Discount/Impact Eurail Pass on Nighttrain Prague to Basel

Posted by Ali (Newton, MA, USA) on 03/26/08 08:35 AM

I'm trying to figure out if we have a 3 country Eurail pass how that impacts the cost of a night train sleeper cabin fare for May 25 to 26. I've used the bahn.de website to get the schedule and fare availability for this trip.

When I plug in Praha to Basel May 25 for nighttrain I get the following options for "2 persons in double deluxe cabin": 438 Euro "2-saving night global fare", 464 Euro "2 normal global fare" and 504 Euro "Normalpreis incl. 2 Surcharge".

Does the amount include both people (I am assuming the "2" means it's for both of us)?
If we have a Eurail pass that covers Benelux, Germany and Switzerland will it gives us a discount on this fare?

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

03/26/08 12:28 AM

19274 posts

That's a CNL (CityNightLine)train. I once emailed CNL about fares. What they told me, in essence, is that the supplement (reservation) covers the accommodation (sleeper, couchette, etc) and you also have to have a ticket(s) for the rail part. That could be one complete ticket for the entire stretch, a railpass for the entire stretch, or a railpass part of the way and point-point for the rest. If so, you need a Czech Rail ticket from Prague to the border on the line going through Decin. A standard fare ticket from Prague to Decin, on that train, costs 163 Czech Koruna, or about €6,40; Prague to the border might be a little more. But, your best bet is to talk to CNL at (49) 1805 14 15 14. They might let you book the compartment online as long as you purchase the necessary rail part in Prague.

Posted by Jill

Nederland, CO

03/26/08 10:05 AM

1529 posts

Ali, We're taking that exact same night train 2 nights after you from Dresden. We have rail passes and the supplement for 1 room for two people was 120 euro. So 60 per person for two people sharing the room. This is their standard for all single, double and triple rooms both standard and deluxe. They just split 120 by how many people are sharing the room. I'm not sure how much extra it will be because part of the journey is in Czech Republic, but I think the fare you are seeing is the total fare without a railpass. You're going to have to call them to book the tickets. Ask for someone who speaks english and tell them you have a railpass covering Germany and Switzerland. Have a great time!

Posted by Ali OP

Newton, MA, USA

03/26/08 10:13 AM

289 posts

Thanks Jill!

So, it sounds like it's 60 Euro extra each + the Czech portion. Without calling do you have an idea how much that is?

Posted by Jill

Nederland, CO

03/26/08 11:51 AM

1529 posts

Sorry Ali, I really don't know how much the CR portion would cost. Anyone else?

Posted by Ali OP

Newton, MA, USA

03/27/08 07:48 AM

289 posts

Thanks for the phone # Lee. I have been calling it all morning and when I did get someone who speaks English they said I needed to speak to "International" and transferred me but lost me.

It must be because it's a Prague - Basel train and not just Germany. Does anyone have a phone # for the "International" phone # for them? Thanks!

Posted by Ali OP

Newton, MA, USA

03/28/08 09:57 AM

289 posts

I reserved my ticket by calling 49 1805 99 66 33 (help section of Bahn.de) and asking for an english speaking person. They booked my sleeper since some of it's sold out we wanted to get it booked now. Per what Jill said in an earlier it was the 60 Euros extra pp since we have (or will have) the Eurail pass that covers Switzerland and Germany - so total 120 Euros (60 each).

I also purchased 2 tickets for Prague to the border Shoena, which I got ahead of time even though I know we paid a premium of 22 Euros each. I'm fine with that given I've never been to Europe and I keep reading that the ticket counters in Prague aren't that user friendly.

Overall the cost of a double deluxe sleeper on the CNL with a first Class Eurail Pass is 120 Euros plus 44 Euros for the Czech tickets = total 164 Euros

They are mailing them to me given my first stop in Europe is Prague and I should expect them mid/late April. They also sent an email my germany friend just translated as well. :)