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kapernaumi
Traveller
3 comments

Posted 6 years ago

Hi everyone,

Unfortunetly my English is not too good but I hope my question is relevant and understandable.
So, Im planning a train trip next May from Kecskemét (it\'s an small town is middle of Hungary) Budapest-Salzburg, then Italy\'s different towns during few days. Salzburg-Verona-Ferrara-Padua (max.2 days) and go home to Hungary by night train. Maybe Venezia if I would time enough. So may question is should I buy Interral global Pass or enough a One Country pass for Italy?

My plan:
1. day Budapest-Salzburg by night train arr. Salzburg at 2.10 Sleeping at the train station.:)
2. day Salzburg all day and go to Verona by ninghtrain
3. day Verona and Padua
4. day Padua and Ferrara and Bologna
5. day Bologna or Venezia (if I would be time) to Budapest by night train.
Thank you.
Péter from Hungary

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Quenzon
Traveller
97 comments

replied 6 years ago

Hi Péter,

nice trip plan!

You can buy Interrail passes and reservations here: https://rail.shop/interrail In Germany, you can also buy them from a counter at train stations, I expect it\'s the same in Hungary, but I don\'t know that 100% for sure.

Four comments about your plans:

1. In Italy, train travel isn\'t very expensive if you book in advance or take local trains. It might be worth to compare the price of an Interrail global pass or one-country pass to individual tickets, unless you want the full flexibility of having the Interrail pass. You can see prices for Italian, Austrian and German train tickets here: https://rail.shop/omio

2. The night train from Budapest to Salzburg (Euronight 462) gets to Salzburg at 2:10, but it does not leave Salzburg until 04:27 (see timetable here: https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/traininfo.exe/en/187512/422634/860416/367704/80?ld=15076&protocol=https:&seqnr=3&ident=ec.02904476.1510166065&date=22.11.17&station_evaId=5500003&station_type=dep&currentReferrer=tp&rt=1&rtMode=DB-HYBRID&) The train stays in Salzburg for over 2 hours. If you ask the conductor politely when you board the train, they might let you sleep until 3:30 or so, but I don\'t know that for certain. Alternatively, if you decide to get an Interrail global pass, you might as well stay on the train until Munich (arrival 6:10). The Interrail reservation fee is the same price Budapest-Munich and Budapest-Salzburg, and the train from Munich to Salzburg only takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and runs about once every hour. The trains from Munich to Salzburg do not require a reservation (not even the "Railjet" express trains) and with an Interrail pass, you can use them at no extra cost.

3. There is no direct night train from Venice to Budapest. There is Euronight 236 from Venice to Vienna and Euronight 40294 Rome - Bologna - Vienna. You can of course take a morning train from Vienna to Budapest after taking the night train to Vienna.

4. Personally, I would not recommend sleeping in seats on night trains - it\'s not dark and not quiet and I am never able to sleep in seats. You will very likely be completely exhausted by the end of this trip if you do so :). If you take the night train, book a couchette (simple bed) to sleeper compartment. Both a compatible with Interrail, but the reservations are more expensive. (see here: https://rail.shop/interrail )

Have a nice trip and feel free to ask more questions!

Best,

Quenzon

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Quenzon
Traveller
97 comments

replied 6 years ago

P.S. Prices and tickets for the Euronight/Nightjet night trains (including cheap advance fares) are available here: http://www.nightjet.com/en/

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kapernaumi
Traveller
3 comments

replied 6 years ago

Hi Quenzon,

thank you the answer.

Well, your idea is good, my destination will be Munchen then go to Salzburg evening. Correct. Thank you. Perhaps I will go to Milano from Salzbug no change this route.

4. Ten years ago I traveled with night train to Krakkow and Praga there wasn\'t problem there we slept calmly because I and my wife were only in the cabin...:)

So the really question that must I buy a global pass or enough simple tickets if I will buy them in advance for example in February(?). I could see the prices not too expensive in Italy (trenitalia.com) but is yesterday I saw Flo\'s blog who went Nizza to Torino and I would do it Torino-Nizza and back.
Unfortunetly I will have 5-6 days and I think is it too short time.

Buy or not buy?

Peter

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Quenzon
Traveller
97 comments

replied 6 years ago

Hi Péter,

no problem :)

About the night trains: Yes, as long as you stay in a couchette or sleeper cabin, that\'s completely fine. I personally take night trains quite often and always sleep quite well. Just the few times I didn\'t book a bed but a regular seat (like on a day train), I didn\'t sleep very well at all. The main problem is that the train stops along the way and that other passengers who get on and off the train can disturb you in your sleep. As long as your book a bed in a couchette or sleeper, that\'s completely fine and a great way to travel long distances. On the ÖBB Nightjet trains, coffee/tea and a small breakfast is included in the fare (in couchette and sleeper cabins), and the general service is very good.

About Interrail vs. regular tickets: I\'m afraid I can\'t decide that for you :) Personally, I would calculate the price for the individual tickets, but unless they are much cheaper than Interrail, I would get Interrail. The tickets for regional trains in Italy do not change in price, but the tickets for long-distance trains are much cheaper if you book earlier (if you want to go in February, now is a very good time to book). You should also keep in mind that cheap advance tickets are often not refundable, so if you change your plans or can\'t go on your trip for any reason, there is no way for you to get your money back. So if you want to be flexible, I would get Interrail, even if it\'s a bit more expensive. I hope that helps.

All the best,

Quenzon

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kapernaumi
Traveller
3 comments

replied 6 years ago

Szia (Hi in Hungarian) Quenzon,

I think you are right.
I m going to buy Interrail global pass. It is more simple than playing the tickets from Hungary.

Thank you.
I m planning all day and I hope I will be able to do it next year.

Best,

peter

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Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

replied 6 years ago

Szia Peter,

you could also think about the Moscow - Nice night train. It is very comfortable. Did you see the blog about our trip from Paris to Moscow? [ux]https://rail.cc/blog/night-train-paris-moscow/[/ux] The Moscow - Nice train uses the same coaches.
This is the schedule at the moment: [ux]https://rail.cc/en/night-train/moscow-nice-en-17b-409/447[/ux] - but it will change in December. In 2018, the train will leave Vienna at 22:44 and arrive in Nice the following day at 18:30. If you like night trains this would be a great way to start your trip. But probably this will take too much time. On the other hand, you could use the night train to Verona only, arrival will be at 10:35.

Anyways, as Quenzon already said you should have a look at regular tickets and compare the prices to an Interrail Pass. Since you make only short trips in Italy it could be cheaper to buy tickets in advance for Budapest - Salzburg, Salzburg - Verona and Venezia - Vienna - Budapest; the other tickets for regional trains you could buy in Italy.

Flo

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Quenzon
Traveller
97 comments

replied 6 years ago

Szia Péter,

glad you found something that works for you. The Moscow - Nice train is also a nice option that I hadn\'t thought of. Keep in mind that it only runs once a week.

Have a nice trip!

Best,

Quenzon

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kapernaumi
Traveller
3 comments

replied 6 years ago

Hi Guys,

Thank you for helping.

Best,

peter