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Help! Do I need a pass for these places?

I'm travelling to 9 countries for 7 weeks. I've checked through some of the website on trains such as Die Bahn, OBB, SBB.

Should I buy my tickets before hand or on the spot? Which has better offer? Even if I were to buy the tickets before hand, another problem arise.

I don't know which station I should be travelling on. I plan to travel by train for route (1) and was wondering for route (2), should i fly from London to Paris or take a train or cruise into Paris? I looking for a cheaper and fastest option.

Only for Munich I would need a return ticket others would be a one way journey.

I'm 22 and understand that there's a youth pass I can obtain but does the Eurail Pass work for a non-european? By purchasing the Eurail Pass, does it mean I can hop on and off without a ticket in hand for the next destination?

I'm travelling in this sequence:
1) Berlin - Prague - Vienna & Salzburg - Munich - Salzburg & Innsbruck - Vaduz - Switzerland.

and

2) Dublin - Belfast - Edinburgh - London - Paris - Brugge & Brussels - Amsterdam

This is my first time travelling alone and abroad. I'm really confused with how the Eurail Pass works and I'm not sure which pass I should obtain.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by
8700 posts

For detailed information on railpasses, click on the Railpasses tab at the top of the page you're reading right now. Also read the railpasses section at www.seat61.com.

With a railpass you still have to pay for reservations on high-speed trains and for sleeping accommodations on night trains. For trains that don't require reservations you can just jump on and go. Point-to-point tickets can be cheaper than a pass, particularly if you book far enough in advance on each country's national rail Web site to get discount fares. But then you are locked in to traveling at a particular date and time, losing the flexibility having a pass makes possible.

When are you taking this trip?

Posted by
25 posts

Hi - it sounds like you're planning a great trip. If you haven't already I would HIGHLY reccomend a copy of Rick Steve's Europe thru the Back Door. It will help you answer these questions and many more in the planning process.

Happy travels!

Posted by
1568 posts

This site will suggest the Rail Passes you need or advise you to purchase point-to-point tickets.
http://www.railsaver.com/

READ all the information on this site relating to Rail Passes:

http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm

Read it then read again.

The Rail sites will show details on the timetables on each departure and arrival station. Play with the sites...the more you use them...the more you will learn from them.

Prior to leaving on our 8 week trip I printed out the train timetable for each of our travel days. Many will even list the departure and arrival platforms.

Enjoy your planning.