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European train timetables HELP

Replies: 10 - Last Post: Feb 13, 2012 5:57 AM Last Post By: Fwoggie

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duzzage

duzzage avatar

Feb 13, 2012 3:30 AM
Posts:  5

European train timetables HELP

Hi

I am in the process of planning a round trip in Europe, via train.

I have been using the german train website http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml to begin planning my travels.

However the timetables only go up to the date 9th June 2012, and that only a few days into my trip.

So my question is, does anyone know when the european train timetables are updated beyond 9th June?
Or is there an alternative source I can plan from?

Thanks!

tony_b

tony_b avatar

Feb 13, 2012 3:45 AM
Posts:  2,069

1

does anyone know when the european train timetables are updated beyond 9th June?
The DBahn website is a valuable resource for journey planning but it has its limitations. Each country has its own railway system and each national system has its own policy for updating timetables and fares.

Therefore, you need to provide a list of the countries you plan on visiting by train. You also need to post details of any cross-border journeys since they may involve train systems that do not use the same dates for updating.

duzzage

duzzage avatar

Feb 13, 2012 4:05 AM
Posts:  5

2

thanks for replying.

London - Barcelona (morning flight)
2nights in Barca

Barca-Nice(AM train)
1night in Nice

Nice - Milan (Night train)
2nights in Milan

Milan - Rome (AM train) possible stop @ Pisa
2 night in Rome

Rome to Venice (Night train)
1night in Venice

Venice to Zurich (Night train)
1night in Zurich

Zurich to Munich (Night train)
1night in Munich

Munich to Paris (Night Train)
1-2 nights in Paris

Then a late night Eurostar home back to London.

I am also looking into using an Interail ticket for this trip with 10 travel days within 22days.

mike9

mike9 avatar

Feb 13, 2012 4:22 AM
Posts:  1,231

3

The summer timetable change in Europe is only small - generally just a few local adjustments. You should assume what is operating now will still be operating later in the year but just be prepared to find some trains have changed by a few minutes. The main change is annually on the second weekend of December. You should have no problem with your trip - my only comment is that Pisa is quite a diversion from the Milan - Rome journey: depends whether you want a through train in about 3 1/2 hours or spend all day with a change in Florence, and then from Pisa, although there are through trains to Rome about every hour they are not very quick and take around 3 hours

duzzage

duzzage avatar

Feb 13, 2012 4:26 AM
Posts:  5

4

ok thanks alot.

That's good to know, now I can can book my flights :D

With the Pisa trip, I think i will decide what my plan of action is depending on how well my trip is going,
as it will be my first BIG trip

Fwoggie

Fwoggie avatar

Feb 13, 2012 4:36 AM
Posts:  4,466

5

Fully agree with #3.

I'd also take the night train from Barcelona to Nice if it still runs otherwise it'll take most of a day to get there. In addition, I'd bin Zurich in favour of hitting Central Switzerland to be in the Alps instead of yet another city. Zurich's OK, but the mountain area is nicer.

Once your itinerary is figured out and stable, reserve your places on the sleeper trains as early as possible - some of them will sell out.

bristolnewbie

bristolnewbie avatar

Feb 13, 2012 5:06 AM
Posts:  903

6

From Nice go straight to Pisa.

See Milano on the way from Venice to Switzerland.

There is no night train from Nice to Milano, Venice - Zurich, Zurich - Munich.

duzzage

duzzage avatar

Feb 13, 2012 5:08 AM
Posts:  5

7

thanks for your advice.

Yes, I will reserve as soon as possible, the Barcelona Nice sleeper does not run anymore unfortunatly:(

Also Nice to Milan is proving a problem, no sleeper on this route either. So may have to stay another night in Nice and travel on a morning train to Milan

duzzage

duzzage avatar

Feb 13, 2012 5:14 AM
Posts:  5

8

BristolNewbie the venice to zurich sleeper is active, it travels from Innsbruck, Austria,
However I believe you are correct about the Zurich - Munich night train

timothysolberg

timothysolberg avatar

Feb 13, 2012 5:44 AM
Posts:  181

9

Barcelona-Nice: Fly on easyJet with a connection in Geneva. You can do it in five hours during the day. Or you can spend the night in the Geneva airport if you're up to it and have more daylight hours for sightseeing.

If you book well in advance (up to 90 days on national rail sites and 120 days on the Eurostar site), you can get discount fares. That may well be cheaper than a railpass, particularly when you add on the seat reservation fees for trains that require them and couchette bunks on night trains.

Fwoggie

Fwoggie avatar

Feb 13, 2012 5:57 AM
Posts:  4,466

10

I'd fly Barcelona to Nice. Also check out http://www.seat61.com - lots of additional train info there.
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