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night train Venice to Prague
Tue, 01/04/2011 - 04:04
terentious
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A mate and myself are in europe in march april, we intend travelling between Milan and rome, rome and florence, florence and venice on day trains several days apart on each trip….

Importantly though (for us anyway) is trying to travel between Venice and Prague on an evening (sleeper) train, 20 march 2011, and another night train between berlin and paris (also sleeper) on the evening of 30 March 2011.

My questions are as follows,

1 what advantage is there in obtaining a rail pass,
2. how and when should I purchase the appropriate tickest (from australia)
3. Am I better purchasing point to point tickets,
4. I have read that if travelling for more than a couple of hours, I should consider first class (we are both in our late 40’s and while not snobbish, would prefer to have some comfort in our travels.

Travels of terentious
I am leaving from Melbourne, Australia and traveling for 43 days
London, Marrakech, Meknes, Fes, Tangier, Casablanca, Milan, Rome, Florence, Prague, Munich, Berlin, Paris, London
Requesting help with Itinerary, Nightlife, Food, Sights
Tue, 01/04/2011 - 12:18
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oldlady
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Quote:
1 what advantage is there in obtaining a rail pass,
It may be cheaper than buying the individual tickets. It will be cheaper, particularly in France and Germany, if you aren’t willing/able to book non-refundable tickets for specific trains (exact date and time) several weeks in advance. If you want to travel at peak times, the discount on Eurostar, the chunnel train, may be helpful. It’s more convenient than having to buy an individual train ticket in some cases and sometimes avoids waiting in ticket lines.
Quote:
2. how and when should I purchase the appropriate tickest (from australia)
This depends on the individual ticket. Book any cheap airfares as soon as you find them. Check our “cheap flights” forum for search engines, links, tips and help. Train tickets go on sale 60 to 90 days in advance. To get the cheapest fares go to the individual national rail company websites and buy them as soon as they go on sale. Links to the websites are under “transportation” on the “travel tips” tab and in a sticky at the top of this forum. You may not be able to buy some of the tickets you need on-line. Next best price is to buy them at the train station in Europe. Third option is to buy from a travel agency website, which usually increases the price by about 35%.
3. See 1 — it depends on your specific itinerary and your willingness to search out and advance purchase the cheapest train tickets.
Quote:
4. I have read that if travelling for more than a couple of hours, I should consider first class (we are both in our late 40’s and while not snobbish, would prefer to have some comfort in our travels.
Where did you read that — from somebody who sells adult railpasses? I don’t usually spring for 1st class in Western Europe. I would buy 1st class in Morocco if train is an option there. In Italy, I usually take the premier trains and travel 2nd class and might spring for 1st class between mid-July and mid-September in Italy on a regional train if it was crowded.

Use the German national rail company website for schedules anywhere in Europe and to buy tickets in for routes in Germany or that start or end in Germany (check the other country, too as you might find a cheaper fare.) http://reiseauskunft…