tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559766394672366603.post-76813507036790781412008-04-23T13:48:00.000-07:002008-05-30T08:56:07.480-07:00The dirty little secret of buying Euroean city-to-city rail tickets from the U.S. is to avoid U.S. sellers such as Rail Europe (and even our own <a href="http://www.gemut.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gemut</span>.com</a>). You can take advantage of advance booking deals and get a much better train selection by purchasing online at the websites of the various European rail operators.<br /><br />Here's the very recent experience of one savvy traveler. For a late May trip from Venice to Munich for her family of four, Rail Europe’s website quoted $802 second class. Germany’s <a href="http://www.bahn.de/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Deutsche</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bahn</span> website</a> showed a regular fare of 189 euros ($302) for four persons but also listed discounted options of 134 euros ($214) and 94 euros ($150). The 94 euro option was not available but she was able to book with a credit card at the134 euro rate, thereby saving nearly $600. In some cases you can print your own tickets. I confirmed these numbers online.<br /><br />Beware, however, the <a href="http://www.voyages-sncf.com/">French rail website</a>. It tries to divert USA/Canadian visitors to its more expensive Rail Europe partner. (For instructions on navigating this user-unfriendly French website go to <a href="http://www.seat61.com/SNCF.htm">www.seat61.com</a>.)<br /><br />Of course, if you will take more than a couple of rail trips in Europe a <a href="http://www.railkey.com/tickets/default.asp?AFF=GMT">rail pass</a> may save you money. <a href="http://www.railkey.com/tickets/default.asp?AFF=GMT">Check it out</a>.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><br /><script type="text/javascript">digg_url = 'http://blog.theeuropetraveler.com/'; digg_bgcolor = '#ffffff'; digg_skin = 'compact'; digg_window = 'new'; </script><br /><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4559766394672366603-7681350703679078141?l=blog.theeuropetraveler.com' alt='' /></div>Robert Bestorhttps://profiles.google.com/111209344137812454429noreply@blogger.com0