If you want to book a pass, you can use the widget below search passes, prices, and train tickets. R

Despite all my trips around Europe , I could never say I’ve “railed” across the continent. I am usually so scattered in my plans that I take few trains and lots of planes. I end up in Venice and decide Amsterdam is fun and fly back there. My plans are never consistent enough for trains. But on this trip I really american airlines reservations details wanted to see Europe by train .
I get a lot of questions about European train travel and the value of European rail passes. I’ve heard mixed reviews about them from other travelers so I decided this trip it was finally time to answer the most important question – “will buying this pass save me money?”
I emailed Rail Europe and asked “Would it be possible to get a pass to review for an article on Eurail american airlines reservations details passes?” They said yes so with my Global Eurail pass (the multi-country one that was valid for 15 trips in a 2 month period) in hand, I was off to ride the rails through Europe.
Note: All these prices are in Euros. I convert them into dollars based on the average exchange rate of $1= €0.67. The first column is the reservation fee I paid. Train prices are based on what was told me at the time I booked the ticket. While all trains are roughly the same price, american airlines reservations details different departure times might be a few Euros more or less than what I paid.
First, what type of pass you get will greatly affect how much you save. There are a lot of different passes but the two main passes most travelers use are the 1st class adult pass and 2nd class youth (for those under 26) global flexi passes. A two month 15 day 2nd class ticket costs $774, with a value of $51.60 per trip. A 1st class adult ticket costs $1,190.00, with a value of $79 per trip. These passes let you travel american airlines reservations details all over Europe and give 10 or 15 trips in a one or two month period. Consecutive day passes can be bought for up to 3 months, but aren t really that good of a deal if you aren t traveling every other day since everyday you don t use them is a lost day.
Secondly, I saved money because I took long inter-country trains. I mentioned the value of each trip because looking back at my travels, some train rides cost below the value of a Eurail trip. Many trains I took cost a lot, and in these cases, the passes saved me money. But for short trips, using one of my Eurail trips would actually cost me money. The Brussels to Brugge ticket only cost €12, far below the $79 value of that segment. If you are just taking short trips around Europe, then getting a Eurail pass will cost you more. However, if you only take it across vast distances or on overnight american airlines reservations details trains, you ll save money.
The value of my travels would have cost $1,294 for the reservation american airlines reservations details fees and the pass. The cost without the Eurail pass would have been $1,767. For a second class ticket, assuming the same reservation fees, I would have spent $878, whereas the trip would have cost $1,157 without the pass.
I wasn’t american airlines reservations details a believer in these passes before, but after seeing how the numbers add up, I think Eurail passes can be a great way for budget american airlines reservations details travelers to save money if used correctly. Even in an age of Ryanair, rail passes still make a lot of sense. In order to maximize value, make sure that you research train prices without the pass and add them up versus the value of the pass. You don’t need to know all your plans, since they change, but this at least gives you a ball park idea.
I know the initial sticker shock of the passes often leads people to forgo them and just wing it but winging will lead to higher transportation prices. You have to think of the money you spend as an upfront investment knowing that over the course of your trip, you’ll save more money than you spent. And in Europe, that extra money can be a lifesaver.
If you want to book a pass, you can use the widget below search passes, prices, and train tickets. Rail Europe is the largest broker of European rail passes american airlines reservations details outside of Europe. Whenever I need a pass, I buy from them as they are usually much cheaper than any other option. They have great customer service, american airlines reservations details frequent sales, and offices in Europe in case something goes wrong.
Editor s note: Using the links on this page will (at no extra cost to you) generate a small commission on any sales. I recommend this company because I use them myself. Don t get a rail pass if your trip doesn t fit the above criteria but if you get one, using the links here will allow me to continue to give you advice that helps you travel better. If you don t wish you to use the links here, you can visit their website directly at raileurope.com. If you have any questions about passes, e-mail me at [email protected] and I ll help you figure it out!
Great rundown. With the cost of discount airfare so low, and quality buses as well, I think the trains are almost a luxury these days. Unlike, say India, they are no longer such a necessary part of the backpacking experience in Europe. At least not for me.
OK folks, let s get honest here with current facts concerning american airlines reservations details European rail travel, and drop politically correct half-truths at the risk of losing travel privileges due to having sub-par services out-praised by a rival. The rest of the story.
Dates: 18 December 2012 28 December 2012 concerning use of Eurail Select american airlines reservations details passes. The last time I rode European trains was 25 years ago, and most of the information found on web sites is about that old.
FIRST. There are VERY FEW trains that DO NOT require a reservation: even the official Deutch Bahn website - and the instructions that come with your Eurail Pass - are misleading and incomplete. Your first class pass means nothing more than you are ELIGIBLE for first class cars, and have paid a BASE rate. You DO NOT have a seat on a train. Hidden reservation costs (which are required to get a SEAT) WILL be a minimum of 4 euro, and can be up to at least 16.50 euro. In the case of over-night or sleeper trains, add-on fees can range over $200.
Virtually all trains on main routes are either ICE or Railjet service trains. Copied after modern sardine-can bucket-rate airline seating, the tradition of luxury couchette compartments have given way to airline-style cattle american airlines reservations details cars: the new first class. The inability to move about is hardly compensated for by LED speedometer screens hanging all over the place.
Reservations on-line with a Eurail pass are unsuccessful due to roadblocks in the reservation system that DO NOT allow recognition of first class passes (exception: Swedish SJ trains). A visit to a train station in the country is required. If you do not speak the language, expect one ticket office out of at least a dozen open to you: you will simply be ushered aside by those not paid to exercise american airlines reservations details your language.
In most cases, EXPECT the young ticket agents to mention NOTHING about the requirement to obtain reservations (oh how well they have learned from American accessory marketing: you actually want a FUNCTIONAL WORD PROCESSING PROGRAM with your COMPUTER? ). It s a game of 10 questions be sure to work them to completion for the knowledge - and reservation - you need. As an example, agents at the Salzburg Hbf stated there are no reserved trains in Austria. A 2-hour standing trip between cars to Munich ensued - despite there being free seats - because we did not have reservations.
I ve traveled the trains in Europe every summer for the last 6 years and can tell you outside of a few places in Eastern Europe, everyone has spoken enough English where I can make a train reservation. Moreover, you don t need reservations on the vast majority of trains, especially in Austria where you can just walk on and sit down. Done it plenty of times.
My boyfriend and I will be traveling in Europe the last week of May first week of June 2013. We will flying into Munich, then would like to travel by train to Salzburg, and then onto Croatia, and then ending in Vienna to fly back home. I am confused by the conflicting opinions regarding rail passes. Should we purchase or not purchase? american airlines reservations details I don t know who to believe.
We do not want to have a structured itinerary . . . cities or areas we will like to see include Munich, Salzburg, the northern coastal area of Croatia, Ojisek near the Hungarian border, Zagreb, and then Vienna.
I don t think there is a pass that covers all the countries you want to go. Bus and train travel is pretty cheap in Croatia and the train from Munich to Salzburg isn t that expensive. Except a long train ride from Salzburg with lots of transfers to Croatia and the same on the way back.
Interesting, I ve never used a Euro-rail pass but I ve considered them in the past. Unfortunately they don t apply to many of the countries I ve spent a lot of time traveling in within Eastern Europe and the Balkans. I do think they are a good value for some though.
I m planing on going on a backpack tour through europe (probably only the balkan countries) myself american airlines reservations details and found out about a balkan american airlines reservations details flexi pass. its supposed to cost like 70 euro and valid for 8 days. I m trying to figure out which one could be the better choice, or if it is even the best choice to go without one and just make the reservations american airlines reservations details individually. Any Suggestions?
what you say is true. But you do not mention that the prices are not applicable to every nationality. North American prices are cheaper. If a french buy this ticket it will cost even more. Or last time i check not even possible for european to buy. This is very important to mention.
I love to travel by train I did it across Canada and through Asia, and will do again as much as possible. It s a great way to actually see something of the country you re visiting, and it s better for the environment american airlines reservations details too. Thanks american airlines reservations details for the article!
Nice summary. I travelled with Eurail some years ago when air travel was more expensive and I priced out well ahead. I think as you imply that its real value is if you want to sample europe and spread travel across the continent especially exploring the more expensive Scandinavian countries along with Germany and France. american airlines reservations details It also included (I assume it still does) some nice extras lik