Hi....I'm traveling to Southern Spain in December and am about to buy the point to point train tickets via Rail Europe. (Its less than a pass)The cost for their train insurance is 1/5 of the total. I was wondering what folks who've traveled in that area during that time of year may recommend. Maybe my credit card would offset costs incase of a cancellation or strike. Irene
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Before buying on Rail Europe, see what it would cost to buy right from the source: RENFE, who runs most of the trains in Spain. Here's an extensive tutorial on how to do it: TripAdvisor tutorial
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7884 posts
Irene, as noted Rail Europe is usually a marked-up price plus delivery charges. Most posters here tend towards do it yourselfers who put in a little more time online to pay a lower price.
Travel insurance is almost a separate issue. I have an elderly parent, so I buy overall insurance that covers most things.
Honestly, if there's a rail strike, your big problem is going to be salvaging the next few days of your vacation, not getting a refund on the train ticket! (Luckily, hotel proprietors have often warned us of a likely next-day strike ... )
Please don't think I'm saying that I'm so rich that I don't care about losing a rail fare. The point is that unless Rail Europe is promising to get you to your next destination on time (which they cannot promise) the ultimate return of your ticket fare is not going to help you cough up the price of a more expensive means of transit (or two more hotel nights) today!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Most (if not all) tickets purchase through RailEurope are more expensive than full fare tickets purchased through the national railroad. Full fare tickets from the national railroad are entirely flexible, that is, they can be used on other trains on the same route or cancelled without penalty.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33818 posts
What exactly do you get for that RailEurope insurance? You pay an additional fifth beyond their inflated prices and they promise to do what?
Posted by
Boston
380 posts
Hi, Irene
Don't buy the travel insurance from Rail Europe. It's just a way for them to make more money, like extended warranty at Best Buy. Read the fine print. There are lots of exceptions so that they do not have to pay you.
Just buy regular travel insurance, like Travel Guard. Include the price of the ticket in the coverage.