I will be in Geneva Switzerland for a week, then taking a train to Munich for another week. I will be there on business, and don%26#39;t know if I will use the train for that. I will have two extra day in Munich for touring. How do I know if I should be a pass in the US? I may take a side trip to Austria too. Please advise.
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First, Geneva to Munich is a distance that is probably easier to fly than take the train. However I think there are no budget flights on the connection. But if you only intend to go Geneva to Munich by train, why do you want to buy the (hugely expensive) Eurail Pass? I have heard it costs something like 1500 $? Unless you want to throw away your money just buy single tickets. Do you fly back out of Munich or do you have to go back to Geneva?
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Eurail Pass
http://www.eurail.com
The cheapest pass would be an Eurail Selectpass 3 countries and 5 days in 2 months for USD 370.
3 countries are OK: Switzerland, Germany, Austria
But there is no version with less than 5 days.
You can check p2p ticket prices to/from Germany at the DB timetable
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/e
From: Geneve
To: Munich
Price will depend on the route and the type of trains used.
For side trips from Munich to the Bavarian Alps or Salzburg you can use the Bavaria Ticket.
Bavaria Ticket Single (1 person) EUR 17,00
Bavaria Ticket (2-5 persons) EUR 24,00
This ticket is valid one day and covers all local trains in Bavaria (plus to Salzburg). On weekdays however only past 9am.
http://www.neuschwanstein.de
http://www.zugspitze.de
http://www.berchtesgadener-land.info
http://www.salzburg.info
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“altamiro” and “abalada” are correct. To find train schedules and fares use the DB website. http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
From: Geneve To: München Hbf
The quickest journey would be InterCity train IC 523 departing Geneva at 10:23 and arriving Zürich HB at 12:56. Connect to EuroCity train EC 195 departing Zürich HB at 13:16 and arriving Münich Hbf at 17:28. Travel time 7h 15m, 1st class fare 156.80, 2nd class fare 95.80 €.
A reservation is only 3 €. With it you would be assured a forward facing window seat and would not have to move you and your luggage if someone with a reservation gets on the train. You are also allowed to bring along your own snacks and beverages onto the train. Buy the train ticket and make a reservation 24 hours in advance at the train station or travel agent office in Geneva.
Specific information about the Bayern-Ticket (Bavaria-Ticket) can be found at:
bahn.de/-S:PtVORd:d9E-jtNNYyadcNNNNPIM/p/vie…
As “abalada” points out, the Bayern-Ticket would be valid for travel from Munich to Garmish or Salzburg but only on the local RE or RB trains after 09:00 on weekdays. Same route and same tracks, just more “commuter” stops. A pdf map showing the area where the ticket is valid is at:
bahn.de/-S:PtVOR9:dC1IPdNNo6q5h9NNNcEM/regio…
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Another vote for point to point tickets. You have been given good advice by the experts.
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Thanks for everyone%26#39;e help.
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Medtravel, I am not sure about the expert%26#39;s answers when you did not even give your travel dates...December trains in this region are booked in advance and how good it is to have the timetable when you cannot get a seat! And 7 hours standing up is not fun...I would be very cautious about these so called experts, especially Altamiro who thinks a eurail pass costs $1500...Caveat lector
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%26gt; how good it is to have the timetable when you cannot get a seat!
Very good. If you proceed in the DB timetable with buying the p2p ticket for the desired connection it%26#39;s just one click (seat reservation) and EUR 1,50 more to get a seat (evtl. more if there are too many changes/legs).
EUR 3,00 for a seat reservation is the price if you buy at the counter or online without a ticket - but this is yet only possible for inner German connections.
Peak travel times are generally Friday and Sunday afternoon and evening. And also the holiday period Christmas/New Year.
The risk that you cannot book a seat anymore on this route is low. In Switzerland it%26#39;s not common to reserve seats at all (enough capacity, rather short (average) trips). And the passenger numbers on the routes from Switzerland to Germany are worlds apart from the number of domestic city connections in both countries.
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Another pitiable attempt of erudite advise by “maserati”
Unlike an airplane, when or if reservations for seating on a specific train begin to exceed capacity, the SBB or DB can simply add another carriage. However, from what I have read on TA, the same may not be true in Italy.
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Maserati,
When dissenting, one should present a strong argument....
%26gt; ........%26quot;I have heard it costs something like 1500$?%26quot;.....Yes, %26#39;altamiro%26#39; is right. There are 2 rail passes which cost $1338 and $1654, but not appropriate in this situation.
I fail to see in your response your answer to what the author asked in the first place. After looking at several of your recent posts, I suggest you enlighten those with your %26quot;expert%26quot; advise at the following forum:
http://www.maseratiforum.net/
Medtravel - Purchase your point to point ticket in Geneva at the Gare/train station for your trip to Munich. If you do any sidetrips from Germany, purchase the tickets at the Munich Hauptbahnhof/main train station. There is a separate office where English speaking DB agents can help you. It is about a 1 minute walk from the main ticket windows/office, located in the station. A rail pass for your travel will not be penny wise. Bring snacks/pop/sandwich
for your trip to Munich on the train.
Munich%26#39;s top ten sites -
discover-munich.info/sightseeing_toptips.htm
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