I am planning a Prague-Budapest-Lake Bled- Rovinj-Prague trip this summer. My initial research shows that the Croatia-Hungary-Slovenia pass might be the best bargain. I have been comparing prices on www.raileurope.com, but their schedules do not show the same trains that the Deutsch Bahn website does. Anyway, does anybody have an experience one way or the other in terms of pass vs. individual tickets for a similar itinerary? Thanks a lot.
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
Individual tickets are less expensive than passes. Train travel in the areas you will be in are less expensive than western Europe. Point to point tickets are really inexpensive.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23652 posts
You cannot say that a pass is better or worse without doing the math. Twenty plus years ago it was no brainer but that was before they began modeling our airline system. Now with discounted advance purchase tickets, multi ticket pricing, you don't know until you have done your homework. Also rail pass have to pay reservations fees if you want a reservation or if the reservation is required for that train. That adds to the pass cost. A pass generally works well with a lot of long train rides. Not so well with short rides. RailEurope is not a good site for train schedules or price. RailEurope is a travel agency selling selected tickets at marked up prices. Bahn has the easiest and best schedule info for all of Europe but go the national rail sites for pricing information. Bahn will price any ticket that begins or ends in Germany.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
don't just look at price. the trains are not that expensive. be sure to look at buses, they are fast and direct. with train some times you have to change at some no name stops and you may find a very old soviet style station where nobody speak English, no clear time tables posted, no track info...