http://www.flyertalk.com/forum Discuss the intricacies of train travel in and around Europe. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:45:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.flyertalk.com/forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1019280-trip-report-paris-nice-overnight-le-train-bleu-plus-nice-monaco-san-remo.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:48:22 GMT I went down to the Monaco Grand Prix in May, and decided to take the train from London to Monaco. Actually ended up staying San Remo, Italy, and training back and forth between Nice - Monaco and San Remo. For the trip down, I did the Eurostar... I went down to the Monaco Grand Prix in May, and decided to take the train from London to Monaco. Actually ended up staying San Remo, Italy, and training back and forth between Nice - Monaco and San Remo.

For the trip down, I did the Eurostar from London to Paris. From Paris, I caught the overnight train from Paris to Nice. Previously known as le Train Bleu. Soon after the Paris-Nice overnight train started running in the late 1920s, it became known as the Blue Train based on the dark blue carriages. Agatha Christie wrote a novel set on the train in 1928, and Russian Ballet based a ballet on it. The train featured such passengers Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII). Based on what I have read, it probably isn't known as that any more, but I'm not going to let factual information get in the way of making a claim on a historic journey. ;)

I booked the trip on the SNCF website. For both the trip down on the overnight train, and the trip back via TGV during the day, the cost was €201.

The overnight train runs from Paris Austerlitz station. I was booked in a second class sleeper. The cabins are six bunk sleepers. I was on the top bunk, and got in early. Luckily, because the luggage space is pretty small and filled up quick. There are some pictures on my blog here.

The train was fine, but I must admit I didn't sleep all that well. The ceiling seemed awfully close, and every time I turned over (I toss a lot in the night), I wound up hitting the plastic light cover above my bed. It made an awful noise. I am sure my bunk mates must have LOVED me.

Waking up in the morning and getting the views of the Med out the window was quite cool, though.

Nice Station is fine. There is a left luggage, though exact change is needed.

Trains between Nice - Monaco - San Remo were a combination of SNCF and TrenItalia. I had to transfer at Ventimiglia, but it wasn't much of an issue during the weekend running between them. They were just typical commuter trains, but the cost was very decent (given what we pay for trains in the UK). Some really nice scenery along this route as well, lots of hilly bits where the train goes into tunnels, but when it is out of the tunnels, nice views of the sea.

San Remo- Ventimiglia €1.90 for 13 minute ride. Ventimiglia-Monaco €2.50 for a 25 minute ride. Ventimiglia-Nice €4.40 for a 45 minute ride.

On the way back, I read the train schedule in San Remo incorrectly, thinking that a Sunday ONLY train was every day EXCEPT Sunday. Oops. I ended up missing my connection in Nice, so missed my TGV from Nice to Paris.

After trying to rebook electronically and not getting anything remotely decent, I went and talked to one of the agents at Nice station. The agent who served me was very nice and friendly, and was able to get me a much better train. She got me on a train from Nice to Marseille, and then from Marseille to Paris, arriving into 19:31. I didn't have to pay a change fee, but did have to pay an extra €17 for a difference in price. Small price to pay, really.

Unfortunately, 50 minutes after my Eurostar train to London was scheduled to leave. I went down to the internet cafe and rebooked my Eurostar for 20:41, one hour and ten minutes after arriving. Unfortunately, my non-refundable Eurostar ticket became useless, and I had to buy a new, refundable ticket. D'oh!

The train to Marseille was quick and comfortable. There are a few pictures on my blog here. It was the first train I’d ever been on that had a children’s play area.

All and all, a good trip. The overnight train was fine, though I never seem to get the amount of sleep I imagine I'll get on overnight trains. The TGVs back to Paris were typically nice French trains. I was really impressed with the service provided by the agent in Nice station. ^ for her!

Please feel free to ask any questions.

Greg ]]> European Rail Travel GregWTravels http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1019280-trip-report-paris-nice-overnight-le-train-bleu-plus-nice-monaco-san-remo.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1015077-zrh-basel.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:47:35 GMT Getting off the redeye in Zurich and going straight to Basel, will I be able to get a nonstop train from the airport to Basel Hauptbahnhof, or will I need to do the short hop into Zurich (on the same or a separate ticket) and change there? I'm not very familiar with ZRH

Buying a OW Basel-Paris TVG ticket seemed pretty confusing, as I kept getting bounced from Swiss to French sites. The options for mailing the ticket were Switzerland and...Switzerland. Finessed that, but would prefer to understand how it works a little better. Or is it possible to order through the DB site? ]]> European Rail Travel Fornebufox http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1015077-zrh-basel.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1014564-euraide.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:05:21 GMT I was wondering if anybody has ever used Euraide before. I saw that Steve Jobs talked about them for doing reservations for sleeper trains and looked at the website and it seems that they can also check the point to point prices for you and... I was wondering if anybody has ever used Euraide before. I saw that Steve Jobs talked about them for doing reservations for sleeper trains and looked at the website and it seems that they can also check the point to point prices for you and determine if that would be cheaper for you. Just curious if anybody had any experience with them.

Cheers.
Ian ]]> European Rail Travel iansr http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1014564-euraide.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1014212-eurostar-leisure-class-upgrade-using-amex-help.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:23:49 GMT My apologies for posting this but I was sure I saw on one of these forums a link to a page that gave a code for a upgrade in class on the Eurostar using, I believe, an AMEX card. I actually found the page with the code effective through the end of... My apologies for posting this but I was sure I saw on one of these forums a link to a page that gave a code for a upgrade in class on the Eurostar using, I believe, an AMEX card. I actually found the page with the code effective through the end of the year but I've lost it and can't find the original post/link. And yes, I've searched all the appropriate forums here; I've done a google search; I've looked at the Eurostar and other rail sites. After all, I'm a librarian and do know how to search the internet, but all to no avail. If I'm not crazy and I wasn't dreaming this, could someone point out the link to this offer again. many thanks! ]]> European Rail Travel ETManning http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1014212-eurostar-leisure-class-upgrade-using-amex-help.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1014108-train-ride-geneva-airport-early-flight.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:59:41 GMT We have an early 7:10AM flight from Geneva. Is it feasible to get from town to the airport on the train to make this flight without sweating the departure time? If so what hotels would you recommend (3 to 4 star)are really close to the train... We have an early 7:10AM flight from Geneva. Is it feasible to get from town to the airport on the train to make this flight without sweating the departure time? If so what hotels would you recommend (3 to 4 star)are really close to the train station? Or should we just stay at an airport hotel? Are there any airport hotels that you have used?

Thanks for the help! ]]> European Rail Travel robtroxel http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1014108-train-ride-geneva-airport-early-flight.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1012456-most-scenic-section-bernina-express.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:03:06 GMT I am planning to ride the Bernina Express from Chur with my girlfriend in Dec when the days are really short. Since we will be able to leave Chur only around 11 AM, I want to stop and spend the night somewhere in the middle of the journey to Tirano.... I am planning to ride the Bernina Express from Chur with my girlfriend in Dec when the days are really short. Since we will be able to leave Chur only around 11 AM, I want to stop and spend the night somewhere in the middle of the journey to Tirano.

For the next morning, I am trying to decide whether to continue on to Tirano or spend the day in whatever Alps town we stop in and then head back to Zurich that evening (we have a total of less than 48 hours from the time we leave Chur to the time we reach a major airport either in Milan or Zurich in order to fly out). If we continued on to Tirano in the morning, we would probably change trains and keep going to Milan and I will book a flight out of there.

So for those of you who are familiar with this train/area, I have 2 questions:
1) Which is the most scenic part of the Bernina Express? (i.e, is the best part closest to Tirano implying that we really should carry on the second morning?)
2) Which is the nicest town to spend the night on or close to the Bernina express route in the alps? I know that St. Moritz is not on the main Bernina express route but it is easy to get to if we transferred at Samedan. I have also heard that St. Moritz is super expensive and I have Pontresina or Samedan mentioned as alternatives. Some advise here would be great.

thanks so much. ]]> European Rail Travel anandrg http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1012456-most-scenic-section-bernina-express.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1011981-athens-patra-high-speed-greece.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:43:40 GMT Hi, I have noticed that the past year they have been working on deploying a high-speed track (dubble tracks actually) from Athens to Patra. Right now it seems to have been completed for about 75% of the way. Since i travel Athens-Pyrgos every... Hi,

I have noticed that the past year they have been working on deploying a high-speed track (dubble tracks actually) from Athens to Patra. Right now it seems to have been completed for about 75% of the way.

Since i travel Athens-Pyrgos every 2-3 weeks by KTEL bus (4-5 hours, yuck!) I would be incredibly happy if a railway service would become available. I'm having a hard time finding more information though. Does anybody know anything about this project? Will the tracks run till Patra? Or Pyrgos and maybe eventually Kalamata as well?

I also noticed that that are working on the tracks near kifisou in Athens. Is that connected to the Patra line upgrade? It would be extremely cool if a connection would be possible with the airport train :)

Thanks! ]]> European Rail Travel Xandrios http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1011981-athens-patra-high-speed-greece.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1010338-channel-tunnel-deregulation.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:44:46 GMT With the EU deregulation of Rail services coming up in 2010 does anyone know what deals might be coming up. As well as possible routes. With the EU deregulation of Rail services coming up in 2010 does anyone know what deals might be coming up. As well as possible routes. ]]> European Rail Travel Stockycub1973 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1010338-channel-tunnel-deregulation.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1010311-corsica-bastia-ajaccio-train.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:28:48 GMT Hi, I intend to travel from Bastia to Ajaccio by train, as I am told it is a very scenic journey. Two questions on that: 1/ As there is also a bus service between the two cities, which trip is the most enjoyable - by bus or by train? 2/ Are... Hi,

I intend to travel from Bastia to Ajaccio by train, as I am told it is a very scenic journey.

Two questions on that:
1/ As there is also a bus service between the two cities, which trip is the most enjoyable - by bus or by train?
2/ Are train services in Corsica reliable? As I will be catching a flight from Ajaccio the same day, I would prefer not to have any major train delay!

Thanks a lot for any information. ]]> European Rail Travel Q-STO http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1010311-corsica-bastia-ajaccio-train.html