-dont carry a money sash, people will laugh at you. get one of those hidden waist-wallets that go inside the front of your pants. very secure and usually quite comfortable.
-when you want to take a train, just buy your tix when you get to the station, there is no need to buy them ahead of time and trains are freqently changed and delayed, especially due to strikes and such.
-1st class is usally a waste, you just get more room. depends on your budget though.
-use credit cards but keep cash on you at all times. by and large, europe is still a cash society. let you CC company know you will be in europe so they dont cancel your card for perceived fraud.
-make a list of important phone numbers: us embassies, CC company, local emergency numbers and carry it with you, separate from your wallet and passport.
-find a used quad band cell phone (from a friend or ebay) and buy prepaid cards whenever you get to a location. invaluable for making reservations, getting directions to hotels, etc. buy a international calling card to call outside the country though, waaayy cheaper.
wew, thats all i can think of for now. have fun!
ps-england (read: london) is fing expensive, you will look at the prices and think, 'huh, that acutally looks about the same as in the US." then you will realize it's in pounds and costs twice as much. a 20 min train ride from heathrow to paddington station (to connect to the tube) costs like $50. dont be discouraged though, money cant buy back once in a lifetime opportunities, just prepare yourself so you arent tempted to hold back when you get there.
-when you want to take a train, just buy your tix when you get to the station, there is no need to buy them ahead of time and trains are freqently changed and delayed, especially due to strikes and such.
-1st class is usally a waste, you just get more room. depends on your budget though.
-use credit cards but keep cash on you at all times. by and large, europe is still a cash society. let you CC company know you will be in europe so they dont cancel your card for perceived fraud.
-make a list of important phone numbers: us embassies, CC company, local emergency numbers and carry it with you, separate from your wallet and passport.
-find a used quad band cell phone (from a friend or ebay) and buy prepaid cards whenever you get to a location. invaluable for making reservations, getting directions to hotels, etc. buy a international calling card to call outside the country though, waaayy cheaper.
wew, thats all i can think of for now. have fun!
ps-england (read: london) is fing expensive, you will look at the prices and think, 'huh, that acutally looks about the same as in the US." then you will realize it's in pounds and costs twice as much. a 20 min train ride from heathrow to paddington station (to connect to the tube) costs like $50. dont be discouraged though, money cant buy back once in a lifetime opportunities, just prepare yourself so you arent tempted to hold back when you get there.
That's nonsense. No offense intended, but I just don't think you know how to manage your flights.
I travel at least 30 times out of the year, and many of those destinations European. I haven't had any of the problems you've described with any of the airlines, and I've missed quite a few connection flights.
if you want to save money on airfare and you're interested in germany, fly into Frankfurt. it's a good bit cheaper than most other European airports (atleast when you're flying from Baltimore/Washington).
if you're under 26, do get the youth Eurrail pass. sounds like you'll be travelling enough to justify the pass. compare the price of 5 seperately booked train tickets to a Eurrail pass with 5 days worth of travel on it - you WILL save money.
don't book hostels too far ahead of time. what if you want to stay longer than you planned in a certain city? just swing by an internet cafe a day or two before you decide to move on, log onto www.hostelworld.com and pick a well-reviewed hostel in your next city.
if you're under 26, do get the youth Eurrail pass. sounds like you'll be travelling enough to justify the pass. compare the price of 5 seperately booked train tickets to a Eurrail pass with 5 days worth of travel on it - you WILL save money.
don't book hostels too far ahead of time. what if you want to stay longer than you planned in a certain city? just swing by an internet cafe a day or two before you decide to move on, log onto www.hostelworld.com and pick a well-reviewed hostel in your next city.
#1 - Places to see
Germany - Rothenburg, Cologne, Ulm, Trier, Mosel wine region, Dachau, Munich, Aachen, Berlin, Nuremberg.
Spain - Madrid, Barcelona, anywhere on the Mediterranean coast. You will be there at about the right time to observe the annual pilgrimage of recently graduated US military dependents to Lloret de Mar for up to two weeks of pure hedonistic behavior [assuming that this is still a right of passage].
France - Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux region.
Luxembourg - Luxembourg City - Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial
Belgium - Bastogne, Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges.
Netherlands - Keukenhof (in Lisse), Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Eindhoven.
#2 - Electronics
At a minimum, you will need adapters for your electronics, as each country may have a different plug type. It is also possible that you will need a converter of some sort, as many European countries (did anyway, before the EU - may have changed) use both different voltages AND cycles. Best bet it to figure out exactly what countries you plan to hit, and check out the specifics for each country. Maybe, maybe not on the hostels having easy access to electrical outlets.
#3 - Equipment
Backpacks and sleeping bags were commonplace for travellers with Eurail passes staying in hostels. Definitely make sure you have comfortable shoes, rain gear, and I always liked to have a small bag I could carry with me on day trips without feeling weighted down.
#4 - Money
Most, but not all, places will take credit cards. From my experience, credit cards did not necessarily get an advantageous exchange rate - was whatever was the current rate at the bank on the day the charge was presented/processed. This may have changed. I believe in some instances, there may actually be additional fees incurred - check with your card issuer on that. Travellers checks are definitely your best bet, although you will always want to have at least a small amount of local currency on you.
#5 - Safety
Use some common sense - pickpockets like to hit crowded train platforms, etc. there just like they do here. Avoid any situations that don't feel right - back alleys in the seedier side of town, street vendors with a great deal on that big ticket item, etc.
Germany - Rothenburg, Cologne, Ulm, Trier, Mosel wine region, Dachau, Munich, Aachen, Berlin, Nuremberg.
Spain - Madrid, Barcelona, anywhere on the Mediterranean coast. You will be there at about the right time to observe the annual pilgrimage of recently graduated US military dependents to Lloret de Mar for up to two weeks of pure hedonistic behavior [assuming that this is still a right of passage].
France - Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux region.
Luxembourg - Luxembourg City - Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial
Belgium - Bastogne, Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges.
Netherlands - Keukenhof (in Lisse), Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Eindhoven.
#2 - Electronics
At a minimum, you will need adapters for your electronics, as each country may have a different plug type. It is also possible that you will need a converter of some sort, as many European countries (did anyway, before the EU - may have changed) use both different voltages AND cycles. Best bet it to figure out exactly what countries you plan to hit, and check out the specifics for each country. Maybe, maybe not on the hostels having easy access to electrical outlets.
#3 - Equipment
Backpacks and sleeping bags were commonplace for travellers with Eurail passes staying in hostels. Definitely make sure you have comfortable shoes, rain gear, and I always liked to have a small bag I could carry with me on day trips without feeling weighted down.
#4 - Money
Most, but not all, places will take credit cards. From my experience, credit cards did not necessarily get an advantageous exchange rate - was whatever was the current rate at the bank on the day the charge was presented/processed. This may have changed. I believe in some instances, there may actually be additional fees incurred - check with your card issuer on that. Travellers checks are definitely your best bet, although you will always want to have at least a small amount of local currency on you.
#5 - Safety
Use some common sense - pickpockets like to hit crowded train platforms, etc. there just like they do here. Avoid any situations that don't feel right - back alleys in the seedier side of town, street vendors with a great deal on that big ticket item, etc.
Go to berlin, best place in western germany.
Get easy jet. Buy couple months in advance. It cost me 15 euro from paris to berlin an airplane ride. Its a downfall couse you have to plan the trip and limited. But cheap. Stay at hostels, it sucks for the first week but gets better and better. Eastern central berlin where its at. Take the pub tour/crawl, its great.
They also have free berlin tours, one of the best tours i had in eruope.
Get easy jet. Buy couple months in advance. It cost me 15 euro from paris to berlin an airplane ride. Its a downfall couse you have to plan the trip and limited. But cheap. Stay at hostels, it sucks for the first week but gets better and better. Eastern central berlin where its at. Take the pub tour/crawl, its great.
They also have free berlin tours, one of the best tours i had in eruope.
Why? I bought nine different tickts online with easy jet, all was smooth. Just don't be a idiot and lose your ticket, couse well, you are screwed.
this has changed since your last trip to europe. use your bank card (assuming you use a large bank) at almost any ATM in Europe to get cash for 3-4 days at a time. you get the best exchange rates this way and it is most convenient to have cash.
Me being there for a month and having no previous experience with any part of Europe. Getting rail tickets for each cities sounds as if it could be expensive.
Good to know, thanks
I have a quad-band phone know, but I may want to get something I wouldn't mind losing, breaking, etc. My first thought was to bring a phone, but that was to call the States. Based on that I decided I didn't need one, but I didn't think about using to make reservations and stuff.
Thanks, much appreciated
Also good to know, maybe Ill only spend a day or 2 there.
My buddy and I have 0 plans so far as where to go or where to stay. Me flying into Spain is pretty much set in stone though. He will be in Spain studying abroad for a month before I get there. He also has an old friend that lives in Spain and has a 3br house that he said we could use as kind of a base station. Its at the southern tip of Spain, so after the initial couple of days, I don't know how many times we'll be going back. I would like to start off there though.
Don't pull numbers out of no where.... I just got back from a semster aboard in England its like 10-15 pounds (around $17-25) for a round trip fare from the airport to London. Anyway for air travel within Europe espically to England check out Ryanair and EasyJet they are two budget airlines that have a lot of flights all over europe espically useful if you do not want to waste time on trains. (I am not saying England is cheap by anymeans...It just not that expensive.)
Definitely get the Eurail pass here if you're going to get it. Simply because..you won't be able to get one over there. Eurail passes are designed for tourists, so they're not buyable once you're in Europe.
2nd class will be fine, and een bettter to meet people. Some trains don't even accomodate 1st class and they're usually filled with old business type people anyway..as opposed to young students.
2nd class will be fine, and een bettter to meet people. Some trains don't even accomodate 1st class and they're usually filled with old business type people anyway..as opposed to young students.
I didn't know you couldn't get them over there at all. Good info. Talked to my buddy and he said that he wants to go to England as well, so I am going to fly straight into Spain.
Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
#1 - Places to see
Germany - Rothenburg, Cologne, Ulm, Trier, Mosel wine region, Dachau, Munich, Aachen, Berlin, Nuremberg.
Spain - Madrid, Barcelona, anywhere on the Mediterranean coast. You will be there at about the right time to observe the annual pilgrimage of recently graduated US military dependents to Lloret de Mar for up to two weeks of pure hedonistic behavior [assuming that this is still a right of passage].
France - Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux region.
Luxembourg - Luxembourg City - Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial
Belgium - Bastogne, Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges.
Netherlands - Keukenhof (in Lisse), Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Eindhoven.
Thanks for the suggestions
I am going to have 2 batteries for my laptop and 2 batteries for my Rebel XT. I will use up both laptop batteries on the plane ride over though. I will need to find some adapters and maybe voltage converters.
Hmm, didn't think of using a backpack for everything. Will I be out of place with a backpack for my laptop/camera/etc. and a piece of luggage?
What is the best way to obtain local currency while still in the airport? Do they have exchange places inside the airports...at least the international ones?
Thanks for the good tips
All you will ever need to know about flying
If you are looking for a discounted airfare, try looking at dreammaps, ita, and itn. All three are pretty good at finding discounted airfares and instructions are located in the Mileage Run forums. But be prepared to set aside several hours.
If you are looking for a discounted airfare, try looking at dreammaps, ita, and itn. All three are pretty good at finding discounted airfares and instructions are located in the Mileage Run forums. But be prepared to set aside several hours.
Don't use those. They are a ripoff. CC's are safer and the exchange rates are usually better than what you can get at a bank. The only thing are their conversion fees. AMEX is 2%, while VISA and MC are usually 3%. But, there is one card that saves you money. The Pentagon Credit Union Visa. 1% currency conversion fee with Visa's excellent exchange rates, while there is a 1.25% cash back on all purchases. So .25% savings. The only thing is, you have to be associated with the Pentagon OR make a onetime donation ($20 I think) to a military group to qualify for the card.
More info from flyertalk
I have a AMEX, a MC Debit Card and a Visa CC. Which would be the best to bring? I don't see myself getting a new credit card just for the trip thought I do appreciate the advice.
Hi Mike,
Sorry that I didn't see this sooner. I've seen some good advice here, but also some bad advice. I've been to Europe at least a dozen times in the past six years (Denmark, France, Germany, England) including a stint where I lived there on and off for half a year. The only reason I am telling you this is to explain that I have encountered almost every possible bad travel experience in Europe that you could possibly have, so most of my advice is based on what didn't work for me.
1. Plane Tickets
Regardless of price, you will need the ability to get support for your tickets if something goes wrong (missed flight, change of plans, even lost luggage). Many travel agents do not offer actual worldwide support. For that reason, I suggest you buy direct from the airlines or a true global travel agent that has 24hr customer service phone numbers in every country you are visiting. Find this out. What will happen is that you will find yourself in an airport at 5am trying to get a flight changed, but your travel agent will not be available for another 8-9 hours.
Stick with major airlines that have large partnerships. Star Alliance (United) is one of the best I have travelled with. You can take your United ticket to any Lufthansa office, and they will treat it like they issued it. You may also want to consider going with a European carrier (like Lufthansa) to start with. You will find it much easier to get support for it.
If you want to take short 2-3 day trips to other countires, check out Ryan Air. I do not recommend it for planning major legs of your trip, but if you want to jet over to Spain from France for two days, it is very cheap and ca nsave you some money. But don't rely on it to make major connections.
2. Money
Charge wherever you can to reduce the amount of cash you have to carry, but you will definitely need cash with you at all times. Fortunately the Euro has made this a lot easier now. My preference is to use my Amex to make cash withdrawals from an ATM in the city where I am located. They charge a small service fee, but I can carry smaller amounts of cash and not worry about losing it. You will pay some fee for every cash withdrawal you make, so the fewer you have to make, the better. Most places will take Amex or Visa/MC, but kepp both with you because this can be suprisingly unpredictable. Some places will only take the EuroCard or cash.
Find out from your bank what ATM networks they are hooked up with in Europe and what their fees are. You need to know which of your cards offers you the best rate for cash withdrawals (typically Amex). Amex also has travel offices in most major cities, where you can cash a personal check or withdraw cash if you need to.
If you take $US with you (I wouldn't take more than $150), don't be too concerned about using the cash exchangers in airports or train stations. The rate you get will be the same you get from a bank. Some of the "off-street" exchangers offer better rates, but in my experience it's not worth spending several hours trying to find the place where I can get an extra ?2 for my $100.
By the way - Euros are heavy. They use coins for everything from ?2 down, which is a real pain in the @ss. Take a small bag to use as a change purse. Seriously. Denmark is even worse (Kroners).
Amex actually has a cash exchange program where you can get foreign currency sent to you before your trip. Check it out.
Travellers checks are more trouble than they are worth. Credit cards provide the same security and much more convenience.
3. Pickpockets
Any touristy area (airports, train stations, monuments) will have it's share of pickpockets. I actually had my passport lifted from a zipped backpack in Copenhagen! Keep your passport, cash, and credit cards on your person and secured at all times. Most places are very safe, and you shouldn't be overly concerned. But busy areas, where you are distracted (like when you're trying to catch a plane) are the most likely places you'll get targeted.
4. Eurail pass
Definitely plan to take one or two trains during your visit, but making effective use of a Eurail pass requires as much planning as the rest of trip. You may be better off just waiting until you get to a place and decide you want to take a train somewhere else. For example, let's say you are in Berlin and want to go to London. You can take Ryan Air for as little as ?30 one way (and it will be faster). If you are planning to "make-it-up" as you go, I wouldn't get the rail pass.
5. Power
Most chargers for cameras and other electronics do not require power converters, since most are 50/60 HZ 110V-208V enabled (your charger will state this on the plug). But you will need an assortment of plug adapters. If you don't know what countries you will end up in, it might be worth buying a plug adapter kit. You will have more adapters than you will possibly use, but you will always have what you need to hook up.
Don't take a cell phone unless you absolutely need the ability to get in touch with someone at a moments notice. One of the best things about travelling in foreign countries in being forced to acclimate to the locals. You are less likely to do this if you can simply call up your buddy at home and talk for an hour.
I'll try to post some more later, but here is my must see list:
Heidelberg, Germany - Find the Philopher's walk (Philosophenweg) which overlooks the city and stroll along it to the 9 arch bridge over the Neckar River. Cross the bridge and find Brauhaus Vetter (home of the strongest beer in the world) and share a table and a drink with the locals in the shadow of a 700 year old fortress.
Berlin, Germany - Take the Bahn to Alexanderplatz, and walk back East along Unter de Linden through former Soviet Berlin, passing Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and ending up at the Brandenburg Gate. Continue through the Gate to Tiergarten (Berlin's Central Park), where there is an impressive Soviet war memorial.
Paris, France - Cheesy & touristy - take the Funiculare de Montmarte to the famous artist village and then walk back down through the city. Find your way to Eiffel tower at night. It's worth dealing with the crowds of tourists.
Copenhagen, Denmark - Walk along the Stroget in early morning before the crowds, winding up at funky Nyhavn harbor, where there will likely still be kids sitting along the harbor drinking. Take a boat tour of the city's canals, find some lunch, and then join the kids that will probably still be drinking.
Sorry that I didn't see this sooner. I've seen some good advice here, but also some bad advice. I've been to Europe at least a dozen times in the past six years (Denmark, France, Germany, England) including a stint where I lived there on and off for half a year. The only reason I am telling you this is to explain that I have encountered almost every possible bad travel experience in Europe that you could possibly have, so most of my advice is based on what didn't work for me.
1. Plane Tickets
Regardless of price, you will need the ability to get support for your tickets if something goes wrong (missed flight, change of plans, even lost luggage). Many travel agents do not offer actual worldwide support. For that reason, I suggest you buy direct from the airlines or a true global travel agent that has 24hr customer service phone numbers in every country you are visiting. Find this out. What will happen is that you will find yourself in an airport at 5am trying to get a flight changed, but your travel agent will not be available for another 8-9 hours.
Stick with major airlines that have large partnerships. Star Alliance (United) is one of the best I have travelled with. You can take your United ticket to any Lufthansa office, and they will treat it like they issued it. You may also want to consider going with a European carrier (like Lufthansa) to start with. You will find it much easier to get support for it.
If you want to take short 2-3 day trips to other countires, check out Ryan Air. I do not recommend it for planning major legs of your trip, but if you want to jet over to Spain from France for two days, it is very cheap and ca nsave you some money. But don't rely on it to make major connections.
2. Money
Charge wherever you can to reduce the amount of cash you have to carry, but you will definitely need cash with you at all times. Fortunately the Euro has made this a lot easier now. My preference is to use my Amex to make cash withdrawals from an ATM in the city where I am located. They charge a small service fee, but I can carry smaller amounts of cash and not worry about losing it. You will pay some fee for every cash withdrawal you make, so the fewer you have to make, the better. Most places will take Amex or Visa/MC, but kepp both with you because this can be suprisingly unpredictable. Some places will only take the EuroCard or cash.
Find out from your bank what ATM networks they are hooked up with in Europe and what their fees are. You need to know which of your cards offers you the best rate for cash withdrawals (typically Amex). Amex also has travel offices in most major cities, where you can cash a personal check or withdraw cash if you need to.
If you take $US with you (I wouldn't take more than $150), don't be too concerned about using the cash exchangers in airports or train stations. The rate you get will be the same you get from a bank. Some of the "off-street" exchangers offer better rates, but in my experience it's not worth spending several hours trying to find the place where I can get an extra ?2 for my $100.
By the way - Euros are heavy. They use coins for everything from ?2 down, which is a real pain in the @ss. Take a small bag to use as a change purse. Seriously. Denmark is even worse (Kroners).
Amex actually has a cash exchange program where you can get foreign currency sent to you before your trip. Check it out.
Travellers checks are more trouble than they are worth. Credit cards provide the same security and much more convenience.
3. Pickpockets
Any touristy area (airports, train stations, monuments) will have it's share of pickpockets. I actually had my passport lifted from a zipped backpack in Copenhagen! Keep your passport, cash, and credit cards on your person and secured at all times. Most places are very safe, and you shouldn't be overly concerned. But busy areas, where you are distracted (like when you're trying to catch a plane) are the most likely places you'll get targeted.
4. Eurail pass
Definitely plan to take one or two trains during your visit, but making effective use of a Eurail pass requires as much planning as the rest of trip. You may be better off just waiting until you get to a place and decide you want to take a train somewhere else. For example, let's say you are in Berlin and want to go to London. You can take Ryan Air for as little as ?30 one way (and it will be faster). If you are planning to "make-it-up" as you go, I wouldn't get the rail pass.
5. Power
Most chargers for cameras and other electronics do not require power converters, since most are 50/60 HZ 110V-208V enabled (your charger will state this on the plug). But you will need an assortment of plug adapters. If you don't know what countries you will end up in, it might be worth buying a plug adapter kit. You will have more adapters than you will possibly use, but you will always have what you need to hook up.
Don't take a cell phone unless you absolutely need the ability to get in touch with someone at a moments notice. One of the best things about travelling in foreign countries in being forced to acclimate to the locals. You are less likely to do this if you can simply call up your buddy at home and talk for an hour.
I'll try to post some more later, but here is my must see list:
Heidelberg, Germany - Find the Philopher's walk (Philosophenweg) which overlooks the city and stroll along it to the 9 arch bridge over the Neckar River. Cross the bridge and find Brauhaus Vetter (home of the strongest beer in the world) and share a table and a drink with the locals in the shadow of a 700 year old fortress.
Berlin, Germany - Take the Bahn to Alexanderplatz, and walk back East along Unter de Linden through former Soviet Berlin, passing Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and ending up at the Brandenburg Gate. Continue through the Gate to Tiergarten (Berlin's Central Park), where there is an impressive Soviet war memorial.
Paris, France - Cheesy & touristy - take the Funiculare de Montmarte to the famous artist village and then walk back down through the city. Find your way to Eiffel tower at night. It's worth dealing with the crowds of tourists.
Copenhagen, Denmark - Walk along the Stroget in early morning before the crowds, winding up at funky Nyhavn harbor, where there will likely still be kids sitting along the harbor drinking. Take a boat tour of the city's canals, find some lunch, and then join the kids that will probably still be drinking.
GTaudiophile
Lifer
- Oct 24, 2000
- 29,767
- 33
- 81
Indeed and no worries on not seeing it earlier. Im not leaving until June.
I was planning on buying the Europass before I even leave as suggested in your tutorial GT. I was going to get th 1 month pass considering I will be there for an entire month.
I talked to my buddy in greater length today to kind of get a blueprint of where we would like to go. We've never been to Europe and would like to see as much as possible in a month's time.
Im flying into Southern Spain to meet up with him. After seeing Southern Spain for a few days, we thought our best plan of action was to jump on a plane to Southern Italy. Then work are way up (Italy, Eastern France, Switz, Germany) and hit Berlin. Then head west and go to Belgium and Amsterdam. Then jump on a plane to London. After England, go down France and work our way down from Perris until we hit Madrid. (round-trip airfare is cheaper)
To me, I would think I would travel all by train except for the few instances I pointed out. Is it bad we don't have a day to day plan?
Purchased my tickets this morning. Just a tad under $1400 for round trip. Can anyone comment on whether or not I should get 1st class rail passes or is 2nd fine? I've been told stories and I don't know if they're true.
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