Questions about Europe Rail

What other rail trips are you planning besides Venice-Frankfurt? I would urge you to check out your itinerary for point to point costs before purchasing a pass....let us know where you're going by train and someone can point you to the proper websites. Some of the issues they usually don't tell you about before purchasing a rail pass is that....A) Reservations are tough to get unless you go through RailEurope (see the check box below the destination boxes labelled "I have a pass") or Eurail, and pay a lot more...or call some of the national rail services directly.... B) Reservations and sleeping supplements for rail passholders are extremely limited, rationed by the national rail companies....and C) in many cases, point to point tickets are a great deal less expensive, and come with all reservations and supplements included.

We are going to Fance, italy, and frankfurt. We plan to hopo on and off the train a lot so we are purchasing the Global pass. We have already talked to a travel agent. Our issue is where do you do to purchase the couchette or sleeper and if you can do it online or have to wait as there. As limited seating, we would like to do this prior to our departure to Europe. Thanks.

Once again, I might suggest you check your travel plans against the national rail websites, something your travel agent may not be familiar with...as well, they get a commission on rail passes, not usually on point to point tickets. If you work out the daily cost of a global pass (why a global pass for only three countries?) compared to the cost of your train tickets, you may find yourself overspending on the pass. If you still decide to go with a pass, then you can book reservations and sleepers for the Venice-Frankfurt run via Deutsche Bahn by calling 011-49-1805-996-633. I haven't heard of anyone having much success getting only reservations thru the French or, especially, the Italian rail systems. So you may have to opt for RailEurope (again, look for the little check box that says "I have a pass,") or Eurail.com

I guess the obvious question is, "Why don't you ask you travel agent?" Oh, I guess your travel agent doesn't know.

There is no night train from Venice to Frankfurt. However, you can take the night train from Venice to Munich and a day train from there. Unfortunately, RailEurope does not seem to handle supplements (reservations) for the Venice-Munice train (but I do notice they will sell you two beds in a double compartment on that train, complete price, no railpass needed, for $558). You can get the same thing from German Rail online for €338 ($541). Euraid shows that the price for the supplement in Europe is €60 (~$96) per person; they can get them for that price plus a $50 handling charge, per order.

A global pass has nothing to do with "jumping on and off"; it simply means it is for all of Europe. With a Select pass for a certain number of countries you can still jump on and off, within those countries.

However, notice that the train from Venice to Munich goes through Austria, so you need to include it with France, Italy, and Germany in a Select pass.

Follow Norm's suggestion. Call DB and book your supplement for sleeping accommodations on the Venice-Munich night train. It will be worth the price of an international phone call to get the in-Europe price for your reservation. The train arrives in Munich at 06:30. Either jump on the 06:51 train to Frankfurt or take the next train at 07:55. No reservation is required for those trains. Just show your pass.

As Lee said, the Venice-Munich night train passes through Austria. If you have a Select pass, you can add Austria to it. Or you can buy a ticket in Venice to cover the portion of the trip that is within Austria.

RailEurope offers NOTHING for passholders on the night train from Venice to Munich. They do sell a seat on a day train for $145 with shipping. You can get a seat on the same train online from the Bahn for €43 ($68).

"you can buy a ticket in Venice to cover the portion of the trip that is within Austria".

Tim, there might still be some question about that.

I think Rick Steves, RailEurope, and BETS all say that you can't do that for the night train, only for the day trains. However, I researched the DB website and thought it said you can. When I was in Munich last October, I discussed that with someone at the DB ticket counter in the Hbf, and she said you could.
However, the rail expert at BETS said it was up to the conductor on that train as to what he would actually accept.

So I still don't know for sure.