eurorail passes
Oct 27th, 2003 | 05:03 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,629
Likes: 0
For a quick estimate of time/cost for train trips between many cities:
http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/timecostmap.htm
For schedules all over Europe, not just Germany:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
For prices of various night trains, and other info:
http://www.euraide.de
For help deciding if a Railpass is the way to go:
www.railsaver.com
All of these sites have other good info, too. Just about anything you need to know about trains in Europe can be found on one or all of them.
http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/timecostmap.htm
For schedules all over Europe, not just Germany:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
For prices of various night trains, and other info:
http://www.euraide.de
For help deciding if a Railpass is the way to go:
www.railsaver.com
All of these sites have other good info, too. Just about anything you need to know about trains in Europe can be found on one or all of them.
Oct 27th, 2003 | 05:54 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
In addition to comparing the prices as suggested above, you need to ask yourself what your real plans are. If you are only going by train between cities that's one thing. But one thing I've liked about having a rail pass is that if I'm staying in a city for four or five days, it is easy to hop on a train and go out and explore a couple of towns during the day. If you have to buy point to point tickets for those excursions you are likely to forget about doing them or tell yourself it isn't worth it to buy the tickets. With a pass you can explore by going to one town, walk around and if you don't want to stay there very long, hop on another train and go somewhere else. Those are some of my most enjoyable days in Europe. Of course, if you only have a day or two to spend in each major city, you aren't likely to want to do many day excursions out anyway.
May 2nd, 2004 | 03:33 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Oh. Don't want that to happen!
Ok, here goes. We landed in London on Wed. morning. The weather was about 50 and windy. London was great. Don't forget to look to the right when crossing (almost fatal but you get use to it quick.) Being on a budget we stayed at the Hyde Hotel. It was just fine.
From there on to Paris. I didn't like Paris much. I found that most people were a bit well, I don't want to say rude but what ever would be just below that....that's what they were. We stayed at the Hotel Mulhouse. That was ok but certainly nothing great. We did have time to visit Normandy which was quite awesome. A heads up for anyone visiting there on a Sunday...you can't rent a car! The American Cemetary is about 25 miles from the train station and none of the rental agencies in town were open. We were lucky enough to come across a cab with an English speaking driver named Alan. He was excellent. He grew up in the area and has lived there his entire life. I am going to guess that he was around 60-65 yrs. old. If anyone is planning a trip to Normandy, I still have his card somewhere. Would be glad to send you his info. It cost us $150.00 for 3 1/2 hours of his time but it was more than worth it. Ok, now to Berlin. Took the night train. If you've never done that be prepared for small quarters. We had 3 in the cabin. Once you're sleeping it's great but there isn't room to really move otherwise. We stayed at the Circus Hostel in Berlin which was terrific. I would recommend it to anyone, singles or families. Spotlessly clean with very helpful staff.
Spent 2 days in Berlin which was ok except much of the city landscape is undergoing a construction of one type or the other. I would probably wait a year or 2 to return there.
Overall the trip was a success.
I did use Ryan Air from Berlin to London. It cost us $35.00 each. I would reccomend them. No problems at all.
We purchased Eurorail passes before we left. I found that we did not get our monies worth there. Unless you are going to do a lot of rail travel from city to city, getting the zone passes for the local rails are much less expensive.
Ok ira. I hope this gets me off the deep fry list. Hey, does anyone know why I couldn't find any PEZ in Germany??
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
Ok, here goes. We landed in London on Wed. morning. The weather was about 50 and windy. London was great. Don't forget to look to the right when crossing (almost fatal but you get use to it quick.) Being on a budget we stayed at the Hyde Hotel. It was just fine.
From there on to Paris. I didn't like Paris much. I found that most people were a bit well, I don't want to say rude but what ever would be just below that....that's what they were. We stayed at the Hotel Mulhouse. That was ok but certainly nothing great. We did have time to visit Normandy which was quite awesome. A heads up for anyone visiting there on a Sunday...you can't rent a car! The American Cemetary is about 25 miles from the train station and none of the rental agencies in town were open. We were lucky enough to come across a cab with an English speaking driver named Alan. He was excellent. He grew up in the area and has lived there his entire life. I am going to guess that he was around 60-65 yrs. old. If anyone is planning a trip to Normandy, I still have his card somewhere. Would be glad to send you his info. It cost us $150.00 for 3 1/2 hours of his time but it was more than worth it. Ok, now to Berlin. Took the night train. If you've never done that be prepared for small quarters. We had 3 in the cabin. Once you're sleeping it's great but there isn't room to really move otherwise. We stayed at the Circus Hostel in Berlin which was terrific. I would recommend it to anyone, singles or families. Spotlessly clean with very helpful staff.
Spent 2 days in Berlin which was ok except much of the city landscape is undergoing a construction of one type or the other. I would probably wait a year or 2 to return there.
Overall the trip was a success.
I did use Ryan Air from Berlin to London. It cost us $35.00 each. I would reccomend them. No problems at all.
We purchased Eurorail passes before we left. I found that we did not get our monies worth there. Unless you are going to do a lot of rail travel from city to city, getting the zone passes for the local rails are much less expensive.
Ok ira. I hope this gets me off the deep fry list. Hey, does anyone know why I couldn't find any PEZ in Germany??
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
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May 2nd, 2004 | 03:47 PM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Nothing of greater value than to hear it from someone who learned it by experience - - so I am likely to direct others to those valuable words to others who ask questions bout rail passes, almost every other day here:
<b>We purchased Eurorail passes before we left. I found that we did not get our monies worth there.</b>
I regret that I missed your original post, to have had the opportunity to "preach" at you before you made those rail pass purchases.
Best wishes,
Rex
<b>We purchased Eurorail passes before we left. I found that we did not get our monies worth there.</b>
I regret that I missed your original post, to have had the opportunity to "preach" at you before you made those rail pass purchases.
Best wishes,
Rex
May 2nd, 2004 | 04:59 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Note that the poster specifically said, "....unless you are going to do a lot of rail travel from city to city..." and some folks do just that, so, obviously, the passes are better for some than others.
Perhaps the poster didn't look carefully at railsaver.com
Perhaps the poster didn't look carefully at railsaver.com
May 2nd, 2004 | 05:21 PM
#10
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
I didn't say they're no good for <i>any</i>body (though I still think if they would benefit you, then your itinerary has too much traveling packed into too little time - - "see where you are more, move around less"!)
My argument is strongest against buying a rail pass first, thinking about how you will use it (or whether you need it at all) second.
It happens way too often.
My argument is strongest against buying a rail pass first, thinking about how you will use it (or whether you need it at all) second.
It happens way too often.
