Advice about backpacking in Europe in March!

[alfie]

Hi everyone, I'm planning a backpacking trip around Europe at the end of Feb or March time for a month or so that we will end up in Portugal as we are spending the summer season there working.

But I wanted advice about the cheapest ways to get around, like should we book a backpackers trip or do it our selfs?

If we do it our selfs would it be cheaper to travel by train or bus?

I have looked on eurolines.com and we can get a 30 day eurolines pass for about 240e.

Also we have been on www.couchsurfing.org and seen there are lots of places we could stay around Europe to keep the cost of hostels down etc etc.

Now the I need help with a route that we could take and also help with things we can see and do for the time that we will be there (i.e. are there any events going on that we "need" to do).

We are pretty much looking to do anything for an experience.

If any one could help I would be very much grateful!!

Thanks

Alfie

[alfie]

Ok so I have looked on a map and have sort of worked out a route that I would like some advice on;

1. is it a good route to take?
2.whats the best things to see in each place?
3. Will the eurolines pass go to all these places?
4. Is there any sort of extra pass's I should think about having?
5. What sort of money will I be needing on a daily basis?

Day 1: London to Paris

Day 2: Paris Sightseeing

Day 3: Paris to Lucerne

Day 4: Lucerne

Day 5: Lucerne to Lyon

Day 6: Lyon to Barcelona

Day 7: Barcelona

Day 8: Barcelona to French Riviera

Day 9: French Riviera

Day 10: French Riviera to Florence

Day 11: Florence to Rome

Day 12: Rome

Day 13: Rome to Venice

Day 14: Venice

Day 15: Venice to Vienna

Day 16: Vienna

Day 17: Vienna to Munich

Day 18: Munich to Prague

Day 19: Prague

Day 20: Prague to Berlin

Day 21: Berlin

Day 22: Berlin to Amsterdam

Day 23: Amsterdam

Day 24: Amsterdam to London


Then home to London
Pack for the summer
Then
Portugal

All information will be great

Thanks

Alfie

[Eagle]

alfie,

To begin with, welcome to the Boards!

Generally speaking, your Itinerary and the order of cities looks fairly well sorted. However, I do have a few significant concerns to mention.

The first point to mention is the fact that the majority of your stops are one night only, and and these will cover a fairly wide geographical area. While a trip like that may be theoretically possible, packing up and moving every day becomes tiring very quickly! Also (and perhaps more importantly), if there's a problem or delay in any one of your transportation routes, it will tend to affect the remainder of your schedule.

The next point is that if you're planning on travelling primarily by Bus, some trips will be LONG. For example, I believe the trip from Lyon to Barcelona is about 11-hours. Travel by train (especially high speed train) will be much quicker and is generally a more efficient method, but of course it's more expensive. For comparison, the shortest trip by train that I could find was 7H:53M from Lyon Part Dieu to Barcelona Sants. Of course, schedules are subject to change, so this is a guide only. I wasn't able to find details on the costs for that rail trip.

I can't offer any comments on couchsurfing, as I'm a bit older so prefer budget Hotels or Hostels on occasion.

A Backpacker's tour might be a good method to try on this first trip, as it will give you a group to travel with, they'll provide transportation, you'll have a good idea at the beginning on what your costs will be, and there will be a Guide to take care of any problems. Once you've tried the "tour method" you will be much better prepared to travel on your own on future trips.

To answer the questions in your second post:

1.) It seems like a fairly logical route, but I would probably consider dropping a few of your destinations in order to allow more time in some of the more important locations (Paris, Rome, and Munich are definitely worth more than one day). Dropping some destinations will also reduce your travel costs, as each time you move locations, it will cost money!

2.) it's difficult to offer suggestions on "the best things to see in each place" without having some idea on your interests. For example, what prompted your desire to travel to each of those cities in Europe? As I'm older, my interests will very likely be different than yours. It would help if you could provide a bit more detail on what your interests are? I'd suggest visiting your local book shops or Library to have a look at some Guidebooks - Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, Frommers or whatever you can find in your area. Those will list the main attractions in each place. However, if you're only spending one night in each city, you're not going to have a lot of time for sightseeing!

3.) I'm not overly familiar with the Eurolines Pass. I'd have to do some research.

4.) Are you referring to a Railpass? You could have a look at Interail Passes, however generally speaking Railpasses are not the bargain they used to be. Most passes do not include the reservations fees that are compulsory on some trains (usually the high speed trains such as the TGV in France), so those have to be paid separately).

5.) The "sort of money" you'll need on a daily basis will vary depending on your travel style. For example, do you like to visit restaurants when travelling or can you manage with sandwiches or whatever from a Deli? How much local travel are you going to be doing in each city (Metro in Paris, etc.)? Which Museums will you be visiting, as some have entrance fees? Generally speaking, I'd recommend AT LEAST €80 per day (about £70). It might be possible to get by with a bit less if you're Couchsurfing, but not sure? That amount does not include your primary transportation to the continent, nor your Rail or Bus Passes (if used).

One thought that occurred to me is that if you arranged the trip so that it ends in Portugual, you wouldn't have to return to London to pack and then return. Just a thought.....

Hopefully some of the others will have a few comments as well.

Good luck with your planning!