Europe for 2 months

[letsgetsilly]

Hey everyone,

My girlfriend and I are backpacking Europe in about 10 days, and we have not decided on whether we should purchase a Eurail pass, or choose some other method.

We will be traveling for a total of two months. If anyone has any suggestions on what they have done, or what we should do, please let us know.

If you have experience with Eurail, please let us know if you went with the unlimited, or a smaller package (we were thinking 15 days).

Thanks for your help,
Adam

 

[Malfeas]

I would use the trains at first, if you decide to take a break you can always rent a car.

 

[tami]

keep in mind that people drive on the wrong side of the road in some parts of europe -- and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, not the left.

(rail sounds like a good way to go.)

 

[letsgetsilly]

A rail pass is really expensive ($500 for 15 days). Has anyone had any experience using these?

 

[tennisflip]

When I went backpacking there we bought point to point tickets, but we met some other Americans using some sort of rail pass that let them take trips whenever they wanted.

 

[axelfox]

I was there for 6 weeks, and used a 10 use Europass (I think).

 

[DaWhim]

I would say average gas price in europe is about 4-5 a gallon.

 

[Sukhoi]

Check out individual rail tickets rather than a huge pass.

 

[SilentZero]

Your going to want to use the trains. Rentals are not exactly affordable (when considering the cost + gas expenses). If you do get a rental, EuropaCar is a good place, and pretty cheap.
Depending on the exact length of your stay and how much you are going to be moving around, a month pass on the train might be a good idea. I worked in Germany, Italy and Switzerland for 5 years and when I travelled I often left my car at home and took the train or rented a car. Those are your two best options.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Text

I used a 10 or 15 day Eurail Flexipass when I traveled for 6 weeks between Greece and Sweden in 2003.

These passes are your best deal.

 

[thegimp03]

Yes, trains in Europe are great. They can get you everywhere you need to go. Also, there are many small airports throughout and flights can be cheaper than the train sometimes.
I wouldn't buy a car, it's more trouble than its worth and then you have to deal with actually driving it. (I wouldn't even try driving in Rome). Good luck.