anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Posted 14 years ago
Hey, everybody!
Now, I know that Russia is not included in the InterRail. However, I have some doubts as to the trains that I can use and I hope that people here can help me.
I want to make a train journey from Lisbon to Moscow as fast as possible, using the InterRail pass as much as possible.
I already have reservation from Lisbon to Paris. I depart from Lisbon at 16:30 of September 24th (Friday) and arrive at Paris Montparnasse at 13:45 on the 25th. However, the person at the railway station in Lisbon told me that the rest of the reservations (which are compulsory) can only be done after I arrive there.
So, after arriving in Paris, what's the best option?
I have consulted the timetables. Now, if I just put Lisbon (Lisboa Santa Apolónia) as my departure station (departing at 16:30, September 24th) and Moscow (Moskva) as my arrival station, I get a couple of different results, but they all list my arrival in Moscow at around 10:30 on Monday, September 27th. That's my goal! I really wouldn't like to arrive later than that (unless it's totally worth it).
The simplest route seems to be to change from Paris Montparnasse to Paris Est and then board the TGV 9567 at 16:57 to Mannheim Hbf. After that, I can take the D 50472 at 21:16, which, apparently, will take me all the way to Moscow.
Here's the thing, since Russia is not included in the InterRail, can I still take the D 50472 at Mannheim Hbf, using my InterRail pass to cover the trip all the way to the Poland-Belarus border (or perhaps just to Warsaw) and pay the ticket price for the Poland to Moscow leg of the journey (besides the reservation, obviously)?
I know that I can also take the Thalys, at Paris Nord, to Cologne (Köln), from there take the EN 447 to Warsaw and from there take a train to Moscow, also arriving in September 27th at around 10:30.
Obviously the first choice (Paris - Mannheim - Moscow) seems better, since, after Mannheim, I don't have to change trains again, but since my InterRail pass doesn't cover Russia, I don't know if it's a good option.
What do you reccomend? Please, don't limit yourselves to the options I mentioned. If there's something better, I'm all ears!
Also, just wondering, do you think it'll be easy for me to get a reservation for a train to Germany in the same day (Saturday, September 25th) at the train station in Paris? Since I'm going In late September, I'm hoping there won't be that many people, but who knows?
In Paris, can I make all the needed reservations to Poland (or perhaps even Moscow) or can I only make the reservations to Germany?
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
You should try (and normally it is possible) to get the reservation Paris-Mannheim by TGV already in Lisbon.
As on the TGV trains there are only limited seats for InterRailers available.
Please read as well this topic - where a method is explained with which you can even book online:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-train-reservation/tgv-sncf/42[/u]
The reservation and extra ticket from the Polish border to Moscow might be possible to get in Paris.
But I don't think so - you definitely (of course) get it in Mannheim then.
An other option could be:
Lisbon-Paris like you said.
Then by night train Paris-Berlin (as you can book online): [u]https://rail.cc/en/paris-berlin-night-train/f3754[/u]
It is slower, but you are save to get the reservation.
And then continue to Moscow.
Peter :)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Thanks a lot for such a quick and helpful reply!
So I really can take the train from Mannheim to Moscow, by using the InterRail to the Polish-Belarusian border and paying the rest to Moscow, after all... That's great! That's definitely what I'll be doing, since that means that I can get from Lisbon to Moscow by changing trains only 3 times.
The person I talked to at the railway station in Lisbon told me I had to reach Paris to make a reservation, but she actually mentioned the Thalys (I guess that was because that was the only route she saw). Does that mean that while I can't make a reservation in Lisbon for the Thalys, I can make a reservation for the Paris - Mannheim TGV, or does it mean that that person just wasn't being very helpful and that could even make a reservation for the Thalys?
I'll definitely go there again to check if I can make a reservation for the Paris - Mannheim TGV in Lisbon. That would be the best.
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
It is always a bit tricky the system of reservations within Europe.
Sometimes it is the mood of the staff, sometimes simply the technical borders between the different systems of the rail companies.
But do not use the Thalys trains as they have expensive supplements for rail pass travelers.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-train-reservation/thalys/41[/u]
The night train Mannheim-Moscow is a Russian one if I am right:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/basel-warsaw-night-train/f2161[/u]
It might be difficult to get the supplement then in Mannheim, as you will arrive only a short time before departure. Try it there - if not you have the option to ask directly the staff of the train at the platform.
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Thanks.
I just called CP's costumer service (as I didn't want to bother with going to the railway station), asking for reservations for the Paris-Mannheim train and they at once told me it is not possible. They said they could make the reservation if I was paying a full fare, but reservations for InterRailers can only be done as far as Paris.
Now, I tried using [ux]https://rail.shop/sncf[/ux] , as mentioned in the other topic you mentioned (tgv-reservation-peak-period-t2344.html), and make a reservation for that train, using 2nd class daily, but the cheapest price I see is 39 € (mini). Wasn't it supposed to charge me only the reservation?
By the way, what exactly are the peak periods? Would Saturday, September 25th, 16:57 be considered a peak period (you know, being a weekend...)?
[quote]It might be difficult to get the supplement then in Mannheim, as you will arrive only a short time before departure. Try it there - if not you have the option to ask directly the staff of the train at the platform.[/quote]
I'm not sure I understand what you meant by this...
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
TGV: you have to select abonnement forfait 2e classe. On this journey there are no peak periods as it is a TGV International.
You can try to get this reservation as well via [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux]
Russian night train: you can reserve or book only some trains with some hours in advance - especially night trains (and this one is a Russian) need usually a booking of 1 day in advance. I only wanted to prepare you, that you might ask the staff directly at the train for a bed if you can't get the reservation any more in Mannheim.
Peter :)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
OK, maybe I'm doing something wrong, or maybe I'm just stupid...
I did choose abonnement forfait 2e classe (that's the same as 2nd class daily, right?), but I still get the price for the full fare (now 46.50 €, instead of the 39 € of yesterday!)...
Wasn't that supposed to give me only the price for the reservation? Or only after making my order will I get the real price? However, I did go as far as the basket...
I must say, I find the fact that they're already saying Hurry! Last seats available surprising. I didn't expect it to be booked so early, especial, since it's for a train departing in late September...
[quote]Russian night train: you can reserve or book only some trains with some hours in advance - especially night trains (and this one is a Russian) need usually a booking of 1 day in advance. I only wanted to prepare you, that you might ask the staff directly at the train for a bed if you can't get the reservation any more in Mannheim.[/quote]
Oh, I see now... Thanks, I'll be sure to do that.
I don't really want to bother with getting accomodotion before reaching Moscow (nor do I want to arrive there later than the 27th), but it seems that perhaps I'll have to... There are so many uncertainties...
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
I just try to give you the information what might happen and what not.
It is always a bit complicate, if you want to rush trough the whole Europe - and need reservations.
Mmmmh... the TGV... oh... sorry I forgot... it is not a TGV from Paris to Mannheim, it is a German ICE. You can not book it online, but you can contact Deutsche Bahn via [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] - maybe htey can send you the reservation. You should also mention it in Lisbon (or when phoning), that it is a German ICE train.
The EUR 39 or 46 is the normal fare (in this case a special limited discounted fare), but it is not the reservation you need - as it will be a maximum of EUR 10.
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
I'll try Deutsche Bahn, but I'm not holding my breath about that.
I guess that I'll probably just have to see what I can do when I get to Paris. Well, that's part of the adventure, I suppose.
Thanks a lot for all your help! :)
evasco
Traveller
1 comments
Hi!
Rei do Frango Assado, this seems like a very exciting trip... how much did you spend in tickets only? And any tips regarding cheap accommodation in the cities where you had to sleep over?
I would really appreciate your reply.
Thanks
Eunice
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi Eunice.
As it is an old topic you warmed up (but definitely an interesting one! :) ), have a look as well at this site to get an impression about prices in Russia: [ux]https://rail.shop/realrussia[/ux]
Peter ;)