We are a group of 4 (two couples) who will be visiting Switzerland (Zurich and Lucerne), Germany (Munich and Berlin), Austria (Salzburg), and the Czech Republic (Prague). Based on our itinerary, we'll be on a destination to destination train on 5 different days (because we're doing a flight for one of the destination to destination legs). I'm looking at the Eurail Pass for either the 5 day in 1 month or the 7 day in 1 month. Is that what we should be doing? And does it make sense to do the 1st Class option if our group would like to guarantee a seat? I'm also a bit confused as to how it works considering the First Class guarantees a seat but the point of the Eurail is to allow flexibility with choice of train/travel. Basically, just new to the Eurail Pass and any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Green Bay
21096 posts
I always do point-to-point tickets and/or regional day passes. None of the places you are going requires seat reservations, but if you all want to be assured of sitting together, you should buy seat reservations 1st or 2nd class. Look at it this way, even if you had a 1st class pass, how would they know which seats to reserve for you? The benefit of the pass is you just board the train and sit anywhere that it is not reserved already. Seat reservations in Germany are 4.50 EUR per seat for 2nd class, and more for 1st class. 3 EUR in Austria. 5 CHF for Switzerland, although almost nobody gets seat reservations in Switzerland.
It is true that if you buy a 1st class ticket in Germany, it comes with a seat reservation automatically, but that is for point-to-point tickets only. A rail pass is different.
How big is your group? Do you qualify for Youth Pass?
Before you spring for expensive passes, read this, especially the bullet point, "Are point-to-point tickets cheaper?"
https://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-Eurail-pass-guide.htm#railpass-or-point-to-point-tickets
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8859 posts
The key value to the rail pass is its flexibility. It gives the user the ability to change plans quickly. If you have a fairly set itinerary to the point of wanting to have train reservations, it is most likely that point to point tickets will be a better value for you. Most people find that 2nd class works quite well on European trains.
You won't know for sure until to price out the trip both ways.
Posted by
Chicago
8159 posts
I agree; it looks like you have a set selection of towns so you do not need a rail pass and just point to point tickets.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5493 posts
If you have an itinerary and hotels booked, then you do not need flexibility. Just buy point to point tickets and save a bunch of money.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I'm also a bit confused as to how it works considering the First Class guarantees a seat
I think you have been misinformed/misread. First class does not guarantee a seat (though it may be less likely that all seats fill up in first class). A Reservation guarantees a seat, and you can get a reservation in 1st or 2nd class. As the others say, a reservation negates the supposed advantage of flexibility.
I would travel 2nd class
I would cost out advance-purchase discounted tickets bought directly from the railway companies. That may be cheaper than your pass.
As you sound like a rail newbie, I suggest reading this webpage: https://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-travel.htm
I am not totally sure of the order of your route. You jump about a bit. I would suggest:
- Fly into Zürich (???), train direct to Luzern (I assume)
- Luzern - Munich
- Do Salzburg as a day trip from Munich.
- Munich - Berlin
- Berlin - Prague
- Fly out of Prague (???)
Or possibly:
- Munich - Prague
- Prague - Berlin
- Fly out of Berlin.