So we're having trouble trying to figure out whether we should get a eurorail pass and we are so confused. We just want to be able to hop on whatever train we want, round trip back and forth to my friend's apartment in Vicenza Italy while sight seeing Verona, Venice, the Lagos etc. We can't tell if a round trip in one day is considered two days or one(of the 10 or 15 day passes you can buy). This is for two people/3countries/one month, traveling nearly every day, though renting cars every so often when camping, so it seemed like the best idea to get the Eurorail global saver rail pass. Do you have any advice?
Posted by
OP
chandler, az, usa
3 posts
Thanks Steve. we also plan to visit switzerland and france in that month, staying in Italy only for 7 days to do the "friend's apt. as home base" thing. that's why we thought we'd get the multi country pass. i will look ito the trenitalia one for onthefly day trips in Italy.
BTW, should we get those trenitalia tickets here online before we go, or wait till we arrive in Italy?
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi, Dineen.
You can't buy tickets on the trenitalia site with US cards. Just get them when you're there. Unless there is a huge local festival, or you want a specific night train, it shouldn't be a problem. These are daily commuters for the most part, run often, every day.
You'll find most folks on here will suggest point to point (p2p) tickets from experience, as it almost ALWAYS works out better to just buy the tickets there (even with student discounts, etc). You really have to have a specific travel style/plan that fits exactly into your rail pass to make them worth it financially.
There's no way to compare it, but to price it out, but experience here usually says, p2p tickets are cheaper.
And yes, even if you use your pass for two minutes on the train that day, the whole day is eaten off your pass. There are also many fees for fast trains, if you want seat reservations, night trains, etc.
Hope that helps! Check out the individual country rail sites for more!
Posted by
OP
chandler, az, usa
3 posts
Thanks Chris. Yeah, I noticed that with the Trenitalia site. Plus it's not super user friendly. The prices were lightly higher than the cost you mentioned, Steve, more like $20 per ride. we'll do the point2point when we get there. You guys are great.