Trains

[lynx]

Hello forums users,

I would like some advice about trains in Western Europe (especially France,Spain,Italy,Greece,Austria,Greece and Switzerland).

Which website can I use to get reliable timetables throughout Europe?

Also, are they any common problems with trains reliabilty?

Also, when crossing borders between countries, it is necessary to show my real passport or can I get away with using a photocopy one.

Many thanks

[herrbert]

check www.bahn.de for the timetables and route for trains. Give yourself some extra time when traveling on train.

In the EU, you have to have a proper ID with you at all time (a copy, won't do). Your pasport is also needed for checking-in at the airports.

P.S. the only real border you are crossing is into, and out of Switzerland, for the rest you won't notice the borders. (at least not because somebody is asking for your papers -> it can be that they are talking a different language though (but that can also happen within a country. Switzerland has 4 languages)

[me]

although Switzerland is not party to Schengen, i have been on trains crossing from Germany into Switzerland where there were no passport checks.

this seemed highly unusual at the time, but i got all the way from Konstanz to Zürich's main station and was never checked. [no check leaving Germany, either]

- d

[madamtrashheap]

Also look at www.raileurope.com for trains/passes and support the GFE site. As for reliability, the countries you've listed are all fine (the Germanic ones especially so!) but allow for Greece as they are upgrading their train system. Of course, snow, leaves, animals can all cause issues, but generally speaking train travel is a delight in Europe.

It's a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport stashed somewhere safe in case it's lost/stolen, but you won't be able to use it as a form of ID. As I'm assuming you're not an EU citizen, the only form of acceptable ID is a passport (a driver's licence won't do).

The checking thing is up to the conductor/border guard on the day, hence the randomness of everyone's experiences. Always be prepared to show your ID, but be happy when you don't have to rustle around in your money belt!