Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Finding point-to-point fares between countries

Search

Finding point-to-point fares between countries

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 05:26 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Finding point-to-point fares between countries

Hello all! It's been quite a while since the last time I posted here, but I am planning another Europe stint in May.

I am currently trying to decide whether it would be more cost-effective to get a Eurail Pass or do point-to point travel. In researching the point-to-point train tickets, I have found that I can't see the fares for travel between two different countries.

For example, I want to travel from Munich to Venice, but when I enter the departure into the Bahn website fare finder, I can't see the fares. The same thing happened for the TrenItalia fare finder when I entered a Genoa to Aix-En-Provence departure. Am I doing something wrong? I'm not sure how to compare Eurail vs point-to-point if I can't see the between-country fares.

This is the tentative schedule for my trip, if it helps:

Stuttgart -> Munich
Munich -> Venice
Venice-> Genoa (or some other Northwestern Italy coastal town)
Genoa -> Aix-En-Provence
Aix -> Avignon
Avignon -> Paris
Paris -> Stuttgart

Thank you in advance!
mesale is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 06:43 PM
  #2  
Community Builder
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
It's probably the dates you are entering are too far in advance (summer prices aren't entered until close to mid-June). Entering dates within a week should show all fares except discounts that require advance purchase. Trenitalia only allows booking/shows fares 4 months in advance for the fast trains. If R trains are involved those prices don't tend to show up unless you put a date within a week.
kybourbon is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 06:46 PM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
reiseauskunft.bahn.de definitely shows the fare for Stuffgart Hbf - München Hbf as €47 or €53.

For cross boarder trip, you need to find the "extent" of the national railroad system. For example use www.ferroviedellostato.it to find the fare of €9.30 or €16 between Genova Piazza Principe - Ventimiglia, then use www.voyage-sncf.com to find the Ventimiglia- Aix-en-Provence fare of €43. How do I know to user Ventimiglia? Use reiseauskunft.bahn.de to find the breaks in trips. Use one of the boarder stop to compute the fares.

http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/timecostmap.htm shows quick estimates if that is all you need.
greg is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 06:50 PM
  #4  
Community Builder
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
Also keep in mind that passes don't include seat reservations which are required on all trains in Italy except R trains and on some trains in other countries while point-to-point tickets usually include seats (on all trains in Italy except R where no seat reservations are possible). Prices are 10€ for most Italian trains, but higher in some other countries. Here's a list of seat reservation fees.
http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/pdfs/reservations.pdf
kybourbon is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 07:06 PM
  #5  
Community Builder
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
Trenitalia shows Venice/Munich at 115€.
kybourbon is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 07:07 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
The dates I entered were for next week...
mesale is offline  
Old Jan 21st, 2010 | 08:41 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Ok so in your opinion, would it be better for me to get a pass or do point-to-point, considering all the fees I will most likely end up paying along with the price of the pass?
mesale is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ssander
Europe
5
Oct 2nd, 2012 04:07 AM
c_js
Europe
4
Sep 14th, 2012 10:40 AM
lennyba
Europe
5
Aug 12th, 2011 08:32 AM
etonmymind
Europe
13
Nov 2nd, 2009 07:52 AM
Europhile7
Europe
9
Nov 5th, 2007 07:29 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -