Rail Europe
Sep 11th, 2011, 09:05 PM
#21
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<i>I don't understand why so many folks are reporting markups and bad service.</i>
Why you ask azzure? I just checked the Venice to Paris price on the SNCF website and tickets were selling for as low as 65€ or about $90 and those were for 1st class. Of course the second class tickets were less, only 55€ or approximately $77.
I am not suggesting that you should or should not use any specific agent, only illustrating that it´s quite easy for anyone to beat the price at which Raileurope sells tickets.
Why you ask azzure? I just checked the Venice to Paris price on the SNCF website and tickets were selling for as low as 65€ or about $90 and those were for 1st class. Of course the second class tickets were less, only 55€ or approximately $77.
I am not suggesting that you should or should not use any specific agent, only illustrating that it´s quite easy for anyone to beat the price at which Raileurope sells tickets.
Sep 12th, 2011, 01:08 AM
#22
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@azzure Just out of interest, I did my own comparisons for the same train (i.e. 12:50 departure from Santa Lucia)
1. Railplus (agent for Raileurope in Australia) fullfare - A$210 (or €160 at today's rate at Oanda)
2. Trenitalia - fullfare €130.50 for the same train (see conditions: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/h...n.html#97_12_5
Discounted fare for this Artesia train from Trenitalia would be €62.50
So, the markup is roughly 30 Euro, plus handling+delivery (in Australia) of A$18
1. Railplus (agent for Raileurope in Australia) fullfare - A$210 (or €160 at today's rate at Oanda)
2. Trenitalia - fullfare €130.50 for the same train (see conditions: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/h...n.html#97_12_5
Discounted fare for this Artesia train from Trenitalia would be €62.50
So, the markup is roughly 30 Euro, plus handling+delivery (in Australia) of A$18
Sep 12th, 2011, 09:03 AM
#23
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On Italian train tickets IME RailEurope at times can be competitive and some folks are the worry wart types who want a paper ticket with seat reservation in hand and do not want to trust an e-ticket or wait to there - not saying that there are problems with that just the mentality of some folks and for them the services of RailEurope or agents are priceless. Thankfully on Fodor's we have folks like Sarastro who point out how easy it is to use trenitalia.com (in spite of the scores and scores of complaints that are perpetually posted about that fickle site and the frustrations is seems to cause novice users at least.
Sep 12th, 2011, 09:31 AM
#24
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The website to which I refer, the SNCF website www.voyages-sncf.com, is a French website, it is not an Italian website. I make reference to it only to illustrate the pricing strategies of the various ticket sellers and to underscore that Raileurope seldom, if ever, offers pricing as competitive as is offered elsewhere.
I have, on rare occasion, found in specialized circumstances, tickets purchased through Raileurope to be more competitive than tickets purchased through any other source. Such an example occurred this spring when Eurostar tickets were available up to 5 months in advance through RE (vs. the normal 4 month advance ticket sells window for Eurostar tickets) at prices just under what was then being offered on any of the SNCF sites (to include www.eurostar.com).
However, the least expensive tickets available to train travellers within France have consistently been those available on iDTGV trains. Neither iDTGV tickets nor the discounted PREM tickets available for TGVs, Téoz, Lunéa, Corail, or Intercité trains are available through Raileurope.
Whether one pays the Raileurope price or the price for PREMs obtained through a different source such as www.tgv-europe.com, the trains are identical. Just as with airfares, people within the same compartment or cabin will pay vastly different amounts for their tickets.
I have, on rare occasion, found in specialized circumstances, tickets purchased through Raileurope to be more competitive than tickets purchased through any other source. Such an example occurred this spring when Eurostar tickets were available up to 5 months in advance through RE (vs. the normal 4 month advance ticket sells window for Eurostar tickets) at prices just under what was then being offered on any of the SNCF sites (to include www.eurostar.com).
However, the least expensive tickets available to train travellers within France have consistently been those available on iDTGV trains. Neither iDTGV tickets nor the discounted PREM tickets available for TGVs, Téoz, Lunéa, Corail, or Intercité trains are available through Raileurope.
Whether one pays the Raileurope price or the price for PREMs obtained through a different source such as www.tgv-europe.com, the trains are identical. Just as with airfares, people within the same compartment or cabin will pay vastly different amounts for their tickets.
Sep 17th, 2011, 12:03 PM
#26
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I have found this thread when I was reseraching point-to-point train tickets in France through RailEurope and was wondering if they have markups, because the train fares displayed on RE seem pretty outrageous. This is the first time I use RailEuopre.
I'm thankful to have seen this thread because when I check through tgv-europe's website, I found that the price for the same train is so much more reasonable.
For example, I was looking up a train from Paris to Caen on November 11. The same train: St. Lazare to Caen at 7:45am
RailEurope sells it at $50
TGV-Europe sells it at about $20 (15 Euros)
I haven't gone that far to see how much the handling fee from each website is, but just the train fare itself is a pretty big difference. That's an over 100% markup.
Granted, the TGV site only offer non-refundable tickets (as far as I can tell), and I believe RE is more flexible (I could be wrong). For my particular travel plan, however, I don't need that much flexibility to justify overpaying more than 100% for a train ticket.
I cannot vouch for rail passes or any other agencies. I just want to add my observation from checking for this particular trip.
I'm thankful to have seen this thread because when I check through tgv-europe's website, I found that the price for the same train is so much more reasonable.
For example, I was looking up a train from Paris to Caen on November 11. The same train: St. Lazare to Caen at 7:45am
RailEurope sells it at $50
TGV-Europe sells it at about $20 (15 Euros)
I haven't gone that far to see how much the handling fee from each website is, but just the train fare itself is a pretty big difference. That's an over 100% markup.
Granted, the TGV site only offer non-refundable tickets (as far as I can tell), and I believe RE is more flexible (I could be wrong). For my particular travel plan, however, I don't need that much flexibility to justify overpaying more than 100% for a train ticket.
I cannot vouch for rail passes or any other agencies. I just want to add my observation from checking for this particular trip.
Sep 17th, 2011, 01:31 PM
#27
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There is no handling fee on tickets purchased through the TGV-Europe website. The price displayed is the price you pay but discounted tickets may be limited and prices will rise as seats are sold. If you live in the USA, tickets will not be mailed to you so unless you purchase non-transferrable or non-refundable tickets, i.e. PREMs or iDTGV tickets which may be printed at home, you will need to pickup your tickets in France at any SNCF Boutique or train station service window.
Sep 17th, 2011, 02:45 PM
#28
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Two things:
1. In my experience Rail Europe pricing is lots higher within a single country, but not so much more when crossing borders.
2. We bought tickets through them for a Perpignan, France to Barcelona trip last fall. After getting stuck in traffic on the way to the station we missed the train. There was one more that night and I took my story (and tickets) to the SNCF counter. Not only did they get us on the train, we got a refund, since the tickets had been for first-class but this train had not first-class cars.
So in my experience you should go to the railway ASAP and try to get satisfaction there.
1. In my experience Rail Europe pricing is lots higher within a single country, but not so much more when crossing borders.
2. We bought tickets through them for a Perpignan, France to Barcelona trip last fall. After getting stuck in traffic on the way to the station we missed the train. There was one more that night and I took my story (and tickets) to the SNCF counter. Not only did they get us on the train, we got a refund, since the tickets had been for first-class but this train had not first-class cars.
So in my experience you should go to the railway ASAP and try to get satisfaction there.
Sep 18th, 2011, 08:20 AM
#29
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That's an over 100% markup.
Granted, the TGV site only offer non-refundable tickets (as far as I can tell), and I believe RE is more flexible (I could be wrong)>
Well yes RE has fully flexible tickets often (and also on some routes less flexible) but if you compare the cost of full fare tickets in France with RE prices you may find they are not too out of line - but you are comparing apples and oranges with the discounted online tickets that are non-refundable non-changeable - RE tickets should IMO be compared to full priced fully flexible tickets sold in France and then the discrepancy may not be as great.
Granted, the TGV site only offer non-refundable tickets (as far as I can tell), and I believe RE is more flexible (I could be wrong)>
Well yes RE has fully flexible tickets often (and also on some routes less flexible) but if you compare the cost of full fare tickets in France with RE prices you may find they are not too out of line - but you are comparing apples and oranges with the discounted online tickets that are non-refundable non-changeable - RE tickets should IMO be compared to full priced fully flexible tickets sold in France and then the discrepancy may not be as great.
Sep 18th, 2011, 09:38 AM
#30
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There are basically two problems with using RailEurope:
1. RE displays only partial train schedules omitting a large number of trains which are otherwise available for booking on tgv-europe.com.
2. RE offers none of the discounted tickets otherwise available; i.e. PREMs, iDTGV tickets, discounts offered to families with young children (I am not referring to <i>famille nombreuse</i> discounts which are only available to French citizens), and well as many last minute deeply discounted fares (<i>Promotion Dernière Minute</i
. There are also discounted tickets available for those who purchase senior citizen cards, youth cards, and frequent traveler cards (escapades).
The SNCF uses sophisticated revenue management models just like the airlines use and offers an array of different types of fares: full fares, vacation fares (tarif loisir), and special service fares (tarif pro). Very few of these many options are available to those using Rail Europe. Depending upon the fare one choses, tickets may be refundable or not. Some fares are fully refundable, some partially, some are non-refundable.
Perhaps due to the many ticketing options offered by the SNCF, posters may be confused by what is available and how to best utilize the many choices. Rail Europe does offer a simplified approach for those unwilling to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of these many options. However those willing to navigate and use the tgv-europe.com will not only find a greater number of travel options, they will most likely save a lot of money.
1. RE displays only partial train schedules omitting a large number of trains which are otherwise available for booking on tgv-europe.com.
2. RE offers none of the discounted tickets otherwise available; i.e. PREMs, iDTGV tickets, discounts offered to families with young children (I am not referring to <i>famille nombreuse</i> discounts which are only available to French citizens), and well as many last minute deeply discounted fares (<i>Promotion Dernière Minute</i
. There are also discounted tickets available for those who purchase senior citizen cards, youth cards, and frequent traveler cards (escapades).The SNCF uses sophisticated revenue management models just like the airlines use and offers an array of different types of fares: full fares, vacation fares (tarif loisir), and special service fares (tarif pro). Very few of these many options are available to those using Rail Europe. Depending upon the fare one choses, tickets may be refundable or not. Some fares are fully refundable, some partially, some are non-refundable.
Perhaps due to the many ticketing options offered by the SNCF, posters may be confused by what is available and how to best utilize the many choices. Rail Europe does offer a simplified approach for those unwilling to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of these many options. However those willing to navigate and use the tgv-europe.com will not only find a greater number of travel options, they will most likely save a lot of money.
Sep 19th, 2011, 07:09 AM
#31
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Rail Europe does offer a simplified approach for those unwilling to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of these many options. However those willing to navigate and use the tgv-europe.com will not only find a greater number of travel options, they will most likely save a lot of money.>
Well said IMO - and for some the easy option is priceless - the reason many folks still have travel agents book their rail tickets thru RailEurope - they just do not want to do any work or take any risks - to some giving credit card to a foreign entity is not comfy (though completely safe IMO) and the full fares are not always so out of kilter and at times may even be cheaper IME - like on German trains and things like Swiss Passes, which RE has often sold for the past several years at significant rates lower than the exact same pass is sold for in Switzerland.
RE is a business and tries to maximize profits - just like any business.
Well said IMO - and for some the easy option is priceless - the reason many folks still have travel agents book their rail tickets thru RailEurope - they just do not want to do any work or take any risks - to some giving credit card to a foreign entity is not comfy (though completely safe IMO) and the full fares are not always so out of kilter and at times may even be cheaper IME - like on German trains and things like Swiss Passes, which RE has often sold for the past several years at significant rates lower than the exact same pass is sold for in Switzerland.
RE is a business and tries to maximize profits - just like any business.
Dec 11th, 2011, 12:25 AM
#32
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I agree with the OP here. I bought two sleeper tickets from Prague to Krakow through RE as that was the only was to purchase from Australia. In the end my plans changed and I didn't need them but despite their terms stating that I would be refunded if they were returned at least 3 days prior (which they were) I have received no refund.
When purchasing tickets I had queries which RE failed to answer. When I initially needed to cancel they again failed to answer my questions. Since then 5 months has past and they either ignore my queries or just brush me off and tell me their refunds team will be in touch. Extremely disappointing.
I find it very unprofessional that they don't respond to queries and don't have a contact number. Definitely some of the worst customer service I've experience in a while.
When purchasing tickets I had queries which RE failed to answer. When I initially needed to cancel they again failed to answer my questions. Since then 5 months has past and they either ignore my queries or just brush me off and tell me their refunds team will be in touch. Extremely disappointing.
I find it very unprofessional that they don't respond to queries and don't have a contact number. Definitely some of the worst customer service I've experience in a while.
Dec 11th, 2011, 01:13 AM
#33
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<< I find it very unprofessional that they don't...have a contact number. >>
From their web site:
Need help? Rail Europe offers live help 5 days a week: Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 7:30pm Eastern Time. Call 1-800-622-8600 in the USA, 1-800-361-RAIL (7245) in Canada.
From their web site:
Need help? Rail Europe offers live help 5 days a week: Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 7:30pm Eastern Time. Call 1-800-622-8600 in the USA, 1-800-361-RAIL (7245) in Canada.
Dec 11th, 2011, 02:46 AM
#34
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Jesspapillon - did you contact them at [email protected] ??
FWIW my booking problem earlier this year resolved by email in the absence of a local phone contact -
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...pe-booking.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-countries.cfm
Good luck!
FWIW my booking problem earlier this year resolved by email in the absence of a local phone contact -
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...pe-booking.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-countries.cfm
Good luck!
Dec 27th, 2011, 03:54 AM
#35
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Sorry I meant an Australian contact number. I booked through the Australan website which is run by Rail Plus in Melbourne. Yeah that is the email address I used.
Thanks. I've put in a formal complaint with the Dept of Consumer Protection so I'll see how that pans out.
Thanks. I've put in a formal complaint with the Dept of Consumer Protection so I'll see how that pans out.
Dec 27th, 2011, 12:59 PM
#36
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If you want to talk to someone who knows everything about RailEurope USA and their offerings and current discounts, etc call the folks at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, who I always buy passes from and whoever you talk to there seems to be an expert in any question - unlike the typical person you may talk to at REurope who may not know that much per se about European trains and products, etc.
Sep 22nd, 2012, 08:11 PM
#37
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Just btw -
"French railway firm SNCF to launch pan-Europe e-travel website
State-owned company aims to provide easier and faster booking for passengers travelling across continent"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...europe-website
Note that "Customers outside Europe will continue to be directed to websites with the Rail Europe brand".
"French railway firm SNCF to launch pan-Europe e-travel website
State-owned company aims to provide easier and faster booking for passengers travelling across continent"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...europe-website
Note that "Customers outside Europe will continue to be directed to websites with the Rail Europe brand".
Sep 25th, 2012, 08:24 AM
#39
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Note that "Customers outside Europe will continue to be directed to websites with the Rail Europe brand">
And RailEurope at least outside of UK or Europe is doing very well, my sources say so why tamper with over priced sales of tickets to clueless folks using clueless travel agents blindly suggesting railpasses, etc.?
And RailEurope at least outside of UK or Europe is doing very well, my sources say so why tamper with over priced sales of tickets to clueless folks using clueless travel agents blindly suggesting railpasses, etc.?
