We are traveling to Switzerland -2 days, Germany - 1 day, paris - 5 days. I compared individual tickets vs a eurail pass, and it appears that the individual tickets would be most economical. Should I reserve all these tickets from the states now, vs when we arrive there in June?
Any suggestions how to do this? We will be making some day trips via train while in Switzerland, and while in Paris.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
The ONLY reason to purchase early in the US is to take advantage of any discounts that might be available. But that locks you into a specific schedule that is difficult to change. Since trains rarely sell out, the need to purchase a ticket early to insure a seat is very low. Use the national train sites to purchase the ticket if you decide to purchase early. Otherwise wait till a day or two before after you arrive.
Posted by
OP
st. louis, mo, usa
9 posts
Thanks for the advice!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Leaving out your day trips in Switzerland and around Paris, what are your departure points and arrival points when you will be traveling between countries? Knowing that will help us tell you how to find the best booked-in-advance discount fares.
Posted by
OP
st. louis, mo, usa
9 posts
We arrive in zurich, go to Lucerne, then Freiburg, then to Paris. Last day need to get to Barcelona from Paris--fly or travel by train for that trip?
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Generally the discounts of buying tickets in advance are significant enough that it's worth being locked into a specific schedule, unless you have just piles and piles of money to spend and paying double or more for flexibility doesn't bother you. This is especially true for longer trips on high-speed trains. Shorter trips on regional trains are usually not going to change in price that much, or you can use a local pass to get around. The best way to compare the savings is to figure out the price of traveling on your projected date, then look up the cost of the trip on tomorrow's date. You'll get a feel for how much more expensive it will be for you to wait to buy tickets until you arrive.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
and I would fly from Paris to Barcelona.
Posted by
Sankt Leon, BW, Germany
5 posts
Definitely buy your major legs of your trip ASAP. Day trips in Paris and around Switz are not a big deal.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Zurich-Lucerne: No advantage to booking in advance. Buy your tickets in Zurich. The fare is €11.50 CHF. Lucerne-Freiburg: Book NOW on the German Rail site to get a Europa-Spezial Schweiz fare as low as €19.00 (subject to availability). Freiburg-Paris: Book NOW on the German Rail site to get a Europa-Spezial Frankreich fare as low as €49.00 (subject to availability).
Posted by
OP
st. louis, mo, usa
9 posts
Thank you!!! You all have been so helpful! I love this Travelers Helpline.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You're welcome! I agree that flying from Paris to Barcelona is a good idea. See the search engine skyscanner.com for both budget airlines and national carriers. For budget airlines I would choose either easyJet or Vueling. Ryanair flies out of Beauvais which is a long way from Paris. Be aware of the luggage size, weight, and quantity limits on budget airlines. If you exceed them, you'll pay a stiff fee. Be very careful to observe the strict check-in deadlines. If you don't have a boarding pass in hand when the deadline arrives, your ticket will be worthless and you'll have to buy a full fare ticket on a later flight.