Hi everyone, two friends and I will be traveling throughout Europe in May-June 2008 and I had a few questions about train travel. My first question might be silly, but are there electrical outlets on trains to charge cameras and such? Second, how often are trains full? If its important to our schedule that we get a certain train is it a good idea to reserve a seat (we will have an eurail pass)? We will reserve night trains, but will be taking several early morning trains. And on that note, my final question is how often and early are trains in the morning (4,5,6am ish). Im sure with a bit more research I could figure this out, but I'd like to hear about your personal experiences.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Electrical outlets? I am not aware of it. Maybe on some upscale trains. My personal experience tells me that most of time trains are not full. It depends on routes and days. The question has to be more specific (when and from where to where). There are early morning trains but again it depends on route.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
I know that most trains in the UK have outlets in first class cabins, I think some in coach. We've never made reservations in the UK- but we're very flexible and also try to travel off-peak.
Posted by
Portland, OR
29 posts
We had a Eurail pass on our recent trip to Germany/Austria and I went to the German rail website www.bahn.de before we left and printed timetables for all our departures plus connecting information( what track, etc.) for every trip. This was a lifesaver! As for reservations, we noticed that trains between major cities (Munich to Salzbburg or Salzburg to Vienna for example)were crowded. We always asked the railway information at the train station if we needed reservations to where we were going and were able to purchase reservations for our next departure if they recommended it. We were novice train travellers and had very few problems with all the preprinted schedules. We met a lot of friendly, interesting people on the trains and encountered lots of school kids since they don't have school buses!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I just came back from a two week trip to Germany. Usually I just get a €19 Bayern-Ticket-Single for regional trains, but this particular day the Bahn had a strike against regional trains so I had to take a EuroCity (EC) train. It had electrical outlets in 2nd class so I was able to use my laptop without worry. I suspect that all express trains in Germany (EC/IC/ICE) have them. I have never notice them on regional trains.
Of course, the train outlets are two round pin, 240V, so you will still need and adapter and a compatible power supply.
As for camera charging, how long does your camera charge last? Mine lasted two weeks and over 250 pictures. Sometime, mid-trip I will charge it overnight in my room, but I can't imagine ever needing to charge it on a train.
Posted by
in a train schedule...
267 posts
Electrical outlets - I can't remember if the trains in Second Class have them, but I know most of the TGV trains in First Class in France have outlets. The local trains probably do not have outlets. I just took Amtrak and they had an outlet for every seat...if European trains don't have something similar, they should feel some shame :o
Are the trains full? As a previous poster said, it depends on the time and the route. If you have a Eurail Pass, buy reservations at the ticket counter. On high speed trains, reservations are mandatory.
Early trains - The earliest train I've taken (London-Paris) left at 5:30 am. The average "first train" leaves around 5-6ish, I guess.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, US
21 posts
Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. Ill probably be back a lot before my trip in May. It's nice to know there are people out there willing to help a stranger out!
Posted by
Clarksville, TN, USA
959 posts
We had a first class Eurail pass. I saw outlets in the first class cars on the German trains. But I don't know if they were on every train...