healyron
Traveller
7 comments
Posted 13 years ago
Hi all
I'm trying to book a European trip for two people, neither of whom (nor me) have Interrailed before. The whole business of reservations and supplements, unfortunately, requires a degree in Economics with a minor in Geography and I have neither... :(
So, I'm looking for any help /advice the forum might be able to give.
Essentailly, the cities the pair want to visit are:
Beginning in Paris, then Amsterdam, Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Marseilles, ending back in Paris.
It seems like a nice itenerary with about 8 days on trains (10 in 22 Global Interrail pass bought). However, the hassle and costs of reservations and supplements is doing my head in. I'd like to make as many reservations as possible and pay for them online before they travel (July 3rd) so they can simply print them out and take them along. Of course, I'd also like the cost to be minimal. For example, it seems there is no way to get Paris - Amsterdam unless a supplement of €60 each (or something ridiculous) is paid. Similarly, Amsterdam - Berlin seems to have no trains where reservation-only bookings can be made on [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] (Seat reservation only (no ticket): Not available for this connection.)
If anyone can give me some pointers about how/where to make reservation-only bookings for any/all of the journeys above, I'd appreciate it.
Alternatively, if anyone knows of a way of minimising the cost by going via a different Country, thats also an option. It's pointless paying €60 *extra*, each, to go through a country (eg Belgium, Luxembourg, whatever), when it might actually be cheaper to visit that country (even paying for a hostel) or paying a hefty supplement for a fast train on a 4 or 5 hour journey, if a fortune can be saved by travelling an extra hour or two.
I'm also trying to convince myself that we (the older generation) can have a go at interrailing around europe some time but, if the younger peeps can't manage it, we've no hope - so I'm trying to make it easy for them to complete the trip!
Regards, and thanks in advance
Ron
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Ron.
Now the relaxing part of your evening just started.
It is easy and on most parts of your trip you can travel without any extra reservations or supplements. :)
Let\'s start.
[b]Paris-Amsterdam[/b]: slower trains, but free of supplements. Simply avoid the THALYS trains:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/paris-to-amsterdam[/u]
[b]Amsterdam-Berlin[/b]: free of any fees using the day trains. If you want to travel over night, you can book the reservation online. Just follow the steps explained here.
Day trains: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/amsterdam-to-berlin[/u]
Night trains: [u]https://rail.cc/en/amsterdam-prague-night-train/f3747[/u]
How to buy the reservation for the night train online (scroll down): [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/germany/de[/u]
With the night train you will arrive very early in Berlin in the morning. But in summer it is amazing seeing the Reichstag and the Brandenburger Tor without any tourists. It is just some steps away from the main station. :)
[b]Berlin-Warsaw[/b]: by day train - you will get the seat reservation directly in the main station in Berlin for EUR 4,50 per person. No hurry, usually you will always get a seat. It is very easy to do as they staff in the station speaks English.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/berlin-to-warsaw[/u]
[b]Warsaw-Krakow[/b]: possible without extra fees.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/warsaw-to-krakow[/u]
[b]Krakow-Vienna[/b]:
Either by night train: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/krakow-vienna-en-402/70[/u]
Or day trains: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/krakow-to-vienna[/u]
For both you will need a reservation (night see link, day less than EUR 5) - which you get in Krakow main station. It won\'t be a problem to get a seat or berth in these trains.
[b]Vienna-Venice[/b]: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/vienna-to-venice[/u]
Also possible by day train. Both reservations either in Vienna at a station or online at [ux]https://rail.shop/acprail/reservation[/ux]
Day train EUR 10.
[b]Venice-Florence[/b]: possible without reservation fees. Just use Regional trains. Example:
Venezia Santa Lucia dep: 0757 | R train - free of extra fees
Bologna Centrale arr: 1004
Bologna Centrale dep: 1209 | R train - free of extra fees
Prato arr: 1319
Prato dep: 1342 | R train - free of extra fees
Firenze S.M.N. arr: 1413
You can do it as well by faster Eurostar Italia trains with a supplement of EUR 10. Bookable online at Trenitalia website.
[b]Florence-Milano-Nice[/b]:
I recommend you to stay in Nice instead of Marseilles.
Firenze S.M.N. dep: 1028 | R train - free of extra fees
Pisa Centrale arr: 1128
Pisa Centrale dep: 1144 | IC train - free, but reservation recommended for EUR 3. Bookable online.
Genova Piazza Principe arr: 1416
Genova Piazza Principe dep: 1453 | R train - free
Ventimiglia arr: 1731
Ventimiglia dep: 1747 | R train - free
Nice Ville arr: 1836
[b]Nice-Paris[/b]: by night train - bookable online: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/nice-paris-icn-5774/60[/u]
Concerning RESERVATIONS please read this topic, it will explain you a lot:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-train-reservation[/u]
And if you want to support our forum and as well this answer, buy your official InterRail pass at [ux]https://rail.shop/interrail[/ux] - thank you. :)
Peter :)
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
Hey Peter
Thanks for the reply. I'll be buying the pass soon, so will definitely check the shop. The info you provided will be useful when I get to planning the journey. The two travellers decided they wanted to spend one ight in Luxembourg so they're going there from Paris. Luxembourg to Amsterdam will then be done on, I guess, Intercity or other reservation-free routes...
Regards
Ron
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Ron.
[b]Paris to Luxembourg[/b] is easy to do either by direct TGV train (~3 hours travel time - reservation fee: EUR 3) or by free Regional trains (double travel time: 6 hours).
Example for a free connection:
Paris Est dep: 0735 | Regional train
Bar-le-Duc arr: 0951
Bar-le-Duc dep 1010 | Regional train
Nancy Ville arr: 1117
Nancy Ville dep: 1220 | Regional train
Luxembourg arr: 1345
[b]Luxembourg to Amsterdam[/b] like you said, by free IC trains. If you want, have a stop in Bruxelles.
Example:
Luxembourg dep: 0900 | IC train - free of extra fees
Bruxelles-Midi arr: 1150
Bruxelles-Midi dep: 1218 | IC train - free of extra fees
Amsterdam Centraal arr: 1509
Peter :)
nltrainer
Traveller
1416 comments
its daft simple; on ARRIVAL just spend the odd extra minute in that station, go to the ticketdesks, and arrange the RES-if needed for the next leg. You are too young to remember the times when there was no www-ANYone did it that way then.
1 update; in Pl on PKP the Fee to reserve a seat on IC/EC trains is NOt so small anymore-it has been raised since a few weeks to 16 PLN=aboput 4€,the usual amount anywhere in EUR for that. Apparently though you get a free hot drink for that included.
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
You are too young to remember the times when there was no www
:)
Thank you...
...but I'm not! I'm old enough to remember when I was telling people in London back in 1989 that the Internet would never take off. I'm 43 and a professional driver for about 15 years so I'm used to planning routes etc.
However, I'm trying to find the info so my son and his friend don't get stranded in Uzbekistan or somewhere and call me to drive over to collect them :)
Thanks all, for your help. I've just finished booking all their accommodations and, in most cities, reasonable hotels are as cheap as hostels, which was a nice surprise.
Ron
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
[quote]
[b]Florence-Milano-Nice[/b]:
.
[b]Nice-Paris[/b]:
[/quote]
Peter
The lads have decided to choose Marseilles instead of Nice so your advice would be appreciated in that regard. They have accommodation in Marseilles and Paris so they'll want to travel by Day. Would I be right in assuming the TGV is the way to go on that one?
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Ron.
nltrainer always has a bit of special type of writing. Don't take it personally. ;)
Yes. There are direct and super fast TGVs from Marseilles to Paris.
Either your son can book it on his first stop at the beginning of his trip in Paris or do it online via this link: [ux]https://rail.shop/sncf[/ux]
Peter :)
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
Peter / nltrainer
Thanks for your help. I'm going to be booking/reserving whatever I can do before they travel, then let them know which ones they need to reserve themselves.
Thanks again
Ron
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
Update:
I've finished making all bookings for accommodation and start/end flights.
When I then tried to buy the 10 days in 22 youth interrail pass, the railcc shop system really gave me the runaround. In the end, I called the US phone number on the Shop page (I'm in Ireland). The guy on the other end couldn't help.
Although I ied to book and pay for 2 passes, 2 insurances, 2 seat reservations for the 1st trip, the 'Checkout' system dmanded the names/details of 3 passengers. That was weird enough but once I deleted one set of form fields and filled in the other two, it went to the next page. Then it allocated both tickets and both insurances but only one reservation to the 1st passenger and only a reservation to the 2nd passenger. I figured it was because pax no. 2 was under 18 so continued anyway. At that point, the system gave up, threw up it's (virtual) hands and stopped. It told me it can't allocate a duplicate passenger to two tickets but it wouldn't let me allocate a ticket to anyone. It did it automatically.
Annoying. Gave up. I'll have another go (once) but if it doesn't work, I'm afraid I'll just have to buy elsewhere. Unfortunate, since I wanted to reward the assistance I got on here.
I'm told it may have been as a result of me being based in Ireland but I can't see how since it didn't ask me for an address (only reference to Ireland was passenger nationality).
Ho hum...
Ron
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Ron.
I apologize for having problems - as usually the system runs fine. It is not the fastest one, but working properly. The next days we will have a new one.
Ireland: it is selected in the top left corner !?
Peter :)
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
Peter
It has 'Ireland' in that drop down and 'EUR' as currency. That part was not a problem, the two passes were added to the basket, along with two insurances and two reservations for Paris - Luxembourg. They're all in the 'cart'.
When checking out, the passengers name, age (17 and 18), DoB, passport number and country are entered but when processing the next page, only one passenger appears in the drop downs to allocate to each ticket. Therefore one pax gets set to both tickets and when trying to continue this duplication is not permitted
Ron
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Ron.
Okay. Now I understand. I just tried myself and made a test-order and it worked fine. Being confused now.
Maybe just close your browser or restart your computer and try to order again so that the cache of your browser is empty and nothing any more in your cart.
I know, it is not the perfect solution which I am presenting - but I don't know an other one.
Time to get the new software soon!!! :os
Peter :)
healyron
Traveller
7 comments
Peter
Had another go. All went through alright. Just bought the two 10-in-22 passes, two insurances and 2 reservations. Paid, got receipts. Now I just have to wait for snail mail to do it's thing.
Going to try to make as many as possible of the other reservations now...
Cheers
Ron
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Ron.
Good to hear. Let me know if you need some more help concerning reservations and so on....
Peter :)