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Post by nitsansh on Nov 12, 2002 18:19:25 GMT -5
I hate the French web site! It's a pain in the ass!
Be aware that a new timetable commences on December 15. Most websites have yet to add the new timetable to their database.
Also I would expect prices to go up in the new year. But if you buy a railpass until the end of the year, you can use it within 6 months with no extra cost.
The only busy time in the next 5 months is around Christmas and New Year Day. Is that when you are travelling?
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KimB
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Post by KimB on Nov 12, 2002 18:26:08 GMT -5
Silly question then:
If the new timetable doesn't come out till Dec 15, how does one book a reservation on a particular train?
(But yes, I'm trying to get a travel agent on this).
K.
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Post by nitsansh on Nov 12, 2002 19:28:06 GMT -5
The French website has the data of the new timetable. The German (and others) doesn't.
I found vacancy on the train to Nice on Dec 22 and 23. You can travel much cheaper on the 23rd, because discounted tickets are still available for this train. A 2nd class couchette cost 54 EUR on Dec 23, 96 EUR on Dec 22. You can book your ticket on the website and collect it at a train station. Apparently, they don't send tickets to Australia (they do for most other countries, with notable exception of USA and Canada).
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KimB
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Post by KimB on Nov 12, 2002 19:45:50 GMT -5
Thanks for that - I managed to get the same result.
The site will book me in for Paris to Nice, but not Paris to Rome. (I guess it's kinda hard to deal with the hop on/hop off feature of the ticket)
I've got a travel agent on this - I'm a little scared of that French site.
The help I've got here on this site is amazing. You guys should get paid for your wisdom.
K.
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Post by LHR02 on Nov 12, 2002 19:56:31 GMT -5
Well thank you from Kim's minions! Repay the help by posting some notes enroute or when you return and signing on now and then to help others with questions on their trip! ;D We like to help and love to hear reports on how your trip went.
Every traveler is a newby/novice once....then they have help and info to offer to other new trvelers.....just the way it works, right? Please do post as you go along...we all love to hear on the road stories!
ging
And for heaven's sake....don't stress, it will all work out even if not just how you initially planned.....and have fun!
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Post by Kim on Nov 13, 2002 1:28:23 GMT -5
My tired eyes first read that as "Kim's onions!" LOL
Yes, we do love on the road reports. If anyone is interested, this is how it works. All you have to do is email me with reports while you are travelling and I post them on here. Easy as that! We love to read along with what you are doing so anyone that is interested, please let me know!
The help I've get on these boards is amazing. I'd like to thank my moderators and regulars for everything-I so appreciate them! With running the site as well as my day job, sometimes I don't get to post everything I want to. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kim
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Post by nitsansh on Nov 13, 2002 3:33:48 GMT -5
The site will book me in for Paris to Nice, but not Paris to Rome. (I guess it's kinda hard to deal with the hop on/hop off feature of the ticket) IIRC, it doesn't sell tickets to Italy because these trains are not operated by SNCF. BIJ tickets are never sold online, only at rail stations and local travel agencies. I've got a travel agent on this - I'm a little scared of that French site. Is that the UK agency you were talking about? Which is it? Will they send you the tickets? The help I've got here on this site is amazing. You guys should get paid for your wisdom. We like it so much, that we're shy to ask for compensation...LOL |
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KimB
Full Travel Member
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Post by KimB on Nov 13, 2002 16:33:42 GMT -5
Well, it's all coming together, with a bit of courage. The French rail website was willing to offer me Paris-Nice, with reservation and couchette, for 54 euros. (about the same in US$, I think?) Too good to pass up - I just had to trust the site with my credit card details and pick up the ticket at a train station in France. Decided I might as well wait till Europe to buy Nice-Rome point-to-point BIJ ticket. All up should be less than A$200. Which is better than Railpass (A$375). Just takes a bit of risk! UK agency - Ffestiniog Travel, who provided instant quote, but didn't promise to mail to Aus. Another UK agency - www.international-rail.com wouldn't quote me until they had my life story, but were happy to mail to Aus. Very helpful, but won't need them now. K. |
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Post by LHR02 on Nov 13, 2002 16:59:22 GMT -5
Great Price!!!! A bit of homework/research usually pays big rewards, most folks either don't know how to do it or just too lazy. Nitsansh is a genuis at this and has helped many to save some big bucks. Risk?  I wouldn't worry.....if it was a TA you were dealing with that's one thing. The Euro rails are reputable businesses and doing it for years and years. I honestly think you can relax over this one and trust that your ticket and reservation will be waiting for you as promised. When exactly do you leave? Please do post now and then.....internet is easy to find and relatively cheap. We;ll be anxious to hear how it goes. Bon Voyage! And do be sure to see the Medici Chapel in Florence! Too fabulous for words! ging |
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Post by nitsansh on Nov 13, 2002 18:11:44 GMT -5
I just found you can fly Paris-Nice with AirLibExpress for 60 Euro on Dec 23. www.airlibexpress.com/But a train+couchette for 54 Euro is a better deal... |
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Post by LHR02 on Nov 13, 2002 19:23:55 GMT -5
but a six euro difference to save what......7 hours.....I'd have given this a strong look!
But, as she said, it's a done deal now.
Hey Nitsansh......where are you on the Munich-Salzburg thread in pre travel? Waiting for your input guy! ;D
ging
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KimB
Full Travel Member
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Post by KimB on Nov 13, 2002 19:31:58 GMT -5
That's too tempting, guys, stop finding better deals for me!!! I'm stuck now!
I'm okay with the train - it looks like trips to the airports in these cities are a pain. And, of course, it's an experience!
I'm leaving in 4 weeks, and I'll send emails if I can. I've already got some advice to add to the money thread!
Thanks,
K.
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Post by LHR02 on Nov 13, 2002 19:40:04 GMT -5
I hear ya Kim! Decided on my 'buy' price for my flights and when I got it, I bought it. Have steadfastly refused to read any 'fare alerts' since that day, even though I understand it is now quite a bit lower! I got the price I wanted......and have to be happy with that.  (But could have sure used that extra 75-100 elsewhere) Have a great time! Be pleased with what you got....the difference is not worth stressing over in the grand scheme of things! ;D ging - who says we had BEST hear from you!!!  |
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Post by nitsansh on Nov 13, 2002 19:58:52 GMT -5
but a six euro difference to save what......7 hours.....I'd have given this a strong look! No... if you travel by night you actually save "quality time"... and if you consider that the train fare includes accomodation, and also you should add transportation to/from airports to air fare... no doubt the train is a better deal here! Hey Nitsansh......where are you on the Munich-Salzburg thread in pre travel? Waiting for your input guy! ;D Not much I can help here... The prices she quoted look too expensive for hostel... ging |
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I wouldn't worry.....if it was a TA you were dealing with that's one thing. The Euro rails are reputable businesses and doing it for years and years. I honestly think you can relax over this one and trust that your ticket and reservation will be waiting for you as promised.
(But could have sure used that extra 75-100 elsewhere)