Need advise on oneworld classic-reward RTW from Melbourne to Europe

[tripledot]

Hi all, I'm currently planning our trip for two to Europe+Japan using oneworld classic-reward RTW (business) with the following itin below:

Day 1-2 :
– Flight [Melbourne > Sydney > London > Madrid] (Qantas + BA)
– Departing Melbourne 13.00 – Arriving Madrid 11.05

Day 2-4 :
– Explore Madrid – Day 4 evening : train from Madrid to Barcelona
– 21.40 – 23.40 : AVE (from Estacion Madrid – Puertan de Atocha)

Day 5-7:
– Explore Barcelona – Day 7 evening: flight from Barcelona to Rome
– 18.35 – 23.55 : Iberia (business)

Day 8-10 – Explore Rome
– Day 10 evening: train from Rome to Milan
– 20.05 – 23.28 : Roma Termini + Milano Rogoredo

Day 11-13
– Explore Milan
– Day 13 evening : train from Milan to Zurich – 19.10 – 22.27 (by EC)

Day 14-16:
– Explore Zurich
– Day 16 evening: train from Zurich to Paris – 17.34-21.38 (by TGV)

Day 17-19:
– Explore Paris

Day 20-21
– Flight from Paris -> London -> Haneda (by BA)
– departing Paris 07.05 – arriving Tokyo 07.35

Day 21-24
– explore Tokyo

Day 25:
– Flight from Narita to Melb (by JAL)
– departing Tokyo 10.50 – arriving Melbourne 23.00

With the arrangement above, all the flight components currently fits in the 318k cap (per person) for oneworld clasic-reward round-the-world (business class). Meanwhile, for inter-city transport within Europe, we currently plan to use ground transport (train/bus) - as we see that the flight seems to take more time than the ground-transport.

Considering the vast rule of oneworld classic-reward round the world, I'm just wondering if there is anything that we miss here? or something else that we could perhaps add in to best make use of the RTW? (e.g. surface sector, etc)

Also, from the timetable point of view, does this itinerary arrangement kinda make sense? or is it too ambitious?

Any suggestions/input are more than welcome. Many thanks in advance

 

[Guvner]

RTW rules don't apply. That's a separate offering. The 318k cap is a One World Award offering.

"oneworld" award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Huge release of Qantas seats to Singapore and London from late Jan to end of March.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[aikman]

If the seats are available on your dates then book it now. It might disappear later. You can always make changes later.

 

[p--and--t]

There is a specific tread for these types of questions and a wealth of information

Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

Note that this is not exclusively a "Round The World" Award. While it can be so used, it can also be used for "Round Trips", "Circle" Trips or even "one-way trips" without actually going "Round The World". Also note the following from the T&C review that comes up on Qantas.com if you have...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[RnD]

A few years ago I found the German train site good for booking most train travel throughout Europe.

Cheap Train Tickets | Timetables for Germany & Europe - Deutsche Bahn

bahn.com - travel and mobility portal: information, train tickets, online tickets, regional day tickets, affordable offers for rail travel and city breaks.

www.bahn.com

 

[Flyfrequently]

Hi Tripledot
I can't comment on RTW but agree train travel is an excellent way to move between cities - having done Spain, France and Italy, Portugal is next!
You get to see some of the countryside in relative comfort and arrive directly into the city centre, often more cost effective too with less time waiting in airports.

Understanding that you want to see many places on your itinerary and perhaps time poor, my thoughts are that 2 days in a city can be quite rushed.
We usually allow 3-4 days, so my thoughts are yes, ambitious but go for it!!
Let us know what you decide.

 

[tdimdad]

Understanding that you want to see many places on your itinerary and perhaps time poor, my thoughts are that 2 days in a city can be quite rushed.
We usually allow 3-4 days, so my thoughts are yes, ambitious but go for it!!

The same caught my eye, too: 7 destinations but only two days each. There are four where I'd easily spend 4-7 days each (Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Tokyo). If I was thinking of something similar, I'd focus on three cities & surroundings, a week each, plus the transit time in between.

BTW, concur with using trains in Europe. It's the best way to get around there, even for slightly longer distances. E.g. ICE across Germany or TGV through France beats an A319 any day...

 

[Flyfrequently]

Re Tripledot: "Any suggestions/input"

I have noticed you are leaving your destinations in the evening.
We tend to do the reverse and leave early in the day for two reasons. If there is a delay/ cancellation (especially with flights) you have a better chance of at least getting there that day, and not risking the loss of pre booked accommodation.
With your evening trains, most are arriving after 11 pm, it will be near midnight before your head hits the pillow though that may work for you
Also, even flying BC, you may still feel a bit of jet lag in the first day or two, so maybe an extra 24 -48 hours at 1st destination.
Side note, I do speak from fit 60 year old folks perspective but we have travelled Europe many times and found this strategy worked better for us!

 

[aikman]

I have noticed you are leaving your destinations in the evening

I am guessing that OP wants to maximise sightseeing time and only travel after the attractions have closed for the day. I used to want to do the same but these days my preference is to travel between hotel check out and check in times to minimise the time that I don't have access to a hotel room.

 

[tripledot]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions.
I ended up made the booking online with the above itin through Qantas website.
Wrt the trip within the Europe itself, it seems that we need to change the plan a bit to make it more practical and enjoyable.
Thanks again!