Eurail: Barcelona - Marseilles - Venice - Split - Vienna ...

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

in my opinion you could still fit in some extra destinations to your route. I could of a route more or less like this:

Barcelona - Petit Train Jaune - Perpignan :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/little-yellow-train-video/[/u]
Perpignan - Marseille
Marseille - Nice...maybe you can fit in a short stay at the Cote d'Azur, it is quite nice. Stay overnight at Nice and go to Villefrance, Antibes or Grasse during the day. The next day continue to Milano, either along the coast via Genova or through the Maritime Alps via Breil dur Roya - Cuneo
Milano - Venezia :arr: best by AV train for which a 10€ reservation is required
Venezia - Dalmatian Coast can be a little tricky...first there are no cross border trains IT <> SI currently. This means you have to cross the border by foot or by bus:
a) Go to Trieste, then by tramway to Villa Opicina where you can get a bus across the border to Sezana. From Sezana to Ljubljana, then Zagreb and finally to Split. If you start early it might be possible to get to Zagreb in the evening in time to get the night train to Split.
b) Go to Gorizia (either via Monfalcone or via Udine), then cross the border on foot or by bus to Nova Goricia, from there to Ljubljana via Jesenice (more scenic) or via Sezana, then continue as in a)
Zagreb - Wien: You could think of making a stop in Graz, which is on the way...I can show you around if I'm here at the time. Then continue to Wien via the scenic Semmering route (UNESCO world heritage)
Wien - Switzerland: If you have time go during the day to get some nice view of the Alps
In Switzerland, I would recommend to explore the network of the RhB in Graubünden...really scenic alpine railways. :) What is also nice is the area around Luzern at the Vierwaldstätter See.
To continue to Munich I would recommend the direct EC trains from Zürich.
München/Nürnberg - Praha: There are direct express buses on which EuRail is valid but you need a reservation. However, I would recommend the more scenic option of going by train. What you could do also, if time permits, is to go to Dresden before Praha, which is as well definitely worth visiting.

Regarding train schedules.
We have compiled many connections especially for travellers with a rail pass directly on railcc: :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-eurail-route[/u]
These usually are the best connections either because they are fast, or they require no or few extra reservations or they are scenic lines.
However, we cannot show all connections available. There are online schedule planners available :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/eurail-train-schedules[/u]
These are not specifically made for travellers with a rail pass so in case you are not sure whether one train requires an extra reservation or not, check the list of trains here [u]https://rail.cc/en/eurail-train-reservation[/u] or ask here at the forum . ;)

Hope that helps for the beginning, if you have any further questions, just ask. And if you want to support railcc, please buy your EuRail pass via our partner, thank you. :)


Flo 8)

DannySzu
Traveller
3 comments

WOWOWOW you seem to know your stuff haha. Thanks a bunch for taking in the time.

Now my main reason for visiting places is for: natural landscape, culture, things to do in that city/town. I should have said that before, it would be nice for anyone to contribute on what to do and see in those cities!! I have looked into it myself, but the more the merrier.

I've somewhat updated on where I want to go (for now, I'm sure it will change when I am there).

BARCA > MARSEILLE > NICE > COTE D’AZUR > MILANO > VENEZIA > SPLIT > ZAGREB > GRAZ > WIEN > LIECHTENSTEIN > ZURICH > BERN > LAUTERBRUNNEN/WENGEN > MUNICH > NUREMBERG > ESCHENBACH > DRESDEN > PRAGUE

The reason I have Eschenbach there is because I was born there, so I would like to re-visit.

Couple of questions as well...what is most scenic along the Dalmation Coast?
Is passing through Liechtenstein worth it (I only want to go to say I have been there lol :D )??
I'm an avid snowboarder, where is best to snowboard in the Alps relatively along the way...and how long is the season open until (Out West in Canada it can last until June...)??
Why is Dresden worth the trip? I can party anywhere in Germany right? 8)

Thanks again! Any info is great, I don't expect it all out of flow lol

PS I will definitley take you up on that offer in Graz!

DannySzu
Traveller
3 comments

An update: I am changing the route to accomodate some night trains maximizing my time...this is a concern though: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/budapest-split-g1204/132[/u] Budapest to Split is not available during the night anymore?

Also, can I just take the train Venice to Ljubljana then Ljubljana to Zagreb?
[u]https://rail.cc/en/train/-to-[/u]
[u]https://rail.cc/en/train/ljubljana-to-zagreb[/u]

Either option works for me (in my head haha), though I do not know why/if the Budapest-Split is still available.

Random question...how hard is it to figure out where to go when I am in Europe, I am talking in the train stations? From what I know the machines which handle reservations, etc. give you a list of options for you...I do not want to rely on doing it there but it almost sounds easier!!

PS I know I have a million more questions, they just don't come to mind right away!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej!

Barcelona - Marseille: As written before I'd recommend the Petit Train Jaune through the Pyrennees. However this would recommend an extra overnight stay along the route as Barcelona - Petit Train Jaune - Marseille is not possible within one day.
Whether you decide to go with the Train Jaune or not, I would recommend to take the line from Marseille along the coast to Martigues which runs more or less directly along the rocky coast. Maybe also stop at some village along the way or continue to Miramas or Arles to go to the Carmargue national park.

Liechtenstein. Well, all the trains on the route Wien - Zürich pass through it, although not stopping there. So, if you really want to say I have been to Liechtenstein (and not only passing through it) you should leave the train in Feldkirch and change to a regional train there. However the train station Schaan-Vaduz is about 4km away from the city centre so you might want to take a bus there from the station. To proceed to Zürich either go back to Schaan-Vaduz for a train to Buchs SG where you can take a train to Zürich either directly or via Sargans or take a bus to Buchs SG directly. Anyway it might be a good idea to use a night train to get to Feldkirch and then spend some time in Liechtenstein to finally proceed to Zürich. If you go during the day you wont have much time in Liechtenstein (and it might be a good idea to take a bus Feldkirch - Vaduz instead of going to Schaan-Vaduz). There is not a lot to see there apart from the modern museum and the small old town. If you want to go there I can provide you with the exact train times if needed.

For snowboarding you could go to the Arlberg (on the Wien - Zürich line), season ends in April however there are some lifts open throughout the year.

You can party is many places in Germany however I mentioned Dresden for its cultural highlights (Semperoper, Frauenkirche), moreover you could make a daytrip to the Elbe Valley and Sächsische Schweiz.

Send me a message if you know when you would be in Graz and we can have a look around the city. :)

Regarding the Dalmatian Coast...have a look at the map first to see where you can go by train :arr: [u]http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/map.php?file=maps/croatia---slovenia---bosnia-hercegovina/croatia---slovenia---bosnia-hercegovina.gif[/u]
The railway line from Split through the coastal mountains towards Zagreb is really nice and worth doing during the day...or by a night train arriving to Split in the morning :)

The Budapest - Split night train will run on selected days only during the summer :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/budapest-split-g1204/132[/u]
On the route to Split you will only have the possibility of using a Zagreb - Split or retour night train.

From Venenzia to Zagreb I would recommend the following route (instead of going via Villach which would require to take the InterCity Bus with a reservation) :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/venice-to-ljubljana[/u] then proceed to Zagreb
Alternatively you could also go via Trieste - Villa Opicina - Sezana...ask if you need details on that

[quote]Random question...how hard is it to figure out where to go when I am in Europe, I am talking in the train stations? From what I know the machines which handle reservations, etc. give you a list of options for you...I do not want to rely on doing it there but it almost sounds easier!![/quote]

What do you exactly mean by that? :|


Flo 8)

DannySzu
Traveller
3 comments

Sorry for the super late response, I had no access to internet over 12 days.

It seems as the Petit Train Jaune is one you can't miss so I'll have to go through! haha. Does it run just through the national park? How will I know how to get there?!?!? You recommend going along the coast to Marseille, which is the way I would have preferred to go. How do I know the train I am using will stop through Martigues and run along the coast?

For Venezia to Zagreb I think I will go through Ljublana assuming there are trains which often run from Ljublana to Zagreb/

The question was just saying... lets say I am in Marseille and am bored and want to go to Nice earlier...how difficult is it to find a train knowing where I want to go? This is done in the train station I imagine?

I'll be honest, it seems like there's a lot to know before heading out anywhere! Maybe I am overthinking things?

Another random question, I would prefer to not book hostels because I do not know exactly if I will be there at that time, so is it relatively safe for one person to find a hostel in May? I know it is hard to answer but has anyone ever been able to not find a place to sleep for the night?

Thanks so much Flo

PS with the way I have worked things out I think I can stop in Graz around May 23ish, plus minus 2 days haha

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej!

[quote]I'll be honest, it seems like there's a lot to know before heading out anywhere! Maybe I am overthinking things?
[/quote]

I guess so, yeah. ;) In fact, it is rather simple. You can usually have a look for all trains running to/from a station when you arrive there, either you ask at the counter or you can pick up leaflets with the timings for your desired destination.
In addition, I would strongly recommend to pick up a copy of the current Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-train-route[/u]
There, you will find schedules for most European railways and can check for the next train while travelling. :)

For the Petit Train Jaune, have a look here :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/little-yellow-train-video/[/u]

The actual Petit Train Jaune runs from Latour de Carol to Villefranche through the French Pyrenees Orientales. From Barcelona you have direct trains to Latour de Carol; from Villefranche you have to go by regular trains to Perpignan where you can change to mainline trains in direction of Narbonne - Montpellier - ... Just follow the link. ;)

You will need to make an overnight stop in between Barcelona and Marseille if you want to fit in the Petit Train Jaune. You could do so in Perpignan for instance. If you have the time, I would recommend as well to have a quick look around Villefranche as well which is a nice little fortified city. :)

From Pepignan, the mainline to Marseille runs via Narbonne - Montpellier - Nimes - Avignon - Arles - Miramas; some parts, before Narbonne and before Montpellier run along the Mediterranean, sit on the right if possible. ;)
For the last bit, change at Miramas from the direct train to Marseille to a regional train running along the coastal line via Martigues.

Venezia - Zagreb: Yeah, there are several direct EC/IC trains from Ljubljana to Zagreb, the more complicated bit is to get to Ljubljana...have a look in my previous post where I posted a link to a possible connection.

Booking hostels...many hostels have always some beds available for travellers who show up without a reservation. I think you shouldnt have any problems in May. However, if you want to be sure, you could check some hostels in the next city before you go there in order to know whether one of them was full already.

Just ask if that was too much information or too less detailed. ;)

And regarding Graz, just let me know when you will be here. I should be round that week.


Flo 8)