Eurail vs point to point train tickets

[SYD]

Rather than start another thread, curious if anyone knows what's going on with advanced bookings in and around Austria over Christmas / New Year.

Putting aside disruptions due to the storms and floods (expected to be a problem through to mid October), other advance booking dates haven't budged past 14 Dec now for a week or so (which is well within the usual 3 mths in advance. I'm trying to book Vienna-Prague and no joy so far.

Anyone come across this before?

PS
I'm looking at Trainline and OBB websites/apps in parallel and nada.
Speaking of "nada", also trying to book a train from Valencia to BCN in January and Renfe also seems to have clagged at 14 Dec (last time I checked)...

 

[VPS]

Rather than start another thread, curious if anyone knows what's going on with advanced bookings in and around Austria over Christmas / New Year.

Putting aside disruptions due to the storms and floods (expected to be a problem through to mid October), other advance booking dates haven't budged past 14 Dec now for a week or so (which is well within the usual 3 mths in advance. I'm trying to book Vienna-Prague and no joy so far.

Anyone come across this before?

PS
I'm looking at Trainline and OBB websites/apps in paralllel and nada.
Speaking of "nada", also trying to book a train from Valencia to BCN in January and Renfe also seems to have clagged at 14 Dec (last time I checked)...

The Man in Seat 61 | The train travel guide There may be something on here. He's very good at keeping things updated.

I haven't heard anything about any issues though

 

[SYD]

The Man in Seat 61 | The train travel guide There may be something on here. He's very good at keeping things updated.

I haven't heard anything about any issues though

Yeah, I was using his info to look a various options for this trip.

If it doesn't open soon, I'm thinking of just using some UA miles to fly (6000 pts ea plus USD)...

 

[VPS]

Yeah, I was using his info to look a various options for this trip.

If it doesn't open soon, I'm thinking of just using some UA miles to fly (6000 pts ea plus USD)...

I just tried a couple of dates - one in November and one in January on Rome to Rio - November takes you to omio to book and January to flights - very odd

 

[SYD]

I just tried a couple of dates - one in November and one in January on Rome to Rio - November takes you to omio to book and January to flights - very odd

Yeah, I can see dates from now all the way to 14 Dec then nothing. Omio, Trainline and the rail companies showing nothing beyond that (on multiple routes in/out of Vienna).

 

[SYD]

Yeah, I can see dates from now all the way to 14 Dec then nothing. Omio, Trainline and the rail companies showing nothing beyond that (on multiple routes in/out of Vienna).

Ah, the bi-annual train timetable switchover appears to be the issue. May have to wait until around mid-October!

How far in advance can I book train tickets? - Rail Europe Help

Train ticket advance booking opening times vary between train types, countries and rail or bus operators, but three months is a good estimate for most services.

help.raileurope.com

When do European train bookings open?

How far ahead can you buy European train tickets? Advice on booking horizons on different train routes, and how not to get caught out.

www.seat61.com

 

[Melburnian1]

Ah, the bi-annual train timetable switchover appears to be the issue. May have to wait until around mid-October!

How far in advance can I book train tickets? - Rail Europe Help

Train ticket advance booking opening times vary between train types, countries and rail or bus operators, but three months is a good estimate for most services.

help.raileurope.com

When do European train bookings open?

How far ahead can you buy European train tickets? Advice on booking horizons on different train routes, and how not to get caught out.

www.seat61.com

True. Flooding in some areas (including St Polten close to Vienna) may also be complicating matters., as per your opening gambit above.

The message from Mark Smith who runs that seat61 website is 'don't panic: local residents often don't book 90 days ahead'.

My only rider on that is when dealing with operators like SNCF that have Eurail/Interrail passholder quotas for each compulsory reserved train, it's a good idea not to dilly-dally.

 

[dajop]

One thing to watch, even with continuous pass, is to ensure you add each journey to the pass before you board. I got fined for not activating the pass for the day (even though continuous) and have subsequently noted I could be fined for not adding specific journeys to the pass as per T&C. Far cry from the old days of paper passes! No definition of whether adding (a non booked) train at 09:04 but instead taking a later train at 10:04 means you haven't correctly recorded journey details, or if it covers the same point to point travel with the same train company, it is OK.

Before boarding a train, bus, or boat, each journey must be recorded.
Please be aware that journey details are a crucial part of the ticket. Without having
added correct journey details before boarding, your Pass is not valid. The ticket
inspector will check these when checking your ticket. Travelling without having recorded
journey details in advance will be considered as travelling without a valid Pass or ticket,
and may incur a sanction, imposed by the participating carrier staff, in accordance with
clause 9 of Section II.

 

[Melburnian1]

One thing to watch, even with continuous pass, is to ensure you add each journey to the pass before you board. I got fined for not activating the pass for the day (even though continuous) and have subsequently noted I could be fined for not adding specific journeys to the pass as per T&C. Far cry from the old days of paper passes! No definition of whether adding (a non booked) train at 09:04 but instead taking a later train at 10:04 means you haven't correctly recorded journey details, or if it covers the same point to point travel with the same train company, it is OK.

Paper Eurailpasses remain available. I use these.

With both, you are supposed to record the journey before you even step on to the train. In at least one country (I think Belgium) travellers have been fined for not doing so.