I am researching my options for my trip from London to Paris to Venice to Rome to Barcelona and finally Madrid. The current plan is rail for everything except for between Rome and Barcelona for which we will fly. On that leg is Ryanair probably going to be my cheapest option? For the rest of the trip it looks like point to point tix are going to be cheaper then a rail pass because the point to point include reservation fees while the rail passes don't. However, I was hoping for a little more flexibility but I don't want to get "stuck" in one town when I am ready to be in the next since I don't have a reservation? thoughts?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23278 posts
Then don't buy your tickets more than a day or so in advance. And most times you can buy a ticket within an hour of departure. I have never seen a full train and frequency is such that you nearly can go any time you want. It is not like one train a day and if you miss it you to wait 24 hours. Mostly likely there is another one within the next hour or two.
Join us for coffee on the 17th and we can discuss your concerns.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"For the rest of the trip it looks like point to point tix are going to be cheaper then a rail pass because the point to point include reservation fees while the rail passes don't. However, I was hoping for a little more flexibility but I don't want to get "stuck" in one town when I am ready to be in the next since I don't have a reservation?" Sounds like your getting your information from RailEurope. Reservations are almost never necessary (and often, not even a possibility) and as Frank mentioned, trains usually run frequently enough that if you miss one train, you only have to wait, at most, an hour or so. One exception would be your Paris to Venice leg, which I believe is an overnight train.