Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Train trip durations to and from main cities

Search

Train trip durations to and from main cities

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 03:44 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Train trip durations to and from main cities

Hi guys!

Anywhere I can find out rough travel time between major cities in Europe by train?
Please dont direct me to websites for timetables, they are too complicated for something as simple as Paris to Madrid X amount of hours, Madrid to Seville, X amount of hours.

Anything like this available?? Thanks guys!
Philrick is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 03:57 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,637
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I doubt it but seat61 might do it. bahn.de is the sort of thing yo don't want but is pretty easy
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 04:00 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This website should answer all your questions:

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

If you want to learn about train travel in Europe the best reference site to use is www.seat61.com.
FrenchMystiqueTours is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 04:05 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,637
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
hi FMT looks like "great minds" etc
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 04:26 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah, great minds and all that.
FrenchMystiqueTours is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 04:51 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys, but that's exactly what I didnt want. I dont want to have to input times, and exactly which station. I just want a website that says:
Madrid to Barca: x hours
Florence to Rome: x hours
Etc... This is just to know travel time for my itinerary, while the schedule websites want, when, exactly which station (which I dont know yet) etc
Philrick is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 05:25 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've never heard of a site like that...I've only ever seen timetables on the different train sites. One reason being is that it depends what type of train you get on (high-speed, regional) and those can vary alot in time.

Why cant you just plug in the cities for a given day and see what the times are?
jamikins is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 05:38 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The problem with your request is that Madrid to Barcelona (or any other journey) might vary in terms of how long it takes to get there depending on which train you take, how many stops/connections you'd have to make and what day you are traveling. Really, the site we gave is quite simple to use. Input your departure point and destination, choose a date and hit enter. You don't need to enter a specific station, just a city, and you can pick any date/time at random just to get a rough idea. Honestly, you won't find anything better than that site.
FrenchMystiqueTours is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 05:47 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Philrick,

I know of no site where you can get that kind of generic information. FMT is correct, the trip durations between the cities can vary based on a number of factors (day of week, time of day, type of train). For a rough idea, bahn.de is probably your most user-friendly option, although you have already professed that you do not want to use it. I don't know what more we can tell you.
Woyzeck is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 05:47 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unlike trains in the U.S., where there is essentially only one long-distance train, in Europe there are many different options, so the "flat-time" request simply won't work. Perfect example is Rome to Naples, there are probably 4 different types of train transport between these two close cities, which can vary the travel time by well over an hour each way. So, best way is to pick two cities, put in some arbitrary time and you'll then be given train selections. You can then see the variations.

dave
daveesl is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 06:13 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you just want a general idea (without considering "fast" or "slow" variations) see this maps from Rick Steves website which shows times and prices.

http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/timecostmap.htm

You can then check specific routes on www.bahn.de if you would like more precise information.
laurie_ann is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 06:20 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you just hit the nail on the head laurie_ann.
FrenchMystiqueTours is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 07:53 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,637
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Laurie-ann that seems to be the thing, so RickSteves has a use after all
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 07:59 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Besides being an advocate for NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) Rick Steves is well known for giving travel advice:

http://norml.org/advisory-board/item/rick-steves
FrenchMystiqueTours is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 11:59 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I find that www.bahn.com will give a choice of English where www.bahn.de comes up in German (for me anyway).
tatersalad is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 12:18 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^^Just switch the language to English. There's an option on the bahn.de site for that.
FrenchMystiqueTours is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2012, 01:43 PM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for the replies guys.
THANKS LAURIE ANN! Thats what I wanted Just basic average travel time like that, cheers!!!!
Philrick is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
currie33
Europe
14
Dec 5th, 2013 08:44 AM
Itallian_Chauffer
Travel Tips & Trip Ideas
6
Feb 2nd, 2013 06:19 AM
emj
Europe
4
Jan 9th, 2005 02:17 PM
james
Europe
13
Jun 23rd, 2002 04:32 PM
Anne
Europe
6
Apr 18th, 2002 12:38 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -