Need Advice for Our European Senior Trip

Tuesday, 14 April 2009

Need Advice for Our European Senior Trip
I have been to Europe once, in fact, it was my only time out of the country.
But after I graduate next year, I will be going to Europe with a few friends. We were thinking about travelling from the UK to France to Switzerland to Italy to Greece.
We have been saving up for the trip, but a few questions arose:
1. How will we travel from place to place for cheap?
2. Are we missing out on any really interesting countries?
3. Are hostels the best choice of lodging?
Our biggest question was how to travel between countries and cities. Last time I was in Europe, I was lucky enough to be on a tour, so all of these were taken care of.
Have you ever toured Europe? How did you travel?

recommend
recs 0
share
email
sent 0

Comments (11)

1. How will we travel from place to place for cheap?
In every major town you plan to visit, try to find an information or tourism center and ask about free trollies or cheap city buses. In terms of traveling to countries, try to Euro rail systems, or trains. They can be a bit pricey, but are often cheaper than the plane tickets would be.
2. Are we missing out on any really interesting countries?
Germany is a phenominal country. Of course I'm a bit biased, having lived there. It simply depends on your tastes. I would also recommend Sweden and Norway!
3. Are hostels the best choice of lodging?
Hostels can be rough depending on where you stay. By meeting locals at pubs our on trollies, you might be able to find cheaper lodging through word of mouth. :)
- 4/14/2009 2:09 PM
- ShapeshiftingAna@xanga (message)
- reply
Links about free or very cheap lodging:
Couchsurfing.com
Hobohideout.com
Both of these sites above provide reviews for hostels and people who invite travelers into their homes.
One man's personal experience and tips about hobohideout.
- 4/14/2009 2:36 PM
- methodElevated@xanga (message)
- reply
I loved the places you mentioned. I haven't been to greece though.

For travel within Europe, the Eurail Pass is a train pass provides cheap travel from city to city via train. If you take the night train from city to city, it saves you one night's stay in a hostel.

I do recommend staying in hostels. I use hostelworld.com.
- 4/14/2009 2:57 PM
- anne (message)
- reply
Hi !

I hope you will have fun in Europe...while you are there you should try to go to Berlin it is an amazing place !

For cheap travel, you could try this :

http://www.eurolines.fr/

I have used them several times, prices can be really cheap.

Also you could try easyjet, if you are lucky you could find some really good prices if you have a look.

Avoid Ryanair, their prices may seem cheap but you have to add all kind of taxes, service is horrible and airports are actually a hundred kilometres away from the place you try to reach, so no good at all.

Hostelworld is a good place to find cheap hostels, just don't forget to check ratings before you book as some of them can be quite bad.

Hope this helps !
- 4/14/2009 3:38 PM
- Mademoiselle M
- reply
Can't really tell you about 1 and 3.
But go to the Netherlands!
It's beautiful there. :D
- 4/14/2009 5:23 PM
- allxnight_always@xanga (message)
- reply
I have done my fair sharing of travelling around Europe, so I guess I'm able to provide some useful tips :)

I have never taken Eurostar because I usually get some pretty good airfares from budget airlines. Try ryanair.com, easyjet.com,and jet2.com. The trick is to book early and if you can manage, pack light or you can share a check-in luggage with your friends because budjet airlines charge for check-in luggages.

I have travelled between cities on overnight trains, that way you can save on a night's worth of accomodation and usually you get cheaper fares at night.

I do not think hostels are the cheapest option for accomodation, in fact I think the better rated ones are charging crazily as of late, while the cheap ones are either dirty or have bad locations. I have stayed in B&B's or budget hotels at almost the same price as if I'd chosen hostel, if not cheaper.

Hope this helps and last note: watch out for your stuff when you travel, esp Italy! I have witnessed terrible incidents when I was there. Nothing wreaks a travel mood more than a lost passport or wallet!
- 4/15/2009 6:14 AM
- thesmittenmitten@xanga (message)
- reply
A bunch of my friends are going to Europe this summer with a school program, but I couldn't go because of money. But your trip sounds kind of similar in what you're doing so maybe I can pass on some advice:

#1 - I think there are trains that run throughout Europe from country to country, and in metropolitan areas (such as Paris) there is public transportation similar to places like New York and Chicago here in the States. None of this should be too expensive, because many European kids travel between countries as day-trips with their families, especially if they live near the borders or close to somewhere nice.

#2 - I don't think you're missing out on anything. All of the places you're going seem great. The kids from my school are hitting England, Spain, and France. If you think Spain would be a good option, go ahead and stop there, but it all depends on personal choice and opinion.

#3 - I've heard that hostels can be a little on the expensive side, but it depends on how long you're staying and the specific area you're staying in. If you want that college-dorm-school-type of feel then a hostel would be good. However, when I travel (in the States, never been to Europe) I tend to stay in hotels that have a good location and are pretty nice hotels, but I don't spend much time in the actual hotel - I'm out walking around and enjoying the sights of wherever I stay. Keep that in mind when you choose your lodging. If you'll be in the place you're staying for most of your trip, research and make sure you'll be comfortable there. If you'll be out exploring the sights and attractions of Europe, then focus less on the lodging (but if you're like me, make sure that you're not at a Bob's Motel type of place out in the middle of nowhere!).

I hope this helps (: and, have fun when you go!

-emily(;
- 4/15/2009 9:19 AM
- x__EMuhLEE@xanga (message)
- reply
@thesmittenmitten@xanga - oh, yea! Especially watch out for your stuff! If anybody plans on carrying a type of bag, try and minimize what is in it just to the bare necessities that will (hopefully) fit in pockets. Anytime you bump into somebody while walking in any big city, check your pockets immediately. And, like I said, bags can just get in the way sometimes. They have to be checked everywhere, someone who intends to pickpocket you will know where your belongings are. It's just a hassle. Rule of thumb for all cities: carry as little as possible and always check your pockets when in crowds - they could easily be picked anytime you think you just brush against somebody.
- 4/15/2009 9:22 AM
- x__EMuhLEE@xanga (message)
- reply
All these comments sound very informative and will be very useful for me as well when I travel. I am getting married in January and would like to travel to Italy, France, Germany, or possibly all.
As I am used to just walking around with a grip of cash in my pockets, I will have to reconsider doing so in Europe.
What do you guys advice as far as that goes though, do you think exchanges are better here in the states or somewhere abroad? I am hoping to stay away from using my credit card, as I have read that they will charge me high fees, rates, and other charges.
Now, I have to confess to you guys, I worked for a foreign exchange company, International Currency Express, and of course, I can still get myself a very good rate of exchange, but where would be the best place to purchase the Euro?
As for any and all of you constant travelers, call International Currency Express and let them know that you found out about them through this chat, they will offer you special rates and discounts when available. (Tell them I said so. :P)
Can't wait to hear your responses.
Thanks,
Noe
- 4/15/2009 2:27 PM
- unchalan (message)
- reply
The only way I've traveled between countries are plane, train and boat although of course you could always rent a car? The only time I've traveled was with a tour as well.

I don't think there is one country that particularily (sp?) sticks out, because every culture and country are unique in their own way and certain things of a country or culture appeal to everyone differently. Whatever countries you want to travel to will be interesting and that's what counts, I mean you don't have to get every single country into one trip, you will be able to tackle many more countries on various trips, so spread 'em out.

I would stay in hotels, why not? I would rather stay in hotels I mean you're not getting the "whole living experience" because you aren't seeing how that country's citizens actually live but it's comfortable.
- 4/16/2009 11:45 AM
- CherryCokeislove@xanga (message)
- reply
I live in London so I might be able to help.The Eurostar trains are very good for traveling from to London to Paris or Lille in France and Belgium or, you could book cheap flights within Europe on Easy jet which has plans going to over a 100 European cities.The Eurostar trains go to less than 10 European cities so Easyjet is your best bet. Spain is a very interesting country especially the cities of Madrid and Barcelona.The architecture, cuisine and art are worth visiting for.The nightlife is decent but beware of petty thieves if you do decide to go!
- 4/18/2009 8:27 PM
- ChaneliaD@xanga (message)
- reply