Lazee
Traveller
12 comments
Posted 16 years ago
Hey everyone
I've been reading through a lot of the posts in the forum looking for a few answers, but I'm still struggling to get my head around a few things, so I thought I'd ask!
Currently my boyfriend and I are planning a 5-6 week around Europe, starting in Paris and ending in Amsterdam. We've got a rough idea of the route and are now okay with that side of things.
So here are the questions:
- we're travelling from the UK to Paris to start our trip... am I right in thinking we can get discount on a Eurotunnel ticket with a global interrail pass?
If not, would anyone recommend a good way to get to Paris?
- we're planning on about 11 stops although some of them are rather large distances. In terms of booking the trains, would you advice booking our trains in advance, or just kind of winging it?
I'm really confused about what the interrail ticket actually entitles us too, and what all this business with supplements etc is... can someone simplify this for me and explain it to someone who is a complete novice???? :o
I'll leave it at that for time being as I could write an essay full of 1001 questions!
If anyone can help, I'd be really grateful! Thanks!
:P
[b]UPDATE Eurotunnel:[/b] [u]https://rail.cc/en/london-paris-train/f7273[/u]
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SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
Here we go...
You do get a discount with IR for the Interrail (so long as your ticket is valid, obviously) but the ticket is about €65, which is similar (or more expensive) than Eurostar's cheapest advance youth fair.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/ferry-london-paris-england-france/f1222[/u] is a cheaper way to get to Paris using youre ticket, but remember it isnt valid in the UK (if youre british) and you only get 50% off rail fares in the UK.
It sounds like youre IR ticket wont be valid when you leave the UK if youre planning on travelling for 6 weeks, so your best bet would be to try to get a cheap advance Eurostar ticket. Or fly (but this is baaaaaad)
Ive just written that, without reading youre post properly. Im pretty sure there is no discount for Eurotunnel, since I dont think they even accept foot passengers?
Id advise winging it - much better than being tied into a route, after all youre paying all this money for an IR ticket for the freedom of going anywhere!
Now the tricky part. An IR ticket gives you a standard ticket for all trains in Europe.
Some trains have compulsory reservation (mainly popular intercity routes) and the IR doesnt include this. It is usually a small amound (<€5)
Some fast trains have a suppliment. If you were buying a normal ticket, you wouldnt see this since the price you pay would have the standard ticket + suppliment. These can be expensive (Thalys) or pretty resonable (TGV) or free (ICE!). Confusingly, these trains are almost always compulsory reservation, so you will get a reservation included with your suppliment (you will be guarenteed a seat)
Overnight trains have several different kinds of accomadation, and not all of them have all kinds. Most are reservation compulsory, even if you just want a seat. If you want a more confortable night in a couchette (bit like a hostel dorm) or a sleeper (more like a hotel) then you pay the suppliment for these.
Most suppliments/reservations are shown in the forums/on the website. You can buy them at most main European train stations.
Lazee
Traveller
12 comments
:os I was referring to the Eurostar as opposed to the Eurotunnel!
Thank you for your response.
I think I'm getting my head around it all now... It's quite a lot to figure out the first time! :)
Basically, some trains will charge supplements, which either include a seat (on popular routes, where the charge is compulsory) or wont... although if you're careful and clever you could travel without paying supplements.
Is that about right?
Sorry to be such a newbie!
We're hopeful we can fit our route into a month to save on the cost of buying a second IR ticket, so all we have to figure out is how to get to Paris for the min possible cost (which at the moment could be flying :| ) and then once we're there... just wing it and have some fun.
I am rather apprehensive but I'm sure it'll be brilliant.
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
Thats about right - pretty much any route can be done without suppliments, so long as you are willing to do a lot of changes and spend a long time. Dont forget overnight trains save you the cost of a hostel