I must be way too American-ized, as the train schedules, fares, routes, etc. seem to boggle my mind. What is the best (as in most simplified) source to go to for planning train routes in Germany, France, and Italy? I thought I would just go to AAA or a travel agent...but is that more expensive than going direct to a Eurail website? Also, do I have to be so organized that I plan every day of our vacation 3 months in advance by reserving every train, or can I be flexible and reserve them when we get out there a day or so in advance? I appreciate any tips from all you pro travelers out there! <BR>

You certainly don't have to plan it all in advance. I plan trips in lots of detail, but for the times I do use train travel, I just go to the train station with a general idea of when the train is departing, buy tickets and go. <BR> <BR>If the websites are not your cup of tea, then consider buying a Thomas cook guide - - only about $20-25 USD, I think. If you still find it confusing to use, have someone at your hotel help you. Pick some very easy segment for your first train travel, and then get your book out and study it for what you plan to do tomorrow. It's almost guaranteed that it will be a conversation starter, and you will surely find someone who is a whiz with the guide, and will help you learn its use - - or at least help you to jot down what you need to know for the next day. <BR> <BR>And I am very much NOT one of the top experts here on using the trains. Other insider tricks are likely to spring forth from others who are. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

I spent 7 weeks bumming around Europe, mostly on trains. I had a long haul ticket, so I would go to the station and get on the train and go. Twice I got "stood up" in the literal sense. One time, I boarded a train in Milan for Paris, and there was not a seat to be found in 2nd class. So I say on my suitcase until I got to Lausanne, Switzerland where I got off and found a low cost hotel. (low for Lausanne!!)The other time I was on a commuter train near London at 5:30 PM. <BR> <BR>There are several good web sites I know of to help you plan train travel. This place: <BR>http://www.hafas.de/index_e.html <BR>is a link to 5 national train schedulers. The German site is good for most of northern Europe, not just Germany. The French national rail site is http://www.sncf.com/indexe.htm <BR>This one is English. You need to be persistent with some of them to find your information. <BR>I honestly don't think most travel agents in the US of A know much about train travel in Europe. You can educate ourself quickly and find out what you want to know. <BR>You do not have to be so organized that you are 3 months ahead all the time. <BR>I think 1 or 2 days, except perhaps for the most popular holidays such as July 14 in France, is all the lead time you normally need. <BR>I have learned quite a bit by reading this forum about rail travel, and you can set up "what if" routes and see where the schedule take you. Just remember,that on many of the popular routes there are several trains per day. <BR>

There are folks on this sight who know a ton about the tains. I use them all the time and I'm not so organized. So far, so good. As said before, you don't need to have every detail planned, but have an idea about where you want to be and about when. Know the travel times between places you want to to visit so you can plan your itinerary logically, and consider some overnight trains to save money and time. Usually when I arrive in a town, before I leave I check the schedule to see departures for the day I'm going to leave. Most trains don't need reservations. High speed, (TGV, THALYS), couchettes on any overnights and private rails do. But even those you can usually handle as late as the day before traveling.

Laurie.. <BR> <BR>With your penchant for advanced planning I think you will really enjoy having a copy of the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable, briefly mentioned by Rex, as this book really does contain a mass of easy to read information and plenty of maps. It might take you an hour or so to become proficient in using it, then Europe is your oyster. <BR>You can plan away to your hearts content, but be sure to take the timetable with you as you will then be able to change your plans on the run. <BR>My advice is not to worry about advance bookings - very very few trains are ever full, and in most parts of Europe the trains are so frequent you simply catch the next - the exceptions to this are possibly Spain, Sweden and Norway.

Don't be too complacent about trains not being full in Italy. The run from Milan to Naples, either way, with stops in Bologna, Florence and Rome, can be full all during the year, not just summer. Many a time have I stood in the aisles. This is not a fun way to travel.

Fodors <BR> <BR>You've had excellent advice so far. So my contribution is a note on enjoying sleepers and couchettes, which I have on disc, and which I'm copying to you now. Please tell me if it won't unpack. <BR> <BR>I can assure you that plenty of Britons are defeated by railway timetables, too, but that (as has been said) an hour's study over a cup of coffee launches you from Lisbon to St Petersburg, via Istanbul. Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

On my first trip to Europe I had a Eurail pass which allowed me incredible freedom to go with my whims. I never planned anything more than a day in advance. Don't be intimidated by the seeming complexity of the schedules; spend a small amount of time reading and take one short trip requiring a train change, and I guarantee you will have a Zen moment when it all becomes very easy and you won't remember why you thought it was going to be difficult. <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!