"Markku Grönroos" wrote in message
news:RYIyk.64849$_03.48267@reader1.news.saunalahti.fi...
> I believe you go all wrong in this. Those non-Europeans who train travel
> in Europe extensively are typically hardcore travellers and definitely
> aren't afraid of buying train tickets whether in advance through rail
> company's web site or at station. Passes are money savers. As I gave this
> one example on Germany: a train ride in second class easily costs some 14
> euro cents a kilometre. If we keep this factor fixed, after 6000 km train
> riding, Eurail passes start being profitable over single tickets. If a
> pass is valid in commuter train legs too then the above mentioned
> multiplier is probably significantly higher. Everyone can make these
> equations and decide whether any such pass is reasonable or not. For those
> who have plenty of lengthy rides, these passes are typically a good
> investment. For those who don't mind to economize too much it is about the
> same.
But that is precisely the whole point of the argument.
6,000 km in 30 days allows you to either
a) spend all your time on trains and do very little sightseeing or else
b) do the sightseeing, thus spending a lot less time on trains, and then
where is the saving?
Discounted domestic tickets are usually always available in most European
countries.
I honestly cannot see the point of Eurail passes.
As I have stated previously in this group,
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.travel.europe/msg/c053ec561cc83be9?hl=en
Eurail and Interrail passes are vastly overpriced anyway.
Gerry
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