justify getting a pass?!?? This is a neverending dilemma--thank god, it's still a few months away!

Thanks, greg. Where would I find information on actual routes? Are there direct night trains from Florence to Paris and vice-versa? (I thought I read somewhere here in Fodors that there is one from the Santa Maria Novella station.)

Should I choose the night train option, is there a supplement whether or not I opt for the seat only with a pass(!) or the couchette($20?)

So sorry to bug you guys with so many questions...but really, thank you for your generosity.

There is a direct night train from Paris (Bercy) to Florence (S.M.N.) and vice versa. For schedules and fares, try www.sncf.com; easier to use, but with no fare information, is www.rail.ch. A reservation is required on the night train, so you'll pay a few Euros in addition to your pass for a seat or, as you say, about $20 for a couchette. Of course, you won't need a hotel for that night.