EasyJet

[herrbert]

willtravel said:

Eurostar is deadly expensive if you don't buy it ahead of time. Just remember, you can't change the ticket, so you have to be sure you arrive at the train station in plenty of time. Most problems people seem to have with budget travel involve not getting to the airport or train station in time.

If you can't find a one way ticket that is cheap, then you can try to get return tickets. When I look at the site of eurostar, I see prices like 230+ euros for a one way ticket, and 88+ euros for a return ticket. (these are normal Standard Class tickets, so not the youth tickets). As you only need the first ticket you could decide to simply not use the second ticket. (Or maybe it comes in handy, if you need to return to London for you flight home)

[bs1313]

So would it be better to jsut do trains everywhere? or just from London-Paris and Munich - Venice - Rome???

so just a flight from Paris to madrid to Munich?

Lemme know. Thanks

[pointofnoreturn]

I would honestly go with what I would feel comfortable doing. If I'm happy with an air fare and wouldn't mind making the effort to commute to/from the airport, I'd fly.

With train.... it depends. I do trains for short hops and flights for longer hops.

Go with your gut feeling and remember, it's not the length of the journey, it's the entire process of the journey that counts

[bs1313]

Well my gut feeling is telling me this...

Fly to London

Train London-Paris

Train Paris-Madrid (depending on length)

Flight Madrid-Munich

Train Munich-Venice

Train Venice-Rome

I think that looks pretty good and only one flight...and its into an airport that I have been to so it will be a little more comfortable...Lemme know what ya think. Thanks.

Bret

[WillTravel]

If you want to do Paris-Madrid as an overnight train, then you could take the train, but I wouldn't spend that much time otherwise. Actually, I'd probably prefer to fly anyway, but some people are fans of overnight trains. Otherwise, I'd pretty much agree with what you wrote, except that I'd figure out the cost comparison for train vs. plane before deciding.

[herrbert]

bs1313 said:

So would it be better to jsut do trains everywhere? or just from London-Paris and Munich - Venice - Rome???

so just a flight from Paris to madrid to Munich?

Lemme know. Thanks

That's what I would do. A combination of flights and trains.

The trainride from Paris to Madrid takes a minimum of 12,5 hours. (some take longer, depending on time of departure, and which station you leave and arrive at). There is one direct train between Paris Austerlitz and Madrid Chamartin that takes about 13,5 hours. (other have stopovers at places like Poitiers and Valladolid). It leaves at 19.45 and get to Madrid at 9.13. I think that a flight is faster, and doesn't have to cost you a lot of extra time if you can book an evening flight, or an early morning flight. (and is likely to turn out cheaper).

[bs1313]

Okay so definetly flights for some of them. Plus it won't be that bad becuase we are gonna have only carry on luggage. I will have to look that up. The other thing is I dont understand their train system at all. I don't know if I should buy a europass or what. Im quite confused, and I have looked it up but I still don't understand. Does anyone know how it works?

[herrbert]

bs1313 said:

Okay so definetly flights for some of them. Plus it won't be that bad becuase we are gonna have only carry on luggage. I will have to look that up. The other thing is I dont understand their train system at all. I don't know if I should buy a europass or what. Im quite confused, and I have looked it up but I still don't understand. Does anyone know how it works?

Only having carry on luggage only makes a difference at the baggage claim, because you don't have to wait the 15-20 minutes that it takes. I always notice that some airports are really quick, and that when you arrive at the baggage claim, it doesn't take that long before the suitcases start appearing. (but then again I am never in a hurry to leave the airplane, and first visit the toilet before going to the baggageclaim).

If you only want to travel with carry on luggage, then be aware of the strict rules, as it comes to liquids (but also incl dental paste, shampoos etc etc.) see the sticky. Alse be aware of the measurements of the suitcases or bags you can bring on board.

With the small numbers of trainrides you will be taking, I wonder if a railpass, would be of any benefit.

I am even not sure if the Eurostar is included (I think it isn't) so if it isn't it would only leave Munich - Venice - Rome, and I believe it would be much cheaper to buy a ticket for Venice at the trainstation in Munich. (you can do that a few days in advance), and a ticket for Rome in Venice.

[WillTravel]

You may also be able to get some discount by buying the Munich - Venice trip on the Bahn.de site, and buying the Venice - Rome ticket on Trenitalia.com . If you get a cheap ticket for these in advance, it will probably be difficult or expensive to change it, so make sure your plans are firm.

I agree that a railpass is quite unlikely to be helpful in this case.

[bs1313]

The only thing I am worried about for my baggage is that I have had alot of experience with my luggage getting lost and that would most definetly not be a good thing on a backpacking trip. I have found some pretty small bags, and there isn't too much that I am taking. Only clothes, my trip information, some odds and ends, and some toiletries. I can even buy some of the toiletries when I get there, since I can only take a little bit of liquid on the plane. And I also heard with these budget airlines your luggage can get lost easily, and I just have no intrest in dealing with any of that.


I will probably just buy my train tickets and plane tickets ahead of time, I want to be fully prepared for my trip. I'd rather not wati until I get there and then find out that I won't be able to get at ticket or something. Plus I will be lessed stressed out and one less thing I have to deal with.