I’m confused regarding this best way to purchase train tickets for my trip. We are flying into Frankfort and taking a train to Cologne (staying 2 nights), Then heading to Strasbourg, with a stopover in Mainz. We are staying in Strasbourg for 2 nights with a day trip to Colmar nights. Traveling to Basel for 1 night and flying out of Zurich. For this type of travel is the Eurail 5 day global pass the best option? What are the downsides to this pass? Would purchasing individual tickets the day of travel be a better option? Thanks for any advice.
*We are well travelled and don’t plan on sightseeing, just taking in the beauty of the markets. We don’t usually stay such a short time per destination.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5614 posts
Look into the various Swiss Travel passes for travel within that country. Eurail not recommended for Switzerland.
Have a magical time!
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2545 posts
I would use the SNCF app to price out individual trips, including seat reservations. If purchasing in advance, you could save money vs buying on the day of travel.
When comparing prices, I believe that with the Eurail pass you need to reserve seats, which will add to the cost. This somewhat negates the “convenience” of the pass.
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1064 posts
Always book on the actual train website - for Germany, it is bahn.com
Also, a great resource for all things trains is seat61.com - it will tell you exactly how to book.
He also is very responsive to emails if you have questions.
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
You do not need a Swiss Travel Pass. You really do not have to much for French railway tickets, and they are all TER commuter type trains. I don't think a Eurail pass makes much sense either. You have 2 major trips, Frankfurt Airport to Cologne, and Cologne to Strasbourg via Mainz.
The first is 168.40 EUR bought at the airport train station (Fernbahnhof) for 2 people 2nd class for an ICE that will get you to Cologne in 1 hour.
The second you can buy nonrefundable tickets for 2 now for for Cologne to Offenburg with a 2 hour stopover in Mainz for 73.80 EUR. At Offenburg station you can buy local connector train to Strasbourg for 20.10 EUR for 2. Its called a Europass Family 24H ticket includes all local transport in Strasbourg for 24 hours.
Ticket for r/t to Colmar is 58.80 EUR for 2. Ticket to Basel for 2 is 56 EUR.
Ticket for 2 to Zurich is 72 CHF for anytime ticket, or 42 CHF for a nonrefundable train specific ticket bought now.
So compare all that to the Eurail Pass and see what works best.
Posted by
Portland, OR (PDX)
323 posts
We embark on our Danube river Christmas Markets tour tomorrow morning. The travel notes state the Nuremberg markets do not take credit-- Euros only.
We were able to use credit cards at the ChristkindlMarkt here in Vienna (arrived a couple days early).