My other half has a flight phobia which means we have to be slightly more inventive re travel. We want to go to Portugal in August. Can travel London-Paris-Madrid-Portugal by rail. Anyone done it, got advice/tips etc etc. Is it expensive. It there a site/agency that will help?
All imput appreciated - but dont say cure him of his phobia - its here to stay.
2007-01-26 01:06:48 · 8 answers · asked by Helen C 4 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
I went to www.bahn.de, a really good resource for train travel in Europe (Choose Internat. Guests on the main menu for English)
I did a query for Paris - Lisbon on the 27th of February (London - Paris is simple with Eurostar) and found the following timetable. You can vary your query by departure time or arrival time and any Eurail pass should work on it.
Detailed view
Station/Stop Date Time Platform Products Comments
Paris Montparnasse Tu, 27.02.07 dep 07:15 TGV 8505 TGV
Subject to compulsory reservation, Global price, Bar coach, space for wheelchairs
Irun Tu, 27.02.07 arr 12:50
Irun Tu, 27.02.07 dep 13:20 413 Zug
2nd class only, Snacks and beverages available
Valladolid Campo Grande Tu, 27.02.07 arr 18:11
Valladolid Campo Grande Tu, 27.02.07 dep 18:45 TLG 60 Talgo
Snacks and beverages available, Video coach available
Madrid-Chamartin Tu, 27.02.07 arr 21:20
Madrid-Chamartin Tu, 27.02.07 dep 22:45 HOT 332 Hotelzug
Sleeping-car, BordRestaurant
Lisboa Oriente We, 28.02.07 arr 08:06
Lisboa Oriente We, 28.02.07 dep 08:24 R 16506 Regionalzug
Sete Rios We, 28.02.07 arr 08:39
Sete Rios We, 28.02.07 dep 08:53 R 18208 Regionalzug
Lisboa(Rego) We, 28.02.07 arr 08:55
2007-01-26 02:50:40 · answer #1 · answered by Paul M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went Interailing last summer. I got a multi country rail pass from www.raileurope.co.uk. Ive done plenty of flying in my time and I have to say going by rail is a great experience. You meet all sorts of people, have the thrill (as it is for me) of trying to get to the station on time, find the right train, speak the language to the platform attendant etc. I travelled through the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. I haven't been through Spain/Portugal but I imagine the trains there are as good, probably better. Most people in stations spoke English too, and time tables were pretty easy to follow. I met some great characters on the train, and saw some good scenery and got a flavour of the countryside of each country i went through. Plane is great for just biting your lip/gritting your teeth/grinning and baring it and getting there quickly, and if your lucky getting an occasional good view out the window. Also to add to the comment above you can be up to 35 i think it is to get an interail pass, but the price goes up when your over 26. I was 28 when i went. Hope you have a great trip whatever you do!
2007-01-26 11:39:04 · answer #2 · answered by heavenlyprinceoffrogs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've used the rail system in Europe (but not those countries). Generally, though, European railway companies tend to be fairly good. They run on a regular basis but the prices vary from country to country. However, I can't see there being any problem getting a train from London-Paris-Madrid-Portugal (Lisbon I assume?). Just type in British Rail into your search engine. I think you'll have to go through a few websites to get all the details as they don't link up. Good luck and enjoy your holiday :)
2007-01-26 01:19:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did this route when I was a bit younger, I was able to Interail. I think the age limit for these tickets was 26. Can't remember the cost, but it was great fun. Waking up one morning to discover our "train" from Paris to Madrid was now two carriages in a Spanish siding was brilliant. You meet lots of nice people and see some great scenery. If you have the time do it! I drove to Bulgaria last year. I saw places and met people that you never would if you flew everywhere. Its great to go and see new places, but the getting there can be as much fun!
2007-01-26 01:30:52 · answer #4 · answered by Reg Tedious 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rail commute is continually pleasanter than flying - yet obviously it is going to take longer and regrettably value more desirable (until eventually you're interior the habit of flying agency type!). With Eurostar and French 'TGVs' from Paris you could commute remarkably immediately. you should get to Spain in an afternoon, assuming an early commence from London. those trains commute at over one hundred eighty MPH. 1st type will value about 0.5 as a lot again - well worth it in case you at the on the spot are not counting the pennies.
2016-10-16 03:22:28 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know if she really does not like flying she alternatively can check out going by ship....The Queen mary takes about 7 days over the atlantic (I think)..but that is rather expensive....Just make sure whatever air route you take that it is the shorted possible one for her...no need to stretch out the amount of time spent in the air.
There are different tickets for Eurorail..one where you can go to three connecting countries...others you can only go to certain countries...check it out online.....
A travel forum (not yahoo answers) online might also have more input on this from people who already travelled through Europe.
Just type in 'European travel forum' or something like that
2007-01-26 03:13:21 · answer #6 · answered by modernlifeisrubbish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The trains are great in Europe. We got multi country passes before we left from the agency handled by Rick Steves... The people who worked their really understood the ins and outs of the various countries and passes. Have a great trip!
here is the website
http://www.ricksteves.com/rail07/
2007-01-26 09:07:59 · answer #7 · answered by Donna W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get over it and fly. It's the only way to travel.
2007-01-26 01:16:22 · answer #8 · answered by Jungle Luv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋