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Help and advice on planning, travel itineraries and Global pass much-needed please

  • 14 February 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 196 views
Prateek Patil

Hi All,

My partner and I are traveling to Europe for our honeymoon from 8th to 29th July. We are planning to travel by train to all the following countries. I would love suggestions on the most scenic routes at affordable prices. Which trains should we take for the best experience? Would also like feedback if we need to tweak our itinerary. 

  • 8th to 12th - UK.  -→ Travel from London to Amsterdam on 12th early morning.
  • 12th to 14th - Amsterdam. --→ Travel from Amsterdam to Brussels on 14th early morning.
  • 14th to 16th - Brussels --→ Travel from Brussels to Paris on 16th early morning.
  • 16th to 18th - Paris --→ Travel from Paris to Zurich on 18th early morning (Why can I not see any direct trains international to and from Switzerland for July? Are they canceled in summer?)
  • 18th to 22nd - Switzerland (Zurich - Lucerne - Interlaken - Zermatt)
  • 22nd overnight or 23rd early morning travel from Zermatt to Venice (Not finding good direct trains again. An ideal 7 hr journey at night would be great even if there are no sleeper coaches in train. Please suggest a good route here)
  • 23rd to 29th - Italy. (Venice - Milan - Florence - Amalfi Coast - Sorrento - Rome - Melbourne)

Questions -
     1. Which Eurail pass should I buy? One that I provides me seamless journey with short travel times and not many extra reservations please. Global Pass 10 days in 2 months?

  1. I understand for inter-country journies, reservations are required. How early should we book our train reservations given its a peak period? Should I reserve from Eurail website or are there cheaper prices available on other websites?
     
  2. What will happen if that particular train gets cancelled or we run behind time? Can reservations be tranferred to next available train?
     
  3. Would we be able use local trams in Brussels, etc. under the Global Eurail pass?
     
  4. Major suggestions needed for Switzerland and Italy please. I particularly do not want to miss Zermatt. Why are our direct trains cancelled in summer? How can we best plan our trip in Switzerland?

Firstly, I apologize for a lengthy message, I am aware it is a lot of questions and a hell lot of information. it is our first time outside Australia and India. I humbly request your time in provinding me your valuable guidance.

Thanks & regards, 
 




 

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Best answer by thibcabe 15 February 2024, 00:22

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T
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Summer timetables have not been published in a few countries yet, mainly thinking of France and Italy on your itinerary. You should check current times and expect pretty much the same (with a few caveats, see below).

Here is a good guide for seat reservations : https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

Some advice in chronological order :

London - Amsterdam : 35€ direct Eurostar with passholder quota, unavoidable (book ASAP, especially if your dates are set). For more options Eurostar to Brussels (30€) + hourly reservation-free IC train.

Amsterdam - Brussels : either 27€ Eurostar with passholder quota (avoid) or hourly reservation-free direct train. The latter generally takes 45 min longer but there should be faster trains starting this summer.

Brussels - Paris : 27€ direct Eurostar or cheaper/free but slower routes via Lille or Maubeuge.

Note that you'll be in Paris right during the Olympics. Expect crazy prices, more crowds and extra security measures. Wouldn't necessarily recommend.

Paris - Switzerland : 29€ fee for the direct TGV Lyria. 10-20€ for a domestic TGV to Strasbourg or Mulhouse for example, only 30 min longer. Timetables not published yet as said above.

Within Switzerland Eurail is very easy to use and good value. Seat reservations aren't a thing. 25-50% discount on mountain railways (Jungfraujoch, Titlis) but nothing above Zermatt.

The Domodossola - Milan railway (fastest route from Zermatt to Venice) is closed from 9th June to 8th September. Rail replacement buses will run as Hektor said in your other post. Plan with 1h-1h30 longer than usual, timetables not known yet.

It is not possible to travel overnight unless you spend hours outside in a random station at 2am (totally not recommended for a honeymoon!).

You've got too much planned in Italy. Cross Milan out of the list right away, it's not worth your limited time. Note that Italy will be crazy hot and crowded as it is every summer.

Separate post coming.

T
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About your specific questions :

1. You only can know how many pass days might be useful. I'd probably go with 10 or 15 days as you intend to move around a lot. Using a pass day in Switzerland, even for short journeys, is good value.

Btw boats on Lake Thun and Brienz are fully included (by using a travel day). Fun experience!

1st class is definitely worth the little extra cost, especially during peak season.

2. Use the link I posted above.

3. Speak to staff as soon as it's likely you miss the connection. They'll give you a proof of delay and/or issue new reservations for the following train if they can (rare). Availability on some international routes can be limited so plan with margin in the first place to avoid getting stuck.

I'm not going into details.

If it's a train with optional/no reservations, it's easier : simply log the new one on the Rail Planner app (as usual) and hop on. Afterwards claim compensation if you arrive more than 1h late at your destination.

4. The pass is not valid on subways, trams or buses, nor on some suburban trains (Paris RER network). Such city tickets are rather cheap in the first place. Except in Paris where prices will double for the Olympics…

5. Use SBB app for Swiss travels : very reliable and useful. As I said timetables not published for Italian trains yet nor for works towards Milan.

Last helpful link : https://www.seat61.com/how-to-use-a-eurail-pass.htm

Prateek Patil

Thanks for such a wonderful response.

Could I ask a couple of follow-up questions please?

When you said “Btw boats on Lake Thun and Brienz are fully included (by using a travel day)”, do you mean cable cars and funicular are also fully covered by Eurail Global Pass?

We are keen to do a Mt Pilaturs Golden Round Trip when in Lucerne. 
Lake Thun alongside Niederhorn from Interlaken.

Wondering if it is only 50% off on Global Pass? Should we buy Swiss Travel Pass to be more efficient? What would the best option be?

Thank you,

T
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No, when I mean boats I mean boats. They are run by BLS (a railway company) so that's the explanation.

With Eurail you get 25-50% discount on other lakes and on many mountain railways. Have a look here :

https://benefitsportal.eurail.com/benefits/swiss-private-trains-benefits/

https://benefitsportal.eurail.com/benefits/swiss-private-boat-benefits/

The Swiss Travel Pass isn't valid everywhere either, it gives you a 25-50% discount where it isn't.

It's up to you to make calculations : list prices with/without passes and then decide. Regular tickets from/to Paris will be very expensive so that's why I'd get Eurail.

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