I must be missing something. I'm trying to book Eurostar London to Paris for September 18 (9:22)and Thalys Paris to Bruges on September 26 (11:25). I checked the archived questions and so many said Rail Europe was more expensive, but I'm finding just the opposite. RE's total is $330. Eurostar is 181 pounds for trip to Paris, which I think is $289.06 today. Thalys trip may be slightly less. Also, I'll be charged 4% by my credit card for foreign currency exchange. Is there a better way? Has RE improved on their pricing? Please advise. Thanks
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
In the first place, there are banks that charge only 1% foreign currency exchange on credit card (one of those is one of my banks). I hear there are even some credit cards that charge nothing. Most large banks get 3%. Yours is the first one I have heard of that charges 4%.
Second, last I checked, $330 (from Rail Europe, you said) was more than $289 (from EuroStar, you said). Doesn't that mean that RailEurope is more expensive?
There seems to be something wrong with your numbers. For the 8:55 train from London, I see $130 from both RailEurope and from EuroStar. I don't know if your bank charges a foreign currency fee for abroad charges in USD. RailEurope charges $18 per order for handling. EuroStar's exchangeable, non-refundable fare for that train is $207; RailEuropes's exchangeable/refundable fare is $262, so RailEurope is a lot more expensive for a ticket you can exchange. RailEurope's $262 ticket is partially refundable (78%), but read the conditions. It's only refundable if you apply more than 3 days in advance or have the ticket stamped as "not used" at the station of origin (London).
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
But, London to Paris is not the only connection in Europe. You can get a fully flexible, refundable, exchangeable ticket from Frankfurt to Munich from the Bahn for €91 ($just under $120, today). They'll send you a PDF file you can print at home, no mailing or handling fees. RailEurope charges $137 for that same ticket (plus handling), which is non-refundable, non-exchangeable.
But wait, it gets better. The Bahn gives you a choice. You can pick a slightly slower IC and pay only €73 ($96). This fare is also fully flexible, refundable and exchangeable.
And, if you get a non-refundable, non-exchangeable ticket, like you buy from RailEurope, and get it in advance (I just tried 1 mo.), you can pay as little as €29 ($38).
Posted by
OP
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
94 posts
Sorry Lee for the miscommunication. I should have said that I was buying 2 tickets. Also, maybe the credit card charge was 3%. We need specific times because we plan to rent a car to drive to Normandy. $330 was Rail Europe's complete price for 2 to travel to Paris & Thalys to Bruges. I think the $18 fee was only if they mail the tickets. $289 was for the Eurostar(London to Paris) alone. The Thalys was an additional 50 euros. Thanks
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
OK, it's difficult to do a comparison when you are comparing apple to oranges, not telling me the number of people, etc.
But here is another case. Frankfurt to Berlin. For the 9:13 nonstop ICE,
DB charges €113 ($149.50) at the counter for an exchangeable, refundable ticket.
RailEurope charges $168 for a non-refundable, non-exchangeable ticket,
However, you can purchase a non-refundable, non-exchangeable ticket from the Bahn, a month in advance, for €59 ($78), maybe less further in advance.
Anyway you look at it, RailEurope is more expensive.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
We might as well close the loop. Berlin to Munich.
DB sells a exchangeable, refundable tickets for €116 ($153).
The same route, a non-exchangeable, non-refundable ticket from RailEurope is $171.
A non-refundable, non-exchangeable ticket from DB, 1 month in advance is €69 ($91). If you buy it 3 months in advance, it's €29 ($38).