Buying City-to-City Rail Tickets Online

The 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 Gemut.com). 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.

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 Deutsche Bahn website 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.

Beware, however, the French rail website. 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 www.seat61.com.)

Of course, if you will take more than a couple of rail trips in Europe a rail pass may save you money. Check it out.