I am coming to Europe in June-July with a family of 4 (including 2 kids (6 & 8 years)) and would mainly be visiting France (Paris only), Switzerland, Italy (Rome & Florence), Germany (Munich), Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp), and Denmark (Copenhagen).
I am planning to get a Eurail Global Pass for 15 days for inter-country & sometimes intra-country travel (especially Switzerland). So far, I am not buying any other Travel Passes and may just purchase Paris Metro 5 days pass and individual transport passes in other countries as per requirement.
I had a few questions, to which I am unable to find specific answers to:
- I know that when Eurail Planning App tells âSeat Reservations Requiredâ, I will compulsorily have to purchase individual seats. What about when it tells âSeat Reservation Recommendedâ? Can I take a chance by not buying individual seats?
- What is the recommended / manageable time for changing trains on my route? The train app sometimes shows even 6 minutes. As there might be train delays and I will have 2 x large luggage bags (23 KG each).
- The Eurail Global Pass is free for my kids. What about the train tickets once I have to reserve seats? Do children travel free or is there any discount? I have not yet tried reserving seats.
- As I would be coming during peak tourist season. How early is it recommended to book seats on trains with âSeat Reservations Requiredâ?
- For trains not requiring reservations, do I need to do any action or just get on that train on my day of travel?
- Do I need to keep prints of any tickets or the app will suffice?
- In case I miss a âpaidâ train on my route, due to a delay in the previous train, what options do I have?
- For trains that are showing â+1 dayâ (arriving at the destination on the next day), will this deduct 2 days off my Global Pass?
- Is there any space at Train Stations in general, in case I want to just wander around in that city (no hotel booking or plan of staying the night) for an hour or so? If not, what other options are available?
- Is there any other Public Transport (buses/metros) in the Countries I am visiting, that I can utilize using Eurail Pass on the day of my Pass usage?
- Any other hidden / not commonly known âbenefitâ (with respect to any additional means of transport or any other) of Eurail Pass, which very less people know of?
- In case I am not able to fully utilize the pass during my trip to Europe, can I get a refund for the remaining days
?
- Any other suggestions are also most welcome.