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1

Train fares and tariffs / Re: Italy Rail Pass seems to pay?

« on: February 04, 2011, 06:07:13 am »

Thanks.  I didn't know about the global pass option. 

2

Train fares and tariffs / Re: Italy Rail Pass seems to pay?

« on: February 03, 2011, 07:11:45 am »

Thank-you for your help again tUt.  I suspected that the reservation fees would make the pass less advantageous.  That would make the pass cost 145 + 40 EUR.  I just couldn't read anywhere that the mini fare included the reservation fee.  Now I have to decide if the convenience of a pass is worth the extra 35 or so EUR.  I worry that we'll miss a train and then have to buy another ticket at full price.  Then there won't be any advantage at all of point to point.

Is it very much trouble to make a reservation? Can it be done just before we get on the train?  I don't think we'll have a computer and will have to do everything at a train station - in English.

3

Train fares and tariffs / Italy Rail Pass seems to pay?

« on: February 02, 2011, 06:14:02 pm »

Two 4 day Italy Rail pass costs 290E.  We are planning 4 train journeys in April and I priced them out on Trenitalia: MXP-Rome(98E+), Rome-Sorrento(70E), Sorrento to Florence(100E+), and Florence to Milan-Bergamo (84E+).  I'm not sure if these prices - most of them are MINI include a reservation fee.  All are ES high speed trains which we prefer.  Will the extra reservation fees still make it cheaper to buy point to point?

4

Train fares and tariffs / Re: Understanding "international TCV tariff tickets"

« on: September 30, 2010, 12:21:49 am »

Yes, I see them.  It looks like the regular price?  I'm starting to figure this all out - following the train down and seeing the costs from the different stations. 

Now I'll have to be brave and hit the Trenitalia website
Thanks again for your help. 
Marian

5

Train fares and tariffs / Re: Understanding "international TCV tariff tickets"

« on: September 29, 2010, 11:46:22 pm »

Oh no.  The 30E tickets are not at the right time.  I need to leave early on the 8.05 EC51.  Even though it says the price is 61E each, when I try to buy them it ups the price to 81E each.  Is that because we don't have a 1/2 price card?

6

Train fares and tariffs / Re: Understanding "international TCV tariff tickets"

« on: September 29, 2010, 11:19:51 pm »

Wow.  Thanks for your help tUt.  Yes, we can't stop but must travel to Vernazza in one day.  I asked SBB for a quote and this is what they offered: Tickets:
1 person without reduction:
CHF 110.00 / Lauterbrunnen - Domodossola
CHF  44.00 / Domodossola - Milano Centrale

That's $300 for 2 people and only to Milan!  I do think SBB could improve their website and have a page showing the sale prices and when they are available.

I thought I'd share this website with you in case you've never heard of it: http://www.viarail.ca/en/deals/from-vancouver
If you book less than 2 weeks ahead, you can almost always take the train right across Canada for under $200 Cdn (140E) one way.  I expect Europeans will find it very slow... it takes more than 3 days and nights!  It is a nice way to see Canada though.

I'll book those tickets now.  Thanks again tUt.

7

Train fares and tariffs / Understanding "international TCV tariff tickets"

« on: September 29, 2010, 02:23:50 am »

I need help understanding how "international TCV tariff tickets" work. When I read the tips it says that you have to start your journey in an Eastern European Country, yet this example is given ( on http://europetrainsguide.com/Countries/Switzerland/Switzerland-SBB/CFF/FFS/VFS.html): St.Gallen-Zurich-Lucerne-Interlken-Berne-Lausanne-Geneva ticket valid for two month with unlimited stopovers on the route costs only 63.2 euro (with standard TCV tariff price)

I checked and St. Gallen is in Switzerland, so how does this work?  Will this trick help me with my itinerary?

I've spent weeks trying to find a reasonable price for Lauterbrunnen to Milan (actually Vernazza) leaving early on Oct. 23.  I'm wondering if I should I wait until Oct. 10 to book a possible SuperSaver ticket?  Should I use Switzerland or Italy's train websites to book, or won't it make any difference?

I booked Eindhoven to Lauterbrunnen for two and paid over $250Cdn on Bahn.  I'm starting to think two -five day Flex pass for $800, or skipping the trains altogether and flying to Italy would have been a smarter move.

Thanks for letting me ask all these questions.
Marian
Agassiz BC Canada