Hi,My name is George and I am with a multicultural background, speaking four languages fluently.On the paper I am American, but with a very heavy Central / East European background.I am a computer engineer and in mid-1970-s, when I was a teen became familiar with international railway tariffs (MPT, TCV).I keep it up, recently more traveling by car or using EURail (can also use InterRail, by EURail is more convenient) than by calculating tariffs.I am somewhat of a “rebel”, so don’t be surprised if my answers are more reflecting the reality on the ground than the “official” version from the owner of an office desk.
There is absolutely no restriction in Hungary.I entered the country few days ago with the US passport and during the highest alert last year as well.The land controls do not exist - and if they do, here is the paperwork to download:http://www.police.hu/sites/default/files/Igazol%C3%A1s%20%C3%BCzleti%20vagy%20gazdas%C3%A1gi%20c%C3%A9l%C3%BA%20beutaz%C3%A1shoz%20-%20Certificate%20for%20business%20travellers_0.pdfYou should download it, sign it, write there that adults in your group doing some computer business.For “Tax Identification Number” use your SSN, the border police does not care less.If you feel unsure, let your HR sign it and use the tax ID of the company.Do NOT overcomplicate, just make sure all of you are vaccinated and - just in case - have a PCR test if you start your trip in Hungary.BTW: I also have a Hungarian passport and tested “our” border guards extensively.Few days ago entered Hungary from Croatia with my car having US license plate.No question was asked, not even abo
Not necessary all trains do have mandatory reservation in Denmark.For instance I see a train combination with two changes starting Esbjerg at 20:41, arriving Fredericia at 21:48, departing Fredericia at 22:30, arriving at Odense 23:27, departing Odense at 3:56, arriving Koebenhavn at 5:47. But this means two changes of (regional) trains at ungodly times.Intercity or better trains seem to have mandatory seat reservation.You may consider the Hamburg - Hoeje Taastrup overnight connection, this train of course has mandatory reservation and has only couchettes - but at least it saves you time and hotel.That train departs Hamburg Hbf 23:26, arrives Hoeje Taastrup at 06:38 in the morning. It is operated by Swedish Snälltåget company. From Hoeje Taastrup you have frequent connections to Koebenhavn, the ride is less, than 15 minutes by a local train.
The timetables of Baltic countries are NOT coordinated.Each country has own rail system semi-connected to the other at the borders.It is not unusual to get from one country to the border and wait forever for the connecting train.The new RailBaltica supposed to change that, but it remains to be seen.Until that you should consider long-distance busses, smaller shared taxis (“marshrutka”) or renting a car.There is a historical reason (the main rail hub is actually… St. Petersburg and Moscow!) and also technical: Baltic countries have 1520mm gauge, like (Soviet) Russia, Finland has 1524mm gauge like (Tsarist) Russia - but everything in the west has 1435mm gauge.The 1524mm and 1520mm are close enough and through trains are possible, even at high speed. But in order to operate on 152x and 1435mm gauge either change of trains or change of boogies / wheel displacement is necessary.The new RailBaltica supposed to have 1435mm gauge, but we have to live to see it. And in their Infinite Wisdom the
For trips involving Italy only I would not buy any railpass:If you use a train which does not require any reservation, the fare does not justify the railpass, it’s so cheap. For faster trains you will have to make a reservation anyway, do you have a railpass or not. The best is to make a reservation just before you take that train - you have to be flexible.So you have to go to the ticket office anyway. You do not save any time and the potential savings on the fare rarely if ever justify the hassle to get a ralpass and to get the mandatory reservation.Longer trips in Italy or numerous trips involving multiple countries within extensive period of time is a different story. For your trip do not worry about the train tickets, just buy them at the station when you are there. The trip from FCO to Venice is a good example, why you should not over-plan: you can’t be sure, your airplane arrives on-time, you can’t be sure the luggage is processed on-time, you can’t be sure, there is nothing unex
I would get to the station a day before the travel or say, half an hour earlier than originally planed (i.e. one hour before the departure of the train) and buy the reservation at the station at the German ticket office.Also, as I recall, boarding a German train without reservation or even without a valid ticket is not a crime - you can buy the reservation or even the whole ticket from the conductor if you approach him.So even if you are late and barely reach the train - just board it, find an empty seat (a seat without passenger or destination tag on it) and once you see the conductor, approach him.This “guerilla” tactic sometimes (in France!) could work out better, than trying to buy the reservation on-line or even at the ticket office. In Germany it is neutral: there is no limited contingent on seats for EU/Interrailers and the price of the reservation is the same.
Unfortunately Greece is not the best destination / starting point for EU/Inter-Rail travel.To get out of this trap I would use either a ferry to Italy or busses to Macedonia - Serbia - Croatia.The first one (ferry) is probably shorter in time.In general, Balkans are the worst for the train travelers and the situation is unlikely to improve until the line via Macedonia-Serbia is upgraded (at least 10 years).The third and a very scenic option: use the busses from Thessaloniki to Belgrade, stop in Skopje. From Belgrade take the very scenic train trip to Bar, Montenegro.The best is to take the night train - expect long delays and the best section of that rail trip will be in the morning.From Bar take the ferry to Bari, Italy. Must see, time-permitting:Water reservoir around Skopje, with monasteries Tetovo “Sarena” Mosque (also known in the West as “Pasha’s Mosque”, but that name is technically not correct. Tetovo is a short day-trip from Skopje. This is arguably the most beautiful mosque i
I have both EU and USA passport and both USA driver’s license with USA street address and a EU address inside the “address card”.In such case the EU/Inter Rail rules allow using Interrail and EuRail at will.It is somewhat similar to your case. In addition to that, train conductors are not passport - experts from the police. If you would buy the Interrail pass, that would raise far more questions from them and bring you more inconvenience, than EuRail.There is one huge incentive NOT use the Interrail at all: you are allowed only limited journeys in your “home” country (i.e. Germany), which has one of the most expensive regular trariff as well.Holders of EuRail are not affected by this limitation. So the best solution for people who are eligible for both: buy always EuRail.
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