Your questions about train travel

Ruth asks…

Can you get unlimited train travel in the UK?

Is there anyway to just buy a one off pass(maybe yearly) that gives you unlimited train travel for free(once you’ve bough the pass)?

Travel Geek answers:

A yearly pass for all trains would be expensive, thousands in fact.

However you can get InterRail type tickets that allow you to travel unlimited for certain times for a limited number of days. When I last looked you could get a ticket that let you explore Scotland for 15 days and travel by train for 10 of those days, a couple of hundred ££, but essentially all trains. Think InterRail covers the UK – again for a limited time (like 5, 10, days or month)

Carol asks…

We want to go on a holiday to jammu kashmir,how to travel by train from hyderabad and during which month ?

will it be safe for 2 females to travel alone,we are planning a holiday in the month of February by train and bus only.please advise correct train and bus services..and in how many days can we see whole place without missing any,its just a life time opportunity,so we don’t want to miss any place.

Travel Geek answers:

Best season to visit Jammu & Kashmir is between March to November. In February there will be severe cold . There is no direct train from Hyderabad to Jammu. First you have to come HYB to Delhi and then to Jammu. There are frequent trains between these places. But I will suggest you to first visit Golden Temple in Amritsar, Atari and Wagha border then to Kashmir. In Kashmir must see Pahalgam, Anantnag, Srinagar and Mata Vaishno Devi.

Susan asks…

When I travel by train anywhere in India?

and I want a tea or coffee it is pre-mixed with sugar I always ask for tea/coffee no sugar, but can’t have. I do not like sugar, sweet things, and what about diabetics who should not take sugar, this is bad for health. If sugar is required why can it not be given seperately or alternatley supply the sugar-frees with hot water to make own. There have been 2 exceptions to this in my past 5 years of train travel India, that being the Shatabdi and Doronto Express trains, where sugar is seperate.

Travel Geek answers:

Given what little I know about the tea-vending services at Indian stations, I would say that the reason why sugar is not given separately is because it would be too difficult to carry around a supply of sugar separately to the tea urn itself. So they just put it all in together.

The Shatabdi is a high-class express, much more like Western trains. That is why the sugar is separate.

This is also a cultural issue. Remember that most people in India are very poor. They are grateful for any kind of refreshment they can get. A poor diabetic in India would probably not have survived long enough to be concerned about the tea on an Indian train. Sad fact, but true.

Lizzie asks…

we want to go on a holiday to jammu kashmir,how to travel by train from hyderabad and during which month ?

will it be safe for 2 females to travel alone,we are planning a holiday in the month of February by train and bus only.please advise correct train and bus services..and in how many days can we see whole place without missing any,its just a life time opportunity,so we don’t want to miss any place.

Travel Geek answers:

REENA 2 FEMALE OR MALE NOT A PROBLEM BUT ONLY AFTER FEB JUST BECAUSE OF WINTER HEAVY SNOW FALL ALL JUST WAIT AND DON’T FORGET AFTER FEB JUST U R A HURRIED PERSON WITH MANY IDEAS IN MOVEMENT

Steven asks…

Train travel?

Does anyone know if there is such a ticket that i could travel to any uk train staition for say a month at a time?

Travel Geek answers:

Not for a month, but certainly for 14 days. It is called the All line Rover and will cost you £565, standard class (less with railcards). Look at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/promotions/02569241c35ce74100fb0de1b9798124.html

for full details of availability and lines covered (there are a few exceptions)

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Your questions about train operators

Sandra asks…

crane operators training centres in chennai?

i want institute address

Travel Geek answers:

Madras Institute Of Heavy Machinery in Thirumullaivoyal
No 45, Thirumullaivoyal, Mth Road, Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai – 601209
(44)-26384031, 26382363, 26381739
Best of luck!

Linda asks…

Does anyone know of any heavy equipment operator training or schools in southeast Ohio?

Im looking for training for certification, preferably a career center or community college.

Travel Geek answers:

Check with the Ohio Contractors Association in Columbus, Google it.

Donna asks…

I have just received a job offer from the MTA as a train operator with a starting salary of $27 an hour. I am?

presently working as a peace officer in a public library. I currently make about $35,000 a year, but my job is very easy and comfortable, which makes the day go by fast. My question is: what will it be like to drive a subway all day long? Is there anyone who knows what this position is like and can advise me before I make a big mistake? Should I keep the job that I am comfortable in, rather than risk losing both?
FYI: The position that is being offered is with the NYC subway. What also REALLY bothers me about leaving the library job is that I get 4 weeks paid vacation after 4 years. In the MTA you get 4 week after 7 years (and you don’t get ANY vacation the first year!!!)
I travel a lot and CHERISH my time off. Losing this extra time to travel around the world is a BIG blow to me.

Travel Geek answers:

You are already on the right track by listing the differences.

Make a Pro & Con list for each job because it often clarifies your thoughts.

It seems like this is going to come down to money vs time off. The MTA job including any overtime will be about double what you are making now.

Time off is big but how sure are you that you’re going to be a the library in 4 years?

Also do you have the option to take some unpaid time off in the first year with the MTA? (a year goes by really fast on a busy job)

Try that pro & con list and see which issue (Money vs time off)becomes the deal breaker and go with the one you will enjoy the most.

Paul asks…

train ticket, operator on train question?

say i decided i was going to the next station, bought the ticket off the man on the train, got off, then thought actualy i want to go to the next stop and get back on the train and buy another ticket, and do this for each stop, is there anything stopping me :)

Travel Geek answers:

no not at all and sometimes getting 2 different tickets sometimes works out cheaper than one single, and as long as you are purchasing tickets between each station then no problems

George asks…

Military Axillary Radio Systems Question for Ham/MARS operators?

Is it possible to complete initial MARS training without an HF rig? I currently have a 2 meter fm rig, MARS capable and an HF/SSB receiver of questionable sensitivity. Can you train while upgrading your station? Any recommendations on equipment? Cost is a concern.

Travel Geek answers:

This attached document from Army MARS says that it will require a VHF or an HF rig capable of operating on MARS frequencies. I believe there is a MARS allocation above the 2 meter band.

AB9BD
member of Air Force MARS Explorer post, 1968-1972

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Your questions about cheap airline tickets

Paul asks…

Where to find cheap airline tickets?

What are the websites I can go on to find cheap legit airline tickets? Also does any airline do deals like 7 days in advance the tickets will be cheaper, like greyhound does? Tring to get from Orlando or Tamps FL to Lubbock, TX.

Travel Geek answers:

You should book your ticket at least 14 days in advance to get the cheapest tickets. After that, the ticket prices go up.

You can see if Southwest Airline has anything. They fly from MCO to Austin to Lubbock. Unfortunately not a lot of airlines fly into Lubbock so with fewer choices, the ticket prices may be higher.

Helen asks…

where can I find really CHEAP airline tickets to Guadalajara Mexico?

My husband and I are traveling there in about a month, and we want to bring the kids as well, but the tickets are so expensive. Any suggestions of where else to look? Thanks

Travel Geek answers:

A lot will depend on where you flying from and your dates, but try Kayak.com below. Plug in your From an To and your dates. Then check all the services like:
Priceline Expedia Travelocity
and see what turns up.

Click the second link below and the click the “Flights” tab and plug in your From an To and your dates. Flying from my city and with my dates, I found some cheaper there.

Mark asks…

What are some good websites to get last minute cheap airline tickets?!?

Besides travelocity, expedia, orbitz, priceline…anyone recommend or know of any websites for last minute cheap airline tickets with great deals?

Travel Geek answers:

Last minute flights are hardly ever cheap. You can check out http://www.lastminutetravel.com.

Richard asks…

What’s the best way to get cheap airline tickets for Christmas if you still don’t have them?

I’m having troubles getting affordable tickets (less than $500) for flights around Christmas. Travelocity isn’t working. All of their prices, when selected in search, get Jacked up several hundred dollars at the last moment when you select one for purchase. Is there a better way?

Travel Geek answers:

Post your request in forsale@yahoo-inc.com. There are a lot of people who have a southwest roundtrip coupon and are willing to sell for cheaper rates.

Jenny asks…

Whats the best way to buy cheap Airline Tickets?

Im going from California to Iowa. My teacher showed me this site where I can get cheap flights. I forgot it.

Travel Geek answers:

Iowa isnt going to have very many discounted fares from any city. Just not a place many people travel and the market is such that airlines know they can charge a great deal for.

Travel sites dont save you anything. Everyone can claim to have a discount or use the word cheap, but its all just a ploy. You can usually find the best deals directly with the airline itself. Travel sites charge a booking fee. The one listed by the other person is one of those turn key sites you buy in to and market yourself to make a percentage of a profit of your sales, much like Mary Kay or any other recruitment based business. You may have a small savings to other travel sites because they dont pay for advertisint like Expedia or Orbitz does, but you still can not beat what most airlines have. Do your research before booking anything. Pay attention to the fee’s. Price compare before you accept any thing and read the terms and conditions. Many of these websites are scams and ploys. They dont do live ticketing and even though you are quoted a certain fare, by the time they ticket it, the fare has gone up and they charge you the current available fare.

There is a common misconception with air travel. Again, many websites offer big discounts or use the word cheap, but you have to really research and usually, you wont beat what the airlines offer. Sometimes you can find cheaper flights on a travel site when they mix and match airlines, but that gets risky with checking baggage and connections if there is a delay that day.

If you need help finding fares, shoot me an e-mail to mspain79@yahoo.com let me know your exact cities and travel dates. Im not a travel agent and Im not soliciting services, I just try to help educate the flying public and help them avoid scams and being ripped off. I worked in the airline industry so, travel is my specialty. Again, just be aware flying into Iowa isnt going to have many great deals or discounts or fare sales but I’ll be glad to find you the best deal that is available.

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Your questions about european train travel

Paul asks…

European train tickets bought in Australia?

When I googled this so many results came up. We are Seniors, and would like to travel through Europe from Switzerland in July next year. I have been told to buy train tickets before we leave Australia. Is first class necessary? Or is economy very much a cattle class. Is any food included in the ticket cost. Lots of questions rolled into one. I look forward to you extensive reply !! Thanks

Travel Geek answers:

I will try and answer all your questions… in no real order (sorry about that).

- The only time I ever saw a train ticket where food was included was in the most expensive compartments on an overnight train. In other words, do not count on any food being served on the trains. In fact, many trains do not offer any food or beverages for sale at all, and those that do usually only offer snacks. Only the very long (usually overnight) trains have a dining car available and the odd overnight train throws in a free breakfast.

- The quality of economy will depend both on your expectations and on the specific train. As an example, high-speed trains are typically more comfortable than other trains. In general, the only real benefit of first class is wider seats and a little more leg room. In second class, the seats are normally arranged with two seats, the aisle, and then two seats. In first class, it is usually two seats, the aisle, and then one seat. Just as a comparison, I would say that second class on almost all trains is still more spacious than economy on aircraft. Remember that first class is not available on all trains.

- Okay, should you buy tickets before you go? For the most part, there is no need. If you were thinking of purchasing a rail pass, you MUST purchase this in advance before going. If you want a rail pass for multiple countries, you must purchase it in advance through a place like http://www.raileurope.com.au .

If you are just purchasing point-to-point tickets, most are not needed to be booked in advance. The only trains where it might be a good idea to book in advance are for trains that have mandatory reservations. To know if a train you will be taking has a mandatory reservation, use a good search website like the Deutsche Bahn (German rail) site at http://www.bahn.de . When you search for a route (maximum 90 days in advance of current date), it will give you a list of options to complete the journey. Click on the arrow at the left-hand side for any trip and it will give you the details for each train involved. If it says “subject to compulsory reservation” for any train, that means you must purchase a reservation in advance. Now sometimes in advance can mean just minutes before boarding, but it is smart to book ahead just to be sure.

The trains I would strongly recommend you book well in advance are overnight trains. So that would be any train where you would be sleeping on-board. These trains can sometimes book up weeks in advance during the summer season or around holidays. The other type where a reservation can be a good idea is a high-speed train; but this depends on the route. Some routes can book up quickly, while others may have trains only half-full at the busiest of times.

If you are boarding a train that does not require reservations, you only need the ticket (or your rail pass) and grab any seat that does not have a “reserved” sign overhead or on the compartment door.

Now, as for how to book the reservations. First off, the easiest thing to do is to wait until you are in Europe. You can arrive there, go to any major train station and make a reservation for pretty well any trip anywhere in Europe up to 90 days out. So for example, you could be in Lucerne and book a ticket for a trip from Venice to Florence.

If you do wish to be making reservations online, there can be a few options. First off, you can use a website like the Rail Europe listed above. They will be willing to make reservations or full out sell tickets for major routes. The only downside is that they build in a service charge for themselves. Your other option is to go to the website for the country from which your train will be departing from. The only problem with this is that not all countries make it easy to do so online. Some of the better ones are Italy (through http://www.trenitalia.com ), France (through http://www.tgv-Europe.com ) and Germany through the site listed above. Switzerland has a very good website at http://www.sbb.ch/en but I do not know if you can book online and pick up once you are in Switzerland.

What I would recommend is that you book in advance: any night trains that you will take; any trip during a holiday; or for any trip requiring a reservation within 5 days of your arrival. For all other trips, I would just recommend you buy the seat reservation once you are in Europe at your first train station. For the trains that do not need reservations but you just need tickets, I would hold off until you need them in case your plans change (for good or for bad).

I hope this helps, and I hope that you have a great trip!

Lizzie asks…

What is the quickest and cheapest way to travel between European countries besides flying?

What would you suggest if I wanted to fly to Paris and spend a few days then go to Amsterdam and spend a couple days and then fly back to the US from Amsterdam?

Renting a car is outrageous and nearly as expensive as flying if you drop it off in another country and the only trains I can find take a long time to get from point A to point B and they are expensive too.

Know of any other rail systems I don’t know about or any other suggestions?

Travel Geek answers:

Train.

It takes 4hrs from Paris to Amsterdam. Fare is around $
70 Euro = $104 USD. It depends on what time of the year. You have to make sure there are some restricted days that the train doesn’t run this route. Just like Amtrak in the US.

Check this out

http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eurostar/service.htm

or http://www.thalys.com/nl/en/

Donald asks…

Should the government continue funding Amtrak?

The trains themselves are old and cumbersome, and it seems to take forever to get from one place to another. Yet, possibly because of low fares or sentimental reasons, many people still use trains to travel across the country. European trains are modern and fast, streamlined versions of our outdated coaches. Should train travel be relegated to the past? Should the government continue to fund the trains? Or should the U.S. invest in newer, faster, more modern trains such as the ones they have in Europe?

Travel Geek answers:

I think that Treadstone said it best. Absolutely, the government should fund Amtrak, and much more than it currently does (and, contrary to popular belief passenger rail in general is never profitable, it’s the reason the private freight railroads ditched it in the early 1970s, it was simply losing too much money).

If not then I must ask, what will take its place, more highways which are already choked or more airlines which currently are at their lowest performance levels in history? (Of note, in spite of the airline’s record low performance levels of late, they still receive millions more annually in subsidies than does Amtrak, and passenger rail in general.) Per fuel mile nothing is more efficient at moving freight or passengers than railroads and sadly because of the outdated infrastructure we currently have in place the strong demand for passenger rail is not being met (for instance, even with Amtrak‘s current level of minimal funding it continues to break ridership records, even on long distance, intercity, trains).

Also, regarding our nation’s transportation infrastructure in general are two excellent articles by renowned columnist Don Phillips who points out with striking clarity how badly out-of-date it is at the present time (you can read these articles in the August and September issues of Trains magazine), it severely needs updated.

And, actually, laying more rail lines and updating our passenger rail network is very feasible and needed for both freight and passenger service, which Phillips points out. The freight railroads are essentially at capacity as we speak (something that is unprecedented and hasn’t happened since WWII) and are trying desperately to keep up with demand as again, the Interstates and highways can simply no longer support the demand.

Having said all of the above, will such a system ever be built? Well, not likely, unless Washington ever decides to be proactive regarding our transportation infrastructure (of note, this is the main reason why a better passenger rail system has yet to be built, not because of lack of demand), which hasn’t happened since the Eisenhower administration (when the Interstate system was built).

Steven asks…

How old do you have to be to take a train by yourself in Europe?

My friend and i wanted to take the train to different countries we have passports and all and will be living in Italy…..also if we wanted to take the buses in Italy around town would we be allowed to do that without our parents?? and how much would it cost to have a yearly pass to travel between all the european countries by train?

Travel Geek answers:

Firstly, there is no yearly pass for all of Europe. Each country has it’s own train passes and, while it’s possible for European citizens to get InterRail Passes which cover most of Western Europe, these are usually only for a maximum of two months and are aimed at tourists.

There is no reason why you can’t take buses around Italian towns. Also there isn’t any reason why you can’t travel around Europe if you have the money. There aren’t the tight restrictions on minors travelling like there are in the US. If your parents allow you to go then it should be fine, and I’m assuming you would ask for your parents permission before travelling anywhere.

The only problem is that, travelling between different countries will mean you’ll need hotel or hostel accommodation, and people under the age of 18 can only stay in hotels/hostels if accompanied by an adult.

Laura asks…

Considering the comparison between European and American modes of travel, do you think restoring our trains…

for more efficient passenger travel is a good or bad idea?

Travel Geek answers:

It’s a very good idea. It would definitely bring gas prices down if nothing else.

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Your questions about train stations

Thomas asks…

which are the names of the Paris train stations that go to London and back?

and how long has this train station been the station for the train to London? how long it takes etc? and how much tickets? how has changed in past 20 years too if you know
?

Travel Geek answers:

The train station in Paris from which all trains leave for London has always been the Gare du Nord.

At present the trains that take you directly from Paris to London are called the Eurostar. They have been running since 1994 and the total journey lasts two hours and fifteen minutes.The trains run under the Channel, whereas before the construction of Eurotunnel passengers had to take the train to one of the Channel ports, get off at the Maritime terminals at Calais, Boulogne, or Dunkerke; cross over on the ferries and take a British train at the ports of Dover or Folkestone.
http://www.seat61.com/London-Paris-train.htm

Robert asks…

Does anyone know of any names of train stations in Cornwall, UK?

Would like to go to Cornwall by train, but don’t know of any stations in Cornwall.

Travel Geek answers:

Google railway maps

Lisa asks…

where are there abandoned train stations/tracks in Los Angeles?

I am looking to shoot a short film at an abandoned or unused Train station in the LA area. Does anybody know of any that are around?

Travel Geek answers:

The closest one that comes to mind is the one out in the Mojave reserve, off highway 40 north of Joshua Tree NP. There is a railroad museum north of Bishop in a little town called Laws. Both of these locations would require written permissions.

Abandoned is the problem – all of the stations and tracks are being used again by Metrolink.

Steven asks…

Are left luggage facilities free at train stations?

I’m talking more specifically about either Glasgow central station or queen street station. Will it cost me any money to leave my school bag there for a couple of hours while I go to a concert? Do I have to have used a train to use it?

Travel Geek answers:

Easily found if you’d searched it
=========================

Left Luggage Office, Platform 1,
Glasgow Central Station

Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 06:00 – Midnight
Sunday 07:00 – Midnight

====================================
Services
Baggage Storage

Left Luggage Rates
£3.00 per Item 0 – 3hrs
£5.00 per Item 3 – 6hrs
£7.00 per Item 6 – 24hrs

(£3.50 per Item each additional 24hrs)

Ruth asks…

Many Senior citizens are begging ,crying Mumbai & suburban local train stations.What to do?

Many Senior citizens are begging ,crying Mumbai & suburban local train stations.What to do? financial help is not enough ! how to help them!

Travel Geek answers:

You can’t save the world. So pick one person and
do what you can to help them.

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