So I'm off to Europe next week on August 21st. I am very excited! Haven't traveled in many years but finally starting to do so to many places. As much as I'd love to check out everysingle place in Europe I only have a limited time of 3 weeks... I'll be flying into Vienna and then flying back from Istanbul.
I will be spending my last week in Turkey (8 Days) and 4 days in Bulgaria.
I only have about 2 days in each city and my plan is so far Vienna -> Basel -> Amsterdamn -> Paris -> Sofia (Something along those lines)
I know taking the train is very cheap in Europe and that's what I plan on doing. Unless ofcourse I can find cheap flights or decide to drive.
I heard about the EuroRail Pass. For $350 you have a choice of 4 destinations first class, which I think is pretty decent. Plus I can sleep
- Should I get the pass now or just wait till Europe incase I can find cheap flights there.
- I have places to stay in Vienna & Basel, but not sure where to stay in Paris and Amsterdam (beside whore houses, but I will visit them haha) I don't want to spend too much money on hotels, infact I might just sleep on the train, but afterall I do need a place to keep my backpack and stuff while I'm out, are hostels really safe for that?
Anyways, any input from those who have been to Europe would be great
Oh yeah, I almost forgot... Club Recommendations please :P
Originally posted by jsibilin
try http://www.couchsurfing.com/ ..nothing beats free accommodations
Oz.. u ******.. i want some Budapest women !!
oh and i recommend not sleeping at all!~
mmmm... I wouldn't enjoy my trip without any sleep lol...
Actually, I just signed up on that website yesterday. I will definietly consider it...
Aug-13-2008 15:12
dEsidEL
Fu Man Choonz
Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Below the Belt
if i recall correctly the Eurrail pass has to be bought here prior to beginning travel in EU .. there's lots of info online about it and so forth. Flights are also far cheaper (even with high oil prices) compared to charter flights here in North America. If you have a fixed itinerary, it might be better to go with the rail pass, but if you plan on making on the spot decisions on destinations, you can usually find some decent last minute deals on flights.
as for hostels, yes they are safe, in fact I think they add to the whole experience since that's where you'll meet a lot of other backpackers on your trip and end up partying with them until your liver fails.
___________________
Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow
Aug-13-2008 15:17
Sasha
Obsequey
Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Doll-Dagga Buzz-Buzz Ziggety Zag
europass is not that great as you think it is. You cant just go anywhere in Europe for the price you quoted. Do your research ASAP.
regular train fares are pretty pricy. Train is probably most expensive transport in Europe. I prefer night buses. Costs you close to nothing, plus if you are travelling at night, you are saving on accommodation.. Being on a bus for more than 10 hours is hell tho, so you better find an alternative to get to Sofia.
As per accommodations, stay at hostels, some of them are SICK and super cheap.. do your research tho... there are some pretty sketchy hostels around too. especially in Amsterdam
___________________
msn: [email protected]
mail: [email protected]
web: www.sashaniveole.net
House is not just a groove. House is a feeling. And when u feel it, you will understand... house music gets you up and makes you high...
Aug-13-2008 15:58
Jem_hadar
I remember...
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: Pandora (South of Nowhere)
quote:
Originally posted by dEsidEL
and end up partying with them until your liver fails.
Exactly. Haha, best way to do it up
___________________
TECHNO IS THE BEST NOISE ON EARTH.
Save Techno - Stop Minimal / Tech-House
Aug-13-2008 16:07
Engine9
Loin King
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: Planet earth, tdot central
taking the train is NOT cheap
you can buy the rail pass there, we bought ours in Amsterdam
only buy it if u plan on taking 5+ trips on the train
___________________
The darkness is calling me
I cant control these feelings...
Aug-13-2008 16:16
vendetta999
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jul 2005
Location: toronto, ontario/Los Angeles
the hell with trains.
i just came back from europe on sunday and we didnt even take a train once.
check out ryanair.com and easyjet.com for budget airfare.
my recommendation....stick with easyjet if possible. but i'd still take ryanair over the trains.
Aug-13-2008 17:23
dEsidEL
Fu Man Choonz
Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Below the Belt
quote:
Originally posted by vendetta999
the hell with trains.
i just came back from europe on sunday and we didnt even take a train once.
check out ryanair.com and easyjet.com for budget airfare.
my recommendation....stick with easyjet if possible. but i'd still take ryanair over the trains.
and also bearing in mind that Easyjet and Ryanair operate primarily out of the UK. So if he's traveling between other European cities outside of the UK he'll need to consider other discount carriers which exist as well.
___________________
Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow
Having just come back a month ago, I'd concur with Sasha. The trains aren't really the cheapest and *best* option. Night busses save you the most time and money. Also, considering your schedule, I'd cut out one city, and add an extra day to others. You will lose a lot of time in travel, and will not get enough time in these places.
BTW, just out of curiosity, how come so long in Sofia?
Aug-14-2008 13:24
MKpacha
1time4theUnderground
Registered: Jan 2006
Location:
quote:
Originally posted by Sasha
europass is not that great as you think it is. You cant just go anywhere in Europe for the price you quoted. Do your research ASAP.
VERY true... also... many local trains you can just hop on without paying... so don't waste your money if you don't have to. In france we travelled all through the south for free by their local public train.
___________________
quote:
Originally posted by SuperJimbo
You are not a unique and beautiful snowflake, no matter how many guestlists you put yourself on.
Europe Bound...
Haha, best way to do it up
