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Cheapest ways to get to Romania or Baltic Countries from Greece

Cheapest ways to get to Romania or Baltic Countries from Greece

Old May 9th, 2014, 05:09 AM
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Cheapest ways to get to Romania or Baltic Countries from Greece

Hey guys,

I am traveling solo and I will be in Crete from the 15th of May to the 21st of May. Then I'm not sure, I would like to perhaps explore another part of Greece but around the 24th, I would like to head out and explore Eastern Europe. I have my eyes on Romania, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia.

I am not sure what is the cheapest way for me to get there. Time is not a huge factor, I don't mind traveling a full day to get to one of those countries. Maybe even two days to get to the Baltic countries.

In your experience, what are the best and cheapest ways to get there? I have been monitoring my Skyscanner app but I don't know from which Greek city I should fly out. I am not convinced that the Eurorail pass for me is the cheapest for me (I looked it up, it doesn't quite make sense for me yet). I am wondering if there are ferries I can take and then trains or a good city to fly out from?

I hope I have been clear.

Thanks!
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Old May 9th, 2014, 05:25 AM
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No Eurailpass makes no sense for you but perhaps a Balkans Railpass could, depending on the number of train trips you take, of course.

Greece has just re-established the long running rail link between it and Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonai, etc after being cut at the borders - now if you take a train or bus to Thessaloniki you now can or soon will be able to get trains thru all the countries to the north, including night trains.

Buses also run and may be cheaper but IME not so comfy for long treks as say night trains.

anyways for lots of info on trains in those countries and the Balkans Flexipass check out these superb IMO sources: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. For schedules I always use www.bahn.de/en - the German Railwaysa web schedule site for all European trains - easiest to use for me and many others.
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Old May 9th, 2014, 05:39 AM
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You can fly Air Baltic to Riga from Athens, nonstop.
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Old May 9th, 2014, 06:00 AM
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I am not sure what is the cheapest way for me to get there. Time is not a huge factor, I don't mind traveling a full day to get to one of those countries. Maybe even two days to get to the Baltic countries.

Cheapest? Hitch hike or ride share.
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Old May 9th, 2014, 06:33 AM
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Also consider the ferries that in summer go all the way from Igoumnetisa, Greece to Rijeka, Croatia, near Trieste.
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Old May 9th, 2014, 06:51 AM
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PalenQ

I don't know of any ferries connecting Greece with Croatia.
Are you sure they exist?
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Old May 9th, 2014, 07:01 AM
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http://www.sail-croatia.com/greece-croatia-guide
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Old May 9th, 2014, 07:11 AM
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Well they don't exist...
Going to Italy to catch a ferry to Croatia is something different.
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Old May 9th, 2014, 10:04 AM
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Oops - the boats I was talking about only start from Dubrovnik then go up the coast to Rijeka, stopping at islands like Hvar (Marco Polo's home perhaps?) - a nice relaxed way to play the coast.

I mistakingly thought they started from Igoumnitsa so thanks for the correct.
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Old May 9th, 2014, 02:35 PM
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There is of course a ferry from Corfu to Albania which could start you on your way north.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 07:30 AM
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http://www.croatiaferries.com/ferry-timetables.htm

Once in Dubrovnik, Croatia you can literally hop up the coast by ferries - including some islands - they are not expensive for local traffic.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 08:20 AM
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Well OP hasn't mentioned Croatia at all.....

From all the options, the fastest and cheapest one would be flying to Bucharest from Athens.

On the 24th the direct flight with Tarom costs 89,40 Euro, the morning flight with Aegean 106,40 Euro.

Any other bus-train combination would be more expensive than that.
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Old May 19th, 2014, 04:46 AM
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Hey guys,

Thank you so much for all the advice. I met a Greek girl on my trip and after speaking with her, this is what I decided to do. There was a cheap flight to Thessaloniki from Heraklion, about 55 Euros. From there, there is a bus to Sofia, Bulgaria for about 20 Euros. From there I can either take the bus or train to Bucharest for about 32 Euros. I will look into the bus later, perhaps it will be cheaper.
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Old May 19th, 2014, 05:31 AM
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Nice. Good luck
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Old May 19th, 2014, 08:13 AM
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Maybe you should do a detailed research....
You want to leave from Heraklion to Romania.
On 24/5 the flight with Aegean Airlikes ( via Athens) will cost 132,65 Euro. Departure Her : 6:40 Arrival Buh : 10:05 hrs

Anything else will be more expensive !
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Old May 19th, 2014, 11:02 AM
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Crap...

I looked for flights but didn't see that.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 08:03 AM
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Actually, I just redid the math,

It's still a little less expensive to do Heraklio-Thessaloniki-
Sofia-Bucharest

A little more straining but less than 132 Euros.

Heraklio to Thessaloniki costed me 51 Euros.
Thessaloniki to Sofia is about 20-30 Euros by bus or train (I have to confirm that)
It seems that Sofia to Bucharest is about 20-30 Euros as well.

At most, it adds up to 111 Euros and I got to visit two other cities.
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Old May 28th, 2014, 01:27 AM
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So a little update.

- Flight to Herakilo to Thessaloniki was 51 Euros.
- Thessaloniki to Sofia is 23 Euros (There is also a bus for 20 Euros). I took the one that leaves at 2:30PM and arrives at 7:30PM and it was quite an enjoyable ride.
- Night train from Sofia to Bucharest is 35 Euros with the sleeper, or 25 Euros if you take a seat. There are two trains per dar. One at 6:45PM that arrives at 5:15AM or there is another one early in the morning and you arrive at 7-8PM. I forgot. I am taking the night train, but I am starting to think that was not a good idea. We'll see.

Also, I found flights from Bucharest to Riga for less than 60 Euros.
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