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Is split ticketing effective elsewhere in Europe?
Are there any websites that search for European cheapest fares and routes?
Are there any websites that search for European cheapest fares and routes?
In some countries in Europe, it is expressly forbidden - such as the Republic of Ireland.Is split ticketing effective elsewhere in Europe?
Are there any websites that search for European cheapest fares and routes?
In general, I would imagine that the only times where it would make sense are: a) in combination with some kind of zonal ticket and b) for cross-border journeys, which are often not subsidised in the way that local traffic on either side of the border may be.Is split ticketing effective elsewhere in Europe?
Are there any websites that search for European cheapest fares and routes?
In some countries in Europe, it is expressly forbidden - such as the Republic of Ireland.
While it's in the outdated conditions of carriage in the ROI, it is a pointless thing to do, given the fare structure.In some countries in Europe, it is expressly forbidden - such as the Republic of Ireland.
Is split ticketing effective elsewhere in Europe?
Are there any websites that search for European cheapest fares and routes?
Easy !but I'd be interested in cases of international journeys where through tickets were currently available, but it was nevertheless cheaper to split.
but I'd be interested in cases of international journeys where through tickets were currently available, but it was nevertheless cheaper to split.
NO time loss is needed for this-but domestic tickets in BE are only till last actual station (Arlon or Gouvy) and one has to buy a higher priced single from there till border-yes, these exist. As a general rule-a surprise for many-is that fares are then to/fro Border tariff points, not real stations. Savings will be much higerfor those holdign special lower prices NMBS/BE tickets-like seniors,students or with the 10-ride pass.I;ve always found it cheaper to split at the Belgium/Luxembourg border albeit sometimes at a time cost.
@dutchflyer Thanks very much for all those details of your experience!You've been there and done it.This really varies a lot between countries-in many its not worth it at all (domestic!-or as above even forbidden) and I-even a keen budgetteer myself, have never ever seen a site like you have in UK. IF it is possible, in no way to the extent like in UK. But there is also the odd case where its even needed if a change-en-route is needed-train bound ticketing.
Best source for local knowledge are mostly the local-like this one for UK- rail-fan fora/sites. A general touristy site like tripadvisor nearly always just suggests the normal online ticketing.
IF possible its usually:
for across the border international. Often these are the ´official´ fares set much higher as heavily subsidised domestic. F.e. HU/MAV expressly forbids this for a through ride in same train.
and more: a combo with a local special lower fare-or f.e. in Germany the ´Verbund´fares- with a short hop, mostly though for those holding season tickets-which also seem far more widespread here as in the UK (having just returned from there a day or 2 ago).
For those of you eager to explore a country its probably more useful to delve/check what other local offers are available for longer time. But thats of course usually not worth it if you just have to pass by.
F.e. Denmark-Sweden-Finland-Czech-Belgium have summer-only ride-at-will tickets.
And very best bargain-beside the free transit in LUX is the german 49€/month Deutschlandticket. Valid all day-cost less as 2 of the ´Landestickets´ from only mo-fr 9.00.
Also for routes more in demand nowadays there are nearly always lower advance fares-train bound or with limited validity, which will work out cheaper as the combination of local fares.
NO time loss is needed for this-but domestic tickets in BE are only till last actual station (Arlon or Gouvy) and one has to buy a higher priced single from there till border-yes, these exist. As a general rule-a surprise for many-is that fares are then to/fro Border tariff points, not real stations. Savings will be much higerfor those holdign special lower prices NMBS/BE tickets-like seniors,students or with the 10-ride pass.
Same can be set for fares to Aachen and onward in Germany using the local NMBS trains stopping at Welkenraedt.
From Brussel to LUX one can avoid this and board the free LUX train by going via Athus (south of Arlon)-this is a detour thus with time penalty.
Having just passed there last week and curious at how it was set-from FRance to LUX I was surprised at how high the fares were set-easily available by the SNCF-machines, for the last few KMs from last station till LUX-border.
If you buy tickets to Luxembourg from Belgian railways, then they will use the domestic fare until the border. Whether splitting tickets at Arlon or Gouvy will save anything depends on the specific case.NO time loss is needed for this-but domestic tickets in BE are only till last actual station (Arlon or Gouvy) and one has to buy a higher priced single from there till border
Yes that is what all of the ex USSR countries do. You have to buy one ticket for each train. Even if you just want a simple short distance cross city journey that involves changing at the central station you still have to buy two separate tickets. You can not buy a through ticket if you have to change trains. It is a bit ridiculous but it is how they have always done it.And in others it's mandatory, albeit on the basis of "one ticket per vehicle journey" as per most buses here.
It's the same on Istanbul metro as well, in the same sense that you need to pass a gateline between two different metro lines, with a second fare charged. I don't see how it is ridiculous. It's also the same on buses in the UK.Yes that is what all of the ex USSR countries do. You have to buy one ticket for each train. Even if you just want a simple short distance cross city journey that involves changing at the central station you still have to buy two separate tickets. You can not buy a through ticket if you have to change trains. It is a bit ridiculous but it is how they have always done it.
Only Paris-Normandy and Paris-Mulhouse/Strasbourg, and only for journeys from/to Paris. SNCF however send incorrect timetable data, so all planners show mandatory reservations for the whole route of these trains. But I suspect that is not what this comment was about, since SNCF will also happily show "Complet" for TERs without any reservations.> Another angle is availability - SNCF journey planner is often happy to show that all possible journeys from A to B are Complet even on TER.
Some TER-branded services have reservations required now (yes, it's confusing).
TER GV do not have mandatory reservations; they have a supplement (not applicable though for Interrail AFAIK).Most Normandy services have required reservations too (but at least have differentiated branding), the TER GV service in Hauts-de-France is also reservation mandatory (it's a TGV (former e300) set after all)