Copenhagen, Bergen, Stockholm, Estonia and Helsinki Getting Around
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Copenhagen, Bergen, Stockholm, Estonia and Helsinki Getting Around
We leave August 24th for Copenhagen. We only have 12 days to cover the above five cities. We know that isn't a lot of time but we have to work with what we have. We fly into Copenhagen and fly out of Helsinki. What are the best ways to travel between these cities? Flying, ferries trains anything is ok.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What are the best ways to travel between these cities? Flying, ferries trains anything is ok.>
I'd try to fly into Bergen and then do the Norway in a Nutshell extravaganza in a leisurely day (one of the most awesome things I've ever done in decades of European traveling) so you can then take what is ubiquitously listed as one of Europe's most dramatically scenic rail lines - the Bergen to Oslo line - and then a train or overnight ferry to Copehagen.
Copenhagen to Stockholm now is a fairly short train ride - can deep discounted from the Swedish Railways web site or perhaps Danish railways site - much cheaper than just showing up on these high-speed trains - take at least one train ride and see the lay of the land between cities.
Stockholm to Helsinki DEFINITELY do one of the world's most scenic cruises - on overnight ferries between Stockholm and Helsinki - with long days you can see lots of the gorgeous archipelago it skirts much of the way - and lots of entertainments aboard.
Estonia is of course a short ferry crossing from Helsinki.
For lots of good info on trains and ferries in Scandanavia (and Finland) check out these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com (check for info on discounted tickets Copehagen to Stockhom); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
If doing a train Bergen to Oslo - boat or train to Copenhagen; Copenhagen to Stockholm train and boat to Helsinki then look at the Scandinavian Railpass, which also covers boats and parts of the Norway in a Nutshell Loop.
I'd try to fly into Bergen and then do the Norway in a Nutshell extravaganza in a leisurely day (one of the most awesome things I've ever done in decades of European traveling) so you can then take what is ubiquitously listed as one of Europe's most dramatically scenic rail lines - the Bergen to Oslo line - and then a train or overnight ferry to Copehagen.
Copenhagen to Stockholm now is a fairly short train ride - can deep discounted from the Swedish Railways web site or perhaps Danish railways site - much cheaper than just showing up on these high-speed trains - take at least one train ride and see the lay of the land between cities.
Stockholm to Helsinki DEFINITELY do one of the world's most scenic cruises - on overnight ferries between Stockholm and Helsinki - with long days you can see lots of the gorgeous archipelago it skirts much of the way - and lots of entertainments aboard.
Estonia is of course a short ferry crossing from Helsinki.
For lots of good info on trains and ferries in Scandanavia (and Finland) check out these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com (check for info on discounted tickets Copehagen to Stockhom); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
If doing a train Bergen to Oslo - boat or train to Copenhagen; Copenhagen to Stockholm train and boat to Helsinki then look at the Scandinavian Railpass, which also covers boats and parts of the Norway in a Nutshell Loop.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
https://www.google.com/search?q=stoc...w=1455&bih=977
Here's some pix of three companies running Stockholm to Helsinki routes - there is a wide range of sleeping options- from free if you want to sleep in regular chairs that recline a bit to shared rooms with berths or private cabins - the latter can be rather pricey but overall you save on a night in a hotel.
Here's some pix of three companies running Stockholm to Helsinki routes - there is a wide range of sleeping options- from free if you want to sleep in regular chairs that recline a bit to shared rooms with berths or private cabins - the latter can be rather pricey but overall you save on a night in a hotel.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"We only have 12 days to cover the above five cities. We know that isn't a lot of time but we have to work with what we have"
Isn't another option to visit fewer destinations? Rather than trying to cram it all in, and spending a LOT of time traveling between places, it might be worth considering visiting only a subset so that you can see and appreciate the places you do visit a bit more.
Isn't another option to visit fewer destinations? Rather than trying to cram it all in, and spending a LOT of time traveling between places, it might be worth considering visiting only a subset so that you can see and appreciate the places you do visit a bit more.
#7
I would leave out Bergen ( for this trip) and do Copenhagen, Stockholm.... Tallinn and then Helsinki.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>Copenhagen, Bergen, Stockholm, Estonia and Helsinki Getting Around
Posted by: kayhull on Jul 28, 14 at 1:46pm
What are the best ways to travel between these cities? </i>
The overnight Silja ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki is a ride not to be missed when planning to visit those two cities. The buffet dinner is spectacular. You get two hours of unlimited helpings, including beer and wine, for a fixed price. You may prefer second seating for fewer kids around. The late night bars have live music. See http://tinyurl.com/eulga for an illustrated introduction.
You are covering a lot of turf in 12 days. You might think about focusing on the things of greatest interest to you.
Posted by: kayhull on Jul 28, 14 at 1:46pm
What are the best ways to travel between these cities? </i>
The overnight Silja ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki is a ride not to be missed when planning to visit those two cities. The buffet dinner is spectacular. You get two hours of unlimited helpings, including beer and wine, for a fixed price. You may prefer second seating for fewer kids around. The late night bars have live music. See http://tinyurl.com/eulga for an illustrated introduction.
You are covering a lot of turf in 12 days. You might think about focusing on the things of greatest interest to you.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The others are all riotously expensive>
ditto to what BigRuss says though I find Copnhagen and Denmark slightly cheaper (like for booze) than the other three Scandinavian countries (well Finland ain't in Scandinavia but...) - bring any essential you can in with you and if likign booze bring as much as possible - astoundingly high prices and in some limited hours at official state alcohol stores.
But yes sticker shock will hit so bring anything you really need in with you IME.
ditto to what BigRuss says though I find Copnhagen and Denmark slightly cheaper (like for booze) than the other three Scandinavian countries (well Finland ain't in Scandinavia but...) - bring any essential you can in with you and if likign booze bring as much as possible - astoundingly high prices and in some limited hours at official state alcohol stores.
But yes sticker shock will hit so bring anything you really need in with you IME.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The overnight Silja ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki is a ride not to be missed when planning to visit those two cities>
Silja is nice IME but there are two other companies with comparable ships and services - same experience and same scenery - take the one that you find the cheapest overall.
Silja is nice IME but there are two other companies with comparable ships and services - same experience and same scenery - take the one that you find the cheapest overall.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What did you end up deciding?
I did a similar trip last fall... We had 15 nights. Flew into Copenhagen (4 nights) then flew to Helsinki (3 nights)... the rate on SAS was only $65!! From Helsinki we took the ferry to Tallinn (2 nights) and from Tallinn, we took the ferry to Stockholm (5 nights).
It was a lot of moving around, but honestly after 4 nights, in Copenhagen, 3 nights in Helsinki and 2 in Tallinn, we were ready to move on. Probably could have used another night or 2 in Stockholm, that was the place that had the most to see and do.
You have 3 days less and want to see 1 extra country... imo it seems like A LOT of moving around............ It will be a great trip though!!
I did a similar trip last fall... We had 15 nights. Flew into Copenhagen (4 nights) then flew to Helsinki (3 nights)... the rate on SAS was only $65!! From Helsinki we took the ferry to Tallinn (2 nights) and from Tallinn, we took the ferry to Stockholm (5 nights).
It was a lot of moving around, but honestly after 4 nights, in Copenhagen, 3 nights in Helsinki and 2 in Tallinn, we were ready to move on. Probably could have used another night or 2 in Stockholm, that was the place that had the most to see and do.
You have 3 days less and want to see 1 extra country... imo it seems like A LOT of moving around............ It will be a great trip though!!