Has anyone used these folks? The train tickets seem much cheaper so I am a bit concerned it is too good to be true.. Looks like they are out of the UK but offer tickets in Europe as well. Thanks, Steve
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
www.thetrainline.com is primarily a ticket seller for the UK, bit they also have arrangements with some other train companies in mainland Europe. I have used them without problems.
I would expect them to be as cheap as any other UK seller for trains in the UK, there is a high degree of competition for rail ticket sellers in the UK, and most offer the same price. Alternatives for the UK are http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or the specific railway company running the train.
Alternatives for trains from the UK to mainland Europe are https://loco2.com/ or www.eurostar.com/
Who are you comparing them with? If it is www.raileurope.com these are a reseller for the US market which is known to apply a mark-up.
Posted by
OP
minneapolis, MN
176 posts
I was comparing it to TGV which we usually use. As there are 7 of us it adds up. (e.g. a trip March 6, 1037hrs, Munich to Paris was 69 Euro vs 115 Euro on TGV..makes no sense.. Thanks , Steve
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
"The train tickets seem much cheaper" Cheaper than whose tickets? Remember, these prices are in GB pound, which is about 30% more than a euro.
I certainly would not use them for German tickets. They are kinda like RailEurope - not every train shown, higher than Bahn prices, no discount fares or regional passes, refund exchange policy inferior to the Bahn.
For instance Frankfurt to Munich, only by ICE, fare 112 € (85 £), Bahn price 101 €.
Salzburg to Munich, only Meridian (regional) or RailJet (no EC). RJ price 42,55 € (32,50 £), Bahn 36 €. Bahn price EC 32 €.
Regional 39 € (30 £), Bahn 30,10 €. This trip can be made for even less for RJ/EC with Savings Preis or regional with Bayern-ticket.
Looks like they get their continental tickets from SNCF (French Rail) which owns RailEurope)!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
You said 69€/per (483€ for 7). The only way I can get that price on trainline.com is with 2 adults and 5 children. Is that what you are looking at?
I'm having trouble getting the Bahn website to give me a group of 7 with 5 as children, but I can get a group of 7 with 2 children for 507,25€, (72,46€ per person).
Posted by
OP
minneapolis, MN
176 posts
Ok. "If its too good to be true..." Thx to all