Eurailpass

[CMC_Michele]

Hi again!

If I understand these passes right, we can each buy a Eurailpass Saver (the first class price is $700+, is this worth it?) to use to go to each of 17 countries, without any extra cost, IF we choose to sit in seats all the time (no couchettes).  I also read that these first class seats are served meals??  And if we choose to take night trains and reserve sleeping compartments, there are 5 of us, will we fill one area?

Thanks!  Michele

[Kim]

We did half of our 7 month trip as 2nd class and half as first class and honestly, there wasn't a lot of difference.

There is less seats in first class and it's quieter with more leg room but that's generally it.

We never got served meals in first class-there is a cart that comes around to all the cars on the train and sometimes there is a dining car but that's all I saw.

You are right about the Eurail pass-it is good for unlimited travel in 17 countries. Not sure about that price though.
How many days do you plan on using the train? You want to figure that out in order to choose the best pass.

Your kids will qualify for youth passes (under 26).

Kim

[CMC_Michele]

I was checking on the passes again and it appears that the Eurailpass Saver Flexi is the best for us.  You can travel up to 5 people together (although I'm not sure why that makes a difference), you can travel for 15 days in 2 months (I had just assumed that you had to buy a 2 month pass to be able to use it when you needed it during those 2 months) and it gives discounts  on other travel (like Eurostar and ferries).  

These passes are $732 each....is this the best way to go?  

I also looked at car rentals and driving ourselves.  Sometimes this seems practical, like when we are in Edinburgh and want to explore Kelso, but most of the cars seems too small for 5...and expensive at that.

Any opinions?

Thanks!  Michele

[CMC_Michele]

Actually, my husband and I would be $732, the kids would be $599

Michele

[CMC_Michele]

Also, the kids passes are second class, our tickets are considered first class.  Should we just buy second class ticket too or will the kids be able to sit with us in first class?  If we decide that we want first class tickets, do I just buy them first class adult tickets too?

I don't want this trip to be about money but I don't want to waste any money just because I make an uneducated decision either.

Michele

['Guest']

Hi, Michelle!

on a trip to Germany, Czech Rep. & Austria a few years ago, I had bought a 1st class eurail eastpass, as well as a 2nd class Germanrail pass.  When I got to Austria, I was so used to travelling 2nd, that I forgot that I had a 1st class pass for "East."  No one batted an eye at me riding in 2nd until I was leaving Vienna on my last "east" trip, overnight to Berlin back in Germany.  

I'd forgotten to reserve a couchette, so the Zugchef looked at my pass and said something like "oo, la la" and gave me a whole compartment in 2nd class all to myself!  

you could buy 1st class passes for your kids, but don't have to.  they can get the youth pass, 2nd class.  you and your husband must buy 1st class passes, but can still sit in 2nd class where your kids would have to sit if they have youth passes.  

You would need to decide, if a) you feel that you *must* travel in the same compartment with your kids, then b) would you rather all of you travel in 1st, and pay for your kids to have 1st class adult passes,  or, if you two don't mind riding in 2nd, you can all ride together there with your kids having 2nd class youth passes, but you & your husband would still need to buy 1st class adult passes.  

one 2nd class compartment has couchettes for 6, usually. [in portugal there were only 4 in a compartment]  if the 5 of you reserve couchettes together, there could be another person in there with you.  but, i find this highly unlikely!  

but, remember Rick Steves' 3 axioms of travel:  pack light, pack light, and pack light!  

[LHR02]

Hi Michelle,
   Regarding the passess......mine just arrived this week so I know this.    I hope you are taking into consideration that for the trip you have planned you will need two different passes if you are going to train it the entire time.  The Eurail pass is not valid in UK, so you would need to buy a Eurail pass and a Britrail pass as well for your England and Scotland travels.  However....if you are certain of your dates Britrail is having a winter 'sale' of 25% off right now.  <br>     As for your itenerary....I agree with the others here, too much travel time without enough time to really get a look at what you rode all those miles to see.   ;D  And speaking only for myself.....only one day in Berlin!  What about day trip to Dresden?  If I read your latest post correctly you are in the process of 'rethinking' this trip.  IMHO you need to allow more time in whatever spots you choose to see and less time riding on the trains.

Have fun with the guidebooks!  Planning is half the fun.

Oh.....and I am pretty sure I know where you got the meals on trains confusion.....1st class in the Eurostar (chunnel train) does  indeed have a meal served in your seat....or so my research says).....but on the 'regular' trains the others are correct, maybe a dining car is available but for sure the little snack/drink/pay as you go cart will be around.  Be sure to bring your own snacks and drinks, save money and get something edible besides.  

ginger

[snorkelman]

I never traveled 1st class, so i will not even attempt to give you my interpretations as to what i have heard.  However, expect to pay through the nose for any food on the train.  Bring snacks with you - otherwise expect to pay about $2 for each can of coke.

[Kim]

I did both the first class and second class thing.

The differences are minor in most countries: more leg room, less people per car, better seats and less crowded.

That's really all that is different.

It's no biggie if you want to sit in 2nd class with 1st class tickets but they won't let you do it the other way around.

Kim

[nitsansh]

The major difference between 1st and 2nd class is density.
1st class cars have 3 seats per row (or 6 seats per compartment), 2nd class has 4 seats per row (8 per compartment). Couchettes have 6 bunks in 2nd class, 4 bunks in 1st class.
Meals are only included in the price of some luxury trains (for which a special price or supplement is required), IE Eurostar (London to Paris/Brussels) or Thalys (Paris to Belgium, Holland or Koln). The Thalys offer meals only on work days.
Holders of 2nd class passes can upgrade to 1st class by paying the difference in price. 1st class pass-holders don't get any reduction for sitting in 2nd class.
If you travel within one country, look out for family plans or cards, that could make travel cheaper than ordinary rail passes.
Look for the deatails in the country pages of Rick Steves guide to trains in Europe.
www.ricksteves.com/rail/home.htm
Please note:
If you intend to start using your rail pass in the first half of next year, you can buy it until the end of this year in 2001 prices. Train fares and passes are updated on each calendar year, and rail passes should be validated no later than 6 months after the date they are purchased.