Related Content
Content
Alternative Cheaper Routes for Rail Pass Users
How to avoid paying the most expensive reservation fees when using Eurail or InterRail passes
Simon HarperShare
If you will be exploring Europe by train with an InterRail or Eurail pass you can just hop on the majority of the daytime train services, but on some of them rail pass users must reserve prior to boarding.
Most of these rail pass reservation fees, which can also be referred to as supplements as they're additional costs to using a pass, are priced from €4 - 10, but on a small number of train services, these fees are more than €10.
If you will be using a First Class Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to pay the more expensive reservation fees and travel in First Class on these trains.
So if you will be looking to save money while following your rail pass adventures, it's best to avoid the train services and routes with the comparatively expensive reservation fees.
Particularly when there are alternative routes available on which rail pass users can avoid paying any fees at all; and which ShowMeTheJourney has looked up for you.
Five notes for all the alternative schedules:
Keep these factors in mind when considering following one of the alternative route suggestions.
(1) It may not look like it, but ShowMeTheJourney has singled out the simplest viable routings for avoiding the fees charged on DAYTIME trains.
(2) If a routing hasn't been included for some days of the week, then the alternative viable routing to taking the trains with fees, isn't available on those days.
For example, there are only local trains between Modane and Torino/Turin at weekends currently suspended, and these local trains are the only viable alternative to travelling on the direct TGV France-Italy trains, hence the lack of alternative journey options on Mondays to Fridays for journeys between Milano and both Lyon and Paris.
So if there isn't a journey option suggested on the day you want to travel, on the route you want to take, it's because the alternatives to taking the direct train are either particularly convoluted on that day of the week OR not available at all.
If that is the case, the likely better options can include; paying the fee on the direct trains, avoiding the route, or booking discounted advance tickets for the journey instead; and using your pass for other days of travel.
(3) The departure and arrival times are based on the USUAL train schedules, but timings may be altered on your specific date(s), particularly if you will be travelling at weekends.
So confirm the timings on the Eurail or InterRail apps. or look up these journeys on a ticket booking service - or check at a station info desk when you first arrive in a location.
These are GUIDES to the alternative schedules, the intention is to give a good idea of the steps that will need to be taken to avoid paying the fees, to illustrate the choice between paying the fee to take a direct train, OR taking the alternative trains, which won't incur any additional charges.
(4) Many of the connections on the suggested journey options won't be guaranteed, trains will depart on time regardless if a preceding train is running late, so what has been highlighted in bold type is when such connections are particularly tightly timed.
In these scenarios alternative options will be available for completing a journey by the end of a day, but it can be worth having this in mind.
(5) Departure times highlighted in red are indicating that making these non-guaranteed connections, will actually be essential to reaching a final destination before the end of the day.
So proceed with caution and have a back-up plan.
From Amsterdam to Paris:
Save €30 when using 1st class and 2nd class passes by avoiding the direct journey by Thalys trains.
Monday to Friday:
|
Dep: |
12:25 |
||
|
Arr: |
Antwerpen-Berchem |
14:23 |
|
|
Dep: |
Antwerpen-Berchem |
14:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Charleroi Sud |
16:05 |
|
|
Dep: |
Charleroi Sud |
16:49 |
|
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
17:26 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
17:42 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:41 |
|
If you miss the connecting train in Antwerpen, the next train on from there will arrive in Charleroi on time to make the connection in Maubeuge.
Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
11:25 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:16 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Antwerpen Central |
14:06 |
|
|
Arr: |
Charleroi Sud |
15:55 |
|
|
Dep: |
Charleroi Sud |
16:49 |
|
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
17:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
17:37 |
|
|
Arr: |
Paris Gare Du Nord |
19:41 |
|
Antwerpen Central isn't the easiest station in which to change trains due to its different levels, but it is spectacular.
And the train on to Charleroi will be commencing its journey there, so finding spare seats shouldn't be a problem.
From Barcelona...
These suggestions for alternative schedules when heading from Spain to France on the Mediterranean Coast route take advantage of recent improvements in the cross-border local services.
...to Lyon:
Save €19 in 2nd class and €26 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by RENFE-SNCF trains.
Monday to Saturday
|
Dep: |
09:16 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Barcelona P.de Gracia |
09:21 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
11:51 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
12:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Narbonne |
13:56 |
|
|
Dep: |
Narbonne |
15:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:21 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Avignon-Centre |
18:19 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:40 |
|
An option is to de-risk the tightly timed connection in Port Bou by departing Barcelona an hour earlier.
Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
07:46 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Barcelona P.de Gracia |
07:51 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
09:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
11:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
13:56 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Avignon-Centre |
16:17 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:40 |
|
...to Marseille:
Save €19 in 2nd class and €26 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by RENFE-SNCF trains.
An option is to de-risk the tightly timed connection in Port Bou by departing Barcelona an hour earlier.
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
09:16 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Barcelona P.de Gracia |
09:21 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
11:51 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
12:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Narbonne |
13:56 |
|
|
Dep: |
Narbonne |
14:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:34 |
|
Note that a viable alternative schedule to taking the RENFE-SNCF direct train is not available at weekends.
...to Paris:
If the €10 reservations fees in 1st or 2nd class are available on the TGV trains from the French stations to Paris you can save
€24 in 2nd class and €38 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by RENFE-SNCF trains.
Monday to Saturday
|
Dep: |
09:16 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Barcelona P.de Gracia |
09:21 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
11:51 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
12:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Perpignan |
13:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Perpignan |
13:31 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:48 |
|
An option is to de-risk the tightly timed connection in Port Bou by departing Barcelona an hour earlier.
on Sunday
|
Dep: |
07:46 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Barcelona P.de Gracia |
07:51 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
09:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
11:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Perpignan |
12:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Perpignan |
12:41 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:38 |
|
A second option on Saturdays:
|
Dep: |
07:46 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Barcelona P.de Gracia |
07:51 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
09:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
11:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Beziérs |
13:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Beziérs |
13:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:38 |
|
Unless you need to be in Paris by 18:00 on a Saturday, the other journey option is more risk-free, particularly if you set off from Barcelona earlier than the table shows.
Making a 22 min connection in Beziérs on a Saturday cannot be guaranteed.
Basel & Bern to Verona & Venice:
Save €11 in 2nd class and €13 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Switzerland > Italy trains and if you will be travelling on to Verona and Venice, you will also avoid the €10 reservation fees charged for rail pass users on the Frecce trains.
You will also be taking a more scenic route between Arth-Goldau (a station call between Basel and Erstfeld) than that taken by the EC trains.
Daily: Option 1
|
Dep: |
10:03 |
||
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
14:12 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
14:39 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
16:17 |
||
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
16:25 |
|
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
18:15 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
18:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:50 |
|
To arrive in Venezia S. Lucia at 19:50, the preceding trains will need to be in both Milano and Verona on time for tightly timed connections, but if you don't make them, you will still be in Venice by the end of the day thanks to alternative later departures.
Daily: Option 2 via Bern
|
Dep: |
10:28 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
OR Bern |
11:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brig |
12:40 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brig |
13:22 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
13:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
14:56 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:35 |
||
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
17:25 |
|
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
19:15 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
19:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:50 |
Miss that connection in Verona due to a late running train from Milan and the choices will then be:
- paying a €10 reservation fee to take a Frecce train, or
- a three hour wait in Verona.
Berlin (& Frankfurt) to Paris:
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the drect high speed trains from Germany to France.
Monday to Friday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
08:30 |
||
|
Dep: |
12:50 |
|
|
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
14:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
Strasbourg |
15:36 |
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
16:19 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:32 |
|
Despite this being a guide to how to avoid having to make reservations when using Eurail or InterRail passes, ShowMeTheJourney recommends doing so for the long journey from Berlin to Offenburg.
There are no direct daytime trains from Berlin to Paris, so this suggested routing can be compared with these journey options.
Bologna to Innsbruck & Munich:
Save €14.50 in 2nd class and €20.90 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Italy > Germany trains
Daily
|
Dep: |
12:10 |
||
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
16:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
17:33 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:13 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
18:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:25 |
|
on Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
10:10 |
||
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
14:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
15:33 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:13 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
16:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:27 |
|
In Innsbruck you will be boarding the EC train which usually departs Bologna at 11:52.
Copenhagen to Stockholm:
Save the equivalent iof €7 in 2nd class and €17 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by Snabbtag trains.
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:27 |
||
|
Arr: |
Göteborg C |
13:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Göteborg C |
13:59 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:44 |
Geneva (& Lausanne) To Milan & Verona & Venice:
Save €11 in 2nd class and €13 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Switzerland > Italy trains and if you will be travelling on to Verona and Venice, you will also avoid the €10 reservation fees charged for rail pass users on the Frecce trains.
Daily: option 1
|
Dep: |
08:30 |
||
|
Dep: |
OR Lausanne |
09:21 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brig |
11:02 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brig |
11:22 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
11:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
12:56 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:37 |
||
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
15:25 |
|
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
17:15 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
17:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:25 |
|
To arrive in Venezia S. Lucia at 18:25 the preceding train will need to make a tightly timed connection in Verona, but if you don't make it there are later departures available.
Daily - option 2
|
Dep: |
10:30 |
||
|
Dep: |
Lausanne |
11:21 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brig |
13:02 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brig |
13:22 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
13:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
14:56 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
16:35 |
||
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
17:25 |
|
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
19:15 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
19:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:50 |
|
Miss that connection in Verona due to a late running train from Milan and the choices will then be:
- paying a €10 reservation fee to take the Frecce train, or
- a three hour wait in Verona.
Geneva to Paris:
Save €21 in 2nd class and €54 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by TGV Lyria trains.
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:29 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:22 |
||
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
13:16 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:24 |
Another option worth considering is to take a TER train from Geneve to Lyon in order to connect into a TGV train on to Paris
Look up the journey and see which TGV departures from Lyon have the €10 reservations available in 1st or 2nd class and you can still save more than 50% compared to the fees for taking the direct Lyria trains.
Hamburg (& Cologne) to Paris:
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from Germany to France
Monday to Friday (option 1)
|
Dep: |
08:24 |
||
|
Arr: |
Kalrsruhe Hbf |
13:09 |
|
|
Dep: |
Kalrsruhe Hbf |
14:00 |
|
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
14:27 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
Strasbourg |
15:36 |
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
16:19 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:32 |
Despite this being a guide to how to avoid having to make reservations when using Eurail or InterRail passes, ShowMeTheJourney recommends doing so for the long journey from Hamburg to Karlsruhe.
Monday to Friday (option 2)
Save €25 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the Thalys trains from Koln to Paris.
|
Dep: |
06:46 |
||
|
Arr: |
Koln Hbf |
10:50 |
|
|
Dep: |
11:46 |
||
|
Arr: |
Aachen Hbf |
12:44 |
|
|
Dep: |
Aachen Hbf |
13:04 |
R |
|
Arr: |
Verviers Central |
13:35 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verviers Central |
13:38 |
|
|
Arr: |
Liege-Guillemins |
13:57 |
|
|
Dep: |
Liege-Guillemins |
14:10 |
R |
|
Arr: |
Namur |
15:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
16:08 |
|
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
17:26 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
17:42 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:41 |
Saturday and Sunday
Save €30 when using 1st class and 2nd class passes by avoiding the Thalys trains. from Koln to Paris.
|
Dep: |
06:46 |
||
|
Arr: |
10:50 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Koln Hbf |
11:47 |
|
|
Arr: |
Aachen Hbf |
12:44 |
|
|
Dep: |
Aachen Hbf |
13:04 |
R |
|
Arr: |
Verviers Central |
13:35 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verviers Central |
13:38 |
|
|
Arr: |
Liege-Guillemins |
13:56 |
|
|
Dep: |
Liege-Guillemins |
14:13 |
R |
|
Arr: |
Namur |
15:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
16:19 |
|
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
17:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
17:37 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:41 |
|
Lyon to Barcelona:
Save €19 in 2nd class and €26 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by RENFE-SNCF trains.
Daily
|
Dep: |
07:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
09:40 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Avignon-Centre |
11:38 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
15:46 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
16:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
Barcelona P.de Gracia |
18:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:39 |
|
Lyon to Turin & Milan:
Save €31 in 2nd class and €45 in 1st class by avoiding the TGV France - Italy train.
The trains between Modane and Torino MAY currently be suspended due to the timetable reductions prompted by the pandemic, they had been operating for less than three months when border restrictions were initially applied.
on Saturdays
|
Dep: |
09:04 |
||
|
Arr: |
Modane |
12:14 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
14:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:45 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
15:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:45 |
|
on Sundays: (option 1)
|
Dep: |
09:08 |
||
|
Arr: |
Modane |
12:14 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
12:29 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:15 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
14:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:45 |
|
on Sundays: (option 2)
|
Dep: |
11:08 |
||
|
Arr: |
Modane |
14:14 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
14:29 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:15 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
16:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:45 |
|
Marseille to Barcelona:
Save €19 in 2nd class and €26 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by RENFE-SNCF trains.
Monday to Friday:
|
Dep: |
08:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
10:19 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Montpellier St-Roch |
10:55 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
13:46 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
14:35 |
|
|
Arr: |
Barcelona P.de Gracia |
17:04 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:09 |
|
From Milan...
Not only will these alternative schedules for travelling from Italy to Switzerland be money savers for Eurail and Interrail users, they can also be more scenic too!
On all of these Italy to Switzerland journeys you will save €11 in 2nd class and €13 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Italy > Switzerland trains.
...to Basel (& Frankfurt):
Daily (option 1)
|
Dep: |
09:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
10:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
11:58 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Brig |
12:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brig |
13:19 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:24 |
||
|
Arr: |
15:32 |
||
|
Arr: |
Freiburg |
16:20 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mannheim |
18:10 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:59 |
|
The EC train from Brig will have commenced its journey in Milano - it is direct from Brig to Frankfurt (Main) making the station calls listed above (and more).
Daily - (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
09:43 |
R |
|
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
11:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
11:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
Basel SBB |
15:56 |
|
|
|
|
|
This option involves taking a more scenic route than that taken by the EC trains which travel via Brig and Bern.
...to Lausanne & Geneva:
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
10:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
11:58 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Brig |
12:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brig |
12:57 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:39 |
|
|
|
Arr: |
OR Geneve |
15:30 |
|
...to Interlaken:
Daily Option 1 -slower but more scenic
|
Dep: |
09:43 |
||
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
11:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
11:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:41 |
||
|
Dep: |
Luzern |
15:06 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:55 |
Daily (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
09:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
10:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
11:58 |
|
|
Arr: |
Spiez |
13:44 |
|
|
Dep: |
Spiez |
14:05 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Interlaken West |
14:23 |
|
...to Munich (& Zurich):
There are no direct daytime trains from Milan to Munich/Munchen but these options will save €24.90 in 2nd class and €30.50 in 1st class, by avoiding the combination of Frecce trains from Milano to Verona and the EC Italy to Germany trains from Verona on to Munich.
Daily - option 1
|
Dep: |
10:43 |
REG |
|
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
12:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
12:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
Zurich Hb |
15:55 |
|
|
Dep: |
Zurich HB |
17:03 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:04 |
|
Daily (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
08:25 |
||
|
Arr: |
10:38 |
||
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
11:50 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
14:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
15:33 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:13 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
16:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:27 |
|
...to Zurich (& Basel):
Daily (option 1)
|
Dep: |
10:43 |
REG |
|
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
12:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
12:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:55 |
|
Similarly timed journey options are available if you opt to depart from Milano at 08:43; 12:43 and 14:43.
Option 2 - more connections but more spectacular too!
That route above via Erstfeld is stunningly beautiful but take this routing via Tirano and you'll get to experience the absolute best of the Swiss railways.
|
Dep: |
10:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
Tirano |
12:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Tirano |
13:00 |
|
|
Arr: |
Pontresina |
14:53 |
|
|
Dep: |
Pontresina |
15:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Samedan |
15:09 |
|
|
Dep: |
Samedan |
15:16 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:04 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Chur |
17:09 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:23 |
|
|
|
Arr: |
OR Basel SBB |
19:27 |
|
Milan & Turin to Lyon & Paris
Notes that these options for avoiding travelling by the direct TGV trains are only available at weekends.
You can save €31 in 2nd class and €45 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
The trains between Torino and Modane MAY currently be suspended due to the timetable reductions prompted by the pandemic, they had been operating for less than three months when border restrictions were initially applied.
Saturdays (option 1)
|
Dep: |
06:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
08:06 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
09:15 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
11:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
11:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:55 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
15:16 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:24 |
Saturdays (option 2)
|
Dep: |
08:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
10:06 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
11:15 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
13:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
13:49 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:55 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
17:16 |
|
|
Arr: |
22:32 |
That connection in Lyon is into the final TER train of the day on to Paris.
So if the train from Modane is delayed you'll have to book a last minute reservation on a TGV train.
Saturday (option 3)
If the €10 reservations fees in 1st or 2nd class are available on the TGV from Modane, you can save €21 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
|
Dep: |
06:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
08:06 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
09:15 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
11:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
11:52 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:15 |
|
Sunday (option 1)
|
Dep: |
07:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
09:06 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
09:45 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
11:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
11:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:55 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
15:16 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:24 |
Sundays (option 2)
|
Dep: |
09:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:06 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
11:45 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
13:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
13:49 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:55 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
17:16 |
|
|
Arr: |
22:32 |
Sunday (option 3)
If the €10 reservations fees in 1st or 2nd class are available on the TGV from Modane, you can save €21 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
|
Dep: |
07:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
09:06 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
09:45 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
11:33 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
11:52 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:15 |
|
Munich to Paris:
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from Germany to France.
Monday to Friday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
10:28 |
||
|
Arr: |
Karlsruhe Hbf |
13:53 |
|
|
Dep: |
Karlsruhe Hbf |
14:01 |
|
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
14:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:36 |
||
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
16:19 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:32 |
|
Munich & Innsbruck to Bologna & Verona:
Save €14.50 in 2nd class and €20.90 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Germany > Italy trains.
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:34 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:18 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
11:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
12:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
13:00 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:15 |
||
|
Arr: |
OR Bologna Centrale |
17:55 |
|
In Innsbruck you will be leaving a direct train to Italy that is schedule to arrive in Verona at 14:58 and Bologna at 16:19.
Munich & Innsbruck to Venice:
Save €14.50 in 2nd class and €20.90 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Germany > Italy trains
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:34 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:18 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
11:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
12:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
13:00 |
|
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
16:15 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
16:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:50 |
|
If you miss that tightly timed connection in Verona you should have to wait only around an hour in Verona for the next REG (RV) train on to Venice.
Munich to Milan:
There are no direct daytime trains from Munich/Munchen to Milan, but these options will save €24.90 in 2nd class and €30.50 in 1st class, by avoiding the combination of the the EC Germany to Italy trains from Munich to Verona - and the Frecce trains from Verona on to Milano.
Daily (Option 1)
|
Dep: |
09:34 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:18 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
11:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
12:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
13:00 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:15 |
||
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
16:45 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:35 |
|
Daily (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
08:55 |
||
|
Arr: |
Zurich HB |
12:57 |
|
|
Dep: |
Zurich HB |
14:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
17:12 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
17:39 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
19:17 |
Not only does this routing have fewer connections, the part of the journey between Zug and Lugano is even more spectacular than the route through Brennero
Paris to Amsterdam:
Save €30 when using 1st class and 2nd class passes by avoiding the direct journey by Thalys trains.
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
07:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
09:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
09:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
10:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
11:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
12:17 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:56 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:38 |
|
Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
10:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
12:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
12:32 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
13:40 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
13:47 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:46 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
14:56 |
|
|
Arr: |
Rottterdam Centraal |
16:49 |
|
|
Dep: |
Rottterdam Centraal |
16:55 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:35 |
|
Paris to Barcelona:
If the €10 reservations fees in 1st or 2nd class are available on the TGVs to Montpellier or Perpignan, you can save €24 in 2nd class and €38 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by RENFE-SNCF trains.
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
08:12 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:43 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Montpellier-St Roch |
12:55 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
15:46 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
16:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
Barcelona P.de Gracia |
18:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:39 |
|
on Sunday
|
Dep: |
08:12 |
||
|
Arr: |
Perpignan |
13:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Perpignan |
13:56 |
|
|
Arr: |
Port Bou |
14:46 |
|
|
Dep: |
Port Bou |
15:24 |
|
|
Arr: |
Barcelona P.de Gracia |
17:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:39 |
|
Paris to Basel & Zurich:
Save €21 in 2nd class and €54 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by TGV Lyria trains.
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
08:42 |
||
|
Arr: |
Belfort Ville |
12:49 |
|
|
Dep: |
Belfort Ville |
13:04 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:39 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:08 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
14:33 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:26 |
Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
08:34 / |
||
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:39 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:08 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
14:33 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:26 |
Paris to Berlin:
Monday to Friday (option 1)
Save €25 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the Thalys trains from Paris to Koln.
|
Dep: |
07:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
09:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
09:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
10:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
11:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
12:17 |
||
|
Dep: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:15 |
||
|
Dep: |
Koln Hbf |
14:38 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:05 |
|
In the fairly unlikely scenario of the IC train on from Namur arriving too late in Bruxelles-Nord station to connect into the ICE on to Koln, the subsequent ICE will be departing two hours later.
There are also hourly ICE trains from Koln on to Berlin.
Monday to Friday (option 2)
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from France to Germany
|
Dep: |
07:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
12:36 |
||
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
12:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
13:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
13:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:28 |
On this routing the connections in both Strasbourg and Offenburg are not guaranteed, but if they're missed due to train delays, it will still be possible to to travel this route and arrive in Berlin by the end of the day.
If the TER train from Paris does arrive late in Strasbourg the best alternative is to take the different Option 3 routing.
Despite this being a guide to how to avoid having to make reservations when using Eurail or InterRail passes, ShowMeTheJourney recommends taking up this option for the long journey from Offenburg to Berlin.
Monday to Friday (option 3)
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from France to Germany
|
Dep: |
07:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
12:36 |
||
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
13:20 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
13:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
14:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mannheim |
15:23 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mannheim |
15:32 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:29 |
|
on Saturday (option 1)
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from France to Germany
|
Dep: |
08:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:21 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
14:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
15:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:28 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:28 |
|
If the six minute connection in Offenburg is missed, there will be another train on to Berlin departing two hours later.
on Saturday AND Sunday
Save €25 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the Thalys trains from Paris to Koln.
|
Dep: |
10:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
12:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
12:32 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
13:40 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
14:32 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:20 |
||
|
Dep: |
Liége-Guillimens |
16:04 |
|
|
Arr: |
Welkenraedt |
16:34 |
|
|
Dep: |
Welkenraedt |
16:41 |
R |
|
Arr: |
Aachen |
16:56 |
|
|
Dep: |
Aachen |
17:18 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:12 |
||
|
Dep: |
Koln Hbf |
18:48 |
|
|
Arr: |
23:05 |
|
Paris to Cologne:
Save €30 when using 1st class and 2nd class passes by avoiding the direct journey by Thalys trains. from Paris to Koln/
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
07:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
09:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
09:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
10:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
11:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:17 |
|
|
Dep: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:15 |
In the fairly unlikely scenario of the IC train on from Namur arriving too late in Bruxelles-Nord station to connect into the ICE on to Koln, the subsequent ICE will be departing two hours later.
Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
10:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
12:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
12:32 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
13:40 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
14:32 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:20 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Liége-Guillimens |
16:04 |
|
|
Arr: |
Welkenraedt |
16:34 |
|
|
Dep: |
Welkenraedt |
16:41 |
R |
|
Arr: |
Aachen |
16:56 |
|
|
Dep: |
Aachen |
17:18 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:12 |
|
Paris to Frankfurt (Main):
Save €25 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the Thalys trains from Paris to Koln
Monday to Friday (option 1):
|
Dep: |
07:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
09:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
09:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
10:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
11:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
12:17 |
||
|
Dep: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:31 |
In the fairly unlikely scenario of the IC train on from Namur arriving too late in Bruxelles-Nord station to connect into the ICE on to Frankfurt (Main), the subsequent ICE will be departing two hours later.
Monday to Friday (option 2)
|
Dep: |
07:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
12:36 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
12:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
13:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
13:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
15:08 |
|
As can be seen, arriving in Frankfurt shortly after 15:00 (3pm) on this routing is dependent on making two tightly timed connections in both Strasbourg and Offenburg.
An option is to use the left luggage facility in Strasbourg to see the city between trains before taking later connections on to Frankfurt.
Saturdays
|
Dep: |
08:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:21 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
14:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
15:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:38 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:08 |
|
Paris to Hamburg:
Save €25 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the Thalys trains from Paris to Koln.
Monday to Friday (Option 1)
|
Dep: |
07:19 |
||
|
Arr: |
Maubeuge |
09:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Maubeuge |
09:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Namur |
10:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Namur |
11:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:17 |
|
|
Dep: |
Bruxelles-Nord |
12:34 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:15 |
||
|
Dep: |
Koln Hbf |
15:10 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:15 |
|
In the fairly unlikely scenario of the IC train on from Namur arriving too late in Bruxelles-Nord station to connect into the ICE on to Koln, the subsequent ICE will be departing two hours later.
There also hourly trains from Koln on to Hamburg.
Despite this being a guide to how to avoid having to make reservations when using Eurail or InterRail passes, ShowMeTheJourney recommends doing so for the journey from Koln to Hamburg, despite it being optional - this tends to be an exceptionally busy route.
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from France to Germany
|
Dep: |
07:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
12:36 |
||
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
12:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
13:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
13:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Karlsruhe Hbf |
13:58 |
|
|
Dep: |
Karlsruhe Hbf |
14:51 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:35 |
|
On this routing the connections in both Stasbourg and Offenburg are not guaranteed, but if they're missed due to train delays, it will still be possible to to travel this route and arrive in Hamburg by the end of the day.
The option 3 routing below shows that making these tightly timed connections isn't essential.
Despite this being a guide to how to avoid having to make reservations when using Eurail or InterRail passes, ShowMeTheJourney recommends taking up the option for the long journey from Karlsruhe to Hamburg.
Monday to Friday (Option 3)
|
Dep: |
07:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
12:36 |
||
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
13:20 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
13:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
14:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mannheim |
15:23 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mannheim |
16:05 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:29 |
|
Saturday
|
Dep: |
08:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:21 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
14:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
15:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:28 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:08 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Frankfurt (Main) hbf |
17:58 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:39 |
|
If the connection is missed in Offenburg, take the 16:02 RE train (heading to Karlsruhe) to Baden-Baden and change there for Hamburg.
Paris to Interlaken:
Save €21 in 2nd class and €54 in 1st class by avoiding the TGV Lyria trains for the journey from Paris to Basel
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
08:42 |
||
|
Arr: |
Belfort Ville |
12:49 |
|
|
Dep: |
Belfort Ville |
13:04 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:39 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:08 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
14:58 |
|
|
Arr: |
Interlaken West |
16:51 |
on Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
08:34 / |
||
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:18 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
13:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
14:08 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
14:58 |
|
|
Arr: |
Interlaken West |
16:51 |
Paris to Milan & Turin:
Saturday (option 1)
If the €10 reservations fees in 1st or 2nd class are available on the TGV to Modane you can save €21 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
The trains between Modane and Torino may not be currently operating, they had been introduced less than three months prior to the pandemic impacting on international rail travel.
|
Dep: |
10:43 |
||
|
Arr: |
Modane |
14:47 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
16:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:45 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
17:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:45 |
|
on Saturday (Option 2)
You can save €31 in 2nd class and €45 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
|
Dep: |
09:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
14:44 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
15:04 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
18:16 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
20:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:45 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
21:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
23:45 |
|
This routing is dependent on making the 20 min connection in Lyon and that cannot be guaranteed.
Sunday (option 1)
If the €10 reservations fees in 1st or 2nd class are available on the TGV to Modane you can save €21 in 2nd class and €35 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
|
Dep: |
10:43 |
||
|
Arr: |
Modane |
14:47 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
16:29 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:15 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
18:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:45 |
|
Sunday (option 2)
You can save €31 in 2nd class and €45 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey on the TGV France - Italy train.
|
Dep: |
09:20 |
||
|
Arr: |
14:44 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Lyon-Part Dieu |
15:08 |
|
|
Arr: |
Modane |
18:16 |
|
|
Dep: |
Modane |
18:29 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:15 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Torino Porta Nuova |
20:54 |
|
|
Arr: |
22:45 |
|
Arriving In Italy by the end of the day is dependent on making the tightly timed connections in both Lyon and Modane.
Paris to Munich:
Save €13 in 2nd class and €30 in 1st class by avoiding the direct high speed trains from France to Germany
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
07:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
12:36 |
||
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
13:20 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
13:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
14:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mannheim |
15:23 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mannheim |
15:31 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:27 |
|
on Saturday (option 1)
|
Dep: |
08:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:21 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
14:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
15:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
15:28 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mannheim hbf |
16:24 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mannheim hbf |
16:30 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:27 |
|
Miss the six minute connection in Offenburg due to a late running train, then picking up the Option 2 routing below from there, is the best alternative.
There are hourly trains from Mannheim to Munchen/Munich.
Saturday (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
08:36 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:21 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Strasbourg |
14:50 |
Local |
|
Arr: |
Offenburg |
15:22 |
|
|
Dep: |
Offenburg |
16:02 |
|
|
Arr: |
Karlsruhe hbf |
16:49 |
|
|
Dep: |
Karlsruhe hbf |
18:06 |
|
|
Arr: |
21:12 |
|
Stockholm to Copenhagen:
Save the equivalent iof €7 in 2nd class and €17 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by Snabbtag trains.
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:14 |
||
|
Arr: |
Göteborg C |
14:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Göteborg C |
14:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:29 |
Stockholm to Oslo:
Save the equivalent iof €7 in 2nd class and €17 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by Snabbtag trains.
Daily (Option 1)
|
Dep: |
09:14 |
||
|
Arr: |
Göteborg C |
14:00 |
|
|
Dep: |
Göteborg C |
14:15 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:29 |
De-risk that tightly connection at Goteborg C station by departing Stockholm at 07:14.
Daily (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
13:14 |
||
|
Arr: |
Herrljunga |
17:12 |
|
|
Dep: |
Herrljunga |
17:31 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
Öxnered |
18:26 |
|
|
Dep: |
Öxnered |
18:50 |
|
|
Arr: |
Olso S |
21:51 |
On Sat/Sun arrive Oxnered at 18:33.
Making the connections in both Herrljunga and Oxnered is essential to being able to arrive in Oslo by the end of the day.
Venice to Geneva:
Save €11 in 2nd class and €13 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Italy > Switzerland train.
Daily
|
Dep: |
08:10 |
||
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
09:38 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
09:45 |
|
|
Arr: |
11:35 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
13:20 |
|
|
Arr: |
Domodossola |
14:59 |
|
|
Dep: |
Domodossola |
15:58 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
16:33 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Brig |
16:57 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:39 |
|
|
|
Arr: |
OR Geneve |
19:30 |
|
De-risk making the connection in Verona by departing Venice at 07:10.
Venice to Innsbruck & Munich:
Save €14.50 in 2nd class and €20.90 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Italy > Germany trains.
Daily
|
Dep: |
09:10 |
||
|
Arr: |
10:38 |
||
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
11:50 |
|
|
Arr: |
Brennero |
14:52 |
|
|
Dep: |
Brennero |
15:33 |
|
|
Arr: |
16:13 |
||
|
Dep: |
Innsbruck Hbf |
16:40 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:27 |
|
Venice to Vienna:
Save €10 in 2nd class and €15 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by Railjet trains.
Monday to Friday (Option 1)
|
Dep: |
05:01 |
||
|
Arr: |
Udine |
06:51 |
|
|
Dep: |
Udine |
07:14 |
REX |
|
Arr: |
Villach Hbf |
08:54 |
|
|
Dep: |
Villach Hbf |
09:14 |
|
|
Arr: |
13:35 |
|
Monday to Friday (Option 2)
|
Dep: |
14:13 |
||
|
Arr: |
Udine |
16:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Udine |
17:22 |
REX |
|
Arr: |
Villach Hbf |
19:07 |
|
|
Dep: |
Villach Hbf |
19:14 |
|
|
Arr: |
23:35 |
|
This option 2 is more risky, as the tightly timed connection in Villach is into the final train of the day from Villach to Wien Hbf.
Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
13:13 |
||
|
Arr: |
Udine |
15:28 |
|
|
Dep: |
Udine |
17:22 |
REX |
|
Arr: |
Villach Hbf |
19:07 |
|
|
Dep: |
Villach Hbf |
19:14 |
|
|
Arr: |
23:35 |
|
Taking this routing at a weekend is is a risk, as the tightly timed connection in Villach is into the final train of the day from Villach to Wien Hbf.
Venice to Zurich:
Save €11 in 2nd class and €13 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Italy > Switzerland train.
Daily
|
Dep: |
08:10 |
||
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
09:38 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
09:45 |
|
|
Arr: |
11:35 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
13:43 |
|
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
15:20 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
15:46 |
|
|
Arr: |
Arth-Goldau |
18:07 |
|
|
Dep: |
Arth-Goldau |
18:15 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:55 |
|
De-risk making the connection in Verona by departing Venice at 07:10.
Zurich to Milan & Verona & Venice:
Save €11 in 2nd class and €13 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by EC Switzerland > Italy trains and if you will be travelling on to Verona and Venice, you will also avoid the €10 reservation fees charged for rail pass users on the Frecce trains.
Daily (Option 1)
|
Dep: |
10:05 |
||
|
Arr: |
Cadenazzo |
13:12 |
|
|
Dep: |
Cadenazzo |
13:39 |
IR |
|
Arr: |
15:17 |
||
|
Dep: |
Milano Centrale |
15:25 |
|
|
Arr: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
17:15 |
|
|
Dep: |
Verona Porta Nuova |
17:22 |
|
|
Arr: |
18:50 |
|
The connections in Milan and Verona are both tightly timed and can't be guaranteed, but if trains delays cause them to be missed, there will be later REG/RV trains heading on to Venezia/Venice.
Daily (Option 2)
That route above via Cadenazzo is stunningly beautiful but take this routing via Tirano and you'll get to experience the absolute best of the Swiss railways.
|
Dep: |
10:07 |
||
|
Arr: |
11:22 |
|
|
|
Dep: |
Chur |
11:58 |
|
|
Arr: |
Samedan |
13:45 |
|
|
Dep: |
Samedan |
13:48 |
RhB |
|
Arr: |
Pontresina |
13:57 |
|
|
Dep: |
Pontresina |
14:08 |
RhB |
|
Arr: |
Tirano |
16:23 |
|
|
Dep: |
Tirano |
17:08 |
|
|
Arr: |
19:40 |
|
Zurich (& Basel) to Paris:
Save €21 in 2nd class and €54 in 1st class by avoiding the direct journey by TGV Lyria trains.
Monday to Friday
|
Dep: |
12:34 |
||
|
Arr: |
13:27 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
13:38 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
14:09 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
15:42 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:25 |
|
on Saturday and Sunday
|
Dep: |
13:34 |
||
|
Arr: |
14:27 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
14:39 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
15:10 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
15:42 |
|
|
Arr: |
20:25 |
|
(In Zurich you will be boarding a train heading to Paris).
Sunday
|
Dep: |
09:34 |
||
|
Arr: |
10:27 |
||
|
Dep: |
Basel SBB |
10:39 |
|
|
Arr: |
Mulhouse Ville |
11:10 |
|
|
Dep: |
Mulhouse Ville |
12:35 |
|
|
Arr: |
17:17 |
|
(In Zurich you will be boarding a train heading to Paris).
Simon Harper
I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
