We will be traveling this October to Amsterdam, France, Germany, and Italy. We will be purchasing a Eurail pass. I have read and watched everything Rick on this subject. I am still undecided about how far in advance I should book my trains. Any advice on this subject would be so appreciated. The scheduled stops are Amsterdam, Reims, Munich, Florence, Rome, and Naples, in that order.
Posted by
Wengen
2448 posts
If you are now already contemplating booking your tickets you should not get a Eurail Pass. A Pass is for people who want to be flexible till the last moment. So how far do you book your trains with a Eurail Pass? A day to a few minutes before departure. But that of course only for trains that do require advance reservations.
Now looking at your plan I would not get the Eurail Pass. For several reasons.
- French TGVs require advance reservations. These cost extra and are often complicated to get. Just buy a ticket, which comes with a reservation. Less complicated, and often even cheaper than the combination of pass + reservation charge.
- In Italy there are two companies running high speed trains. Your pass is only good for one of them. This limits your options.
Posted by
Wengen
2448 posts
Regarding when to buy your tickets: I would wait till late August/Early september. Not all trains are open for booking yet. Book on the website of the national railway where the trip starts.
Reims has two stations, one in the centre of town just called "Reims", and one on the outskirts of town, where the high speed trains stop, called "Reims Champagne Ardenne TGV", short Reims TGV.
Traveling from Amsterdam you would first take the train to Paris, and then change there for Reims. And between Paris and Reims you have two options: There are direct TGV to Reims that after calling at the Reims TGV station leave the high speed line, and then call at the down town station as well. Other trains call at Reims TGV and continue to Strabourg and beyond. There is a shuttle train between the two, and there is a tramway line. Depending on where your hotel is just getting of at Reims TGV and taking the tram from there may be the best option.
For the next leg to Munich best is to look at trains from Reims TGV.
Both those sections you can book on www.sncf-connect.com
Munich - Florence you best book on www.bahn.com
For your two Italian sections look at www.trenitalia.com an www.italotreno.com
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Wow, thank you so much for your replies. This is very helpful information. I appreciate it!