Staying on the rails at drupa

One of the best cures for drupa syndrome (sore feet, aching limbs, exhaustion and hospitality flu) is to take some time out for a train trip to just about anywhere in Europe.

Train travel is excellent throughout Europe. Trains between the major cities run every hour or two with long distance trains in between. Just make sure you plan ahead or else it could end up being very costly.

Printing Industries' supa drupa travel agent, Gerd Wilmer, (pictured) warns that normal tickets are fairly expensive, but with a Eurailpass or German Railpass rail travel becomes much more economical.

"Of course, you can't actually buy any of these tickets in Germany. You must purchase them in advance, preferably before you leave Australia," Gerd said. (Landmark Travel can assist with this).

"There are two types of transport that at times overlap. The good news is that the tickets are interchangeable and valid on either with the exception of long distance trains.

"The umbrella organisation for local transport like buses, S Bahn, trams and so forth is called VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr). The German Railway is "DB" or Deutsche Bahn. You can travel on any public transport from the Dutch border in the West though the entire Ruhr valley in the East as far as Dortmund – all on one ticket."

Gerd advises that travellers should purchase their tickets before boarding. On trams and buses you can buy tickets from the driver or conductor. (Your drupa entrance ticket includes free public transport to and from the fairground on the date of entry only.)

"You buy your ticket at news agencies, VRR booths, DB ticket offices or at a vending machine, where you can change the language to English. Tickets must be validated before boarding," he said.

"If you have to buy your tickets in Germany, there are a few options that may save you money.  One is to buy at least three days in advance. Tickets can be as low as €29 one-way, but you are committed to use a particular train on a given day. Use it or loose it."

"The NRW tariff is valid for the entire route of the travel connection you have selected. Tickets are valid 'from door to door', i.e. buses, light rail or underground rail may be used to the station at the locations of departure and arrival.

Tickets can be purchased at the DB ticket office, DB vending machines or licensed travel agents (displaying the DB sign) If not buying at a vending machine, there is a surcharge of €2-3. Even travelling with only two adults it pays to buy a group tickets as long as you do not divorce each other during the journey."

Another kind of ticket drupa travellers need are the Printing Industries Aussie Night BBQ  tickets. The BBQs will be held on 1 June and 8 June covering both weeks of the exhibition.  You can book your tickets Online here or by contacting Theresa at Printing Industries on (02) 8789 7300 and by e-mail: supadrupa@printnet.com.au

Drupa is held from over two weeks from 29 May – 11 June 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany.  Gerd or Helmut at Landmark Travel can be contacted on (02) 9977 7100 for travel and accommodation assistance.