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Support for Neurodiverse Travellers

  • 10 August 2023
  • 31 replies
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K
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Hello

 

I am dyslexic and the information on any website is always a little overbearing and I am seeking for an agent to help me with a return trip to Malaga from London which is £900 on Trainline.

This site gives me the impression a Eurail Pass would be cheaper, but I’ve no idea on any restrictions with regard to it’s use etc and would feel more comfortable speaking to an agent to ensure my planned journey & times are covered… The Chatbot is not engineered to identify any neurodiverse keywords and is unable to help me.

 

Thank you

 

 

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Best answer by thibcabe 10 August 2023, 15:42

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Knocky19

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Adding a train to the app does not guarantee you a seat.

You are able to book a seat for that train on interrail.eu for 10€ + 2€ booking fee. Book ASAP : about 20 seats are left and it could fill up fast.

The RENFE staff told you that you cannot book by phone until 72h before with them (it's complicated).

K
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Thank you @thibcabe I have booked the Barca > Malaga for Monday within the Interrail app, but apparently I cannot seat reserve until 72hrs before the date of travel. This was the information I was told by the train operator on 0034 912 320 320

Knocky19
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I'd suggest 45 min in advance for all the controls. You'll see that the departure lounge is quite packed especially in the mornings…

Which trains did you not book yet ? If you are fine switching trains in Madrid it probably won't be an issue but if you'd like the direct Barcelona - Malaga, definitely book now.

K
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Thank you all for your support last week, everything is booked, aside from the Spanish Seat Reservations which is the end of my outbound (no too concerned), and the start of my return which could have knock on implications.

Should I be worried or would you expect there to generally be availability.

 

Also on the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris via Lille how early should I get to St Pancras for a 7:04 train, is it also worth getting there very early and exploring any availability of a transfer to a direct to Paris train?

Knocky19
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Just to be certain : have you booked the Eurostar on Sunday 20th August (09:01 - 11:28) for 30€ + 2€ fee ? Now it's not available anymore so it would complicate things.

The TGV Paris - Barcelona may be available on interrail.eu but due to bugs it doesn't necessarily work. Still try there first to avoid the call.

I'd also book Barcelona - Malaga as soon as possible since not many seats are left. Do let us know if something goes wrong.

You've still got a bit of time for the return journey.

Tip : it is not recommended to activate the pass in advance (yellow toggles/QR-code) because once a travel day has started you cannot cancel it. If suddenly you wake up ill, etc. it is lost. Best to activate it right before clearing Eurostar controls.

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@Al_G @AnnaB - thank you and understood…

I have adjusted the train outbound from London to go to Paris via Lille and secured seat reservation on the first two legs (Lon>Lil & Lil>Par). Next is the phonecall for the Paris>Barcelona seat reservation which I’ll try tomorrow, an international call is not ideal and I pray the call does not take quite a while.

Have you tried booking it through the interrail booking portal?

https://www.interrail.eu/en/book-reservations#/

You will only need to phone SNCF if this does not work.

K
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@Al_G @AnnaB - thank you and understood…

I have adjusted the train outbound from London to go to Paris via Lille and secured seat reservation on the first two legs (Lon>Lil & Lil>Par). Next is the phonecall for the Paris>Barcelona seat reservation which I’ll try tomorrow, an international call is not ideal and I pray the call does not take quite a while.

Knocky19
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There are no pass holder seats, at least not in 2nd class, available on the Eurostar between London and Paris on the 19th and 20th of August. There are pass holder seats available in 2nd class on 2 trains from London to Lille on the 19/8.  

Please note that I don't work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don't reply to personal messages.
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You cannot travel on any train marked as reservation compulsory without a reservation. You will either be turned away before boarding or if found onboard without a reservation be removed or fined or both.

You can’t book seats in the app, it will forward you to the interrail website booking service but please do as @BrendanDB already explained in an earlier reply explaining how to book the trains on your route from interrail and other websites, read these replies and if you still have difficulties ask for clarification.

K
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Okay… significant progress, thanks to both your help!

5 day pass purchased, App Downloaded and Outward travel planned with a day in Barcelona for good measure using 2/5 pass days

Here is the status within the app and I can confirm within the app I can access a ticket QR code.

Q1) Can I class this train travel as booked?

Therefore I just need a seat reservation for each journey, else at the moment I can board and travel, but not sit on the train. I hope that is the case and the last remaining question is...

Q2) What is the easiest way to reserve a seat as I am struggling to see this as something simple in the App?

 

 

Knocky19
BrendanDB
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Yes, there will be a local train from Malaga.

I was including the 5 travel days as a precaution.

So you are saying I should plot all the stops London>Lille>Paris>Barcelona>Malaga… and back again

 

We say not to trust to tool and do what you think best. Personally, I’lld go for a 5 day pass too.

You never know if something unforeseen happens, forcing you to replan. Or a day out, somewhere else in Spain, in which an extra pass day always comes in handy.

K
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Yes, there will be a local train from Malaga.

I was including the 5 travel days as a precaution.

So you are saying I should plot all the stops London>Lille>Paris>Barcelona>Malaga… and back again

 

Knocky19
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You don't need to use the tool, it's not really reliable frankly…

Just buy the pass you need : 4 day Global Pass. It is a few £ cheaper on myinterrail.co.uk btw

BrendanDB
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It’s the tool that’s the problem. It’s not super reliable.

Your own calculations are probably better.

You’ll need an overnight stop anyway when going, and when returning. So you’ll need at least 4 travel days.

Do you plan to take other trains in Spain, other than those that’ll take you to Malaga?

K
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This looks straight-forward, but not sure I am using this tool correctly? Do I need to plot in the stops in Lille, Paris and Barca or do I just hit show my results and buy a pass?

Knocky19
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You're welcome ! Do not hesitate to come back :)

(still updating the return, probably also via Lille)

K
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Great, thank you both…

 

So, I’ll proceed with the Interail.eu pass and look to proceed with the Lille option.

I’ll jump back on here to either state thank you all accomplished or hopefully not further questions…!?

Knocky19
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For the return on 31st August :

You could make it to Paris in a day but you'd arrive really late.

- AVE Malaga - Madrid 07:55 - 10:50 10€

- AVE Madrid - Barcelona 11:30 - 14:42 10€

- TGV Barcelona - Paris 16:10 - 23:05 35€

Instead I'd suggest a night in Montpellier or Nîmes.

- same as above

- TGV Barcelona - Narbonne 16:10 - 18:40 25€

- TER Narbonne - Montpellier St-Roch 19:18 - 20:19

And on Friday 1st September (one option, there are others with later arrival) :

- TGV Montpellier Sud de France (outside the city center) - CDG Airport 09:12 - 13:01 20€

- TGV CDG Airport - Lille-Europe 13:07 - 14:24 (same train but other seats apparently) 20€ 2nd class or 19€ 1st incl. upgrade

- Eurostar Lille-Europe - London St. Pancras 15:30 - 15:57 or 16:35 - 16:57 30€

BrendanDB
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@Knocky19

Cost wise:

  • 28 years old: 258 EUR pass cost (4 days in a month) + +/- 200 EUR reservation cost to go and to return
  • -28 years old 195 (4 days in a month) + 200 EUR reservation cost to go and to return.

So 450 -500 EUR for a return to Malaga should be possible :) Much better than the + 1000 quid with ordinary tickets ;)

Lunch time in Malaga is going to be difficult, since it’s quite the distance.Unless you leave very early in Barcelona with following direct connection:

 

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Great find via Lille :)

Unfortunately the international AVE cannot be bought online…

This is also possible to get to Barcelona on Sunday :

- Eurostar London St. Pancras - Lille-Europe 09:01 - 11:28 30€

- TGV Lille-Europe - Paris-Nord 12:05 - 13:23 20€ (or 19€ in 1st class including upgrade if you use https://travel.b-europe.com/Eurail-GE/en/booking-tgv#TravelWish to book)

- station transfer -> you can buy the RER ticket onboard Eurostar to avoid stress

- TGV Paris Gare de Lyon - Barcelona-Sants 14:56 - 21:25 35€

@Knocky19 it is not possible to take the 10:26 train out of St Pancras. Unfortunately it is sold out for passholders. Instead you could choose this above connection to make it to Barcelona on Sunday. The next morning you'll travel to Malaga : 06:45 - 13:00 direct (10€).

All trains should be available on interrail.eu with 2€ booking fee extra.

K
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Thank you Brendan that’s all really helpful!

I think I’d like to arrive in Malaga by lunchtime on the 21st Aug.

So you are saying that I purchase a interrail pass on this site and that covers my journey:

London St Pancras 10:26 (overnight in Barcelona) and arriving in Malaga at 13:00 the next day.

Where do I book the seat reservations on each leg of the journey… assume I cannot do that on this site either?

 

Knocky19
BrendanDB
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Pass wise, you’ll need at least a 4 day pass in a month.

If you want to do any other travels in Spain by train, you might consider extra days.

Where to get your reservations or check train availability?

For Eurostar (London Paris or London-Lille): check here https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Booking/Pass#Outbound

For domestic or national rides in France with TGV (Paris/Lille - Nïmes), here: https://travel.b-europe.com/Eurail-GE/en/booking-tgv#Outbound

For the international TGV France to Barcelona:

The interrail reservation service or call French Railways https://www.sncf.com/en/customer-service/contact-us/telephone

The international AVE

(I have frankly no idea, as this is a brand new service since a couple of days, someone else might help)

Domestic AVE (like Barcelona Madrid, or Madrid Malaga)

VIa the interrail reservation service or at the ticket office in Spain.

Cost of this?

Eurostar EUR 30

Domestic TGV’s (like Lille-Nîmes) 10 to 20 EUR per seat per train.

International TGV to Barcelona: 30-EUR

DOMESTIC AVE 10 EUR per seat per train

BrendanDB
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Okay, another route that’s possible for you:

Sunday: 20/08

Eurostar London St. Pancras: 9:01 to Lille Europe 11:28.

Lille-Europe 15:26 - Nîmes 20:16

Spend the night in Nîmes

Following morning monday 21/08:

AVE Nîmes 09:00 - Madrid (Pta de Atocha) 15:45

Madrid (Pta. de Atocha) 16:48- Malaga 20:09

OR 21/08 (but tighter connections)

Or 21/08 (tighter connections)

 

BrendanDB
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You are a UK resident, so you need an interrail pass. The interrail pass is your ticket.

With an interrail pass you can take about 95% of the trains in Europe.

Some of these trains require seat reservations (an extra cost, to add above your pass, like @thibcabe mentioned). These trains are usually long distance, high speed, international trains or night trains.

France and Spain are quite reservation heavy, with almost all trains (except regional trains) requiring seat reservations.

The most difficult train will be Eurostar for you, as it can sell out and there are no good alternatives for Eurostar. If you can avoid leaving in the weekends, Eurostar availability is better.

I’m gonna check some other alternatives for you, just a moment. Possibly this will take you over Lille in France.

K
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BTW… the above was leaving on Aug 20th and arriving on Aug 21st

Knocky19

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