- What would be the best pas to use for this trip.
A Interrail Globalpass or if you have a fixed shedule maybe cheap advance fares. Easiest Route from NL to Venice is Amsterdam - Frankfurt - Munich - Venice :) The route is even possible with Nighttrains on the part :)
For example daytime journey from Amsterdam to Munich and from there with the Nighttrain onwards to Venice.
Another option advance fare from NL till Venice and from Venice you go with the Greek ISLAND Pass. As the 6days in a month GreekIslandpass covers 2 International crossings like Venice - Patras (Porttax, Fuel and Season surcharge still apply), the Transit by Bus/Rail connection from Patras to Piräus (near Athens) and the Ferry further to Crete.
- Is a hut included if you take the boat from Venice to Patras?
The Venice to Patras Ferry is currently not in service and hopefully returns in Summer :) https://benefitsportal.eurail.com/benefits/attica-group-greece-italy-superfast-ferries-in-cooperation-with-anek-lines/
With a Interrail Globalpass you get a 30% discount on the standard fares for the Ferry from Venice to Patras and the Ferry to Crete :)
If you go with a GreekIslandPass 6days in a month you get as 2nd Class a free Pullmanseat if you hold a 1st class GreekIslandPass you get beds in a 4pers shared inside cabin for free :)
- What’s the best way to book the ferry’s and trains
Daytrain Route from NL via Germany,Austria to Venice bestway to reserve(in case of Interrail) or book (in case of cheap advance fares) via bahn.de (Website of German Rail) :)
with luck and a overnight stay in Munich you can get tickets from 39€ from Amsterdam to Venice for a adult (kids under 15 included)
Nighttrains like Amsterdam - Innsbruck or Munich - Venice is can be booked or reserved bestway via oebb.at (Austrian Rail)
The ferries can be booked easily online at their own website, by email in case of free Crossings or by Phone and ofcourse in local Cruise agencies in the Cities. - We will be traveling with kids, one of them is 11, but will become 12 during the trip, can we use the children's pass? Aslong as the kids are under 12 when the pass validity starts all fine :) so in your case no problem
A Guide of the Interrail GreekIslandpass please read this guide for more Informations.
You did not clearly state what way to return. Note that the way overland from GR via Balkan to NL is by train about impossible for now.
Note that some -even cheaper-DB advance (Spar or Superspar Preis) tickets include children for free, but then the age on day of travel counts. This may just tipple the total balance to pay.
Have plan B ready-big chance that after all there will also in summer be NO direct ferry start from Vnz, but only lower in ITaly, Ancona/Bari/Brindisi.
These ferries often do extra fuel-surcharge when fuel is costly-as it is right now.
