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Suggestions for Rail Pass? New Traveler!

Posted by (charlottesville, va, USA) on

Hi all!

I'm heading to Europe for the first time in the fall and will be traveling November 5th - December 10th.

My preliminary plan (country-level): Germany (flying into Frankfurt), Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, R.o. Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Poland, and back to Frankfurt. I hope to spend 2-3 nights in a base city in each country, with a lot of side trips. I'll likely spend only the day in Antwerp (gotta see the zoo) and at least a week in Ireland (I have a friend there).

Does anyone have a suggestion for the railpass to use? I know that with all of the traveling I'll be doing, the point to point tickets will be more expensive.

I can't decide between the Flexipass and Consecutive passes - in your experience, which is better for making day trips within a country, as well as long-distance between several countries?

Any other suggestions? (Especially for places to go - I'm traveling alone so I have flexibility)

I'd appreciate any help from you guys!

Thanks so much - Renny

Posted by
9363 posts

I'm no help with the railpass part (though you might explore using one of the cheapie airlines for what would be longer train trips -- sometimes it's cheaper, and saves time). I would suggest, though, that you trim your itinerary a bit, particularly since it's your first time traveling in Europe. You're talking about nine countries in 35 days (minus the week in Ireland). You'll spend a lot of time going from place to place without seeing much of anything except from a train window.

Posted by
4555 posts

Since it sounds like you'll be on the move a lot, go for the month-long consecutive pass, since its daily rate is far less than paying almost the same for 15 days in two months...about $36/day over 30 days, versus $73/day over 15 days. That way, you can use it for "day trips" on regional trains that are basically hop on, hop off. You will need to make separate arrangements for Poland, since it's not covered by the global pass. And you'll also have to make reservations for most express trains, and for overnight accommodations, which will cost more.

Posted by
12 posts

hey renny.

check out my topic "cheap transportation around europe"

it'll help save you money too.

but the plane advice is ideal. i once did a euro tour a few years back and hit 7 countries for about $100.

you can get penny flights.

www.ryanair.com
www.germanwings.com
www.ltu.de

good luck.

Posted by
19 posts

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice.

I like the idea of flying - especially since I'm trying to get from 'Benelux' area to Ireland to Norway or Denmark. That would save me railpass days for sure.

Thanks again!!

Posted by
8700 posts

The penny flights are legitimate special offers, but the "catch" is that while the fare is a penny, you must pay the standard taxes and fees for the route. Your net cost is still very low.

Posted by
9363 posts

Usually Ryanair gives a "maximum" price for fees and taxes that is around 16-18 euros, so that plus the penny is your total cost.

Posted by
157 posts

If you are using the Rail Europe website for rail fares, you will come to the conclusion that point-to-point fares are way more expensive. If you use the coutry rail website to research rail fares you may come to a different conclusion . . . .

In addition the cheap air seats, there may be alternatives. But if you want the pure freedom of hop on- hop off, the flexipass is the way to go.

What is your age? If under 26, the world is your oyster (or at least cheap fares are - you can buy a second class pass).

Cheers.

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