How much extra do shows cost on the 1st Class Global Eurail pass ticket?

Regina, I don't have any information on the Sleeper trains, however I've never seen any Showers on the high speed trains (ie: TGV in France). Hopefully one of the others will be able to provide additional information. Cheers!

Very few trains offer showers, only a few night trains. Usually included in the price of the accommodation which night include it. A more important question may be seen that when you are planning to pay huge amounts for a 21 day first class pass you are worrying about the tiny percentage you think showers will add. Wouldn't it make sense to travel standard or second class using point to point tickets and spending your savings on nicer hotels with good showers?

A lot of major train stations today (ex Mr Clean in Munich) have pay showers. In 2000, Mr Clean charged DM 10,- (about €5) for a shower at the Munich Hbf.

How do you mean?? I am now just learning about the Eurail system in Europe and I haven't read all of the differences about these tickets and how they work... What would be the differences between the global pass and these rail passes??? What is standard travel or second class using point to point?? Pls., explain... Wouldn't it make sense to travel standard or second class using point to point tickets and spending your savings on nicer hotels with good showers? I am hoping to cover about five to six countries with the 21 day pass... That way I just buy one ticket and go... I don't have to buy a ticket for this stop or that stop and then the next stop... How is 1st class different than 2nd class and is it offered for 21 days? What is point to point??? I'm lost already and I haven't even bought my plane ticket, lolololo... Places that I am visiting are Paris, Madrid, Rome, Venice, Athens if it is safe to go there, Berlin and maybe Budapest and Amsterdam, time permitting... Thank you for your response...
All advise is welcomed and helpful... Regina

I'll have another go tomorrow afternoon....

You need to do a lot more research. Start with the Railpasses tab at the top of this page. Using the links you will find there determine 1) if your railpass will cover all of the places you want to go and 2) what the travel time between places is. I think you will discover that you will be spending an inordinate amount of time travelling and that there will charges in addition to the cost of the pass.

Regina, When you get to Berlin Hbf (central station), there are showers at Mr. Clean along with a change machine. Mr Clean is also located at Bahnhof Zoo in Berlin, but you will arrive at Hbf. from Paris. I don't know of showers on the night train from Paris-Berlin (that's the CNL line). Taking the CNL line is a direct shot, take the day train from Paris-Berlin on the ICE (Germany's best high speed train but it's not a bullet train) requires you to transfer, AND both night and day Paris-Berlin require you to reserve first, which is not covered by the 21 day Global Pass. That's extra. Now with the Global 1st Pass you can choose to sit in 2nd class if all 1st class seats are reserved. Then you have to reserve that 2nd class seat. As recent as 2005 going between France-Ger. did not require a reservation (day). You can't just hop on anymore day or night between Fr and Ger. Between Berlin and Vienna (day ) you still may do that. Standard and 2nd class are the same. In England they use the term standard to mean 2nd class. You asked what's a point to point ticket: it's a ticket you buy going from point A to point B, such as if you were to buy a ticket going from Paris to Berlin, instead of using your Pass for that route. Buy the point to point tickets for the short trips. If you go from Berlin to Budapest, make sure Hungary is included in the Pass...I would suggest the night train Berlin-Budapest (it's ca. 11 hrs). If not included, you have to buy another ticket in Germany to cover the hungarian portion of the ride. Difference between 1st and 2nd class in Germany is slight...just a bit more roomy is 1st class, but 2nd class is luxury enough if you're on an ICE.

Regina, To answer your other questions: riding the TGV train in France requires a mandatory reservation not covered by the Pass...that's extra. For the long TGV rides of more than 3 and 1/2 hr duration, I suggest 1st class, worth it to pay more for a more comfortable and spacious seat. Maybe you ought reconsider going to Athens since logistically it is a tight squeeze within the 21 day time constraint. To maximise your chances of getting your money's worth for the Pass, use it only on long rides, on the ICE and TGV, not on local trains in France, don't reserve a sleeper or couchette on a night train since they are extra, ie., NOT covered by the Pass, sleep upright in the general seating area or in a compartment...the locals do that...and even a seat (night) requires a mandatory reservation. Can't help you with Italy or Spain. Try to avoid a Thalys speed train...you may have to pay extra (not just for reservation either), in spite of your Pass.

Regina, It would be a good idea to take a closer look at your Itinerary. Visiting eight somewhat "geographically distant" locations in a 21-day time frame is going to be extremely challenging (especially if you include Athens). That's about 2.6 days in each location, with no allowances for travel times. "I don't have to buy a ticket for this stop or that stop and then the next stop" As the previous reply indicated, a Railpass will NOT allow you to simply board any train. All of the "premium" trains have compulsory reservations, and Pass Holders must pay separately "out of pocket" for those. Railpasses also do NOT include the fees for Couchettes or Sleepers (if used). Especially in Italy, those who don't have a valid reservation will be fined on the spot (and it isn't cheap!). Click the Railpasses tab at the top, as there's good information there on the Passes, and how to use them. If this is your first trip to Europe, I'd highly recommend pre-reading Europe Through The Back Door, paying special attention to the "Rail Skills" chapter. You'll need to be "up to speed" on other aspects of rail travel in Europe besides the use of a Railpass. Athens is perfectly safe (IMHO). I was there several months ago and had no problems at all. Good luck with your planning!