Eurail Advice Please

You can take the train to Libramont and a bus from there to Bastogne. See the timetables on the German Rail site.

If you get a pass, the 10-days-in-2-months Global Pass Flexi Saver might be a better deal than the continuous pass. Note, however, that Poland isn't included on any global pass. You could buy p2p tickets from the border into Poland. Don't use a pass day for Munich-Berchtesgaden. Instead buy a Bayern-Ticket in Munich for 28 EUR which will cover both of you all day (after 09:00 on weekdays and anytime on weekends) anywhere in Bavaria on regional trains.

Can you commit well in advance to specific departure dates and times? If so, you can get very good discount fares for p2p tickets on most of your routes which might cost less overall than a pass plus the seat reservations on trains that require them. If you want further information on how to do this, just ask.

PS- Bastogne doesn't have rail service.

This is a daunting amount to accomplish in a month, I realize. I am willing to go to Bruges instead of Brussels and not head to Bastogne. Priorities - you know? I've been looking at the Continuous Global Pass, it would be the saver because there are 2 of us going. To me that seems like the best bet. Opinions?

MD,

The railroad Pass will work to your favour provided you do a few things based on the itinerary you provided, pretty simple really and with a full month at your disposal, it can easily be done...I could.

First, You would have to consider taking a couple of long night trains, at least. say from Amsterdam-Berlin, Paris-Berlin, Paris-Vienna with a change of train in Munich, Paris-Brussels r/t as a day trip, or Munich to Paris. Secondly, on this night train, preferably a CNL, forego the sleeper or couchette. The extra money you'll need to pay is for the reservation of a seat in a 6 passenger compartment where you can sleep upright. (On a Frankfurt-Vienna night train, an EC, 2nd class compartment seat, I paid 19 Euro in May). By day from Vienna-Berlin, as long you don't take the route going through the Cz Rep., ie. only through Austria and Germany, your Pass is enough...you won't need to pay extra for a reservation...I didn't last summer and neither this time in May.

Save the short trips for the point to point tickets. Take ICE or IC trains if you have a choice. Avoid taking the Thalys trains, even if you have to lose a hour or two. Whether you arrive in a city at 1500 or 1700, it's not a big deal especially in the summer, which is the time I always travel in Europe.

Your itinerary includes going through some very lovely countryside, Paris to Munich to Salzburg, the North German Plain, Munich to Vienna. I envy your one month over there with that great itinerary.

Appreciate the info, Fred. The cities I have listed are in the order I intend to travel. My concern with flying is the weight restrictions and "hidden" costs, etc.

I thought the cities were listed at random. The Berlin-Amsterdam ride is one you could do at night and especially the first one, Paris-Munich. For that one, whether you do it by day or night, don't take a TGV...I know that depends how much time you have. Paris Est-Mannheim is an ICE, depending on the hr. of departure.

Steve - Checked out Ryanair, there are no connections that match the direction I'm traveling. I'm not opposed to flying but until I know the weight of my bag, I'm hesitant. I'd like to figure out the rail thing first. Flying would be great for the longer distances (Paris- Munich, Vienna-Krakow, Krakow-Berlin). Poland doesn't seem to be as compatible with the flights or rails as the rest of the countries.
Tim - The Global Continuous pass that I looked at did include Poland. Also, what did you mean by buy point to point at the border? I'm assuming the train doesn't stop on the tracks when it hits Poland. Some of our dates we can commit to, others we would like a bit more flexibility. For example, we fly into Paris but we also fly out, so anything we feel we've missed in the first few days we can catch on the way back.
Fred - Can you elaborate on why I should not take a TGV? Never been to Europe-know nothing about trains. I've been told that overnight trains aren't advisable, particularly as you go east.
I really appreciate your help everyone! Thank you a boatload!!

For discount airline prices, check whichbudget.com and skyscanner.net.

This page lists the 21 countries covered by the global pass. Poland is not on the list.

I didn't make myself clear when I said "from the border." If you are traveling from Vienna to Krakow on a global pass, then you could buy a ticket in Vienna that will cover your ride from the Polish border to Krakow. No getting off the train!

Hmmm, so maybe it makes more sense to a flexi pass and try to find a flight into Krakow seeing as how it is not covered? Problem is that that also seems to be somewhat of an obstacle...

Given a choice between a TGV and an ICE, 2nd class, the ICE is much more comfortable as regards to leg space. And the seats are a bit roomier too. The TGV reservations are just plain expensive. If you have no choice but a TGV, then pay the difference between a 1st class and and 2nd class reservation, and as, "they" say you'll be glad you did, especially when the ride exceeds 3-4 hrs. Going from Paris Est--Strasbourg takes a bit over 2hrs...not too bad in 2nd class on a TGV but longer than that, go first class.

For Poland...your trip to Krakow, you're going from/to Berlin or Vienna; there's a direct shot by day for both cities. If you're going Krakow-Berlin--it's 10 hrs straight by day--maybe it's better to buy a point to point ticket. The stretch from Krakow to the German border isn't that expensive. But, ask in Vienna (it's easier) how much the ride is in Euro from Krakow-Berlin. Then decide if that ride is worth a day on your Pass. (I never used a Pass that included Poland). My guess is that even for such a distance and time...10hrs... the point to point may still be cheaper, based on what I know of rail prices in Poland.

Georgraphically, you go through Upper and Lower Silesia, some very interesting and lovely countryside, also stopping in Wroclaw (Breslau). I did this ride (day) in July 2001.

You guys are great! I'm really grateful for all your tips. Its hard to figure this stuff out when you have no idea what you are dealing with and can't just ring someone up to discuss it.

So, the general consensus among those I know who have traveled in Europe, I'm better off not having a railpass and doing point to point. How far in advance do I need to book for it to be of savings?

That depends upon the number of factors while traveling: 1. how many day trips you make that are a bit over two hours, where you leave early (0700 or 0800) and return (2000 or 2100), say from Paris-Strasbourg on a TGV, yes, you pay for the reservation but r/t on a TGV will exceed the value for the day, or Berlin-Minden, and,(2), mostly, it depends on how many long rides you're willing to do; if you're doing Berlin-Vienna (day) on an ICE, you don't need a reservation, which doesn't cut into your savings.

For Berlin-Amsterdam you'll need to transfer (day) and that's best done in Duisburg. (My preference). No need for a reservation from Berlin-Duisburg on an ICE, even though it's 6 hrs. I've taken Berlin-Koeln (day) in the summer without a reservation...you won't stand. I don't lock myself in on fixed dates to get cheaper train tickets and almost always where a choice is available take the ICE. I also want the luxury of flexibility. Use point to points for Munich-Berchtesgaden.

Basically, it boils down to flexibility, short trips vs, long trips, and convenience.

Fred - when you say summer are you counting September as the summer? I'm hoping things will be slightly less hairy as opposed to August.

Yes, I do include the beginning of Sept...the first full week...as summer; after that you do sense smaller crowds, but I have only been in Europe once through out Sept. That was in 1977 and that's not much to base any conclusion.

BUT, our off-season (at least in the US) is not their off-season as regards to hotel prices and availability. In Sept-October in Germany the trade-fairs start, (die Messen), be they in Hannover, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Koeln, etc. The effect is higher hotel prices than what you would find in the summer, especially in the 2- 3 star range.

Yes, we've noticed that particularly with Munich. We were going to go in the opposite direction of the route I've laid out above, but didn't realize we'd be in Munich right when Oktoberfest was starting. We'd love to be there for it, but since we had no idea it was happening we didn't book anything far enough in advance. Oh well, we'll know for next time!