scapples
Traveller
4 comments
Posted 12 years ago
Hi
I am from Singapore and intend to travel in Europe for 21 days.
I intend to cover Prague, Krakow, Vienna, Salzburg, Switzerland, venice, florence and rome in that order. I wonder it is advisable.
1) I contacted Eurail and they mention they do not cover Poland, as such Krakow would be an independent pass. However, on your website, it seems that I am able to travel to Poland using Eurail Pass. I would like to visit Auschwitz that is why I included Poland in my itinerary
2) Also, is Swiss Pass ([ux]https://rail.shop/acprail/switzerland[/ux]) recommended apart from the Eurail pass ([ux]https://rail.shop/eurail[/ux]) ? It seems there are some scenic trains that are excluded. Are they really worth the separate pass if I am just visiting for 3-4 days?
3) Is it possible that I buy my passes from you in bulk or you would suggest me getting point-to-point tickets at the station when necessary.
4) Please advise me on the suitable pass I should take.
I need advice soon so that I can buy the rail passes from you.
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
1) Like already answered in the mail: Poland is only available for Eurail One Country. Not for Global, Regional or Select. Please read here: [u]https://rail.cc/en/eurail-one-country-pass[/u]
An Eurail is Eurail - no matters where you ask. Like a Mercedes Benz car is a Mercedes Benz car, if you buy it in Germany or in France or somewhere else - it is the same car. :)
If you want to visit Auschwitz, you will have to do it with point to point tickets. For Poland look here: intercity.pl
Information Auschwitz: [u]https://rail.cc/en/oswiecim/museum-auschwitz-birkenau/l968[/u]
2) If Switzerland is already included in your Eurail Pass, don't buy an extra Switzerland Pass. It depends on your route. There are several scenic and with Eurail free routes available. Let me know where you want to travel to and then let's see.
3) Your Eurail Pass is your ticket. Only some trains require a reservation. Have a look at the schedules, helping you to find free connections: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-eurail-route[/u]
I recommend this route:
Prague - (Krakow) - Vienna - Salzburg - Zurich - then the scenic route to Milan (free for Eurailers): [u]https://rail.cc/blog/zurich-milano-albula-bernina/[/u]
Milan - Venice - Florence - Rome
Using the schedules mentioned above, you can do the whole route for free. Nothing extra beside your Eurail Pass. In Italy you can speed up some connections if you like. Reservations then EUR 3 (IC) or EUR 10 (high speed).
4) As I don't know how many days in total you want to travel, if you add more stops in Switzerland, I recommend you the Global Pass 10 days within 2 months: [u]https://rail.cc/en/eurail-global-pass[/u]
If you travel within two weeks, take the cheaper one Eurail Global - 15 days straight: [u]https://rail.cc/en/eurail-global-pass[/u]
I hope this answer will help you planing your trip, Peter :)
scapples
Traveller
4 comments
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I am now clear about the Krakow trip and will buy a point to point from Prague, which I should get from the station (Please advise or buy online if i am certain of my travel dates?)
As for Switzerland, I am following closely to the recommended 3 day trip found on www.myswitzerland.com/en/home/interests/top-attractions.html#
traveling to namely lucerne, interlaken and zermatt. I may want to include Rhine Falls and Emmental AOC Show Dairy (is it worth to include this in?).
There are a few scenic trains; it seems that there are some restrictions to the extent of travel by Eurail Global Pass holders. I find it rather confusing. It would be very much appreciated if you can recommend me the scenic routes I should take. Currently i am interested in Jungfraujoch, burnig pass route and to see the Matterhorn.
Please advise.
I must say you have been very helpful in my planning, and I am truly grateful.
Thank you very much.
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
You can get the ticket for Poland in Prague main station.
But you won't need a ticket for the whole trip. Prague to Bohumin is included as still in Czech Republic. From the border at Zebrzydowice you will have to pay until Krakow which should be less than EUR 15. But you can also pay the full trip from Prague to Krakow if you want to save travel days on your ticket.
Then from Krakow pay to Vienna you can also travel back via Zebrzydowice for example. So you see, it is a maximum of ~ EUR 30 you will have to spent for Poland.
Switzerland: here is a route example including Zermatt, so the Matterhorn: [ux]https://rail.cc/blog[/ux]
You will have to use the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Regional from Brig to Zermatt, back again to Brig and then go on to Disentis/Mustér. For this part you have to pay extra. Prices you can find at sbb.ch - you get 25% with Eurail on this standard fare. Do NOT use the Glacier Express (extra reservation of CHF 10), use the regional trains where you open the windows and take much better photos and feel the fresh air. Also have a top in between. These regional trains are running every hour.
More information also with prices when you click the connections given under the travel route mentioned above.
I hope this helps ... I am not so often in Switzerland, as it is very expensive.
The rest from Disentis/Mustér to Chur and St.Moritz, also then to Italy is free.
Peter :)
scapples
Traveller
4 comments
Noted with many thanks, Peter.
I would like to seek your advice whether it is wise to get the point to point ticket online from Prague to Krakow alongside with the purchase of Eurail Global Pass, since Krakow will be my first destination.
Please advise
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
I would purchase the EuRail Pass online in our partner to support our work - such as the answers to all your questions here. ;)
While in Prague, you can purchase the single ticket from the CZ/PL border to Krakow and return.
scapples
Traveller
4 comments
dont worry, the only way to show appreciation is buying from railcc, definitely!
just havent done so because I am still contemplating between a select and a global. :)
currently still determining the trains that I can take especially night trains which do not incur extra costs.
Also is that any routes that day trips are recommended instead of night ones?
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
The region of Prague / Krakow / Vienna (depends on your final route) is good to travel by night train.
Reservation fees for all night trains are here - I recommend to use a couchette: [u]https://rail.cc/en/eurail-night-train[/u]
In the region of Switzerland, travel by day trains.
Peter :)
scapples
Traveller
4 comments
Noted with many thanks, Peter.
By the way, how long does it take for my rail pass to arrive in Singapore when I buy it from you?
I have yet to finalise my itinerary and i have no idea how many days i should buy yet. THus the delay :(
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Calculate right. As it is usually cheaper to have the right calculation than to have not enough travel days at the end. In Eastern-Europe point to point tickets aren't that expensive.
Delivery to Singapore is within up to 7 business days. Thank you for supporting railcc. :)
Peter :)