Europe group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Is eurail a good deal?

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peterenzmin Joined: Dec 06 Points: 8 Posts: 2 Posted: 2006-12-18 08:20:00    I have one month to spend in Europe this spring, from March 16-April 16. I'm interested in purchasing a Eurail pass to travel around Europe. I want to see a lot, so the Eurail 1 month Youth pass sounds like a good deal, but I have some questions: How much should I expect to pay for train tickets on top of the Eurail pass? On the europe rail site, I was informed that a ticket from Venice-Florence costs 27 US Dollars even with a Eurail pass. The list price was 48 US dollars. I thought the Eurail pass would make the trip free. Is this scenario the rule or the exception? What will availability be like? Should I book in advance, or, if I wake up in Venice and decide to go to Vienna, can I just go to the train station and get on a train? Should I make reservations a few days in advance in order to secure a spot on the train? --- peter Reply    Reply with quote    Contact peterenzmin   christianj. Premium account Joined: Oct 02 Points: 6482 Posts: 69 Posted: 2006-12-18 18:36:00    Hi Peter, I wasn't sure myself, so I had a quick look at their website where I found following responses: On most trains, you can travel for free. However, there is a number of high quality trains on which supplements have to be paid. This supplement includes the compulsory seat reservation and sometimes a meal on board the train or other amenities. The following trains require a supplement: Germany/Italy/Switzerland: Cisalpino France/Italy: Artesia Republic of Ireland City Gold Services Belgium/France-England Eurostar Italy Eurostar Italia Greece Intercity Express Germany ICE Sprinter Belgium/France/the Netherlands/Germany Thalys Denmark/Sweden X2000 Spain: AVE, Talgo, Euromed Reservations are generally not mandatory, although they are recommended for busy times and routings. Reservations are required for some high-speed trains such as the TGV, sleeper trains, or, if you want a couchette during an overnight journey. Reservations can be made at any train station for just a few dollars or outside of Europe for an additional service fee. You'll find that at the FAQs on the Eurail-Website. If you need further help, especially for Germany (where I live), don't hesitate to contact me. Enjoy your trip, Christian [ This Message was edited by: christianj. on 2006-12-18 18:45 ] --- Just SMILE - and the world smiles with you!! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact christianj.   peterenzmin Joined: Dec 06 Points: 8 Posts: 2 Posted: 2006-12-20 03:59:00    Thanks! I appreciate the specificity of your answer. I have another question, either for you or whoever reads this: What are the best websites to buy point-to-point train tickets? For example, Rail Europe charged 10-15 more euros than trenitalia for a Rome to Florence ticket. Is this normal? Or if I wanted rail travel from Berlin to Prague to Budapest? Are there country specific sites that might be better than Rail Europe? Thanks again, this is a fantastic travel resource. Keep up the good work! Peter --- peter Reply    Reply with quote    Contact peterenzmin   tblog7 Joined: Feb 07 Points: 8 Posts: 2 Posted: 2007-02-21 19:52:00    eurail is awesome in my opinion. the eurail global pass is most popular, and lets you travel pretty much everywhere: http://railshopper.com/rail-passes/eurail-global-pass/ Reply    Reply with quote    Contact tblog7