hipvirgochick

These are my questions:

1. Do we purchase the pass and THEN make reservations? I'm unclear on this.

2. If the pass covers 3 days travel, what does it mean when you get different prices for being a passholder. Is this for excess of 3 days travel? i.e. $141/3 people w/o pass or $33/3 people with pass.

I will probably be more questions!

Thanks!

Intrepid1

Passholders often get reduced prices. This includes overnight trains as well. If you are seeing this on the Trenitalia site make certain they are speaking of the type of pass you have.

I cannot answer the question about timing of making reservations. If you are already holding a pass I assume the only way the website mechanism will &quot;know&quot; this is if you tell it. You can probably make the reservations and then buy the pass...if so what <b>may</b> happen is this...when you actually pick up the reservation you'll be asked to produce the pass to ensure you are entitled to the passholder rate. This is the usual case whe you have a Eurail or similar pass.

hipvirgochick

Intrepid - Thanks for your input. I was actually using Rail Europe only because it's a little easier to navigate but will purchase on whichever has better fares.

I'm hoping for some more first hand information because although I do understand the reduced rates for Passholders, I don't understand why this would apply to me if I travel just the 3 days already covered by the pass (other than the Artesia night train where I think that would just be discounted). The theory you explain regarding making reservations is a good one (after purchasing the pass), but does anyone know for sure?

Thanks!

Betsy

I realize this isn't an answer to the question you asked, but wait! Lots of people buy a pass when buying point-to-point tickets would save a bundle. To determine whether you need a pass or not, plug your itinerary into http://www.railsaver.com and click the &quot;only if it saves money&quot; option.

MaureenB

You can go to BudgetEuropeTravel.com and get their 800 number to call. They are very helpful and knowledgeable about train fares in Europe. You can purchase from them at face value plus a small S&amp;H fee (about $15 total) to have all tickets mailed to you.

Intrepid1

I've made many a reservation through a different agency than I purchased the pass from. I simply told them (and this was for night trains) that I had a pass. Seat reservations are the same price whether or not you have a pass and seat reservations are always cheaper if you wait to get them once you have arrived in-country.

hipvirgochick

Betsy - Thank you I checked the costs for pass vs. point to point some time ago and it does appear a pass would be the best way for us to go. Probably a good portion of that is our savings on the Artesia night train from Venice to Paris.

Maureen - Thank you for the phone number. I was actually heading in that direction (making some phone calls) to clear things up. I try to figure everything out myself (with the help of Fodorites of course). Sometimes it works best the old fashioned way!
Also, I'm just a few miles from Rick Steve's so I might drive over for some help there. They actually have a ton helpful (free) stuff. I just haven't been for a couple years.

Intrepid - I am curious how much reservations are since RailEurope states that if reservations are necessary it is included in the cost of the ticket. Interesing. I still have yet to get my excel spreadsheet comparing the two sites (Trenitalia and RailEurope).

Thanks everyone! I'll follow up on all the advice.