Hi! I just ordered my railpass from RickSteve's.com and I was just curious...
How many of you order your railpasses from RickSteves?
If you have, what sort of questions did you ask for your three-question limit with the RickSteves travel gurus?
I am trying to formulate the best three questions to ask, and I'm freaked out. Just curious as to what other users have asked and how their answers were from the Ricksteves staff. :) Thanks!
Hi Amber,I bought our railpasses from Ricksteves because it was just easier than trying to figure everything out myself. Regarding the 3 questions, I can't for the life of me remember what my questions were, but don't get freaked out. The staff are terrific, and the info you can get from the Travellers Helpline will answer any questions you forget to ask the RailPass people.
Amber, when planning my last trip to Europe, I called RS travel desk numerous times for answers to questions. You can make an appointment to have a 1/2 consultation (or at least you could a couple of years ago) or you can simply call and ask a question now and then. And the Helpline is great with sharing its collective knowledge.
Deb
Hello Amber. When I acquire a Rail pass, I buy it from www.ricksteves.com.
That is a lower price than buying it from any travel agency that I know of. The rail pass, ordered from Rick Steves' business, arrives at my residence very soon. The travel agents do not have much knowledge about rail passes, or knowledge about anything in Europe. For example : before I travelled to the Scandinavian countries, I telephoned a local big travel agency -- to ask for the price for a rail pass for the Scandinavian countries. The name of that railpass is "SCAN RAIL" pass. I talked with a travel agent who is the rail pass seller at a big travel agency. She did not know what a SCAN RAIL pass is. So, I quickly terminated that Telephone call, and I ordered the SCAN RAIL pass from Rick Steves' business. Once, I talked with the person at Rick Steves' business who works with the transactions of selling the rail passes. I think that is all that she does there. She was friendly on the Telephone, she knows everything about rail passes, and she was proficient and efficient in assisting me. When I purchased rail passes from Rick Steves, his business also sent to me a free map and an other publication of my choice, which was helpful to me. And I think he gave me a discount from the prices for travel accessories for sale at his "Travel Store" at this website, because I bought a rail pass from him. As for the 3 questions that a rail pass customer can ask of the staff -- I think that is not necessary -- you are likely to get the best answer from people here at the Traveler's Helpline, to questions such as "what is the best and quickest transportation from Stratford - upon Avon to the Warwick castle ?". But, at this Traveler's Helpline, the best answer might not be here until seven days, or ten days after you ask the question.
And, I would search for the information and advice that I want, in Rick Steves' books, and at other places in this website, before I ask a question.
Amber,
If you have more questions after you've used your quota of three with the RS staff, call the toll-free number on the BETS site. You don't have to be a customer and you'll get expert, free, and friendly advice.
I've purchased rail passes from Rick Steves twice now. I only asked a couple questions since this helpline either already has the question answered OR can answer it. My questions were basically ones that couldn't be answered on the helpline. I had a question on validating my train pass in Prague and they gave me instructions (Czech Republic wasn't included on the pass.). I also asked them a question on dates and when I could use it, etc since they were offering some promotions.
We purchased railpasses through Rick Steves...simple and FAST. Don't remember my 3 questions, but I do remember being satisfied with the answers. However, the folks on this site are impossible to beat. If you have questions, ask them here.
