Hi - I apologize if this has been asked before, but I have been
wondering about whether or not to purchase a Eurail pass or simply
purchase rail tickets as I need them. I have done the math using the
formulas in the Rick Steves books, but I'm kind of looking for
information from people who use trains in Europe regularly. For my
itinerary, it looks like purchasing point-to-point tickets will be
cheaper, but I would rather spring for the pass (thinking of a 3 or 4
country flexipass) if buying individual tickets is too confusing or
time-consuming. I'd rather not wait in a whole lot of lines if I don't
have to. Thanks.

    > For my
    > itinerary, it looks like purchasing point-to-point tickets will be
    > cheaper, but I would rather spring for the pass...

* The Rick Steves point-to-points are 2nd class. If you are over 26, then
the pass is 1st class. If it's even close, DEFINITELY go with the 1st class
pass (some may disagree--they are wrong).

* If it's even close, I'd rather have a pass too then keep buying
point-to-point fares at the counter. Plus--you can be a touch more
spontaneous. If it's pouring rain in Salzburg, you can just get back on
another train and go somewhere else that day. If you get on the platform in
Bologna and it's jammed full because all the trains to Florence have a two
hour delay, you can go across and catch the train to Rimini instead.

* Be aware that some trains will STILL require you go to the counter for
reservations on certain fast or special trains (e.g., TGV, Eurostar); on
these trains, 2nd class can be ALMOST as comfortable as 1st, though not
quite.

* Be aware that on overnight trains, if you are looking at buying sleeping
arrangements, you may wind up buying a 2nd-class couchette even if you are
travelling with a 1st-class ticket, because the couchette supplement is
whoppingly cheaper than a 1st class sleeper supplement.

Passes are nice, make you feel at ease, and make life uncomplicated--and the
difference between 1st to 2nd class, though in many instances
inconsequential, is at LEAST a bit more comfortable and uncrowded, and in
some instances the difference between comfort and misery.

I was just looking at the Rick Steves rail guides myself, and my
understanding is that in the case of some of the regional passes (i.e., the
France/Italy pass or France/Spain pass) there is no age difference between
1st and 2nd class. There is an age difference between 1st and 2nd class on
Europass and other types of tickets, though. If this is incorrect, please
let me know.


"Douglas W. Hoyt" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > > For my
    > > itinerary, it looks like purchasing point-to-point tickets will be
    > > cheaper, but I would rather spring for the pass...
    > * The Rick Steves point-to-points are 2nd class. If you are over 26,
then
    > the pass is 1st class. If it's even close, DEFINITELY go with the 1st
class
    > pass (some may disagree--they are wrong).
    > * If it's even close, I'd rather have a pass too then keep buying
    > point-to-point fares at the counter. Plus--you can be a touch more
    > spontaneous. If it's pouring rain in Salzburg, you can just get back on
    > another train and go somewhere else that day. If you get on the platform
in
    > Bologna and it's jammed full because all the trains to Florence have a two
    > hour delay, you can go across and catch the train to Rimini instead.
    > * Be aware that some trains will STILL require you go to the counter for
    > reservations on certain fast or special trains (e.g., TGV, Eurostar); on
    > these trains, 2nd class can be ALMOST as comfortable as 1st, though not
    > quite.
    > * Be aware that on overnight trains, if you are looking at buying sleeping
    > arrangements, you may wind up buying a 2nd-class couchette even if you
are
    > travelling with a 1st-class ticket, because the couchette supplement is
    > whoppingly cheaper than a 1st class sleeper supplement.
    > Passes are nice, make you feel at ease, and make life uncomplicated--and
the
    > difference between 1st to 2nd class, though in many instances
    > inconsequential, is at LEAST a bit more comfortable and uncrowded, and in
    > some instances the difference between comfort and misery.

[email protected] wrote:
    >
    > Hi - I apologize if this has been asked before, but I have been
    > wondering about whether or not to purchase a Eurail pass or simply
    > purchase rail tickets as I need them. I have done the math using the
    > formulas in the Rick Steves books, but I'm kind of looking for
    > information from people who use trains in Europe regularly. For my
    > itinerary, it looks like purchasing point-to-point tickets will be
    > cheaper, but I would rather spring for the pass (thinking of a 3 or 4
    > country flexipass) if buying individual tickets is too confusing or
    > time-consuming. I'd rather not wait in a whole lot of lines if I don't
    > have to. Thanks.

It isn't confusing or difficult to buy train tickets in Europe. I've
done it in countries where I don't speak the language with no problems.
In the larger stations you will usually find ticket agents who speak
English. It helps to write down what you want. In addition, multilingual
ticket machines are now found in many stations.

A rail pass will not spare you all the lines. If you take a train whose
fare is not entirely covered by the pass, you'll have to buy a
supplement. If you want a seat reservation, you'll have to buy it.
Reservations may be available at the machines, but I don't think
supplements are.

Barbara

    > I was just looking at the Rick Steves rail guides myself, and my
    > understanding is that in the case of some of the regional passes (i.e.,
the
    > France/Italy pass or France/Spain pass) there is no age difference between
    > 1st and 2nd class.

Righty-O. Grown-ups can buy a 1st class pass, or a 2nd class pass--though
the 2nd class pass doesn't seem to save much more than $10 a day (except
for the Germany pass, where 2nd class is a lot cheaper). There is yet STILL
a pass for people under 26, which is even cheaper.

wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > Hi - I apologize if this has been asked before, but I have been
    > wondering about whether or not to purchase a Eurail pass or simply
    > purchase rail tickets as I need them. ...
    > I'd rather not wait in a whole lot of lines if I don't
    > have to.

If you know where you're going a day or so ahead, you can buy tickets and/or
seat reservations at a travel agent. I usually just pick a place as I walk
by. AFAIK there is no surcharge. Alternatively, if there's a long line at
the ticket window, there are sometimes travel agents inside the train
station.

Marianne