Paris - Geneve - Wien - Venice - Ancona - Patras - Istanbul

nltrainer
Traveller
1405 comments

my advice is DO not bother. Buy an IR that ends in Italy and just pay the rest. You wont need any train in GR and trains in TR-IF you really want it, are dirt-cheap, as anyone goes by BUS-long distance, which is also very cheap and runs much, much, MUCH more often and with MUCH more routes etc. Plus that till oct .13 IST is cut off due to tunnelworks from the rails. RYAN does not fly into TR, but there are scores of cheap other flites, possibly not to PT-in that case just find a cheap one to FR/DE and use RYAN back home from there. As thethrough nite-train THello from Paris to IT is also OUT for IR-you have to adjust-or, if you can book long advance their cheap singles, then do not bother with IR at all-as only ITaly remains-and normal treni are also not very expensive there.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

[quote]my advice is DO not bother. Buy an IR that ends in Italy and just pay the rest. You wont need any train in GR and trains in TR-IF you really want it, are dirt-cheap, as anyone goes by BUS-long distance, which is also very cheap and runs much, much, MUCH more often and with MUCH more routes etc. Plus that till oct .13 IST is cut off due to tunnelworks from the rails. RYAN does not fly into TR, but there are scores of cheap other flites, possibly not to PT-in that case just find a cheap one to FR/DE and use RYAN back home from there. As thethrough nite-train THello from Paris to IT is also OUT for IR-you have to adjust-or, if you can book long advance their cheap singles, then do not bother with IR at all-as only ITaly remains-and normal treni are also not very expensive there.[/quote]

Thats bad news i´m affraid.

I just did a search and the other option would be to go to a Cyclades island like Chios to catch a ferry to Cesme and hop on the bus to Istanbul. The journey by bus from Cesme compared with Bodrum (i could also catch a ferry from Kos to Bodrum) is the shortest one with an 8 hour journey time.

Since theres a possibility to travel with Turkish airlines paying for just the airport taxes (i work for them in the airport of Lisbon) i might go the plane route Athens-Istanbul, only 1h and 20m which gives me more time to visit Istanbul.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi,

depending on how long you want to travel until you go to Greece you should be fine with a 5in10 Global Pass. This would cover:

1) Paris - Genève
2) Genève - Wien
3) Wien - Venezia
4) Venezia - Firenze
5) Firenze - Ancona

From Paris to Genève the best option would be to take a direct TGV Lyria, reservation (9€) needed. From Wien to Venezia I'd recommend the direct night train :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/vienna-venice-en-237/96[/u]
In Italy you can either go by fast Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains (10€ reservation) or take the slower, less frequent IC trains (3€ recommended reservation).

As pointed out before, it wont make much sense to use InterRail after you are leaving for Greece; not only there are no direct connections to/from Greece by train (which might change until next summer, you never know) but also no direct trains to Istanbul from Bulgaria (the tracks are renewed and there is no official date of reopening yet).
So, depending on what you want to visit it could be best to just fly Athens - Istanbul...


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Thanks for your answers.

I´m now thinking that maybe a 10 day pass is not enough for what i want to do:

Paris - 2 days
Geneve - 3 days (I have free bed in my uncles house)
Wien - 3 days
Venice - 1day
Firenze - 2 days

I´m thinking of buying a 22 day pass and add Prague to the mix also. I´ve my doubts about going to Venice also.

Anyways, from the list above do you think the days are enough to see those cities?

This is just early planning but the route will be more or less like this. I really want to do a great journey.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi,

well, I think two days in Paris is ok, although it wouldnt be a problem to spend a third day there as well. However, during an InterRail trip I usually like to be on the move and spend just about two days at each place in average so this is ok. :)
Three days in Geneve seem a bit much unless you just want to hang out at your uncle's place. Anyway, I'd recommend to have a round trip through the Swiss Alps during one day. This could look like this: Geneve - Montreux, then the Golden Pass Route via Gstaad - Zweisimmen - Spiez - Interlaken - Meiringen to Luzern (if you want you can make a pause at Meiringen and visit Aare gorge); from Luzern you could go back via the Gotthard route: via Arth-Goldau to Göschenen, then with MGB to Andermatt and on to Brig, then back to Geneve. Attention, you would have to pay for the segment from Göschenen to Brig (MGB grants 50% discount for Youth pass holders).
Another option would be to visit Luzern and then go back to Geneve via Bern (the fastest option); Bern would be another interesting city to visit if you want to. :)

From Geneve to Wien you could then go during the day or take the night train from Zürich. If you want you could also make a short stopover along the way in Salzburg.
If you go to Praha as well, I would take the overnight train from Zürich, then go Praha - Wien - Venezia/Firenze.


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

flow your post is and will be very usefull :)

I´m not staying in Geneve but in Lausanne. Would like to visit Bern and eat a pizza in Spiez near the lake like i did 6 years ago...precious!
I´m also thinking on a couple of journeys throughout the swiss Alpes.

Btw i just saw the transfer from the Intercity to the Euronight train in Zurich is just 9 minutes which is quite risky. There´s 48 minute transfers available but they are during the day which would make me lose 1 day travelling. Night trains are always better of course.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

De nada. ;)

If you stay in Lausanne it is even better since Montreux and the Golden Pass route are just a few minutes away. You could also go to the Mont Blanc if you want (from Martigny to Chamonix).
Bern is also really nice, of course.

Considering the night train to Wien: I think you do not understand the 1900-rule for night trains correctly. If you have to change trains in the evening, you cannot make use of the 1900-rule and have to use two travel days anyway. This is the case if you go Lausanne - Zürich - Wien overnight since there is no direct night train to Wien from Lausanne. It therefore makes much sense to take an earlier train to Zürich even though Swiss trains are quite punctual. Or, to make more of the travel day, you could leave Lausanne early, make a day trip through Switzerland and then take the night train from Zürich.


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I wasn´t counting with the 1900 rule when going to Wien. I´m now actually thinking about doing this route:

Lisbon-Paris-Lausanne-Prague-Wien-Milano-Ancona-Patras(to go to Piraeus onto Santorini) and finally Istanbul.

The only problem i see with maximazing my Interail pass will be from Lausanne to Prague...there´s too many transfers to reach there but that´s a price to pay if i want to visit the Czech Republic.

Paris-Lausanne and Wien-Milano have night trains so it wont be a problem with losing some hours travelling.

Haha, sorry to bother you with all this uncertainty but it´s exciting!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Ah, ok, I was referring to this:

[quote]
Btw i just saw the transfer from the Intercity to the Euronight train in Zurich is just 9 minutes which is quite risky. There´s 48 minute transfers available but they are during the day [b]which would make me lose 1 day travelling[/b]. Night trains are always better of course.[/quote]

Like I said, you will need two days anyway when going overnight from Lausanne to either Praha or Wien.

I dont see a problem with too many connections on your way to Praha:

Lausanne 1845 - 2053 Basel SBB
Basel SBB 2113 - 1029 Praha hl n :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/zurich-prague-cnl-40470/38[/u]

What night train do you mean on Paris - Lausanne? Where did you find it? There is none on that route.

The Wien - Milano night train has no seats, just couchettes and sleepers, so if you want to save some money, I'd recommend using the Wien - Venezia night train instead which has seats, then maybe visit Venezia for some hours and then go to Milano.

If you have any questions, just ask, that's why we have the railcc forum . ;)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I´m not explaining myself well,sorry ;)

What i meant to say about night train is not about direct trains but do a night journey between cities i want to go even if i have to transfer trains.

For example i could go on an evening train from Paris to Lausanne to maximize my journey of course.

By the way i prefer to go on a bed than in a normal seat :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

OK...because there is not really a sensible connection overnight for Paris - Lausanne. ;)

However, as I think about it, what you really could do: Paris - St Gervais night train (6€ reclining seat, 18€ 6bed couchette), then with the Mont Blanc Express via Chamonix to Martigny in the Rhone valley. Definitely a very nice journey including some views of the Mont Blanc! :D
However, you will need a ticket for the part of the journey in Switzerland, this will be ~7€.

:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/paris-to-chamonix-mont-blanc[/u]
:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/saint-gervais-les-bains-to-martigny[/u]

From Martigny it is then just a short 1h or so trip to Lausanne. :)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

That´s a really really good ideia, i will look into it.

Btw can you confirm this train :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/lisbon-to-paris[/u]

In the CP website this train doesnt show up. The only Sud Express departures at 21:18 from Sta Apolonia station.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

It's definitely a nice route, I did it in July. :)

The Surex leaves Lisboa currently at 2118: :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/lisbon-hendaye-th-310/74[/u]

We havent had the time to update all schedules in our database yet but will do so hopefully until the end of the year. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Ok.

I was thinking that when i reach Bari to catch a ferry to Greece, the feeling of interrailing is lost because i will be using ferries and airplanes to reach Istanbul. I really want to cross europe and reach it´s end, i want to see Istanbul but due to railwork in Turkey and the crisis in Greece there´s no chance to reach the city by train.

The other option would be to see other central european cities, for example go to a German city or a Balcan country but i would also lose the feeling of seeing different settings, like the Greek Islands or a half Europe-half Asian city like Istanbul.

My initial suggestion makes me feel that it´s going to be epic, i will be using different ways of transport to reach the other side of europe but if i want to stay inside the feel of interrailing i´m opened to suggestions to visit other places...

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

well, you still would be able to cover quite a bit of your route by rail if you go through Greece; at least from Athens to Thessaloniki it is not really a problem (but any way, use regular tickets instead of IR in that case).
You can even go further than Thessaloniki to Alexandropouli (I dont know about the line to Pythio but I think it is freight only...have to check when I'm back home) and then go to Turkey by bus (although this might be easier straight from Thessaloniki).

Or, make a detour via Skopje - Begrad - Sofia... :)

Anyway, it is not really possible to predict the developments regarding neither the international traffic to/from Greece in 2013 (just recently I read rumors that the TCDD wants to reintroduce the service Istanbul - Thessaloniki) nor on the Istanbul - Kapikule section.

Have you thought about this? From Italy, work your way through the Balkans instead of going to Greece:

a) Bari - Bar - Belgrade - Sofia - Istanbul
b) Bari - Bar - Ploce - Sarajevo - Belgrade - Sofia - Istanbul
c) Venezia - Wien - Budapest - Bucuresti - Sofia - Istanbul
d) Venezia - Wien - Praha - Burgas/Varna - Istanbul
e) Venezia - Ljubljana - Zagreb (- Budapest) - Belgrade - Sofia - Istanbul
f) Milano - Bernina pass - Wien - Budapest - Burgas/Varna - Istanbul

Just some suggestions, of course lots of variations are possible... ;)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Hi flow

I´ve been reading and researching for my journey. It seems that going to Greece via Italy and going around visiting the Peloponeso and Athens/Greek Islands to be a long journey with ferries and trains.

Maybe it will be better if i go throught he Balkans all the way to Istanbul and leave Greece for some other time.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Humm...yup, that's the way I'd do it as well probably. :)

Just ask if you need any help on planning your further route - lots of things to be discovered there! ;)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Haha look at my route at the moment:

Lisbon-Paris-Lausanne-Torino-Firenze-Wien-Prague-Ljubliana-Zagreb-Podgorica-Istanbul (It can change of course)

There´s so much to see that i want to see everything but i guess it´s better to travel short distances and see more things than travel long distances and spend most of the time on trains and ferries and going to Istanbul via the Balkans seems to be a great journey. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I´m spending the days researching about places to visit and i came to the conclusion that it might be better to spend more quality time in a city than rushing things through several cities

So i have:

Paris - Lausanne - Torino - Prague - Zagreb - Bar - Istanbul

Paris - 2 days
Lausanne - 3 days (And from here i want to go to Basel and Bern)
Torino - 2 or 3 days I´m still undecided
Prague - 3 days
Zagreb - 3 days
Beograd - 1 day (Just a few hours so i can transfer to the train that departures to Bar at 09:10)
Bar - 2 days
Istanbul - 3 days

And there might be a total of 2/3 days travelling between cities.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

just a short reply as I've spent the whole day updating schedules in the database...

Torino: If you spend 3 days there, think about a day trip to Cuneo and then along the Tenda railway to Saorge in France
Zagreb: 3 days is a looot of time, there is not that much to do there in my opinion...better visit Ljubljana as well (and Lake Bled maybe)
Beograd: Definitely worth to stay a day! Also, I assume you are planning to go there with the night train from Zagreb? ...that train will run only until next Saturday, and then will be withdrawn for the new schedule :(
Bar: Dont stay _in_ Bar, go to Sutomore instead

You might also do this: Zagreb - Split (night or day train), then by bus via Dubrovnik and Kotor to Sutomore, then by train to Beograd and then Istanbul :)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Why do you say it´s too much in Zagreb?

When in a city i want to not only see the main attractions but to meet local people, go for a walk in the streets, go to a pub or bar etc and 3 days seems good to be in a city but i know your opinion already ;)

There is a train departing Zagreb at 10:55 everyday, that was the one i found in the DB BAHN website.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Just did a search about Montenegro and i agree with you about going to Sutomore instead of Bar and i would even choose Kotor on top of these two and then go back to Sutomore to catch the train to Beograd.

Paris - Lausanne - Torino - Firenze - Kotor - Beograd - Istanbul

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Ok guys, just a little update.

I´ve just spoken with Turkish Airlines and they have suspended all the discount fares for their staff which means it will be expensive flying to Istanbul from Prague/Ljubljana/Zagreb or whatever and then buying another ticket to fly from Istanbul to Lisbon so i think i´m going to give Turkey a miss and just fly back home from another city.

It´s a pity because i really wanted to do the outermost european city untill the limits of Europe with Asia but money is short at the moment and i cannot do it at the moment unfortunately.

Also i´m going to give a miss to Paris since i wasn´t that allured by it and it will take a day to reach it from Lisbon...guess i prefer to make the most of my time and fly to Lausanne to start my Interrail there.

So i have:

Lausanne - Torino - La Spezia - Munich - Prague - Ljubljana - Zagreb

From Zagreb i´m going to Venice to fly to Lisbon with Easyjet...the ticket costs about 60€ which is cheaper than flying from Istanbul.

So now a quick question:

I will buy a 10/22 days pass. Is it better to just buy a regular ticket when going to Ljubljana - Lake Bled/Zagreb - Zadar to save Intercity connections and some days travelling while in Switzerland?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

well too bad you have to miss Istanbul! Is going all the way from Lausanne to Istanbul, then plane back home really not an option due to costs? ||

With your current route you would only need seven travel days so you probably wont need any extra regular tickets to cover additional day trips.

What about Montenegro? During the summer you could take the direct sleeper Praha - Bar via Budapest - Subotica; the only downside in my opinion is the early departure at 0539 in Praha, but it would certainly be a nice old-school trip.

Then you could go from Montenegro by bus to Split and then Zagreb (- Zadar )- Zagreb - Ljubljana (- Lake Bled )- Venezia.

Lausanne - Torino within a day is possible with the direct trains via Brig - Domodossola without problem, although it will be a bit more difficult if you want to add some more spectacular mountain railways.

La Spezia - Munich also is possible within a day, however you will have to pay at least twice for additional reservations...


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

The flights IST-LIS in June cost about 275€ just one way :o

How long does the journey from Praha to Bar takes? I´m a bit different from you, flow, i like to stay more time in places which means at least 3 days in every city so going all the way to Montenegro wont give me more time to visit Slovenia and the adriatic coast in Zadar.
I would love to go to Montenegro but it is a bit far to reach if i want to spend more time in places.

Are the reservations that expensive? I saw that from La Spezia to Munich i can transfer in Florence with a Regional train and then catch the CNL to Munich at 22:09. Is a 27 minute transfer too little?

How does this looks for a 21/22 day journey:

Lausanne - 4 days (I want to go to Bern and to another city still to choose by train and visit more of Lausanne) (2 day train journeys)
Torino - 3 days (1 day train journey from Lausanne)
La Spezia - 2 days (1 day train journey from Torino)
Muniche - 3 days(1 day train )
Prague - 3 days (1 day train)
Ljubljana - 3 days(1 day train from Prague and 1 day train to Lake Bled)
Zadar - 2 days(1 day train coming from Zagreb)
Zagreb - Veneza (1 day train to fly back to Lisbon from Venezia, about 50€ with Easyjet)

Anyway i might spend too long to reach Zadar from Ljubljana and wont see that much, i guess i will probably give it a miss too or i can go to Rijeka instead :os

Any suggestions?

I really appreciate your help flow, that´s a lot of experience you have under you. :D

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

I totally can understand your plan of staying longer at one particular place. I myself have spent five days in Lisboa on an InterRail trip last February for instance. ;) But, I used all of my 5 travel days on that occasion.
The thing is, I just want you to get the maximum out of your IR pass - if you dont use all of your 10 days you might as well think of getting the 5in10 instead and get regular tickets for the remainder of your trip. This might be cheaper, but dont has to be, depends of course on the exact route you take.

Praha - Bar will be over 24 hours, but a quite interesting rail trip: Early departure in Praha, then half an hour stop around midday in Budapest (time to have a look around the station and get some food), followed by the ride through the Hungarian countryside until you reach Subotica in Serbia. There, the sleeping car to Bar is detached from the EC to Belgrad and gets attached to the night train to Bar - you have almost two hours for the next break. Then you travel overnight to Montenegro and if you get up early, you can enjoy the trip on the marvellous line through the mountains down to the coast. But, of course, just a suggestion. ;)

OK, going overnight is another thing. ;) Yeah, that's possible of course, to go with the CNL from Firenze. :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/rome-munich-cnl-484/34[/u]
However, this will then take two travel days!

Going to Zadar by train from Zagreb is a bit of a mess currently since HZ (Croatian Railways) apparently want to close the line Knin - Zadar and therefore let the day train run 15 minutes too early to connect with the ICN from Zagreb. This means, you have to take the overnight train and change around 4am in Knin... :(

Zagreb - Ljubljana currently is also quite a long trip, but you probably want to sleep one night in Venezia, right?

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Well, well look what i found.

Pegasus airlines has flights from Belgrad to S. Gonkcen airport in Istanbul for 49,99€ and better yet, they fly from Wien to Istanbul for 59,99€ both of the dates being in the middle of June. Now that puts Istanbul back on the line :D (Hopefully the flight doesn´t cancel or else i´m screwed hehe)

In that case i might skip Ljubljana or Prague and La Spezia maybe. And to keep travelling by air to a minimum i might go back to my initial ideia and go to Paris which means:

Paris - I might keep it to 2 days and on the 3rd day i choose a nice and scenic train journey to Lausanne if you don´t mind suggesting :)
Lausanne - 3 days
Torino - 2 days (I want to mainly see the Automobile and the Film museum and the new Juventus stadium)
La Spezia - 2 days (I want to get out of cities also and go along the coast somewhere in my journey)
Munchen - 3 days
Ljubljana - 3 days
Wien - 2 days
Istanbul - 3 days

Then fly back to Lisbon via Cologne with GermanWings

It´s a busy schedulle but epic! Might as well take more days off on vacation to give me more days travelling :D

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

The planning can be almost as much fun as the trip itself... :D

Looks good.

You could also do for instance Paris - Nice night train, then to Torino via the Tenda line (Nice - Breil - Cuneo), then La Spezia - Lausanne - München - Ljubljana - Wien. This way you would also pass through Graz and we could go for a beer. ;)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Haha, it would be great to meet you in Graz

The connection in Nice to Torino is just 2 minutes from the DB Bahn website. There´s a train about two hours later that goes via Ventimiglia and then a transfer in Cuneo.

By the way, i may need to buy regular tickets because judging from the journey i made above i will use the 10 days in my interrail pass, that´s why i asked if it´s better to buy the full fare from La Spezia to Milano Centrale and from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. Can´t be more than 10€ i guess?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Humm...I'd better search for the timetables directly on SNCF website.

Paris 2123 - 0841 Nice
Nice 0924 - 1022 Breil-sur-Roya
Breil-sur-Roya 1151 - 1317 Cuneo
Cuneo 1323 - 1435 Torino

However, the timings of the night train are liable to changes (and it does not run daily). Anyway, just a suggestion. ;)

If you need an extra single ticket, better buy the Ljubljana - Lesce Bled ticket, this will be cheaper.


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Yeah, it might be better to buy single tickets somewhere in the journey.

Just another question to you (Others can answer of course :P )

I might just do this to see more of the cities i want to see and also to keep it cheaper:

Paris - 3 days
Lausanne - 4 days (In the 4th day i may choose to go to Torino during the day to see the views, can you suggest a scenic route?)
Torino - 3 days
Munchen - 3 days
Ljubljana - 3 days
Istanbul - 3 days

Better to buy the 5/10 interrail pass to use between cities (Using the TGV Hendaye-Paris also, or is it better to buy the complete fare and use the Interrail in Switzerland or is it better to vice-versa?)

I also found a very convenient flight from Ljubljana to Istambul leaving at 23:50 to Istambul with Adria Airways for 114€.

From your experience can you tell me how much the accomodation costs in this journey, more or less? (Don´t count with Switzerland as i have free accomodation :D )

If i take more vacations i will go to a coastal city, that´s why i wanted to go to La Spezia or Zadar but it seems it´s not very convenient to do that. Anyway the planning can change like i already did many times haha.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I made a mistake in the post above since the 5/10 pass is only valid for 10 days. I will have to buy the 10/22 pass.

Anyway, while calculating the costs it seems i have to leave Istambul for another time and make a shorter route this time which would be Paris - Munchen - Como (I knew there was something missing in Italy that i wanted to see) - Torino - Lausanne.

If i was to buy the 5/10 days pass and staying in each city for 3 days minimum i would have to travel from Torino to Lausanne and around Switzerland at my own costs, that would probably pass the price of a 10/22 days pass no?
Buying the 10/22 pass would be a waste of money to travel for 16 days.

Better to do Paris - Munchen - Prague - Ljubljana - Lake Como - Torino - Lausanne in 22 days.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Better go with the 5in10 and try to cover as much of possible with the pass.

You could for instance go Paris - Lausanne - Como - München - Praha with the 5in10 and would still have one day left which you could use for a day trip in Switzerland. Praha - Ljubljana could be done with pre purchased online tickets from CD e-shop (for Praha - Wien/Graz) and from ÖBB (Wien/Graz - Ljubljana).

The IR pass pays off most in the expensive countries like France, Switzerland, also Italy, Austria and Germany. In the rest of the countries you can get by with regular tickets as well if needed.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Hey again

I´m still researching on my route and i´m set on doing Lisbon to Ljubljana with a few stops between.

I´ve read that i have a 50% discount with the train tickets to leave Portugal. Can i start using the Interrail pass in Nice for example? Or the IR pass is valid on the day i leave Portugal? The route is this:

Barcelona - 3 days
Nice - 3 days
Torino - 4 days
Florence - 3 days
Munich - 3 days
Lubljana - 4 days
The last day i go to Venice to catch a flight back to Lisbon

With the 5in10d pass i prefer to end it on the night train Florence - Munich which costs 27,5€ with the IR pass and 79€ without it.
The journey Munich - Ljubljana (20€), Madrid - Barcelona, Barcelona - Nice, Ljubljana - Venice (via Monfalcone) will cost about the same as the 10in22d pass no?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hey!

- The 50% discount officially only applies if the IR ticket is already valid on the day you want to get that discount. However, at least ÖBB (my railway) also issues discounted tickets which are valid one day/before the first day of validity (in case I use night trains). You should ask at a CP office how strict they are - but I dont think you would get a discounted ticket if you'd start your IR ticket a few days later in Nice.

- You choose the first day of validity when you purchase the pass (either online at railcc shop if you want to support us or at a station); you dont have to start your IR trip from Portugal, you can also start in Nice for example, if you want to do so.

- The price difference 5in10 vs 10in22 is 114€. Where did you read about 20€ for Munich - Ljubljana? A regular ticket is 82,20€! A pre-booked Europa Spezial costs 39€ 1 months in advance... Also, the other trips are very likely to sum up more than 114€ Although you have to keep in mind that you need a few extra reservation with InterRail.

It is hard to say whether you should go with IR or not, or with a combination of IR and regular tickets if you change your route that frequently. ;)
At this point I think that it would be smarter and more convenient to go with the 10in22. This way you would be most flexible and could change your itinerary even while travelling.
If you go with regular tickets, the only way to travel cheaper than with IR in my opinion is to get pre booked tickets which are fixed on a certain date and train and thus you lose flexibility.


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

The 20€ price of the Munich - Ljubljana train was with a valid Interrail pass,my mistake.

As far as flexibility goes it would be wise to book a flight back to Lisbon somewhere, Zagreb or Venice, since it´s near my last planned stop in Ljubljana which means i will be fixed to the date in the booked plane ticket and that departure city. Better to be around Venice/Zagreb than going from far away and lose time travelling instead of visiting some city.

Anyway how do you usually do when returning back to Graz? Do you just go back by train or buy a flight ticket on the last day of your interrail journey? That way tickets are more expensive and there´s no guarantee you have a seat.

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
I personally always start from home and end up at home by train ... :)

[b]Please support railcc:[/b]
- buy your rail passes and tickets here on the recommended website: [ux]https://rail.shop/interrail[/ux]
- add locations of your home-town (bars, nice places, ...)
Thank you! :)

Peter :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej!

I usually go back home to Graz by train...the Zürich - Graz night train is my standard train. :)

However, I also took the plane twice:
In 2008 (22 days IR) we got a free (only had to pay for luggage and taxes) flight from East Midlands Airport to Bratislava that happended to be exactly on the last day of validity of our ticket so I could not convice by buddy to go home from the UK by train (which would have taken two days).
And in 2008 (40 days IR) I also got a flight from Gatwick to Vienna...after such a long time my motivation to get home by train would have been rather low I have to admit. ;)

Living in Austria also has the advantage that you are in the middle of Europe which makes it rather easy to get back home by train.
When I travel home by train I usually know how much days I need and what trains to take from a certain city beforehand (ie on my last trip in August 2012 I stayed in the UK and knew that I had to take the Harwich - Hook van Holland night ferry on a certain date in order to get back to Austria in time).


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

No doubt that living in the centre of europe has it´s advantages. Being from Lisbon and planning my Interrail trip got me the notion that we are very far away from the centre. I now don´t criticize the portuguese governments that want to build the TGV to Madrid.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Yeah, but sadly they apparently stopped the planning process due to the economical situation. Although a normal gauge HS link to Madrid would be great at some point to get a through access to the European standard gauge network. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

It seems that accomodation in Turin will make me turn away from the city. There´s few good hostels or cheap Hotel over there. Maybe i might as well go from Nice directly to Paris instead of Turin.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Ok guys, i have my routing set but it seems there is a problem as the night train from Nice - Luxembourg will not run from April beyond. So how am i going to transfer to Amsterdam with a fast and free of reservation connection? (The Elipsos or Thalys are out of question)

23May - Barcelona
24May - Barcelona
25May - Barcelona
26May - Nice (I don´t think it´s a good ideia arriving a couple of hours after teh Gran Prix of Monaco has finished, but anyways...)
27May - Nice (Day trip to Monaco)
28May - Nice
29May - Amsterdam
30May - Amsterdam
31May - Amsterdam
01Jun - Amsterdam
02Jun - Munich
03Jun - Munich
04Jun - Munich
05Jun - Munich
06Jun - Ljubljana
07Jun - Ljubljana (day trip to Bled)
08Jun - Ljubljana
09Jun - Zagreb
10Jun - Zagreb
11Jun - Zagreb
12-18Jun - Switzerland

Now, the night trains Nice to Luxembourg and Nice - Paris at night will not run from April and beyond. And i guess the same thing applies to most of the Intercités in France due to the decision of the government to refurbish their train system.

I can change Nice for Prague and instead of going to the south of France i can go directly to Amsterdam and from there to Prague but the Elipsos and Thalys are very expensive...any solutions?

Btw i will buy the 10d22days pass of course and will go back to Portugal from Geneve.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

where did you find the information regarding the night train? :?:
It should run on the dates as given here: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/nice-luxembourg-icn-4882/301[/u]


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

If you check the days of operation of that train at the DB Bahn website you will see that it will not run from the 1st of April.

Also, googled about this and found out that SCNF will refurbish these service.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

DB can only work with the data provided by the different railways - for instance you will also find many trains in Poland running to February 8th only, although the are of course running after that date as well. This is often due to engineering works where timetables are amended throughout the year.
Also, SNCF is known for putting online its schedueles rather late and at short notice which they explain by ongoing construction works.

If certain trains are shown as running not the entire year on the DB site (which uses HAFAS software as do ÖBB, SNCB, SBB,...) it is always a good idea to check the website of the relevant railway, in your case SNCF.

Where did you find the info regarding the train not running?

:arr: [u]http://www.kleinezeitung.at/freizeit/events/baelle/multimedia.do?action=showEntry_detail&project=147499&_vl_backlink=/freizeit/events/baelle/3230299/erstes-prominenteneintreffen-oper.story[/u]


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I did checked the SCNF website and this train no longer show up on the 1st of April

Check this link for the news:

[u]http://www.20minutes.fr/article/1081179/sncf-veut-remplacer-intercites-uses-vieux-tgv[/u]

At least, based of the schedule, the article mentions that there will be changes on the Intercités de Nuit.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

I didnt find any information regarding this issue in the article.

The fact that you cant find the schedules for dates after April 1st can also be due to SNCF putting online schedules rather late - as I explained above.
If you check the link I posted you can see the official SNCF schedule which shows the train running on a daily basis except for some single dates.


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Ok flow, i´ll trust your experience regarding train schedules ;)

Probably in 1 or 2 months the schedules will be updated.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hej,

well, European Railways can always act a bit surprising... ;) But a little experience helps sometimes as well. If you have any doubts regarding schedules etc it is best to ask here in order to discuss and see what is really going on. :)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

That´s good :D

Now, Prague or Nice?

I´m not particularly interested in seeing Nice, i´m more interested in a day trip to Monaco and for that i need 3 days being there...1 day trip from Barcelona to Nice, then the day trip to monaco and while i´m there i wont miss the chance to see a bit of Nice. Also against me is that i´m planning to arrive in Nice on the 26th of May which is the day of the Monaco Grand Prix...the city and around must be chaotic.
Prague is another option too, i can go directly from Barcelona to Amsterdam then Munich and then Prague. To make the best of this journey i wouldn´t mind paying the 77€ for the Elipsos Barcelona-Paris and the Thalys to Amsterdam which means 3 full days in Prague , i guess this is a once in a lifetime experience so spend the money away hehe :D

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Or i can do Barcelona - Cerbere - Paris and Thalys onto Amsterdam arriving at 11:41 8)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Honestly I'm not too fond of the Elispsos idea...better to go via Cerbere and the domestic french night train, much cheaper! :D
And, you could then also include the Petit Train Jaune, I'd really recommend it. Also, the Thalys really is not necessary. Better to go the slower route via Lille - Gent - Antwerpen which would also give you enough time for a short visit in one of the beautiful cities...and two days in Prague would be still enough.

So many choices... :D

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I should choose the Cerbere - Luxembourg night train ro reach Amsterdam. Afterall i leave Barcelona on the weekend when this train is available.

How about booking all the hostels in advance? I have read in here that you will lose flexibility but i really want to go to these cities. (minus Nice/Monaco which would be crazy to be there while the Monaco Grand Prix is going on and Turin/Firenze due to the long travel journeys.).

Btw flow, you enjoying my planning? :D Alot different than my 1st post and with 2 pages and almost 1000 views, this is embarassing but planning is quite fun :os 8)

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
About hostels: I often book online during the trip ... a day before arriving in the next city - so I know where to go and save my time. :)
If I know the exact arrival date (due to train reservations I have or at the beginning/end of my tour), I often book some more days in advance, so I am sure to get the hostel I want. Conclusion: you have to find your personal way between flexibility and I want this special hostel ... ;)

If you book via these accommodation links, the prices is for you are the same, but railcc gets a little commission to keep the servers running or to say thank you to Flow that he answered all your questions ... :)

Hostelworld: [ux]https://rail.shop/hostelworld[/ux]
Booking.com: [ux]https://rail.shop/bookingcom[/ux]

Peter :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Thanks Peter, i will buy from you of course. The search and book system is very good and i can book the Munich - Zagreb night train without spending money calling HZ Railways :)

Now onto a quick question: how safe are trains in southern france?

I´m aware that it´s not all pink dreams and glamour over there due to the guettos around Nice/Marseille/Menton/Montpellier etc which puts me a bit apprehensive about travelling by train in southern France.
Any problems in trains or in the station?
I just want to go there to check out Monaco, not really that interested in Nice altough that since i´m there i can stay a day to check the old town and the Promenade des Anglais. Do you think it´s worth it?
Or should i go to my next stop while stopping overnight before reaching Munich?

And about night trains...if the compartiment doors can´t be opened from the outside if you lock them, how do you do if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night?

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
Never heard and never had about problems in Southern-France. It is like it is in other cities as well... you will meet nice people and bad people.
If you have to go to the toilet at night, open the door from inside, go to the toilet and back. During that time, the door is open - just do it while not stopping at a railway station. It's the common way...
Peter :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I see. Hopefully none of the other passengers in the same couchette closes the door while someone goes to the bathroom :D

Now for two questions:

- While checking the reservation for the Munchen - Zagreb night train the price for a 2nd classe 4 bed couchette is 26€ while the info in the connections page at railcc shows a price of 20€. Is the last price not updated?

- Going from Ljubljana to Prague takes 10-11 hours by day trains. I´ve found that i can go on the Zagreb - Munich night train starting in Ljubljana and leave in Salzburg at 04:09 and start my journey to Prag at 06:00 to arrive there at 12:39 via Linz and Ceske Budejovice. Is there another better connection and more confortable way to reach Ljubljana to Prag?
I can handle one sleepless night but if there´s a better way to do it the better.

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.

1) Night train Munich - Zagreb: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/munich-zagreb-en-499/151[/u]
The prices are up to date, but it is as well mentioned bellow the schedules: Important: the given prices may vary due to service or handling fees. Depending on whether you purchase the reservations/tickets online, at a ticket machine or at a railway station.
No one earns money by selling reservations, it is an extra service and the person who prints out the ticket, put it into a letter and send it to you has to be paid as well. Therefore if you want the service, you have to pay for it. :)
But you can also get it for example in Munich at the railway station.

2) I recommend by night train to Munich (arr 0615), there you continue to Prague by direct bus (reservation fee EUR 4 - arr 1229): [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/munich-to-prague[/u]

Peter :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Fair enough :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

[quote]
Btw flow, you enjoying my planning? :D Alot different than my 1st post and with 2 pages and almost 1000 views, this is embarassing but planning is quite fun :os 8) [/quote]

Yeah, I do! Although I needed a break and went to the Balkans for a few days...but now I am back. :D

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

What a way to make a break o)

I´m not posting more regularly because there´s so many places i want to see that maybe it´s better to not do a specific routing. Have already put Copenhagen/Berlin into the mix etc but choosed to go somewhere else.

Anyway i want to start making reservations for the Hendaye-Paris for 23 May and for some night trains but I cannot do the TGV reservation and the Zagreb-Munich night train isn´t available no matter the date i search. I´m doing this in your online shop btw.

Tried RailEur*pe but they only send the tickets to UK Mainland adresses only. I would feel more secure if i could make the reservations from Portugal instead of train stations.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Haha, yeah...well, you know we sometimes have to travel ourselfs as well to collect new informations and keep our travelling brains in shape. ;)

Humm, I know that problem...too many places to see, not enough time to visit them all...

Well, a CP station should be able to make reservations for TGV in France, I'd check that.
Apart from that, I wouldnt make too much reservations now, as your travel plans are not really fix yet.

What are your current plans? InterRail pass 10in22 still? Depending on how your final route will look like, how flexible you want to stay during your journey...you might check again for regular tickets, especially if you have fixed travel dates in the end. Might be cheaper, I cant tell unless I know more about your route...but you can check for yourself of course. ;)


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Well i have a route planned which i haven´t changed for awhile...yet :D

I have everything set, from which hostels to choose, the amount i will spent for accomodation and i´ve already bought my TGV ticket for Hendaye-Paris for 23May departing time 12:45. I hope the Sud-express doesn´t delay on it´s way to Hendaye which is schedulled to arrive at 11:28.

The ticket cost 30€. The reason i prefered to buy a normal ticket instead of reservation was that i want to use some travel days with my Interrail pass while in Switzerland as trains over there are expensive with normal tickets. For this price the difference of 6€ for a rail pass reservation for TGV is less than what i would spend in Switzerland with normal rail tickets.

This means i will start my journey on the 22May evening with the Sud-Express finishing in Switzerland on the 18Jun while the Interrail pass is valid between 25May until 15Jun for the 10in22 pass.

Which means: Paris - Prague - Wien - Ljubljana - Zagreb - Munich - Lausanne

I´m a little bit aprehensive of what to do in Wien since i´m not too fond of going to the main monuments. The only touristy place i´ve decided to go so far is to walk on the Ringstrasse.

Any suggestion flow? You should know better than me ;)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Today i´ve gone to Santa Apolonia and bought a reservation for the TGV Paris-Basel (Going to catch the City Night Line to Dresden on the 25th of May) for 10€. I wanted to buy a reservation for the Zagreb-Munich night train but they couldn´t do that.

In your online shop i cannot do this reservation also. Last month this was available but now it isn´t. Can you check with ACP Rail?

Is there any other way to make this reservation? I would prefer to departure Portugal with the reservations for night trains made.

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
If it is not in the system, data was not given from the Croatian railway. So there is nothing to do or to repair. You have to get it somewhere else during your trip.
Peter :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Phone our friends at Deutsche Bahn, they should be able to make the reservation for you and either send it to you or deposit at a ticket machine at any station in Germany

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I can finally say i made up my mind!

I`ve booked my hostels in:

Paris 23-25May
Prague 26-29May
Budapeste 30-02Jun
Munich 02-06Jun
Ljubljana 06-10Jun
Zagreb 10-12Jun


Just need to book the Sud-Express, the Basel-Dresden, Prague-Budapeste and the Zagreb-Zurich night trains.

Just so i should let you know, i´ve made my booking through your online shop.

I just hope it will be a great journey!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Awesome!

Basel - Dresden is possible online as explained here :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/zurich-prague-cnl40470/38[/u]
Prague - Budapest should be possible online at CD website :arr: [ux]https://rail.shop/cd[/ux]
Zagreb - Zürich is best done at a station during your trip.

Enjoy your trip. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Thanks Flow.

I will also buy the Basel-Dresden (too bad the train doesnt go all the way to Prague on the 25th May) and Prague-Budapeste in here.

That Zagreb-Zurich is a tricky one. I cannot speak with DB Bahn call center no matter how long i´m waiting on the phone. Just sent them an email two days ago but i´m still waiting for an answer.

This is going to be great!

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Just got the email from DB Bahn but it didn´t help.

One of my main doubts was choosing my ID card while on the booking process of the CNL Basel-Dresden. Portugal doesn´t show up on the drop down menu in the passenger identification page. Only Germany,Austria,Italy,France,Luxembourg,Belgium,Switzerland and the Netherlands show up which i find it strange.

I have my portuguese ID card number printed on my Interrail ticket, i´m not going to choose a country that it´s not mine. Perhaps its a bug in the DB Bahn website.

Also concerning the passenger identification, i keep reading that you must have a passport while Interrailing for conductors and customs inspections even while crossing Schengen countries?
I don´t think i need a passport judging the countries i´m going to visit...

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Just some doubts about train reservations:

Should i reserve the RJ Budapest-Munich (dep 07:10), the Munich-Ljubljana journey and the Dresden-Prague EC (dep 09:08) and the Ljubljana-Zagreb D415?

Also on my way to Ljubljana from Munich i will have a short transfer in Vilach which is 10 minutes, is it enough time to change trains?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi!

Buy the Basel - Dreden reservation at [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] as described here :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/zurich-prague-cnl-40470/38[/u]
You need your credit card with which you buy your reservation or an ID card as identification document on the train. Unfortunately, DB only accepts ID cards, not passports as identification document. I dont know why they not accept a Portuguese ID but I dont think it is a bug. :( So you should carry your credit card with you or is that not possible?

Prague - Budapest is cheapest on rail.shop/cd so try that.

For Zagreb - Zürich you might have to wait until you are really travelling...if DB cannot sell it to you. :|

You need a valid ID also if travelling within Schengen. So either passport or ID card - just check if all countries you are going to visit are accepting your Portuguese ID card as a valid identification document.

You dont need a reservation neither for the Railjet, nor for any of the other trains you mentioned in your last post. Our schedules show only transfers which are possible (as do online schedule planners), 10 minutes in Villach usually is enough and this Munich - Villach EC is usually on time (and the connecting train also can wait a few minutes if there is a minor delay).


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Just got back an email from DB Bahn. They only accept the ID cards from the countries i mentioned above so the only option will be to get the reservations to be sent by post.

Unfortunately i can´t book the CNL since i get this message after the payment screen:

no more seats available for this train, for which a reservation is compulsory

Called the DB Bahn call center but they couldn´t do either, said the reservations were blocked. I will try to book again in about 2 weeks.

At least i´ve made my reservation for the Zagreb-Zurich night train. Do they offer breakfast? ;) :D

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Just a quick question regarding the golden pass line route. After Zagreb i will go on the night train to Zurich before reaching Lausanne for five more days so i want to do the golden pass route.

I don´t want to buy reservations for this trains. In case i don´t get a seat can i hop on regular SBB trains that run on the same route? To which stations should i pay attention?

It seems that Lucerne to Interlaken and Zweisimmen to Montreaux the route is the same no matter which trains run but from Interlaken to Zwesimmen it seems i have to go via Spiez to get the same views as the Golden Pass route.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi! :)

The Golden Pass Route is just a marketing thing, you wont ever cross a Golden Pass here. ;) The route consists of three different sections which means you will have to change trains twice (well three times sometimes as well).

1) Luzern - Interlaken Ost. This is the narrow gauge Brünigbahn over Brünig Pass - the first of two passes you will cross on the whole route. It is operated by Zentralbahn. From Luzern, take a seat on the right side of the train for the best views on both climb and decent of Brünig Pass. After Brünig Pass the train reverses at Meiringen, but stay at your seat! Now the train runs Lake Brienz on the left to Interlaken.
2) Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen. This is a standard gauge line operated by BLS. On most services a change of trains is required in Spiez. Sit on the right side of the train from Interlaken.
3) Zweisimmen - Montreux. A narrow gauge line again, operated by MOB. I had a seat on the right hand side of the train, but left hand side is OK as well.

For all regular trains on this route you wont need a reservation! MOB even operatesobservation cars for which you dont a reservation. :)
Reservations are only recommended for observation cars from Luzern - Interlaken (1st class only) and the observation cars Zweisimmen - Montreux (1st and 2nd class). Reservations are required for VIP accomodation Zweisimmen - Montreux but this would require a 1st class ticket.

SBB trains run on a completely different route (check map above). ;)

I used this route in August 2011 and got a seat on all trains without having a reservation.

The night train arrives at 0920, hence I would recommend the following connection:

Zürich 0935 - 1025 Luzern :arr: Have a quick look around Luzern, it is worth it even with your luggage. From the station exit continue walking and within a few metres you will see Kapellbrücke the town's landmark to the left. You could continue your walk across the bridge and along the promenade of Vierwaldstättersee and enjoy the view. Then head back, across Kapellbrücke and back to the station. Maybe have a visit to the food hall in the basement of Globus right opposite the station.
Luzern 1055 - 1255 Interlaken Ost
Interlaken Ost 1308 - 1420 Zweisimmen :arr: Goldenpass Panoramic service - nothing special, just painted cars
Zweisimmen 1425 - 1613 Montreux :arr: Goldenpass Panoramic service - 1st and 2nd class observation cars

If you dont have enough time in Luzern, you can do the whole trip an hour later however it will take longer:

Luzern 1155 - 1355 Interlaken Ost
Interlaken Ost 1430 - 1452 Spiez
Spiez 1512 - 1555 Zweisimmen
Zweisimmen 1625 - 1813 Montreux :arr: Goldenpass Classic, 1st and 2nd class vintage Pullman cars

Montreux - Lausanne is easy, frequent SBB trains run on this route:
Montreux 1619 - 1640 Lausanne
Montreux 1819 - 1840 Lausanne

Another option could be:

Leaving the night train from Zagreb in Sargans already (at 0823), then:
Sargans 0839 - 0917 Pfäffikon
Pfäffikon 1006 - 1120 Luzern :arr: Voralpenexpress service, another line with quite scenic views, via Arth-Goldau.

Then from Luzern as above (of course Luzern departure 1255 would be also possible then...). In fact, as I write this it occurs to me that it is better anyway to leave Luzern at 1255:

Luzern 1255 - 1455 Interlaken Ost
Interlaken Ost 1508 - 1617 Zweisimmen
And direct connection in Zweisimmen to the Goldenpass Classic train at 1625 - or a Goldenpass Panoramic at 1705.


Flo 8)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I thought about doing the last schedule you suggested also. My main doubt was that while i was trying to reserve seats on Golden pass trains last week (which i then thought it wasn´t worth it) in the section from Interlaken to Zweisimmen the search could only retrieve trains at 13:08 and 17:08.

I´ve checked with DB Bahn and trains dep at 15:08 and 15:29 show up which i thought weren´t going on the normal Golden Pass route.

At Lucerne i will choose the train that departes at 12:55 so that i can have a look around the city, have lunch and buy food to eat on my way to Lausanne :D
Strange thing that my reservation from Zagreb has a arrival time in Zurich at 10:12 instead of 09:20 :|

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Oh, that is correct - you are travelling then during construction works between Feldkirch and Buchs SG, therefore the train will be diverted via St Margrethen with a later arrival in Zürich.
Then skip the Voralpenexpress and head to Luzern from Zürich. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Even with construction works i can still make it to the 12:55 train but wont be able to check Lucerne.

Now about the Zagreb-Zurich train, it will be alot of hours on the train. This train has a buffet car or it will be better to bring food with me?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Well, you will arrive at 1012, then:

Zürich 1035 - 1125 Luzern

Still enough time for a short visit to Luzern. :)

The Zagreb - Zürich does not convey a buffet or restaurant car so you should take enough food and drinks with you. The sleeping car conductor will probably sell some drinks and small snacks but not much. Sleeping car passengers get a small breakfast I am not 100% sure about the couchette car.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Or why not going on the 14:55 one so that i can enjoy a bit of Luzern? And catch the Zweisimmen-Montreaux at 18:25 so i arrive at 20:13 in almost sunset :) (Might need a reservation for this last one)

I will make shure i go to the supermarket in Zagreb then ;)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Well of course you can - the freedom of InterRail. ;)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Finally bought my Sud-Express ticket after a couple of months contacting CP and Renfe as to why weren´t the Promo fares available just like they were annoucing them on their websites only to receive an email a few days ago saying there was an error on Renfe system.

Bought a 4 bed Tourist compartiment but only until Irun since Promo fares weren´t available all the way through Hendaye. I will need to change stations and i have two options:

- Buy a single fare from Irun-Hendaye also on the same train for 13€
- Transfer with a Euskotren between Irun-Hendaye. Might cost about 1-2€.

My train arrives in Irun at 11:17 and the TGV to Paris leaves Hendaye at 12:45. I think i have enough time to transfer. My only problem is if the Sud-Express gets late to Irun and then i wont have much time to transfer.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

I'd just stay on the train the few minutes...

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

1 week and a half to go \o/\o/

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

[quote]Oh, that is correct - you are travelling then during construction works between Feldkirch and Buchs SG, therefore the train will be diverted via St Margrethen with a later arrival in Zürich.
Then skip the Voralpenexpress and head to Luzern from Zürich. :) [/quote]

It seems the D414 will stop in Feldkirch at 07:21. Then i will have to change to the EN1264 that leaves at 07:38 to Zurich. I guess it is the same train since some carriages are attached in Schwarzach-St.Veit .

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

You dont have to change, your train will be attached to another train (coming from Graz) either in Schwarzach or Feldkirch, depending on the date.
On what date do you travel with this train? What kind of reservation do you have? Sleeper?

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I will travel on the 12nd of June. I have a couchette berth so i will need to check my car carefully.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

OK...well, if you leave Zagreb on the 2nd you should arrive normally at 0920 in Zürich. Special construction works timetable starts only on the 4th...

Could you maybe post a pic of your reservation?
Anyway, you wont have to change. Your car will run through all the way from Zagreb to Zürich and there normally is only one couchette car on this train. ;)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I actually made a mistake, i forgot to put number 1 in front of 2. I will leave in the 12th June and on my reservation it states an arrival time of 10:12.

I have another doubt also regarding Berlin-Prague. I will arrive in Berlin on the CNL 471 from Paris at 08:57 and from there to Prague on the EC175 at 10:46. In the DB Bahn website it shows a high occupancy to be expected along with an R alongside and i don´t have a reservation.
What should i expect from this? Am i not going to have a seat and need to stand? Or should i try to make a seat reservation as soon as i get to Paris? Or does this message show up because it is a sunday?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Ah, ok. Well, then you are affected by the construction works, you train will be diverted from Feldkirch via St Margrethen - Winterthur to Zürich.

You dont have to change trains though, your train from Beograd - Zagreb will be attached to the night train coming from Graz in Schwarzach-St.Veit in the middle of the night.
Apparently this hasnt been implemented in the schedule planners, thats why a change of trains is shown in Feldkirch. Just search for your train Zagreb - Zürich and then also the train Graz - Zürich on 12 June and then check the detailed timings of each train (click on the train number). You will see that the timings from Schwarzach-St. Veit onwards to Zürich are identical - and that can only be if your train is attached to the other one. ;)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Yes, i`ve noticed the same departure times when starting in Schwarzach. It means i can sleep a little more :)

Also can you advise me if i should buy a reservation for the EC175 Berlin-Prague on the 26th May? It seems the train will be full so probably it is better to be safe then sorry and call DB Bahn to get a reservation.
I wont have time to receive it by mail so i will ask them to pick up in a ticket office in Berlin Hbf.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I mean the DB Bahn schedule shows Great demand for this connection is expected and High occupancy to be expected

Are there vacations in Germany or the Czech Republic? Or i do not necessarily need a reservation for this train?

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
It is just Sunday afternoon - a time when trains easily get full. I personally wouldn't buy a reservation, as long as you travel alone, you will find a seat. If not, sit on the floor somewhere. :)
If you want to buy one, try first a ticket machine at the station to avoid the service fee a the ticket window.
You could enter the train as well already in Berlin-Spandau at 10:26h. Search there for a seat before the train stops in main station at 10:34h.
Peter :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

[quote]Hi.
It is just Sunday afternoon - a time when trains easily get full. I personally wouldn't buy a reservation, as long as you travel alone, you will find a seat. If not, sit on the floor somewhere. :)
If you want to buy one, try first a ticket machine at the station to avoid the service fee a the ticket window.
You could enter the train as well already in Berlin-Spandau at 10:26h. Search there for a seat before the train stops in main station at 10:34h.
Peter :) [/quote]

Yes it will be easier to get just one seat as i´m travelling alone. I think i will risk not buying a reservation, afterall Interrailing is an adventure :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Yeah, I think you will be fine. As Peter mentioned, if you have time, enter the train in Spandau already.

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Yes i have about two hours transfer in Berlin arriving in Spandau at 08:45 and the train to Prague leaves at 10:26.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Oh, alright...well, then I would definitely go to Hauptbahnhof (main station) first - you arrive with the night train from Paris, right? Then use the two hours for a short sightseeing tour of Berlin: From the main entrance of Hauptbahnhof it is a short walk to Bundestag and Kanzleramt, from there you can go to Brandenburger Tor and Unter den Linden until you reach Friedrichstraße. There, turn left to go to Friedrichstraße station (or turn right for a visit of Checkpoint Charlie before going to Friedrichstraße station). From Friedrichstraße you can take S-Bahn trains to either Hackescher Markt or Alexanderplatz and have a walk to the other station, depending on where you exit. From there, take the S-Bahn back to Hauptbahnhof and enter the EC train there or if enough time is left continue to Spandau. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

A quick Berlin visit ;)

Anyway i just droped by to say i´m on my way to catch the Sud-Express...the adventure starts today.

Thanks again for all your great help in planning my journey...i will post pics here when i arrive back in Portugal :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Great! Have fun, I hope all works out well - and if you need help, just drop by and ask. ;)

Ahh...the Sud-Express... :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

[quote]Great! Have fun, I hope all works out well - and if you need help, just drop by and ask. ;)

Ahh...the Sud-Express... :) [/quote]

Yes, the Sud-Express. I was thinking of having dinner there but 40€ per person seems too much :o

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Well that's expensive...I only stayed in the bar when I was using the night trains to/from Portugal the last time. :)

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

I´ve just arrived from Geneva today in which was the end of this great journey.

It was fantastic, i met so many people, seen amazing alpine views,visited charming and vibrant cities, saw the slovenian coast and had to sleep in a gym matress on a local school in Freilassing due to the floods.

I did missed on Munich because i was tired of all the rain and cold that i just wanted to leave the city as soon as i arrived from Freilassing. That´s where i found the freedom of Interrail...i wanted to go to Florence but the train was also cancelled so i just bought a reservation for the night train Munich-Zagreb which cancelled also...so got on the night train to Budapest only to change in Wien for Ljubljana and change my hostel reservation and travel plans.

So next time i will go like flow and Peter do...without destination.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Great to hear about your journey, obviously you had a great time! :D

FabMon
Traveller
62 comments

Yes i had and it felt a bit strange when i arrived back in Lisbon...everything looked like, how can i describe...not usual, different.

By the way, i´ve made a short movie of my journey if anyone wants to see:

[u]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ5FWs_Gzhs[/u]

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
Thank you for posting this. Looks good. :)
And don't hesitate to add some locations or nice places/stops of your trip - to help other travellers.
Thank you, Peter :)