j33pguy
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by j33pguy on Apr 9, 2008 21:25:41 GMT -5
hi,
just went to book on Ryanair....found a ticket for both of us from paris to rome for 125 Euros including taxes....
But now, they're adding on 4 euros each for airport checkin and 9 euros each for 1 checked bag (upto 30 lbs).
this is silly! how are we supposed to each only have 20 lbs on board and 30 lbs checked in for a 3 week trip?
are all airlines like this in europe?
possible solutions?
|
|
|
|
Post by Eagle on Apr 9, 2008 22:09:38 GMT -5
j33pguy, unfortunately you've just discovered one of the "realities" of RyanAir pricing. I suspect they're able to keep seat prices very competitive by offering only basic service, and adopting a "user pay" philosophy for anything else (including luggage).
This likely isn't a problem for most "domestic" flyers, as they only have to pack enough for a few days, so can travel with carry-on or very limited checked luggage. On the other hand, international travellers will inherently need to take more clothing and other kit, so will usually have heavier luggage. Only the most "minimalist" traveller will be able to meet the luggage limits imposed by some of the budget airlines. I've heard a few rumours that EasyJet might be adopting a similar policy?
The only two choices are to pack lighter or be prepared to pay a surcharge. BTW, I've was nicked with RyanAir excess weight charges on my visit to the U.K. last fall, even though I tried to off-load as much as possible from my main pack to my carry-on Pack. My Pack wasn't too much over the limit, but that doesn't seem to matter. Unless I'm travelling a very long distance (over 6-8 hours+ travel time), I usually prefer going by Train.
Good luck!
|
|
j33pguy
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by j33pguy on Apr 9, 2008 22:17:00 GMT -5
thanks for the reply.
yes, train seems to be the better option here but even that is showing to have downfalls.....
as you know, we're going from paris->rome->venice->prague->krakow (not adjoining countries)
what do you think is the best train pass we can get and what website to give us the best bang for our buck? how much should we expect to pay? how are the luggage restrictions if any? how do we make reservations once we've purchased the train tix?
Please advise. (thank you so much)
Continuation......
MY GOD!!!!!!!!
THIS IS SOOO CONFUSING! (the whole rail/air/etc. travel in europe is extremely confusing even for someone like me who travels often in the us!)
on the Eurail website, it's stated that a "saver pass" is good for up to 5 people.....but then it wants to make me purchase 2 saver tickets one for each one of us! which is correct?
here's what we've decided so far:
buy a France/italy pass saver 4 days in 2 months for $329 USD
(assuming that we only need one of these tickets for the both of us. please verify/advise). this will cover us for paris to rome to venice
then use skysales for venice to prague at 60 euros for both of us
then use Raileurope for prague to krakow for 200 USD for both of us.
other than this, i'm lost....are we doing the right thing as opposed to going with Ryanair? can someone help clarify the train saver/pass situation? where to get it from? do we need one or two? how do we book for our trips once we have the rail tickets? etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eagle on Apr 9, 2008 23:34:08 GMT -5
j33pguy,A few thoughts to add (I haven't checked your Itininerary post today, so hopefully I'm not duplicating any info?). First of all, the trips you'll be taking: > Paris / Rome - this is definitely best by budget air, due to the distance and travel times involved. I believe you've got flights arranged? > Rome / Venice - IMO this route is definitely better by Train (I suspect the travel time will be less than that of budget air, when you account for the check-in times, security, flight times, etc.). There are direct trains (high speed - no changes) departing Roma Termini to Venezia S.L. several times a day. Travel time as low as 4H22M. That's the option I would choose. > Venice / Prague - given the travel times, budget air is better for this route. > Prague / Krakow - with a minimum rail travel time of about 7H32M, this one is a bit of a "toss up". I can't recall if you've checked the web site www.railsaver.com? If you enter your Itinerary (including those trips you'll be doing by air), the site will suggest an appropriate Rail Pass or combination of Pass and P-P tickets. Regarding reservations, if you're travelling with a Rail Pass you'll need to pay for these separately. You can do that at the station. Note that you will need to validate the Rail Pass before first use (very easy, just present the pass and your Passport at the first ticket window you encounter, and they'll stamp it). If you're buying P-P tickets, the reservations are included in the cost of the ticket. The reservation card will specify the "car number" and "seat number" that you're assigned to. If you have time, it would be a good idea to read the "Rail Skills" section in the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door.Are you referring to luggage restrictions on the trains? There aren't any (within reason) that I know of. Some trains have a rack at one end of the car to place larger luggage and most trains have racks above the seats for placing luggage. Be sure to place your luggage where you can watch it, otherwise it could "disappear". It's very difficult to suggest "the best train pass we can get" as that depends pretty much on individual circumstances. The "best" pass is the one that fits the rail journeys you'll be taking, and hopefully saves some of your money over buying P-P tickets. Regarding which website to use, as I mentioned in another post tonight, you can purchase Eurail Passes from the home page of this site (click the GFE logo at top and then "Rail Passes" in the transportation section - be sure to choose your country so the site will quote prices in the appropriate currency). Last time I ordered a pass, delivery was quick, and exactly what they specified on the order form. Hope this helps. Happy travels!
|
|
j33pguy
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by j33pguy on Apr 9, 2008 23:45:39 GMT -5
Eagle, you've been nothing but a savior for us. thank you for your support and help. it's very much appreciated.
i wrote above the below text...not sure if you got to read it:
here's what we've decided so far:
buy a France/italy pass saver 4 days in 2 months for $329 USD
(assuming that we only need one of these tickets for the both of us. please verify/advise). this will cover us for paris to rome to venice
then use skysales for venice to prague at 60 euros for both of us
then use Raileurope for prague to krakow for 200 USD for both of us.
That said.....do you still think we should use air for paris to rome? do you see any holes in the schedule i just mentioned above?
also, can you comment on the "saver pass" issue i mentioned above? is one pass all my gf and i need? (it says 1 saver pass can be used by max 5 people...or am i reading it wrong?)
i would very much like to make my reservations now so that i don't have to worry....where can i do that?
|
|
|
|
Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 9, 2008 23:46:33 GMT -5
Eagle has given his usual most excellent advice, and you'll find that most of us on these Boards agree that flying between distant destinations where possible is preferrable to long train rides, particularly where time is limited (which it is in your case). j33pguy, didn't you find a SKyEurope flight as suggested in this earlier Post? pretravel.proboards1.com/v45index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=3158 Stick with it on the Venice - Prague route, and as per Eagle's Post (and my and others' replies in the above Post) a combination of travel methods will work best for your itinerary as it stands.
|
|
j33pguy
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by j33pguy on Apr 9, 2008 23:53:57 GMT -5
yes, i appreciate all the help :-)
Eagle, as you suggested, i checked that website and it actually confirmed what i was trying to do! amazingly! this website is great!!!!!!!
it said: PARIS ROME
Use the Eurail France - Italy 4 Day 2nd Class Adult FlexiPass Companion/Saver to cover this entire journey.
ROME VENICE Use the Eurail France - Italy 4 Day 2nd Class Adult FlexiPass Companion/Saver to cover this entire journey.
PRAGUE KRAKOW Purchase a 2nd Class Adult City-to-City Ticket to cover this entire journey from PRAGUE to KRAKOW via PETROVICE U KARVINE.
madamtrashheap, yes, i will most likely stick with the skyeurope for venice to prague (for 60 euros! not bad)
my other questions still stand:
do you see any holes in the schedule i just mentioned above?
also, can you comment on the "saver pass" issue i mentioned above? is one pass all my gf and i need? (it says 1 saver pass can be used by max 5 people...or am i reading it wrong?) i would very much like to make my reservations now so that i don't have to worry....where can i do that?
|
|
|
|
Post by Eagle on Apr 10, 2008 4:53:37 GMT -5
j33pguy, after reading your most recent posts, I have a few questions, thoughts and further observations on your travel plans.
Regarding travel from Paris to Rome, could you confirm whether you're leaning towards air or rail travel on that route? Even using TGV that's still about a 13 hour trip minimum with at least one change, probably in Milano (definitely a FULL travel day).
As an alternative you might consider Vueling or other airlines from Paris CDG to Rome. Depending on the date, I found a fare for Eu$83 per person. There's a link to the budget airlines on the home page of this site. According to that site, Air Berlin/German Wings also flys Paris CDG - Rome. Given the distance and travel times, budget air would be my choice. Be sure to check the airline's web site for information on their baggage allowances!
One thing to note with budget airlines, is that they usually operate with a "sliding scale" fare system. The cheapest seats are sold first, and then the prices start to climb as the flight fills. If you're thinking of flying, it would be a good idea to book something fairly soon!
Given the fact that you'll only have two rail journeys after that, I'm wondering whether a Rail Pass is the most cost effective option? I checked your route with Railsaver, and came up with the same results you mentioned. While I often use that site for checking costs, I'm wondering when it was last updated to reflect newer pricing and passes? The site suggested a Pass covering four days in 2 months, however the Rail Europe site no longer seems to offer that combination?
For the Rome / Venice and Prague / Krakow trips, using second class P-P tickets would probably be the best option. The minimum Saver pass appears to be five days, so using only two of the days on the pass is not really the most efficient option (considering you might have to pay reservation fees also). Hopefully one of the others can confirm.
I'll take another look at your Itinerary later today, and post further comments if I think of anything else. Hopefully the others will have some further suggestions also.
Cheers!
|
|
j33pguy
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by j33pguy on Apr 10, 2008 6:51:05 GMT -5
j33pguy, after reading your most recent posts, I have a few questions, thoughts and further observations on your travel plans. Regarding travel from Paris to Rome, could you confirm whether you're leaning towards air or rail travel on that route? Even using TGV that's still about a 13 hour trip minimum with at least one change, probably in Milano (definitely a FULL travel day). I was leaning towards getting a france-italy eurail saver pass at $289 (although i still don't know if one "saver pass" is good enough for both of us or whether we need two passes. there's conflicting information on their website. Could someone please confirm? Our trip would be an overnight trip on 5/15 so we'd actually save money on one night of hotel in the process.Given the fact that you'll only have two rail journeys after that, I'm wondering whether a Rail Pass is the most cost effective option? I checked your route with Railsaver, and came up with the same results you mentioned. While I often use that site for checking costs, I'm wondering when it was last updated to reflect newer pricing and passes? The site suggested a Pass covering four days in 2 months, however the Rail Europe site no longer seems to offer that combination. Well, i have 4 legs:
paris to rome to venice could be covered with the eurail pass (again if the cost is 289 USD for 'THE TWO OF US' because it says each pass can accomodate 5 people. venice to prague is covered by air. prague to krakow by rail which i've found at 200 USD for two.For the Rome / Venice and Prague / Krakow trips, using second class P-P tickets would probably be the best option. The minimum Saver pass appears to be five days, so using only two of the days on the pass is not really the most efficient option (considering you might have to pay reservation fees also). as far as reservations fees...how does this work? once i buy the eurail pass (if i do), how do we make reservations? i couldn't find a site to do that. is there a 1-800 number? |
|
j33pguy
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by j33pguy on Apr 10, 2008 15:02:09 GMT -5
New information:
i just got off the phone with a travel agency for the rail services in europe......
it'll be 287 USD per person for Paris to rome in our own private cabin (overnight train)
it'll be 91 USD per person for Rome to Venice on regular seats
it'll be 173 USD per person for prague to Krakow in our own private cabin (overnight train)
ALSO, just found a easyjet ticket from paris to rome for 310 USD including taxes and everything. should i go with this for the paris - rome leg?
Questions:
- Do these deals look ok? (good price?)
- is it better to book now, or will i save if i book at the stations? what about availability?
- should i get the eurail saver pass and get a discount on the seats? will it be a better choice?
|
|
