To book or not book in advance

[silvana]

Hi everybody,

So we're traveling to Europe in a month, i know, not much time to plan but that's what we have to work with. So we're going to be takin a flight from Ibiza to Barcelona, do we book it in advance or wait till we get to Ibiza? Which airline would you recommend?
Also, we'll take trains from barcelona to Nice (or from Andorra, still debating), from Nice to Milan, and from Milan to Zurich, do we book those in advance as well?

Thank you guys!! ;D

[WillTravel]

It will likely cost a fortunate if you wait until you arrive to book the flight. It will probably be expensive even now. I would recommend whatever airline is cheapest.

[Eagle]

silvana,

For the flight from Ibiza to Barcelona, I'd recommend www.vueling.com/index.php?language=EN&cid=83&utm_source=zan&utm_medium=cpv&utm_content=toprank&utm_campaign=es&zanpid=1265518192067883008. As WT mentioned, it would be a good idea to book ASAP as the budgets often use a "sliding scale" - as the flight fills, the prices go up! Be very clear on their booking rules, baggage limits and any surcharges. Be sure to pack light!

The trip from Barcelona to Nice will be a LONG travel day. That's at least a 10 hour trip. Check the www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml website to get some idea on the timing of trains on that route. If you leave at about 08:00, you should be in Nice by 18:30 or so.

The trip from Nice to Milan is quite pleasant but if possible choose a direct train, as the travel time will only be about 4H:48M. I took that trip about a month ago and aside from the fact that the French trains were "on strike" the day I left Nice, everything went smoothly (it would have been great if they had mentioned that the previous day when I was buying my ticket!!!).

The trip from Milano to Zurich will be fairly easy, about 4 hours. Be sure to note which stations you'll be using, as some cities have more than one.

Note that for all of your train trips, reservations will most likely be required. I've been buying P-P tickets a day or two before departure or when arriving in each city, and so far that approach has worked well. You can buy tickets in most stations either from an agent (when the ticket offices are open) or from automated ticket machines.

In some cases the automated machines will only accept "chip" credit cards (ie: Paris / CDG airport) but many will still accept magnetic stripe cards (that was the case in Milan about a month ago). The ticket office at Milano Centrale is two floors down from track level, but there are "moving sidewalks" so this is not difficult. There's often a bit if a queue there, however the ticket machines adjacent to the ticket office will also accept Euro cash (these usually aren't as crowded as those on the track level).

A few tips regarding Milano Centrale - be sure to wear a Money Belt and watch your valuables as thieves are about! Also, be sure you have some €1 coins as the WC's are "pay" types.

Happy travels!

[ddddyyyy]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is doing good. Helpfulness and caring.Yes, I think so.
A single flower does not make a spring.Between friends all is common.

[Eagle]

ddddyyyy,

Thanks for the kind words!

Cheers!