Interrail Sale

[rvdborgt]

That's what I assumed. Meanwhile DB don't seem to offer seat selection on ÖBB services from Munich.

It seems to depend on the rolling stock used. (The ECs and RJs from Munich are all DB services until Salzburg.)

 

[AdamWW]

It seems to depend on the rolling stock used. (The ECs and RJs from Munich are all DB services until Salzburg.)

What I meant (I thought it was obvious but clearly not) was services formed of rolling stock provided by ÖBB.

It makes sense to me that it's much more likely to get seat selection when making reservations with the organisation providing the rolling stock.

 

[DesDobramento]

Belgian railways sell paper Interrail passes at Brussel-Zuid/Bruxelles-Midi (no other station!) or by phone. This includes this promotional offer, according to their product sheets (NL/FR/EN). There's an additional €12 "handling fee".

Interesting to learn about Interrail sales at Brussel-Zuid - can they be purchased 'over the counter' for immediate travel at any location in the UK these days?

Many years ago, I regularly bought over the counter at DB Travel Centres at principal stations and at Basel SBB. Handy for a short-notice trip when the was insufficient time to pre-plan purchase of a ticket by mail order to the likes of the ever-helpful Ffestiniog Travel.

 

[DanielB]

What I meant (I thought it was obvious but clearly not) was services formed of rolling stock provided by ÖBB.

It makes sense to me that it's much more likely to get seat selection when making reservations with the organisation providing the rolling stock.

ÖBB also offers seat selection for the EC Transalpin, which consists for a large part of Swiss rolling stock.

 

[htwestern]

Does anyone know if when you select a 10 days in 2 months paper pass on myInterrail.co.uk and it says “Must choose start date at timeof booking” does that mean the start of the 2 month clock or does it mean it will automatically start your first travel day with the date you put in?

any quick advice is greatly appreciated thanks

 

[rvdborgt]

Does anyone know if when you select a 10 days in 2 months paper pass on myInterrail.co.uk and it says “Must choose start date at timeof booking” does that mean the start of the 2 month clock or does it mean it will automatically start your first travel day with the date you put in?

That's the start date of the 2-month validity period. When you have the pass, you're free to choose your 10 days within that period.

 

[htwestern]

That's the start date of the 2-month validity period. When you have the pass, you're free to choose your 10 days within that period.

Thank you very much. Are you able to use the Rail planner app to book reservations if you hold a paper pass by entering the pass number do you know?

 

[Watershed]

Thank you very much. Are you able to use the Rail planner app to book reservations if you hold a paper pass by entering the pass number do you know?

The app just directs you to the Interrail website.

Either way there is a tool you can use to convert the long paper pass number into a 6-character code that can be used to book reservations online.

In many cases it is cheaper to book reservations outwith the Interrail site, as they charge a relatively high transaction fee.

 

[rvdborgt]

The app just directs you to the Interrail website.

Or to some of the other booking websites, and not always to the best one. E.g. currently, Rail Europe and GWR are still missing.

Either way there is a tool you can use to convert the long paper pass number into a 6-character code that can be used to book reservations online.

That tool works the other way around.
The best is usually to follow Seat61's advice.

 

[43096]

Thank you very much. Are you able to use the Rail planner app to book reservations if you hold a paper pass by entering the pass number do you know?

I would not recommend using the Interrail app/website for reserving seats. It charges something like €8 when (as an example) ÖBB charge €3. It is a blatant ripoff, presumably designed to fleece their target market.

 

[mad_rich]

The downside is that many operators charge higher fees to first class passholders who have the temerity to sit in first class. Off the top of my head: Eurostar, RENFE, Westbahn, Railjet to Italy, some SNCF International, SJ and Snälltåget are the main ones.

Another one that's just occurred to me: as well as a higher reservation fee for Eurostar Plus, you also pay a higher change fee if you need to amend/ refund it. €20 instead of €15. Because first class reservations are made with more complicated electrons, I guess.

I would not recommend using the Interrail app/website for reserving seats. It charges something like €8 when (as an example) ÖBB charge €3. It is a blatant ripoff, presumably designed to fleece their target market.

If Interrail offered a good user experience - integrated within the app, seat selection, refundable reservations, sensible descriptions or even pictures of what you're reserving - then I could see an argument for paying a couple of extra Euro. But as it is, the user experience is awful. I wouldn't use it even if it was cheaper.

Earlier this year, I was trying to reserve a couchette on the Intercity Notte. Interrail's reservation system offered me "2nd class CC Promiscuo" which isn't a helpful description. I had to double check that it meant couchette. In the end, after pages and pages of the booking process, where I had to tell them all my contact and passport details again, it suddenly described it as "2nd class seat" so I ended up abandoning the cart and booking with Italiarail instead.

 

[Tester]

Earlier this year, I was trying to reserve a couchette on the Intercity Notte. Interrail's reservation system offered me "2nd class CC Promiscuo" which isn't a helpful description. I had to double check that it meant couchette. In the end, after pages and pages of the booking process, where I had to tell them all my contact and passport details again, it suddenly described it as "2nd class seat" so I ended up abandoning the cart and booking with Italiarail instead.

Promiscuo is the fun Italian way of distinguishing from Donne (ladies only)

 

[mad_rich]

Promiscuo is the fun Italian way of distinguishing from Donne (ladies only)

Indeed.

Even knowing that, it's such a daft description - half in English, half in Italian, with completely unnecessary mention of class, and leaving the customer to guess that CC means Comfort Couchette.

"Couchette - 4-berth Mixed" would be fine, preferably translated into whichever language the customer has chosen on the Interrail site.

 

[htwestern]

My pass arrived yesterday and amusingly it’s still printed with the ATOC logo - how old is this stock they’re using?!

 

[nwales58]

ATOC Ltd is still the UIC member and therefore still the UK end of whatever the revenue agreement is.

And ATOC Limited is still trading, albeit largely doing work paid for by RDG Limited.

If not already done, it would be easiest long term to keep each company with external contracts alive but make the company a wholly-owned subsidiary of something in the emerging GBR empire.

 

[ABB125]

According to the Interrail app, a new 20% off sale has started today, running until 9th September. Can't find any information about it on the website though...

 

[rvdborgt]

As usual, the sale on the Interrail and Eurail websites only starts after the office staff came in and pushed a button (or something similar).
On Allaboard the discounted passes are already available.
Important detail: refunds and exchanges are only possible until 7 days after purchase. After that, no more refunds or exchanges.

 

[zero]

So the prices are the same as they were during the June sale, but with worse refund conditions.

 

[STINT47]

I cannot see anything about a sale on the website or app.

 

[rvdborgt]

I cannot see anything about a sale on the website or app.

I refer to my comment #77.