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Passaic
Traveller
2 comments

Posted 12 years ago

First, the website has been very helpful, but I am still a bit confused and I am sure I might be able to find most of the information by looking at the forum for an hour or two, but figured it would be easier to do a thread instead.

I am a Swedish citizen living in Sweden. I am considering doing this journey with an interrail pass (5/10 flexi days pass). I've been looking at regular trains, but they seem incredibly expensive, so maybe this should be a better option?

First, do I have to purchase the interrail pass in Sweden or can I for example purchase it in Paris? Lyon train station for example? Where I believe the TGV train leaves for Zurich. . . I'd need to go from Paris to Zurich on either July 5 or 6. Whichever Is cheaper, or available with the pass. I will be in Paris on July 3 and am staying for a few days. Am I too late to make a reservation? How much is the cost? There are only three connections that I can use with the interrail pass? [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-train-route/paris-zurich/france-switzerland/374[/u]

From Zurich I would need to get to Prague on the 10th. This seems like a great option - [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/zurich-to-prague[/u]

And as I understand it, it would be free possibly? Can I simply board the train, take a seat and fill in the train information in the pass? Would it be preferred to reserve a seat? Can I do this in Paris already or does it have to be in Zurich on the day of the journey?

Prague to Vienna seems harmless. (July 12th) The first train would work perfectly for me - [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-train-route/prague-vienna/czech-republic-austria/80[/u]

Again, simply board the train and fill in the information? Same goes for Vienna to Brno on the 13th.

What kind of problem would a non-reservation possibly cause with a ticket conductor?

I understand I am a bit late with my planning, but that's how I roll, unfortunately. A bit too spontaneously perhaps. If you could simply tell me if I'm totally off anywhere, then that'd be much appreciated.

Thank you kindly in advance,
Victor

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Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

replied 12 years ago

Hi Victor.
Concerning schedules please read here: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/train-connections[/u]

If a connections is free of reservation fees, just fill in the trains you use in your Interrail pass and board the train.

On Zurich - Prague (just updated the schedules), you do not need a reservation.

Information about reservations:

If you buy your Interrail pass, you directly support the railcc project, the forum and all the information. But it's now to late. You should get it in Paris (at least at Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord).

Peter :)

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Passaic
Traveller
2 comments

replied 12 years ago

Ah, well that's a bummer. Thank you very much for the information though.

Just a few thing. Do you think I will have any problem getting a reservation for a TGV train from Paris to Zurich that departs on the 6th? Could I possibly insure this before I purchase the interrail pass on location? Doesn't seem like a good deal if I can't get that ride (Paris-Zurich) included with the interrail pass. Might otherwise just find a bus/train straight to Prague instead. Apparantely, if you purchase the interrail pass in Sweden, then you only get 50% off the ticket costs for rides in Sweden. Same thing doesn't apply in France?

Thanks again.

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Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

replied 12 years ago

Hi.
The 50% is only for your [b]country of residence[/b]. So it doesn't matters where you buy your Interrail pass. Only important is where you lived the past 6 months. If you buy your ticket in Paris, it will be printed on it: country of residence Sweden. So you travel for free in France. Please read here: [u]https://rail.cc/en/how-to-interrail[/u]

Paris - Zurich: there are also free connections (slower) available: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/paris-to-zurich[/u]
If a train is full or not, I can't preview it.

Peter :)

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Passaic
Traveller
2 comments

replied 12 years ago

Thank you so much! :)