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[jawnbc]

 Trips plans for Europe are coming along nicely. Today I hit one of those "what a company that wants your business does" moments.

I've rather anally researched various options, and decide on specific trains between:

Budapest-Zagreb (afternoon express train, arriving in time for a late supper)
Zagreb-Belgrade (sleeper)
Belgrade-Thessaloniki (sleeper)

And the cost differential between 2nd and 1st was such that I booked first. Now before anyone gets all "gurl get a rail pass" lemme just get like "nuh-uh I am over the youth hostel thing and I totally want confirmed tickets in my hand, k?" And despite knowing I'll pay a bit of a premium for wanting this, I booked the first two via Rail Europe's web site.

Which is really new and spiffy. and which sorts of accounts for what happens next. I scour the website trying to discern the supplement for sleepers (couchettes, sleepers, depending on class of service). I worked in travel , I know to scour. I know how to scoure. And dayum if the site didn't say "prices quoted for overnight trains include sleepers." And nothing to contradict this.

I searched for the times/dates and made bookings. And payment. And documents are sent super-fast, via (ugh) UPS...but at least they're documents so no bogus UPS duty.  But I digress...

Documents arrive today: 2 tickets, one confirmation (Budapest-Zagreb). I call Rail Europe and the agent totally gets why I'm confused, sees where the site says the fare included the sleeper (and reservation), and quickly ascertains my options. She (Michelle/Shelly) was pleasant and efficient and clear. I elected to do a 2 person sleeper, which she confirmed.

I also said that when we were done I wanted to know how to express my unhappiness about having to shell out additional money...their site said I didn't. I was on hold for perhaps 3 minutes when her supervisor came on. Who refunded the extra charges and ensured the confirmation would be en route to me today. 

Scheduled for delivery on Monday in fact.  That's customer service!  Now if only Serbian Railways website worked, so I could book my Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens trains....

Comments

[sunsmogseahorse.livejournal.com]

I swear I'd rather take a 10 hour trip with a sleeper than a 2 hour trip on a plane. At least you can fit in a night's sleep in a sleeper car, which is a productive use of your time.

[jawnbc]

I tend to agree--and it's exceedingly good value: CA$160 for a bed in a 2 person sleeper, travelling 7 hours.

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, your travel is more complicated than mine! :)

But at least you don't have to deal with a company that doesn't even have a website as I did for my trip to Slovenia.

I had to:
1. find out their phone number in a somewhat complicated way
2. book my bus ticket by a phone call to their ticket office (in Sofia)
3. pay for the ticket in cash and in said office after getting to Sofia on the day of the travel.

[jawnbc]

Yowza!

Booking my train Belgrade-Thessaloniki has proved more complex. I've now emailed a travel agent at the rail station in Belgrade to see if they can book it for me.

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

Oh, my part of the world! Complications are just INEVITABLE! :)