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All across the Great Western territory => The Wider Picture Overseas => Topic started by: grahame on May 06, 2022, 22:06:01



Title: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: grahame on May 06, 2022, 22:06:01
https://www.interrail.eu/en/50th-anniversary/next-stop-big-adventure-sale

Gosh this is tempting ...


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: RichardB on May 08, 2022, 11:28:37
I've dived in and bought myself a 1st Class one month pass starting 18 Feb.  Around £370.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: grahame on May 08, 2022, 11:57:02
I've dived in and bought myself a 1st Class one month pass starting 18 Feb.  Around £370.

I am SO tempted, Richard - might even bump into you on the platform at Livorno Centrale ...


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: grahame on May 08, 2022, 13:21:42
I've dived in and bought myself a 1st Class one month pass starting 18 Feb.  Around £370.

Having read the headlines, Richard, I understood that the start date needed to be within 11 months but did not have to be set at this point.   Having been through the booking process, can you confirm whether that's the case or did you have to give a date?


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: RichardB on May 08, 2022, 13:36:41
I've dived in and bought myself a 1st Class one month pass starting 18 Feb.  Around £370.

Having read the headlines, Richard, I understood that the start date needed to be within 11 months but did not have to be set at this point.   Having been through the booking process, can you confirm whether that's the case or did you have to give a date?

I've bought a paper pass so had to specify a start date when booking, Graham.  Looks like if you buy a mobile pass, you don't need to do this.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: grahame on May 09, 2022, 17:28:50
I've dived in and bought myself a 1st Class one month pass starting 18 Feb.  Around £370.

I am SO tempted, Richard - might even bump into you on the platform at Livorno Centrale ...

Temptation toooo great ....


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: IndustryInsider on May 09, 2022, 18:00:35
Temptation toooo great ....

Taking advantage of rail travel in foreign countries which is far cheaper than the residents of those country can get it for.  I don't know! ;)


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: broadgage on May 11, 2022, 17:54:50
Temptation toooo great ....

Taking advantage of rail travel in foreign countries which is far cheaper than the residents of those country can get it for.  I don't know! ;)

It must be said however that in most of those foreign countries, that the full fares, as paid by residents of those countries are much lower than UK fares. UK fares are generally accepted to be the highest in Europe and possibly in the whole world.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: IndustryInsider on May 12, 2022, 20:02:54
It must be said however that in most of those foreign countries, that the full fares, as paid by residents of those countries are much lower than UK fares. UK fares are generally accepted to be the highest in Europe and possibly in the whole world.

I’m pretty sure we debunked that generalisation before, but here’s the link again:

https://www.seat61.com/uk-europe-train-fares-comparison.html


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: TaplowGreen on May 13, 2022, 07:38:15
Depends on the type of journey and who you ask it would seem;

https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/02/uk-rail-fares-five-times-higher-europe-7196333/

I'm sure the TUC/RMT can be relied upon to be 100% objective and accurate in their assertions of course!


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: grahame on May 13, 2022, 07:46:29
Depends on the type of journey and who you ask it would seem;

https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/02/uk-rail-fares-five-times-higher-europe-7196333/

I'm sure the TUC/RMT can be relied upon to be 100% objective and accurate in their assertions of course!

Agreed - you have lies, damned lies and statistics.  And so many fares to choose from - at least in the UK - when you're working out up your press release or article.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: IndustryInsider on May 13, 2022, 08:13:30
Depends on the type of journey and who you ask it would seem;

Absolutely right.

The article I linked to was comparing fares for journeys that InterRail users are likely to take, in response to Brosdgage’s generalisation, which is not commuter journeys of course.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: broadgage on May 13, 2022, 11:28:16
It must be said however that in most of those foreign countries, that the full fares, as paid by residents of those countries are much lower than UK fares. UK fares are generally accepted to be the highest in Europe and possibly in the whole world.

I’m pretty sure we debunked that generalisation before, but here’s the link again:

https://www.seat61.com/uk-europe-train-fares-comparison.html

That shows peak time fares overseas as being well over twice those charged in the UK.

Of peak and advance purchase fares show the UK in a rather more favourable light. But might be less representative.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: broadgage on May 13, 2022, 11:34:05
Depends on the type of journey and who you ask it would seem;

Absolutely right.

The article I linked to was comparing fares for journeys that InterRail users are likely to take, in response to Broadgage’s generalisation, which is not commuter journeys of course.

My generalisation WAS intended to be a reference to the fares generally paid by the residents of those other countries

 "that the full fares, as paid by residents of those countries are much lower than UK fares. UK fares are generally accepted to be the highest in Europe and possibly in the whole world"

And not just to special offer holiday fares.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: IndustryInsider on May 13, 2022, 12:08:15
My generalisation WAS intended to be a reference to the fares generally paid by the residents of those other countries

 "that the full fares, as paid by residents of those countries are much lower than UK fares. UK fares are generally accepted to be the highest in Europe and possibly in the whole world"

Erm, indeed it was, which is why I posted the link that proves that often isn’t the case in regard to the topic we’re discussing on this thread.   :-\

All sorts of other considerations to take into account, such as average earnings, speed/frequency of journey, etc.

Much more complicated than a generalisation.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: Ivor Dewdney on May 26, 2022, 18:01:35
I've also taken advantage of the flash sale - 2 months' 1st Class for my wife and I, reflecting our newly retired status.
We're experienced Interrailers, most recently in 2018.
However this is the first time with mobile passes - we preferred paper but couldn't commit to dates in time for the offer.
It would be great to hear how others get on with mobile passes.  We're reasonably 'digital-savvy' but never too proud to accept tips, recommendations or just stating the obvious!


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: GBM on May 27, 2022, 16:02:42
Love the forum name!  ;D ;D


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: grahame on August 17, 2022, 14:53:10
I've also taken advantage of the flash sale - 2 months' 1st Class for my wife and I, reflecting our newly retired status.

Almost ditto - except I have still gone paper, going it alone, and planning a couple of intense trips within the two months rather than keeping going all the time.  I have - in a few minutes of opportunities to relax - looked at the following journeys ...

Across the top of Europe ... Fly to Helksinki; Helsinki-Kemi 794; Kemi-Torino 768; Haparanda-Lulea 768; Lulea-Narvik 765; Narvik-Svolvaer (bus); Svolvaer-Bodo (boat); Bodo-Trondheim 787; Trondheim-Oslo 785; Oslo-Gothenberg 770; Gothenburg-Copenhagen Various; Copenhagen-Hamburg 710; to Osnabruck 800; to Amsterdam 22; to London 18; to Swindon 132; to Melksham 134.

Atlantic Coast ... Fly to Faro; to Lisbon 697; to Porto 690; to Coruna and Ferrol 680; to Bilbao 687; to San Sebastian 686; to Irun 654; to Bordeaux 305; to Nantes 292; to Quimper 285; to Brest 296; to Rennes 284; to Lison 272; to Cherbourg 275; to Portsmouth ship; to Westbury 140; to Melksham 134.

Overland to Sicilly and and back ... haven't detailed that one yet.

Top of Europe first to have some daylight up there!  Questions (especially for European travel experts) ... how will I do on covid rules / restrictions?   How will it work with mobile connectivity these days?  What about train and Hotel reservation needs?

Numbers are table numbers in European timetable.

Yes, I know I am limited to one inbound and one outbound from the UK - I think I can afford a ticket from Portsmouth to Melksham.


Title: Re: Interail passes - 50 Years big adventure sale
Post by: eXPassenger on August 17, 2022, 17:53:05
In terms of mobile roaming costs you are dependant on your mobile provider.  Most now charge for roaming but some only charge on new contracts.

My Vodafone contract still provides for free roaming in the EU.  My wife's sky contract now charges her £2 a day for roaming.

You need to check the small print as some companies define 'a day' as 24 hours from first use, some charge for the local physical day and some for the UK physical day.

See this article: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/aug/08/mobile-firms-breaking-promises-on-roaming-fees-post-brexit-warns-martin-lewis



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