Hi all, I'm kind of confused by all the different rail names--TGV, thalys, hispeed- I think nicknamed ICE in Amsterdam. Do all these lines fall under the "Eurorail pass"??
Also- trying to figure out if buying a pass is economically wise. They seem pretty costly. Not sure if it's worth it for us when we're traveling between 7 places (5 countries). For example, I found a rate of $55 for Paris to Amsterdam which seems pretty reasonable. If all the fares are around that, it would appear buying them individually may be better than the expensive rail pass. Don't know though...I'm a total novice at this.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23268 posts
That question is asked and answer all the time. It is hard to make a rail pass pay these days unless you are doing a lot of long trips. To give yourself a little background, scan back through the prior postings and read the to the same question. Then come and ask any specific you didn't understand. For example just seven postings down is the same discussion under -- point to point or pass.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Not many years ago a railpass was an automatic money saver. Not any more! Now you will have to pay supplements for reservations on high-speed trains and sleeping accommodations on night trains. Point-to-point tickets often are cheaper than a pass. And if you book well in advance (usually up to 90 days allowed) on each country's national rail Web site, you can get very cheap discount fares.
Tell us when you will be in Europe and give us your itinerary and we'll tell you if a pass is likely to be cost effective or not.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
TGV is a high speed train run by French Rail. Thalys is a consortium of national railroads (France, Belgium, Germany, and, probably, Netherland) that runs high speed trains between those countries, mostly Paris to Brussels, but also into Amsterdam and Koeln. ICE is not a nickname; it is an acronym for InterCityExpress, a train line owned by and operating in, mostly Germany.
A Eurail pass can be used on Thalys, but it requires a significant surcharge. I think TGV charges something extra. In most cases, ICEs can be used without any extra charges, except for a mostly optional €3,50 reservation, if you so desire.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco
3 posts
Thank you to each and every one of you who replied. Everyone had helpful tips. This message posting, not to mention traveling thing is all very new to me! It's incredibly exciting, but also overwhelming and stressful. Thanks again. :))
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Ultimately, to answer your question, you need to set your itinerary then plug in the numbers to the national rail sites (or, the Deutsche Bahn site) and compare the point-to-point prices to the cost of a rail pass.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco
3 posts
I'll do exactly that and see where I end up cost-wise. Do you feel like there is generally more than one option for train companies between main cities? I think I noticed that 2 different trains go from Paris to Amsterdam...
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23268 posts
You have a variety of service. High speed trains which make fewer stops and, as the name suggest, go at a very high speed -- obviously the fastest and most expensive. After that is really the number of stops the train makes. Obviously the more stops long the trip. And the fare varies accordingly. There are probably several trains an hour between Paris and Amsterdam.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Usually the choice you have between cities is not the train company, but the type of train. For example, hi-speed trains or regional trains.
Thalys is the only train you can take directly from Paris to Amsterdam. The standard 2nd class fare is €123. If you book ASAP (up to 90 days allowed) at www.thalys.com, you can get a Smoove fare as low as €35. The discount fare tickets sell out fast.