Solved

Most economical pass for mid-length trip to Western Europe

  • 13 August 2022
  • 7 replies
  • 96 views
A

We are a family of 4 (Daddy, Mummy, 2 teens), planning to bring our kids to the continent for the first time in November.  We are also going to use EURail across borders for the first time.  We have 2.5 weeks, and plan to visit France, Germany and Switzerland. We wish to do a loop, starting and ending in Paris, and have booked a 2-3 nites in each city/town.

  1. Some blogs/sites mention the (cheaper) 3 country pass but am unable to find it on the EURail webpages.  Is it still available this year ? 
  2. If not, how many days would one recommend for the Global Pass ? 
  3. There are reports about how the app sometimes does not work properly.  Will it be possible to print out a hard copy of the pass also as a backup ?  Or is it just more convenient to have a physical pass ?
  4. Should I buy the pass for my family now ?

Alvin

icon

Best answer by Al_G 13 August 2022, 18:37

View original

7 replies

C
Rank
Badge +5

I’ve not heard of a three country pass. In France you need to pay extra for all high speed trains which varies from 10 euros to 40 euros each if on an International TGV. Start your research now as there are normally slower but free trains. No problem in Germany and Switzerland. Speaking personally the cheapest option is rarely the best! I’d buy 22 day continuous and then you are free. Trains are very expensive in Switzerland but there are amazing journeys and just one trip you have pay for could wipe out any difference. Buy a refundable pass and a paper one to avoid any IT glitches. Allow plenty of time for it to be posted to you. Take out insurance as soon as you book. Finally, read the advice from the experts on this site. We are happy to help but we can’t plan it for you. Read all the sections about how and when to book seat reservations!!

M
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +5

@1-there was very long ago, maybe you hit an old guidebook-now no more. In fact EUrail as such has been drastically reduced in price for the global version-making the others obsolete.

@2: simply count the nr of LONG trips you intend to do-incl. long daytrips-and buy for that nr. Or if wanting to do also daily trips-by TRAIN-the continu 15 days pass. The diff in price between f.e. 10 traveldays or 15 days is very small.

@3.no-or not that i am aware of, as it has/makes no sense.

@4: wait till as late as possible-there may still be an unannounced promotion sale till that day (mostly with 10% off and NO refunds)

Selamat jalan, lah!

Y
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +10

With your plan it would need too be a Global pass because your plan crosses more than the 3 countries you outline plus you could make side journeys into neighbouring countries without problem.

Whether you but X days in a month or a 1 month continuous pass is simply based on your own budget and plans.

The continuous pass (22  days for $401) means you can be totally flexible and able to hop on any train on any day without extra cost. 

The fixed number of days ( 7 days in a month $259 )is ideal if you have a scheduled travel itinerary and can calculate the days - remember extra days are relatively inexpensive to add to your pass (10 days in 2 months $310) when you first buy. 

Both passes are  equally flexible in the sense that, until you are on the train, you can change plans  and take other trains.

A

Thank you for all your replies !

Our schedule currently has 7 connecting trips starting and ending at Paris, through 3 countries only.  For Switzerland, it’ll only be 1 city : Munich (DE) - Lucerne (CH); Lucerne - Dijon (FR).  We may make a couple of side trips (to closeby attractions though nothing firmed up) but our main route is fixed. 

Re the mobile Pass, the terms indicate that e-tickets will be sent to one’s email address, so I guess there is some backup after all.

 

So just to confirm :

  • Still worth it to get a Global Pass ?
  • Our trip will cross over into early December.  EuRail counts the “month” from starting trip, not calendar month, right ?  (e.g. 15 November is 1 month after 16 October, and you can make the 5, 10 travel days, etc in that period) ? I don’t to see a definition of “month” on the terms and conditions.

Alvin

A
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +3

Thank you for all your replies !

Our schedule currently has 7 connecting trips starting and ending at Paris, through 3 countries only.  For Switzerland, it’ll only be 1 city : Munich (DE) - Lucerne (CH); Lucerne - Dijon (FR).  We may make a couple of side trips (to closeby attractions though nothing firmed up) but our main route is fixed. 

Re the mobile Pass, the terms indicate that e-tickets will be sent to one’s email address, so I guess there is some backup after all.

 

So just to confirm :

  • Still worth it to get a Global Pass ?
  • Our trip will cross over into early December.  EuRail counts the “month” from starting trip, not calendar month, right ?  (e.g. 15 November is 1 month after 16 October, and you can make the 5, 10 travel days, etc in that period) ? I don’t to see a definition of “month” on the terms and conditions.

Alvin

Yes for both the continuous and flexi pass a month is counted from 1st day of use, 15 Nov - 14 Dec for example.

 

There is no back-up for the mobile pass in the way you seem to think. On purchase you get details e-mailed. You use these to add  the pass to the Eurail app, once this is done there is no alternative to that app for travel use.

 

In order to move the pass to a different device you need to ask eurail customer services to assist.

 

There are issues with the app, particularly with iphones, the android version seems less prone to random bugs. It does require some understanding to use, it’s not the easiest thing for some people to understand, particularly if they don’t take time to figure out how it works.

 

Paper passes are certainly easier to use and have no tech issues but have to be purchased well in advance and you have to apply a fixed starting date to them, also if lost or stolen they are gone whereas a mobile pass on a broken/stolen phone can be re-activated on another device once eurail customer services de-activate it for you.

A
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +3

As you seem to have a fixed itinerary with some relatively short journeys your options will be global pass covering the number of days rail travel you will do (as well as separate reservations for the journeys requiring them ) or buying fixed price tickets for all the individual trips.

You will need to do your research on which is cheapest for your specific needs.

Y
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +10

As you seem to have a fixed itinerary with some relatively short journeys your options will be global pass covering the number of days rail travel you will do (as well as separate reservations for the journeys requiring them ) or buying fixed price tickets for all the individual trips.

You will need to do your research on which is cheapest for your specific needs.

When doing your sums remember that many cheap advance tickets are non refundable or exchangeable, whereas IR/Eurail you only lose any reservation fees if you change plans or miss the train. Tickets purchased on the day can be very expensive.

Reply


Terms and Conditions & Privacy PolicyCookie settings