ksp2001

Need a little help with trains in Europe.

Here my itinerary:
London>Amsterdam>Berlin>Prague>Vienna>Italy>Paris

Now upon doing research with trains, I’m booking a train from London to Amsterdam, and Amsterdam to Berlin. From then I’m thinking of a Euro rail pass. I just want to double check with you guys, but I need the 5 countries pass?

Is that good? Open to any suggestions or advice. Thanks.

kybourbon

>>>From then I’m thinking of a Euro rail pass.<<<

You need to provide more info. Often budget flights are cheaper and faster than trains. Rail passes don't include supplements required on many train such as overnight and almost all trains in Italy. Without knowing exactly what you want to book, no one can really advise which would be better.

For Italy, buses (cheaper and just as fast between some cities)might be the better option as trains don't go everywhere. You can advance purchase from the Italian train company for as little as 9€ for the fast trains. Just depends on where you plan to go.

ksp2001

ok, thanks. I'm just looking for an easy/quick way to go from city to city. Wasn't sure if I should book far in advance, or wait until I'm in the current city and decide to move to another. My trip is pretty flexible.

ksp2001

wow. i just looked a flights and they were much cheaper for london to amsterdam than the trains.

hetismij2

Since London to Amsterdam by train either involves a ferry across the North Sea, or going through France and Belgium, it is not really surprising flights are cheaper.

You could also look at flights from Amsterdam to Berlin, and from Italy to Paris.

nytraveler

Where will you be in Italy - specific locations will matter a lot.

Separately, this is a very ambitious trip. How long do you have to accomplish it (3 weeks or less is simply not realistic).

ksp2001

thanks for posting. i've got two months for this trip. so i'm planning on spending a lot of time in the cities i've listed and surrounding areas. I'm devoting an entire day on traveling between cities. i'm just looking for what others have done before.

now, i've noticed that its 170euros for train between london and amsterdam. the travel cost between ofter cities is much less. I'm thinking of either booking a plane flight, or maybe just waiting to buy a ticket once i'm there and on the day of travel. What do you think? Thanks.

greg

Where did you get the 170€ number? I don't know when you are traveling, but 3/15/2013 price for London-Brussels is 63USD according to www.eurostar.com. The Brussels-Amsterdam on a non Thalys train, according to www.ns.nl is 41€=52USD at 1.27 rate, for the total of $63 + $52 = $115 = 91€.

ksp2001

i'm traveling at the end of december. it's short notice, and that's why i'm sure the price is nearly double.

nytraveler

You're correct Eurostar prices are much higher closer to travel dates - but they only keep going up - never down. (Although if you are willing to take an unpopular time you may get a lower price.)

And if you want to fly - get those tickets early too - as the lower priced tickets also go early.

kerouac

If your travel times are flexible, I would absolutely stick with trains, which are much more relaxing and which do not require trips out to the airport and security hassles.

You should book your tickets on the national train sites of each country from which you are taking a train. Fares can vary 500% depending on the time and day of travel, so move your plans around to avoid peak periods and fares. Just as an example, I booked a train between Paris and Lille the other day. I paid 20€ but the train just two hours later was 86€.