Eurorail site says trains free except highspeed&sleeper, but when booking appears fee for all. Eurorail good??

Question

We are trying to decide if it is worth it to purchase a Eurorail pass for three weeks of traveling around western Europe. We thought the Eurorail would be an easy and inexpensive way, but when we look to reserve tickets the train websites indicate fees for all trains and Eurorail saves a small to modest amount.

Any suggestions or experience with this?

When I traveled 10 years ago the additional fee from Madrid to Paris for a sleeper was $17, now apears to be between $66 and $300 with a pass, or $100 to $600 without a pass. Looks like the pass saves less than the price you will pay for the reduced fare?

Answer 1

Eurail has added a surcharge for high speed and select reserved day and night trains as well as sleepers.  That is merely a consequence of demand.

Eurail revamped their pass structure so if you're traveling in Germany and the Benelux countries - one pass covers that.  You can also buy a pass for only 3, 4 or 5 countries.  If you buy the France-Spain pass for example, you should only pay the surcharge NOT $600.

Also remember that the Euro is now $1.40 US and that has affected prices on the US end as well.