RSSIntroduction
Exploring the old world of Europe
Coming from America, a melting pot so relatively young, I’ve always been drawn to Europe; it’s patchwork of preserved cultural identities and old-world mystique. So many ideas, so many peoples, within a day trip from each other.
I’ve flown around here before to study, to trace family lineage, and to vacation. But never have I traveled Europe in perhaps the way it was designed to be traveled: By train. Border-by-border, culture-by-culture, perception-by-perception.
For the past seven years, I’ve toiled in the modern media world of New York City. While on Fellowship, this is my year to explore the pulsating vibe of everything new in the old world of Europe.
As I go along, I’ll update this blog with travel insights and Eurail Train Tips to spur the thoughts of those of you on-board, and those of you dreaming of getting on-board.
This is my Journey. What’s yours?
Benjamin Thomas
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About the Eurail Blog
Benjamin Thomas from the USA has been using Eurail Passes to explore Europe. On this weblog he shares his (train) travel experiences. Intro
This blog is recommended by Eurail.Com.
Online Timetable
Hello Rory — It sounds like you want to travel around the Mediterranean. Should be nice in the springtime. Take a look at my blog posts along the Mediterranean. Perhaps Florence would interest you in Italy? You can use the Planning Pages on the Eurail.com website to help you plan as well. Have fun! Benjamin.
Hi Benjamin,
me again, thank you so much of your reply, if our trip will be started on 27/3, can we purchase the 15 day global pass (consecutive 15 day pass) now? or wait until 11/Feb as someone told me the pass only vaild 2 months time…?
one more question, Mar/Apr is the good season for visting France, Amsterdam,Praha and Rome? As we are asian, all of us worry about the weather. Thanks
Ivy
Hi.
dont by consecutive days is better to buy some days you can use in two months
Hello Ivy — You can buy your Pass at anytime, and choose what “start date” you want on the Pass. It’s not a problem to request March 27 as your “start date.” Spring should be beginning in those cities then! Have fun, Benjamin.
thanks Benjamin.
To be precise: you can order your Eurail Pass up to 6 months before its first day of validity.
Quick question. I am an American student studying in London and planning on doing Berlin-Prague-Vienna-Munich, and then one more German city for my spring break. What other German city would you suggest? I’m 21 and I like to have a good time, etc. Cheers.
Hi Jason, I would suggest to visit Munich. There’s lots to see and do there and it fits well in your travel schedule.
Here you can find some tips to enjoy Munich:
http://www.inyourpocket.com/germany/munich
Hi,
I need help.
My starting point is Geneva and my departure point is Berlin. I’m trying to find the most economical way of traveling. So far I’ve come up with traveling via train from Geneva to Brussels (stay two nights) to Amsterdam (stay two nights), and then to Berlin (where I depart via air). Or would you suggest Geneva to Amsterdam (stay four nights and do a day trip to Brussels) and then air to Berlin (which seems to be less expensive than train)?
If I purchase the train ticket, will I need the 2, 3, or 4 countries pass? Also, will I need to make a reservation once I purchase the train ticket? Sorry for all the questions and thanks.
Hello Maribeth – It’s your choice how you’d like to travel around. If you decide to go by train, you would need the 3 country Select Pass to cover Switzerland (Geneva), Germany (Berlin) and Benelux (Brussels and Amsterdam). Look at train times on-line (www.deutschebahn.de), and see which trains are marked: “reservations obligatory” in the notes. For these trains, yes, you will need to buy a seat reservation at the train station. It’s a good route! Have fun, Benjamin.
Hi Jason — Let me suggest that you instead visit another Austrian city on your routing: Salzburg. It would be on your way from Vienna to Munich. Check out my blog for some ideas in Salzburg. Have fun! Benjamin.
I am traveling from Barcelona to Madrid by train and wondered if I should get my train ticket before I leave home- price is about $165 or should I wait until I get to Barcelona. It seems a bit high for a 1 way train ride for 300miles. Some of the web sites say buy before you leave home as the European may charge you more for a ticket is this true?
Hello Joann — If you are traveling during any busy periods (holidays, summer), then I would recommend getting your train ticket as soon as possible. I am not aware of European train stations charging more for tickets. Benjamin.
Hi Benjamin,
The is Joe. i filled with admiration to see your extensive travelling. need a little advice from you.
My gf and i will be travelling in europe for 45 days. The itinerary is such:
1. Amsterdam (by rail to Belgium)
2. belgium (by rail to France)
3. france(by rail to Switzerland)
4. Switzerland( by flight to Greece)
5. Greece ( by flight to czech)
6. Czech ( by rail to austria)
7. Austria ( by rail to Italy)
May i know,
1) do we buy a eurail global on such an itinerary?
2) does it mean that eurail will get us from 1 border of a country to another border only?
3) if so, do we need to buy a 1 country pass in order for us to travel internally in the country? example if we travel in italy, does eurail cover from venice to rome?
4) can the global pass enable is to get cheaper flight tickets?
Sorry for so many questions as we are new to travelling in europe and this is really confusing.
Thank you for the understanding
joe
Hi Benjamin
I also need help!
1. train from Zurich to Buchs (Switzerland)
2. train from Buchs to Casale Monferrato (Italy)
3 train from Casale Monferrato to Tolouse (France) I think this train would be from Turin?
4. train from Narbonne to Paris
5. Paris to London
I think I need to purchase a 3 country eurail pass – is this correct? I can figure out that I need about a 6 day pass.
I need to know –
do I require the eurail pass for the local trains (Milan to casale montferraro) and do I need to make reservations on that train?
Does the Eurail pass cover the train from Paris to London?
Also, which train would I need to catch from Turin to Toulouse?
Sorry about the questions too but like so many others on here I am confused when I go to the web site for Eurail and have not done any train travel before.
Thanks for your help
Caro
Hello Joe — Sounds like a great trip that you are planning. Yes, all of those countries that you mentioned will be covered by the Global Pass, even Greece. By your itinerary, I would suggest the Global Pass flexi — any 10 days of your choice in 2 months. You will be covered with the Pass inside each of those countries, and many other countries, in case you decide to wander. My suggestion would be: make a detailed itinerary before you arrive in Europe (such as: On March 22, 9am Amsterdam to Brussels, etc.). On your first day in Europe, (sounds like this will be in Amsterdam), go to the train station and show the ticket counter your detailed itinerary and global pass. They will let you know which trains on your itinerary may need a seat reservation. Otherwise, yes, with the Global Pass, you are good to go. But sorry, I am not aware of any flight deals. Have fun! Benjamin.
Hello Caro — It sounds to me that you should first chart your times and days with a rail timetable: try http://www.deutschebahn.de This will tell you what train times you can take, and give you more specifics to answer some of your questions. Yes, the 3 country select pass sounds best for you: France, Italy and Switzerland. Yes, you can use the Pass on local trains. Some trains do require seat reservations. Write down your specific itinerary, using the internet timetable above, and take it to the first train station that you are at in Europe, and ask them to help you buy any seat reservations that you may need. The Eurail Pass does NOT cover you on the Euro Star train from Paris to London, but ask at the train station for any Eurail discount when you buy this ticket. I hope that all makes sense. Have fun! Benjamin.
I am thinking of going from Paris to Madrid in July with my wife. Any ideas of interesting ways to do this?
Hello Jim — I would suggest stopping off by train in different towns as you make your way South. Paris to Bordeaux, Bayonne, San Sebastian to Madrid may be an interesting route for you in the summer. Take a look at my blog entries on these places for some ideas. Have fun, Benjamin.
Hi,
im planning to buy the eurail ticket to travel for 21 days the global pass. im will start from dresden, germany and i will love to go to greece.
in the website it says i can take a ferry from bari to greece and that is free if i go with my global pass.
Does anyone knows how can i take or book the ferry and if it runs at the end of march beginning of april? what is the easiest way for me to do this??
Hi Benjamn- I’m planning on a 21 day Global pass beginning early April, with no particular itinerary in mind except to start somewhere warm, say spain or italy. I’ve never done this type (backpack) of trip before and am wondering if you have any thoughts or links regarding what to pack etc.? I plan to stay in hostels as well.
Also am 52 yrs old and travelling by myself – any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks! bd
Hello Bob — That’s a great idea, to stay around the Mediterranean in April. Pack as lightly as you can, that’s my recommendation. You’ll probably pick things up along the way. Take a look at some of my blogs for ideas in that region. Have fun, Benjamin.
Could you please find out the ticket for me as detail below :
I have 5 days on my own , land in Milan stay for 1 day
Milan to Lugano for 1 day
Lugano to Zurich for night train to Vienna
arrive in Vienna on next day stay for 1 day
then Vienna to Hallstatt
with the other 2 friends , we will start eurail saver global pass from Hallstatt to Cesky Krumlov ,
which pass suit me most and could I show eurail pass to get discount before I use with my friend ?
Thank you in advance
Hello Sirichon — I think that it would be best if you start your planning with this on-line tool: http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes Have a good trip, Benjamin
Hello Ben,
Myself and a friend are going to be traveling in Europe during June and july, 2010. We will begin in Barcelona, We do have 1 week accomadations in Castellon starting 06/05 will continue to Valencia,then Alicante. From Allicante we need the best way to get to Venice 06/19 (1 week), Next stop Hevis, Hungry 06/26 (1 week). Next stop Torgon, Switzerland 07/03 (1 week).
From Switzerland we will travel to Paris for 3 days, then to Londan for 3 days, leaving Londan on July 16, 2010.
We do have set dates for accomadation. We are asking you to help us with the best way to connect all the destinations either by train .
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank You Lila
Hello Lila — Those are great places to visit. I suggest that you sit down with an on-lien time-table and make your plans and check routes: http://www.deutschebahn.de It sounds like the Global Pass is best for you, because you will be traveling through so many countries. From Spain to Italy, though, that will be a long trip by train. It is a beautiful route, but you would need about 2 days to do it. I would suggest stopping off on The Mediterranean in Nice if you go by train. Otherwise, search on-line for ferry services from Spain to Italy. Have fun! Benjamin.
Hi my name is kevin and im having alot of trouble with the euro rail pass. My girlfriend and i are trying to find the most affordable pass to travel to the following countries, germany, austria,croatia/slovenia, italy. We only have about 17 days to travel. If theres anyway you could help id appreciate it.
hi benjamin, listen im not sure if you have an email adress that i can contact you on, bc i just purchased a global pass for 15 days, and have some important questions and i dont want to be taking up your entire blog space id really appreciate it, thanks
-kevin
Hi Kevin, I suggest you to send your questions to customerservice@eurail.com, they usually reply pretty fast.
So i got a global pass 15 days…is the difference between the continuous and 15 days in 2 months the fact that the 15 days continuous means you only have 15 days on the train from your desired travel starting date. whereas the 15 in two months just means you can travel any 15 days you want out of the two month period?
Hi Kevin, that is correct. 15 days continuous means you can travel 15 days in a row, starting from the first day of validity. With 15 days in two months you can choose any 15 days you want within a two month period, they don’t have to be consecutive.
once again thank you very much.
Hi Kevin — and Yes, the Global Pass is the best for you to go to all of those countries that you want to see. You are covered. Just write out your proposed itinerary and bring it to the first rail station when you arrive in Europe, and ask about seat reservations for your proposed itinerary. Have fun! Benjamin.
Hi Benjamin.
I’m Norina from India. I’m planning to go to Switzerland, Germany, France and UK with my friends this coming October. I’m planning to buy Eurail select pass for Switzerland, Germany and France. We will begin in Geneva, Swiss (5 days), then Germany (2 days),and then to Paris, France (1 days). From Paris we’ll be going to London by flight.
My questions:
1. How do I know which train or bus (within swiss, germany and france) will be covered by eurail select pass? (because I heard somewhere that some trains in France are not covered by euraill pass).
2. Does eurail select pass cover the journey from Berlin to Amsterdam?
3. With eurail pass, does it mean that we can hop into any train without any payment or extra charges? How do we know which journey we have to pay and how much to pay?
4. I read about eurail pass somewhere in the internet, saying that even you are a eurail pass holder, it doesn’t guarantee 100% you can get seat. Is it true?
5.If I purchase eurail pass from India, can the eurail pass to be delivered to Geneva? Because I have a friend live in Geneva.
Sorry for asking too many question. I really need your help.
Thank you.
Hello Benjamin,
I will be traveling to Europe on 06/17/2010 (less than 2 weeks from today). My itinerary is below:
Countries: Spain – France – Italy (3 countries)
Estimated days in cities typed next to arrival city
Madrid 2 (Spain) to Valencia (Spain)
Valencia 2 (Spain) to Barcelona (Spain)
Barcelona 3 (Spain) to Paris (France)
Paris 4 (France) to Venice (Italy) (dont know if this would count as a 4th country since it goes thru switzerland but we wont get off)
Venice 2 (Italy) to Naples (Italy)
Naples 2 (Italy) to Rome (Italy)
Rome 4 (Italy) to Sevilla (Spain) (this would be a flight only)
Sevilla 2 (Spain) to Algeciras (Spain)
Algeciras 1 (Spain) to Granada (Spain)
Granada 3 (Spain) to Madrid 1 (Spain)
Flight Itinerary
Arrive: 06/18/2010 to Madrid
Departure: 06/11/2010 to USA
Questions:
I need your help in choosing the most economical and less time consuming pass. Which pass should I purchase based on all the traveling ill be doing and the questions I ask below?
If I buy the pass tomorrow how can I receive it before my departure date or can I purchase it while I’m in europe?
I am 28 years old and I will be traveling with a 25 year old as well, what pass should I buy (youth or 2/more person pass – most economical)?
Will I be able to use the trains within the countries an unlimited amount of times on different days? (For example, can I use the trains from madrid to valencia, valencia to barcelona – 2 trains all within a week)
Will I need to make reservations on any of these trains?
Can we do any upgrades while traveling? How would we be able to do this if its possible? (For example, if I wanted to sleep on a bed while riding on the train one night).
I will greatly appreciate your help in this matter.
Thank You
Gabriel
Hi Ben
2 mature women traveling to Spain & Portugal in sept for approx 2 weeks. Any suggestions onitinerary. Is it best to travel via train or bus and is it worth getting a pass? As we do not want to book ahead how soon do we have to make train reservations i.e can we do it the day before.
Also doing great britain – train, rental car or buses??
Thanks kerri
Hi Ben,
This is my first time going (not to mention backpacking alone) to Europe from July 6-27.
I am starting in Amsterdam.
From Amsterdam -> Berlin -> Dresden -> Munich -> Czech Republic (3 cities) -> Vienna -> Slovenia (2 cities) -> Hungary -> and then back to Amsterdam.
I’m a bit confused about the Eurail and which pass to get. I’m not sure how many days of travel I will need to get to all these places and if it’d be better to fly from Amsterdam to Berlin and back. There are so many options, please help!
Thanks!!
hi!
Im planning a trip in two weeks to europe going from
paris – barcelona
barcelona-milan
milan-rome
rome-venice-
venice-budapest
budapest-prague
prague-amsterdam
i had the 15 day global flexipass and i was just wondering does the eurail cover overnight trains? and if so, what are the reservation fees like?
sorry im just so confused
thanks for your help
Tanaya
We are trying to decide if we should by 1st or 2nd class Eurail passes for 10 travel days between July 20 and August 20 this year. Anyone have any advice or opinions to share?
Hi Ben
While you visited Lucerne did you miss the Carnival at all?
Hi,
Well I have an issue, I am going to Europe on 12th sept this yr and I am turning 26 on 8th sept…so Can I take my Eurail pass with starting date of before 8th sept,(sitting here in India)….I have heard that can save me some money
I am afraid about being present in Europe and buying the pass..how to prove my age online????
Can anyone explain?
Hi Benjamin,
Just going through your replies seems you are right person to take advice,I am travelling to switzerland/Paris from 3TH SEP TO 10TH SEP.
1. I will be arriving from UAE TO Zurich on 3rd Sep.
2. From 3rd to 5th i will be in interlaken
3. 5th to 8th in lucerne
4. 8th to 10th in Paris.
Please advice me the proper eurorail plan & the most convinient.Sorry to bother you but need some one expert to advice on our travel plan
Thanks
sheetal
Hi Benjamin!
Have you done the Croatia/Eslovenia-Hungria route?
Right now I’m in Spain, but I would like to know if I have to travel to start my trip in any of those countries or I can start my trip from Spain..?
Thanks!
Pia
Dear Sir,
I am going for an official exhibition to Germany and would finish this by the evening of 19th of Sep. From then onwards i want to travel to Switzerland. I know Germany-Swiss Eurail pass is available but what I would like to know is whether I would have to take a stay of nights in any hotel or it would be in the trains. My budget is tight but still I wish to visit Switzerland from 19-Sep to 23-Sep.
My back journey to Pakistan is from Paris. Please also advise me how I would be able to go back to Paris from Switzerland…
Regards,
Shahid
HI, would like to ask if i could take the fast trains when i use a eurail pass? i plan to go to greece, italy then switzerland. Lastly, how do i get back to amsterdam since i would need to take my flight there to the philippines. thanks!
Hi! Can you tell me if it is a better idea to purchase Eurail tickets online in the U.S. before going overseas, or is it better to buy them when you arrive?
Hi Ben,
I intend to travel in europe from belgium—>Paris–> Swiss–>Italy—>france. I have few questions.
1) what is the best pass for this trip for a group of 4?
2) does one saver pass serve 4 people? does that essentially mean 4 people can travel on one saver adult pass or each individual has to buy an individual pass?
3) i would appreciate if there are any important destinations you recommend to visit in this trip
your time and effort are highly appreciated.
Hello,
We are a family of 4 (two kids under nine) with a total of 12 days of travel
We want to take the overnight train (with a first class cabin for four) from Paris to Rome the night of March 28th Arriving on the 29th.
We will then travel from Rome to Lucca (via Florence). We plan on taking a couple of rail day trips from Lucca
We then travel from lucca back to Paris (overnight?) in time to make a 1:00 pm flight home on April 9 (12 days total)
I am sorry this might sound uneducated but what ticket (or combination should we buy)
Thank You for any advice!!!
HI!
I will be travelling Italy, Switzerland, Germany and
France in from 1 Apr-to 20 Apr-2011 but I am confused
What to chose either go for pass or purchase point to point tickets directly when I am in Europe? Are tickets easily available before 1 day or one has to make the reservation in order to travel and also can I buy tickets on the spot also?
Which option will be more economic Pass or point to point ticket?
hi
I am from india ,would like to see netherland,swiserland,france,italy and london,can someone let me know where to start and how to go about as a backpacker and where to stay and how much it would cost per person-tnx
Great blog! I’m thinking of getting a Eurorail pass this summer!
Hello,
I’m 21 and a two of my buds and I are about to go to Barcelona June 2 to start a Eurotrip through june 23, when we fly out of Barcelona again. Looking for most cost effective solution.
Our options are between the 15+2 global pass+flight or the 10day 5 country pass for Spain, France, Italy, Swiz, Benelux. Our issue is that after Swizerland(about June 12th) we don’t know what we want to do, or rather there is too much we want to do, and Benelux just seemed reasonable. We’d like to get out to Prague and Munich though. So the global pass gives us flexibility to choose later, but we also can’t stray too far from Barca. We’re also concernend we’ll use up all 10 days/going past 17 days.
So the questions are:
1)Do night trains count as one day or two?
2)If we travel twice in one day, say from Nice to Pisa and then Pisa to Florence, is that just one trip or two?
3) How hard is it to get from Northern France, like around Paris, back to Barcalona. I heard this was a long journey and didn’t have many options. We just don’t want to miss our flight. Is it worth getting a flight? (we would then just do the 17 day pass)
4) Can we buy the eurail passes in Barcelona?
5)what are the options if we run out of days?
Thanks and Cheers all!
Will, I actually would suggest getting pass here, it said to be cheaper buying outside of europe. The number of rides within 24 hour period are unlimited. They only count the days not the rides. Also, I’m going to Europe on June 17 – July 20 and open to any suggestions you’ll guys have!!??
Chao!