Interrailing around Europe

will369

Hi guys,

This summer I am off Interrailing around Europe for the 1st time.

I am going for 5 weeks, on my own aswel


I have already booked my flight to Barcelona from London and am spending 3 nights in Barcaeolna.

I am not 100% sure on my route yet, but it now has to start with Barcelona.

I was thinking....


London > Barcelona (Fly) > Barcelona > Naples, Italy (Fly) , Naples > Amalfi Coast > Rome > Florence > Venice > Austria, Innsbruck, Germany, Munich, > Czech, Prague > Germany, Berlin > Fly to France, Paris, Amsterdam, Fly home

What do you guys think?

Also, what is the best website to book trains up in advance? Or check to see when trains leave?

Or can I just turn up to the station?

Thanks

SavingPennies_2

I love travelling by train but don't do enough of it, did a route a few years ago which included Zurich > Milan > Venice - some great scenery there.

Man in seat 61 is a must for rail travel advice!
http://www.seat61.com/

SailorSam

Do you ever watch that Tory MP, what's his name Michael ....... Michael Portillo on Bbc 4. He travels all over the place by train and makes it look really exciting looking into the history of the railways across Europe.

Blue264

SavingPennies wrote: »

Man in seat 61 is a must for rail travel advice!
http://www.seat61.com/

Couldn't agree more. This is one of the best resources out there for train and ferry timetables.

will369 wrote: »

London > Barcelona (Fly) > Barcelona > Naples, Italy (Fly) , Naples > Amalfi Coast > Rome > Florence > Venice > Austria, Innsbruck, Germany, Munich, > Czech, Prague > Germany, Berlin > Fly to France, Paris, Amsterdam, Fly home

I set off on part of this itinerary two weeks ago. We did 3 nts in Rome, 5 nights in Sorrento and the Amalfi coast then flew to Barcelona for 3 nts.

My absolute top tip for this is to keep all your belongings firmly locked up at Naples train station. In the 24years since I was last there, it's still pick pockets heaven. My OH punched a guy in the side of the head there the other week because he felt his hand go into his front trouser pocket as he boarded the Circumvesuviana. Luckily, everyone realised what had happened and were laughing at the guy stagering round the platform punch drunk.

In fact, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and get a bus with Viaggi Carrara from Naples airport to Sorrento for 10 Euros, then get the Sita bus to Amalfi for 8 Euros. The route from the airport takes you through lots of coastal towns that you only catch a glimpse of on the train. This options is far safer and the best way to get to Amalfi. From there, get the bus to Salerno and the train back up north.

Watch out for deals on the Italo website for trains in Italy. I got a business class seat for less that the usual fare for standard class, and only booked 7days in advance.

For the more northern train times, it's worth checking www.bahn.com. I use it all the time at work.

I'd consider wedging in Salzburg between Innsbruck and Munich. Amazingly beautiful city and there are a few really good hostels there around Linzergasse.

I'm not familiar with the rest of your itinerary, except for Amsterdam , so sorry, I can't help you there.

will369

Barcelona to Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome & Italy from €81...

Option 1, by TGV to Geneva & scenic train through the Alps to Italy. Runs every day.

Step 1, a TGV Duplex leaves Barcelona every day at 09:25, change at Valence (arrive 13:38, depart 13:57) arriving Geneva 17:00. This is a comfortable and scenic journey. As far as Valence you take exactly the same route as the TGVs from Barcelona to Paris, so watch the first part of the Barcelona to Paris video here to see what the journey is like.

Book from Barcelona Sants to Geneva at https://www.loco2.com (UK residents only if a TER regional ticket is involved, no booking fee, print-at-home tickets), https://www.raileurope.com (for US residents), https://www.raileurope-world.com (for residents of Australia, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America).

Step 2, take a train from Geneva to Milan leaving Geneva at 18:42 arriving Milan Centrale at 22:35, from €22 booked at the Swiss Railways website https://www.sbb.ch.

Step 3, stay overnight in Milan and book any onward trains from Milan to Venice or Florence from €19, or to Rome or Naples from €29 at either https://www.italiarail.com or https://www.trenitalia.com.

Or stay overnight in Geneva and travel from Geneva to Italy next day. There's even a direct 07:42 to Venice Santa Lucia arriving 14:40, with fares from €32 booked at https://www.sbb.ch.



So if I wanted to do this route to Italy from Barcelona will I have to book my tickets in advance? Can I use my interrail pass?

will369

Update: thanks guys

will369

Or this option??



Option 2, by high-speed train to Marseille, overnight stop, Thello train from Marseille to Genoa & Milan.

Day 1, travel from Barcelona to Marseille by direct 200mph TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 16:48 and arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:22.
Barcelona-Marseille fares start at just €39, booked at either https://www.loco2.com or https://www.capitainetrain.com with print-at-home tickets.

Stay overnight in Marseille and spend next morning exploring the city. Suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station: Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.

Day 2, a new direct Thello train leaves Marseille daily at 15:30 arriving Genoa Piazza Principe at 21:05 and Milan Centrale at 22:50. It uses superior Frecciabianca carriages. Fares from €30, booked at https://www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website https://www.trenitalia.com (sometimes more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, no booking fee, read this advice on using it first).

will369

Anyone got any advice?


Thanks

PasturesNew

SailorSam wrote: »

Do you ever watch that Tory MP, what's his name Michael ....... Michael Portillo on Bbc 4. He travels all over the place by train and makes it look really exciting looking into the history of the railways across Europe.

He's a train nerd - and has people planning all his journeys, he travels with a crew of people, meets up with locals for some history/a tour (all arranged for him), will travel by taxi locally and then stays in hotels, eats well and has a huge expenses budget (more than £5 for meals/drinks) .... and pays for none of it. Of course it looks exciting

I'd be excited to do that job!