Taking the trains
 

I have an opportunity to spend 4 week in Europe in June. A friend and I want to go to take the trains around. Does anybody have any tip or ideas for our trip? Thanks alot. <BR>Sara

Just back from a 3 week rail trip to Europe from Paris to Prague,Budapest,Vienna, Venice, and back to Paris.Great experience.Go to Rick Steves sight to find out about the different rail passes and to the German train site for schedules and using logic and that information go where ever your heart takes you. <BR>

Good morning, Sara The first thing is <BR>to determine what cities you wish to <BR>visit in this time, secondly, assuming <BR>you will fly into and out of the same <BR>city, start with connecting these cities <BR>by rail in the most straightest way and <BR>lest time consuming, with little or no <BR>double backing. Surf into these <BR>railway urls for more detailed train <BR>information, you can place the city <BR>you are leaving and place the destin- <BR>atiion city, date and approx time and <BR>all this information will come up. <BR>Some sites have more information than <BR>others. <BR>www.sbb.ch/ (Switzerland) <BR>www.fs-on.line.it/ (Italy) <BR>www.raileurope.com/ (Europe) <BR>www.oebb.at/ (Austria) <BR>www.bahn.de/home/andre.htm/ or' <BR>bahn.hafas.de/bin/db.s98/detect.exe/ <BR>bin/db.s98/query.exe.e? (DE and Eur) <BR>My parting remark is don't try to get <BR>too many cities into your trip, spend <BR>enough time in them to know them well. <BR>Richard of Hickory Hills, IL...

Stan thanks for the info. We are planning to fly into and out of London and then take the train to Paris, Rome, Greece, and someplace in switerland. We are planning to make a home base in each country (France: Paris, England: London, Italy: Rome, Greece: ?, Switerland: ?) Has anyone ever done day trip on the train to explore the country a little more?

Sara, what a great opportunity for you - I am envious! A great book to help you plan is "Europe by Eurail" authored by Ferguson & Ferguson. It details out exactly what you've described - base city, day trips, includes just about all the info you need to plan your excursions. Have used it several times and found it to be accurate and practical. <BR>Enjoy! <BR>

Sara- <BR>Brings back some great memories! I spent 5 weeks in Europe in 1997. Flew into London, trained to Paris. From Paris we took the train to Barcelona. Barcelona to Florence (follows the coastline - by far the most scenic trip I've ever done!)From Florence we traveled to Venice, then onto Geneva and finally back to Paris to fly home. <BR>I was very impressed by the train system in Europe. The TGVs are the best, but not always possible. It is an incredible way to meet people. We met folks from all over the globe. <BR> <BR>My suggestion to you is to purchase your railpass before leaving home. As soon as you arrive, make as many of the reservations as you can. This takes a lot of planning on your part, but it will make the trip much less stressful and more enjoyable. I spent 15 months planning the trip, one leg at a time. We left room for day trips and impulse trips, but our main travel days were planned well ahead of time. It will also help you purchase the right amount of travel days. You don't want days left over at the end of your trip and, of course, you don't want to be short travel days either. If you can't find a train schedule online, I would suggest purchasing one from Thomas Cook. We bought one our first day in Paris and it was worth every penny! <BR> <BR>My tip: Overnight train travel counts as two days travel on a railpass. It saves you the cost of a hotel, but requires an extra travel day on your pass. Make sure you include that in your plans. <BR> <BR>Email me if you have any other questions. I would be happy to answer if I can. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful experience. I too am extremely envious! <BR> <BR>Beth <BR>