emept
Traveller
4 comments
Posted 15 years ago
I just gave up on the whole interRail thing.
They make it impossible for us to even think about planning it! There's a huge lack of information about the schedules, prices etc so it is absolutely impossible for me to plan the trip!
I'd love to get on the train and just go on without an actual plan, i bet it would feel good but i have a lot of things to keep in mind, like the amount of money i'd spent on accomodation, food and transportation and i just can't afford high speed trains, on the other hand RE takes too damn long.
I'd get the 10 days within 22 days pass (because the other two are too expensive, totally out of my reach), so i'd waste the whole trip on train rides, i wouldn't get to see the cities which is the whole point of going on an interrail!
I'm so upset right now. Maybe it's me, maybe i'm just not getting it, i've never done this before.
Apparently we're not allowed to use the pass on our country of residence (Portugal) so i'd be forced to pay a big amount of money to depart from Lisbon to Hendaye and then Paris. It would take me about 48 hours (besides that i'd have to wait like 5 or 7 hours for the train to Paris in Hendaye) to get to my starting point (Paris) delaying everything else!
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
why dont you fly to Paris? There is a perfectly good reason for not allowing it to be used in your home country, it would be abused! It is an incredibly discounted ticket for tourists, and if you could use it where you lived then commuters would be able to save a huge amount of money!
Im not really sure where you get the idea that there is a lack of information about schedules - they are all online. Most prices for supplements are on this website, if not you can estimate prices for couchettes/supplements. Remember paying for a couchette is often cheaper than paying for a hostel, and you get a nights sleep and travel to a new destination!
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Nothing is for free in the world ... so I think InterRail is a good deal if you want to explore Europe on long distances.
If you do not have the money, nor a rental car, nor a plane and also not InterRail will help you.
If you do not have the time, also long distances are hard for you. it is simply normal that you need some hours for a distance Lisbon to Paris ... you can't beam it. ;)
Just relax - and persons from other big countries like France, Italy, Germany having a much bigger problem to leave their country of residence. The plane is always a good solution.
By the way, you do not have to pay a ticket until Hendaye ... you only have to pay a normal train ticket until the Portuguese-Spanish border - on this ticket you get a 50% discount. :)
Information for first timers: [u]https://rail.cc/en/first-time-interrail[/u]
railcc connections: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-interrail-route[/u]
Electronic schedules: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-interrail-route[/u]
emept
Traveller
4 comments
True, so true...But i'm 17 so i rely on my parents for the trip. Luckily, they're being supportive because they want me to go!
So i did a new research and i'm going after all :P
I checked every possible website but i was having a hard time figuring out how much i'd have to pay for the night train taxes but i think the InterCity ones will cost me from 3 to 5 euros, more or less. Or do we have any other cost?
For example, when i get to the Amsterdam central station, am i able to buy an InterCity ticket to Berlin only having to pay for the tax? Or do i need to buy a ticket even if i'm an interRail pass holder?
And i'll either get to the Portuguese-Spanish border by train or i'll fly directly to Paris where i'd start using my pass!
Thanks for the reply!
emept
Traveller
4 comments
You're right, you're right. I'm considering flying to Paris or just get to the Portuguese-Spanish border by train.
I don't think i'll be staying at hostels anyway, sleeping on the train is a better option!
Thank you
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
good to have parents supporting you !! :)
I started at the age of 16 by bicycle trough France, as I did not had the money for InterRail. first tour was then at the age of 18... :)
about the trains you mentioned...
Amsterdam to Berlin:
by day train - direct - IC: no supplements
by night train CNL - it is cheap: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/berlin-to-amsterdam[/u]
:)
rnl
Traveller
20 comments
I don't know where in Portugal you are living, but I found out that Ryanair flies from Porto to Paris-Beauvais. Did a quick search on their website: 33 eur including taxes in mid-July.
emept
Traveller
4 comments
That sounds awesome, i'd love to do that someday!
I'm so excited over the interrail :)
And the train is super cheap!
Thanks once again
emept
Traveller
4 comments
I live in Lisbon, it's a 3/4 hours journey. And that's really cheap :O
I might think it through!
Thank you