I'll be in Europe soon on a railpass. I've heard some people advise to take food and beverages along on the trip(s). Is this OK? Also, is there any other tidbits of advice for me on the trains? What about luggage limitations? Thanks.

Hi Ron,<BR> It is all right to bring your own food.<BR> Do be considerate of the other passengers and avoid highly aromatic (stinky) stuff.

Not only is it permitted to bring food and beverages aboard, it seems to be a highly popular custom among Europe travelers, and to a certain extent among European locals. and you can buy some food and beverage selections ON the train - - but typically high in price and low in quality/variety/appeal.<BR><BR>You can bring aboard essentially all the luggage you can carry. Remember that YOU bring it aboard yourself, and YOU store it yourself, typically in the (very large) racks overhead. There are also compartments about the size of a telephone booth at either end of the car, though you will not likely be able to keep your luggage in your sight if you store it there. It's aplce people often use for the biggest bags which no one would likely try to steal anyway.<BR><BR>A railpass is frequently a poor bargain unless you are a traveling salesman or choose to spend every other day on a train. Try your intended itinerary on www.railsaver.com to see how (un)likely it is that a rail pass will save you any money. A rail pass is a way to sell you more train travel than you really want. Point to point tickets almost are cheaper than a rail pass, unless you fancy spending 4 to 8 hours inside a train every single day of your pass.<BR><BR>See where you are more. Travel around less.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We nearly always plan lunch on the train if we are going to be traveling any distance. I also try to catch up n my reading. There are very small (almost like writing tables) between seats which allow some space as well as small trash bins under the windows in many trains.

Overheads for the luggage but I would limit the size to a drag-along or use the airline guide for size.

I took lunch on board AND went first class as it was not a big difference in price and we had our own compatment.<BR>As for more interesting people who knows?

<BR>A highly aromatic food might be something like a chunk of bleu cheese marinated in Chanel No 5. It's an acquired taste. <BR><BR>Bringing your own food and beverages along is not only OK, but part of the fun of train travel in Europe. <BR><BR>Every train car I've been on has overhead luggage storage of some type and, unless a train has been packed with people, I've never had a problem stowing my luggage directly overhead or close by.<BR><BR>Trains are great places to strike up conservations.<BR><BR>

I have to say that reading is the last thing I do on the train when in Europe - the scenery is (usually) interesting and if not spectacular, new vistas.<BR><BR>The train stations sell snacks you can take on board such as chips and soft drinks. I found the train coffee in Italy to be very good. There are no particular luggage limitations, but on certain trains other passengers get a bit cranky if you leave your bags in the aisle in the way - sometimes if you need to keep it with you though, and its too heavy to lift up to the overhead racks........

<BR>Ron,<BR>It appears that you will be using the trains in Europe for the first time. My page on trains should help you get started. Check it out at www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm <BR>John

I have traveled on trains with Italian friends and they always stop and buy sandwiches before they board the train. They would not pay the high prices for the less than desirable food on the train. Don't worry about smell, how bad could a sandwich smell?

You ask: What exactly is the difference between a Europe traveller and a European local on a train?<BR><BR>In the context of Rex s note, European locals are English people in England, Italian people in Italy, and so on. Europe travellers are people on international journeys who are in Europe. I know Rex will clarify if I have misunderstood him, but his note strikes me as lucid.<BR><BR>Now it may be my turn. What is the meaning or force of the word exactly in your question?<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR><BR>

You can bring anything you want onto the trains. Food, chips, beer, wine. Anything you like. <BR><BR>Most of the longer distant trains have actual dining cars. If you aren't on a &quot;fixed income&quot; then consider eating on board.<BR><BR>The rail passes are the best. I understand that some readers feel that the passes aren't the deal they once were. While that may be true, alot of the more veterans travellers will prefer to buy point to point tickets. You can do that before you leave, but you are really limiting your flexibility. In addition, having rail passes won't cost you anything if you make a mistake and get on the wrong train. Passes are the best for just that.<BR><BR>Having a pass will avoid having to stand in any lines at the trainstations trying to book tickets in a foreign language. Not everyone speaks English.<BR><BR>I am ssuming that you are a non-veteran. Asking these kind of questions usually means that you don't have much experience in European travel. That's ok. I remember the first time I was on my own. Since then I have been there 15 or 20 times. Always with a rail pass.<BR>The cost of these rail passes have gotten more expensive over the years, but when you weigh the benefits, including the flexibility issues, get a rail pass. Do the flexi passes. <BR><BR>As far as who is more fun to travel with, first or seconf class. I believe that second class people are more into meeting people. One of the biggest reasons people go first class is comfort in addition to be left alone. They tend to be somewhat more snobbish and business like. Many of them will want to sleep or do work. There are alot of lap top computers in first class. I have always met more appropriate types in second class. As I have gotten older, I find that first class is more appropriate for me. <BR><BR>As far as what to bring on board the train. As little luggage as possible. It is a pain to be travelling with alot of stuff.<BR><BR>Bring napkins, wet naps, bags for the garbage. Bring along plastic knives, forks and spoons. <BR><BR>It would also make good sense to at least consider the dining car, if there is one of your train. If money isn't that big of an issue, go for a slice of cake and a cup of coffee. I always enjoyed that.<BR><BR>Lastly, consider going to Home Depot and buy a 4 foot piece of chain and a small padlock. You will be glad to have it along so you can lock your luggage to the compartment overhead. I have heard of alot of stealing going on these trains. Nothing worse than losing your luggage while travelling<BR><BR>Have fun

It just seems flat out wrong to advise any new traveler to europe to buy a Eurailpass. You must work for RailEurope.<BR>

Actually - I too think that depending on the itinerary , a pass is a good idea. <BR> If you add up all the single ticket prices , and the cost is close to the price of the pass, why not? <BR> - save time and hassle buying tickets<BR> - save stress , knowing that all you have to do is show up to use it<BR> - the pass is paid for - no money to pay out every trip<BR> - extra flexibility - you are not locked into a specific day/place to travel.<BR> <BR> For me - we got a pass because the price was the same for the routes needed as individual tickets. Ended up that we decided on the fly to take a side trip one day - basically ended up free, because the pass was already paid for.<BR><BR> I think it is a matter of doing the math - what works for some won't work for others.

Flexibility is the key word. The first time I arrived in Venice, a Friday afternoon twenty years ago (yes it was stupid, I know now but not then), there were no available rooms in Venice or Mestre on the mainland. No problem! I had a rail pass. After a meal by a canal, I walked back to the station and boarded the night train to Rome. After five days there I took the night train back to Venice. No problem to get a room from the tourist office on a Thursday morning. <BR><BR>When I travel now, I try to find a base to stay for a few days because I hate to try to find another place to sleep every other day. Now I take lot of day trips. I leave the place where I sleep early in the morning and come baqck late at night. No luggage, only a small backpack. With a rail pass, I don´t have to figure out what is the shortest and cheapest route. On the contrary, I try to use as many night trains as possible. 8 to 12 hours travel times between places are perfect for me.

very good thread<BR>

Hi all<BR> With respect to railpasses vs point-to-point, I suggest visiting www.railsaver.com to compare prices.<BR> For our upcoming trip, I found that an 8-day Italy Saver Pass would save money over the p-t-p.

Although Ben has ridden on more trains in Europe than I have seen, I have, never-the-less, ridden a bit, too.<BR><BR>In Switzerland on the long distance trains you may well find a new wrinkle: a quiet car where talking and boom boxes are definitely discouraged. We rode one from Interlaken to Z&uuml;rich in comfort and darn near total isolation.<BR><BR>The food in the dining car on the Austrian trains I have taken was good. One year we rode the Maria Theresia from Z&uuml;rich to Vienna, which is a long trip.<BR>We ate in the dining car and thought the prices fair and food good.<BR>I was a little surprised when I learned that I could pay in US dollars or Swiss francs, or euros. (And yes I have heard all the yap about euro versus euros.)<BR><BR>On the TGV, you will find that the bar car closes near the border. For example we rode from Paris to Lausanne, and the eatery closed at Frasne. <BR><BR>In terms of first class versus second class, I have found that there is no need for 1st class on Swiss trains.<BR>On the others, for a long trip I appreciated the extra leg room. The tickets are more expensive, but on the routes I took, I had the advantage of an age discount, which more or less equalized the cost in the sense that first class with a discount was only a little more expensive than second class without a discount. (Some people say I have a weird sense of logic.)

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