Originally Posted by
lsquare
Why can't I just buy from each country's respective rail operator? Why do I have to use Rail Europe?
It is not all that easy using the internet. When you get to Europe, do you want to stand on (long) lines to buy tickets--this is one of the big pluses of EP's (except for reserved seat trains), you can just board and go.^
Many of the "bargain" fares are good on particular trains (date and time), cutting into the spontaneity of EP travel.
As a side note, EP's allow you to use the mass transit systems (on the lines that are owned by the National Railways as opposed to those owned by the cities)--unfortunately finding who owns what is not that easy. As a case in point, RER line B in Paris is under the National Railway (SNCF) north of Gare Du Nord, the train runs on the same tracks (etc.) south of GDN, but the ownership is RATP (city) and the EP ceases to be valid--confusing, yes.
