Eurail-based trip
 

I'm headed over to Germany at the end of the month (Jan.) and I'll be touring Switzerland, Italy, and France via the European railways. I'll be purchasing a Eurail pass in the next few days, but I was curious to what extent it allows you to travel. Is it really valid on EVERY train in Europe (assuming you buy the one that works in all the 17 countries which participate)? Thanks for the info.

If anyone has any "must-sees" in these countries, please tell me. I've been to Rome, Naples, Pompeii, and Florence previously, but I know Italy has much left to be explored.

About the only thing my Eurail pass didn't allow was high speed trains. I was able to pay a slight sur-charge to take the TGV in France. Other than high speed, we hopped on any train we wanted at any time we wanted.
Have a good trip.

I live in southern germany.
feel free to pm me if you have any questions, altho i don't kno *that* much, i may be able to help.

(ps - i kno nothing abt the trains, never taken one. but i hear they're a great way to do it, reliable and fun and all that)

:)

It is not valid on every train in Europe. In Switzerland, for example, it will not work on many mountain railways, which are run by private companies. It is accepted by ferries, but not all. Again, many privately-run companies will not take it or, at best, will give you a discount.

On the other hand, for travelling between city to city (sometimes with surchanges), you shouldn't have any problem.

Definately a great way to travel in Europe. It should work just about anywhere, but I think there may not have included Prague when I went a few years ago...

There was a special deal when my friend and I used eurarail pass and we got first class on all the trains for only 20 bucks extra total. It was nice!

Trains are the only way if you want to retain your bank.

as for italy, Im Italian and have lived there so here's my advice: try to get down to the south, and I mean the tip of the boot or the heel, because the water and sun are unbeatable as is the coral, spearfishing, and definitly the swiss tourist girls. Otherwise, I'd advise you to stay away from rural northern italy because unless you have family there, there's no reason to hang around. Also, I'd say don't go to venice, or if you do, go for a day and get out because its just overcrowded and expensive and smelly, etc. Thats my two and a half cents

the southern coast of italy is definitely enticing, but would you think i'd have problems considering i speak no italian and the south of italy is less american tourist-oriented than the north?

assuming the south sounds like a reasonable destination for an english-only guy, where would you recommend going? i only have slight familiarity with the bay of Naples region and Rome.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Here's a trick with your Eurail pass, it's great for free accomodation. When you need a sleep and don't feel like paying get an overnight train to somewhere, and then hop off and go back the other way halfway through the night, so you get back where you came from but you had free overnight accomodation :).

A little bit late but this is a useful site for all things train related:

http://www.seat61.com/