Pass or No Pass??
 

Hello,

I'm going on a 2-week honeymoon in Aug/Sep, and have a question about Eurail pass vs. not to see which is saving more money.

Paris to Beauvais (Roundtrip)
Rome to Florence
Florence to Venice

Is it better to book a Eurail pass? Or should I wait and buy my ticket at the train station? Also, how risky is it to just show up at the station to make a reservation that day? Is it better to have everything booked and planned before leaving for my trip??

-lilj

No pass. Use the bus for Paris to Beauvais (I don't know if there even is any train service to Beauvais). See the Ryanair website for details on the bus; click on "destinations".

In general, these questions get answers most readily from www.railsaver.com - - make sure you click on "only if it saves me money".

Train travel is a bargain, virtually under-priced in Italy; there is no way you need a "rail pass" for this.

Best wishes,

Rex

Agree with Rex about train travel in Italy. Other Fodorites advise, but unless it's a special festival or major holiday (like Easter), you should be fine buying your ticket at the station the same day. That being said, it can't ever hurt to get your ticket for Venice in advance. The ticket machines are pretty easy btw. If you are in the train station during normal working hours, the info offices can be helpful (most of the time someone has some English). Have a wonderful trip.

Thanks Rex!! That's helpful. I didn't even know they had that! BTW, Paris to Beauvais DOES have a train via www.sncf.com, but you can't order it through the US for some reason. THanks for the tips, Donco!

<<Paris to Beauvais DOES have a train via www.sncf.com, but you can't order it through the US for some reason>>

Are you saying specifically this train? I bought train tickets from SNCF last month by saying "collect in France", but then ultimately, printed them from my own computer, essentially as e-tickets.

Still, unless the trip from your hotel to Porte Maillot (where you catch the bus to Beauvais) is very, very inconvenient - - the bus is "timed" to meet the needs of your Ryanair flight and takes you directly to the airport.

By the way, have you considered reversing the Italy cities order? Fly into Venice on www.myair.com - - and then back home from Rome? (I mentioned this on your other thread).

In any event, I somehow failed to note earlier that this is your honeymoon travel - - so whatever your decisions, congratulations on your new life in marriage!