Need your help with Rail pass, transfer : )
 

WHICH PASS?
? 21 consecutive days
? 15 days for five countries (no three-country-option available)
? 15 consecutive days and several point-to-point tickets

www.railsaver.com suggested I pick Eurail flexi-select pass 5 days in one month, but I don?t think it?s the right choice.

I would need Brit rail pass for days out from London. But as for Italy, France, Benelux, and Swiss, I?m not sure.

My destinations cover

15 days in Italy:
Rome 3 nights, Florence 4 nights, Cinque Terre 2 night, Lake Como 2 nights, Venice 4 nights
Fly to London

7 days in UK:
Base in London, with 4 day trips
Eurostar to Paris

7 days in France:
Base in Paris, with 3 day trips
Train to Brussels

7 days in Belgium
Base in Brussels, with 5 day trips
Fly to Geneva

11 days in Swiss:
Geneva 3 nights, Interlaken 6 nights, Lucerne 2 nights, altogether 8 day trips
Catch a train from Lucerne to Zurich and fly home


TRANSPORT CONNECTION
If I were to roam around only by train, where should I place Italy and Swiss in the London-Paris-Brussels line, please?

I couldn't begin to help on your
"macro" question Jane, but I do think that for the UK portion, people need to know WHERE the daytrips are in order to advise you. I also wonder why you're staying in London (which is so expensive) for 7 days if you're doing 4 day trips.

Try to put "Rex" into the search box and look at his replies to threads about railroad passes, tickets, etc. He knows a terrific Web site where you can put in your various destinations and it will tell you whether a pass or point-to-point tickets are most advantageous.

At a guess, though, I think it would be easier and cheaper to do all of Continental Europe in one go, then go on to the U.K.

Based on Eloise's tip I did a quick search for you (rex AND rail pass) and found this thread which more or less says a rail pass in Italy can save money over point to point tickets if there are 2 people but not for 1. There is also other info so read it through.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34484236

Hi jane,

>www.railsaver.com suggested I pick Eurail flexi-select pass 5 days in one month, but I don?t think it?s the right choice.<

Did you click on "only if it saves me money"?

Did you enter your entire itinerary for the continent?

Did you enter 2 people?

Are they suggesting that you buy a pass and also purchase P-t-P tickets?

Jane,

Assuming there is some reason for your rather erratic travel plans, here is what I would suggest.

When in Italy buy pt-to-pt tickets. Train travel in Italy is relatively inexpensive on regular trains and would cost less than a pass.

When in the UK buy your tickets as you go since you will not be taking any long distance trips. That's where a pass in the UK has more value. Buy a RT Eurostar ticket to Paris in advance to get the best possible price.

For the balance of your trip buy a 21 day consecutive pass and validate it at the right time to cover all your travels. That should be the most cost effective since you plan on doing so many day trips. It is also more convenient to have a pass so you don't need to constantly be buying tickets.

Have a good trip.

Greg