starzizzle

Hi my fellow travelers, I just got back from a two week trip in Italy with my husband and our 3 year old, given that our child did wonderful and loved traveling through the train and seeing new places and being able to run around and explore. We are planning our next adventure and were wondering if anyone here has suggestions on whether inter-country travel is as much of a breeze as a inter-city travel? We traveled to 4 different cities all over Italy, however, I am wondering if it would be too much to cover 3 countries? We would arrive and leave from different cities but I have heard horror stories about night trains, people getting robbed and etc. Please advice, I am looking into France, UK and Ireland or Spain.
Thanks!

michelhuebeli

Don't know about horror stories - once in a blue moon for somebody awfully unlucky maybe, but I wouldn't worry about that. If you at all have your wits about you and don't do silly things like carrying a wallet in a jeans back pocket, you shouldn't become a statistic

At first glance those far-apart targets make your plan look like overly ambitious. For a start, the several languages, cultures, ways of doing things, and even currencies, will cause blurred memories lacking cohesion.

About trains - look at www.seat61.com - the best source for such info.

Night trains are not as plentyful as they used to be, they go so fast now, but if there is an option, www.seat61.com will tell you about it.

France is so big and rich, with so much variety from region to region, and changes in landscapes and geography - I should think planning a trip just in France would be marvelous, and the kids would have a sense of where they have been as opposed to all over the map.

When and for how long?

From Paris to Normandy to Brittany to the vast south from the Spanish border to the Italian border, not to forget about Burgundy and the French Alps etc. etc., you won't be wanting for options!

starzizzle

We are planning a two week trip and the more I look into it the more I realize that it will be 3 different currencies and may be a bit much. We might just do France and UK. We are planning either early November or early December.

WoinParis

Franfe and Spain share the same currecny, as do Ireland and UK...

jamikins

Ireland uses the euro like France, and the UK uses the pound.

bilboburgler

Euro, Irish Republic, Spain, France
Sterling, UK (which includes Northern Ireland)

2 weeks is the least you need for France or Spain or the UK. Even the Irish Republic can easily use 2 weeks.

But the months you are suggesting are a problem, becuase you will want to be based more in the larger cities given the weather.

janisj

Pick one country -- doesn't matter which one, each would much more than fill a two week trip.

Or do something like London and Paris. Fly in to one and home from the other and take the Eurostar train in between. Each city would easily fill a week but you could also take a day trip or two by train. In winter -- me personally, I'd want to base in a major city so there would be more to do if the weather was awful.

PalenQ

We would arrive and leave from different cities but I have heard horror stories about night trains, people getting robbed and etc>

Well those stories are about couchettes or more likely just sitting in regular seats and IME are over blown -I've taken hundreds of night trains and in private compartments - say a double for you all -they are totally safe as the door locks from inside.

Anyway for lots on overnight trains and trains in general check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Trains in Ireland are limited- buses go many places but are sporadic in remote areas lie the West Coast that are to me the highlight ofIreland - but a rental car there would make sense- stay in cozy B&Bs anywhere.

janisj

There would be no need at all for a night train if you stick to one country or a London/Paris pairing

In fact there would be very few night trains even possible let alone necessary.

michelhuebeli

Now that we know the time of year, let me assure you that two fascinating cities like London and Paris will be a better choice. Days are awfully short, landscapes are bleak, weather is likely to chase you indoors anyway, so you might as well make the most of the incredible offerings that the big cities have - most of them being indoors of course.

annhig

I vote for London and Paris as well. easy and fun and lots of things to do if it rains.

fuzzbucket

I'd take a flight on a low-cost airline, rather than waste time travelling on a night train. You should fly "open jaw" - go into one city and out of another, to save money. Don't fly out of London, which is hideously expensive.
Many people make the mistake of thinking they will see a lot of scenery and can save a night in a hotel, but I'd rather stay in a real bed with real bathroom facilities, than take a night train - and yes, I've taken several of them.

PalenQ

I'd take a flight on a low-cost airline, rather than waste time travelling on a night train.>

Actually most overnight trains save time as well as money - flying inevitably takes half a day or more - so in terms of daylight savings time - travel time - night trains save time.

Now whether night trains are for you or not is another question - I've taken literally hundreds and rarely had any problem sleeping- now not having showers aboard is a problem for some but not many (there are indeed adequate WCs).

But that is a very very subjective thing - some love night trains some loathe them - each for their own reason - but wasting time on night trains is not one of them- you will save daylight travel time.