We will be making two train journeys in late July, Aix-en-Provence to Basel, and Basel to Barcelona, besides some short trips in the Basel area. We are considering buying a Select Pass, but wonder whether we could just purchase the individual tickets once we get to Europe. Do those trains ever sell out? There will be 4 of us. Thanks.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5510 posts
A pass for two journeys makes no sense. Have a look at this site:
http://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Switzerland.htm#.U6RX6toaySM
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10625 posts
Aix to Basel is a five hour trip, but Basel to Barcelona is ten. I'd check for flights on Skyscanner.com for the Basel to Barcelona section. It's doubtful that a pass would pay off, but you would have to run the numbers using the French train website, SNCF, or the Swiss train website, or one of the new private vendors such as loco2. Don't use Raileurope for comparisons.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Yes, those trains across France require reservations and can sell out, and the discount fares available now definitely will sell out. I would also fly at least one way, which is often cheaper as well as faster for this type of distance.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
If you want to see times and prics, go to the SBB (Swiss federal railways) website.
If you are staying in a hotel in Basel city, you get a ticket for free public transport in Basel and suburbs for the duration of your stay.