Hello all, I just bought a Britrail Pass for my trip starting on August 1. However, it only covers two months of travel. So now, I have to figure out what kind of rail tickets or passes I should buy to cover me in October. I will basically need tickets or a pass that will allow me to travel from October 1 through October 30. Here is where I plan to travel that month from my base in Arundel or Kent. I will be going to Stonehenge, Bath, and Canterbury early in the month. Then, I will need to cross France and go the northern Italy for six nights. Then I will head back and stop in Paris for two nights. Then, I will end up in London the last two nights, where my flight home will be leaving from the next morning. I know I will be covering a lot of ground in October. Does anyone know what kind of tickets/passes would be the best and most affordable in my case? Thank you! Kristen
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
A London Plus pass will cover your train rides to and from Salisbury (the station closest to Stonehenge), Bath, and Canterbury. For details and a map of the area covered, go to www.britrail.com. Go to www.stonehenge.co.uk for detailed information on how to get from Salisbury to Stonehenge. Take the Eurostar from London to Paris and from Paris back to London. Book today at www.eurostar.com to get the cheapest tickets. The longer you wait, the higher the fare. To best advise you on how to get the cheapest tickets from Paris to northern Italy and back to Paris, we'll need to know specifically what your itinerary is.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
16 posts
Hi Tim, thank you for the information. I will be traveling from probably Arundel, England on October 20 through France and over to Torino, Italy, where there is a train station. I will stay 6 nights in Torino, leaving on the 26th, then travel back through France to Paris. I will stay in Paris for two nights and leave on the 28th. I will go from Paris on the 28th to London. This will be my final stop where I will catch my flight home. I hope that helps! Thank you!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Use the German Rail site to get detailed timetables for Arundel to Torino. You'll need to get to London in time to take either the 09:31 or the 10:35 Eurostar to Paris. There is a mandatory 30-minute check-in deadline for the Eurostar. You will go through passport control and security in London. When you arrive in Paris you can simply be on your way. Take the RER D directly from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. It's a 9-minute ride. Take a direct TGV from Gare de Lyon to Torino Porta Susa, departing at 14:41 and arriving at 20:23. The standard 2nd class fare is €110.00. However, if you book TODAY at tgv-europe.com, you can get a Mini fare of €35.00. To avoid being bumped to the US Rail Europe site, choose Great Britain as your country of residence. Then to avoid being bumped to the UK Rail Europe site, choose to stick with tgv-europe. Choose France as your ticket collection country. Choose E-ticket service and print your own ticket. Book Torino-Paris on tgv-europe.com and again print your own ticket. You cannot book more than three months in advance, but you should be able to get an even cheaper Mini fare (€25.00) if you book tomorrow. Before you book any tickets online, notify your credit card provider about what you will be doing and when. If you don't, your card may be blocked for suspected fraudulent use. Also tell the provider when you will arrive in Europe, which countries you will visit, and when you will depart.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
16 posts
Thanks so much, Tim, for that information. It's a huge help! Since you posted your message this morning, I guess you were telling me to book this online on Thursday. Will do. :) Thanks, again! I greatly appreciate suggestions that will save me money. I'm already worried that I will have to get a second job when I return. Oh well, hopefully it will be worth it! Best, Kristen