MateoBMC

Two friends and I will be backpacking through Europe (mostly Germany) this summer for the World Cup. We'll be starting in London where we have friends, then to Brussels and into Germany, where we'll be seeing 7 games and touring around between matches (3-5 days). A few questions, if you could help:

Insurance: I hear we should get travel insurance. We're covered for emergency health care by our providers here in the US, but should we get more? What about property?

Lodging: We have friends in London and Dusseldorf, but beyond that, we're kind of just floating between games. Haven't booked any lodging, and the goal was to hit the hostels to keep it cheap. She we book our nights at the hostels and give up our freedom to be spontaneous? Or should we make the reservations online a day or two in advance, or just show up and hope? Should we become a member of Hostelling International or some group like that?

Cell phones: Any recommendations on how to deal with cell phones over there? Should we try and get a special plan with our current provider, or just get pay as you go?

Thanks for the help!

-matt

MateoBMC

One more thing: We'll be there for 6 weeks.

AisleSeat

My emergancy health care insurance for the US is not applicable for Europe. You might want to check. Sounds like a fun trip.

You cand buy limited use cell phones there in the $60 range but I'm not sure how that goes with keeping it cheap. You might just consider phone cards. If you are in the cities where thousands of other soccar fans are in for the games you might find lodging crowded or even full up.

janisj

Winging it this summer bewteen World Cup matches is a sure recipe for sleeping rough in parks - if the authorities would even allow it.

Rooms at most of the venues have been booked up for months and I'd think hostels will be totally full. I would book rooms in all of the match cities ASAP - like yesterday.

FainaAgain

Call your health insurance and ask if they have worldwide coverage. If yes, ask how it works, will you have to pay out-of-pocket and send them the paperwork later for reimbursement.

My healthy 19-year-old got flu in Germany, and was hospitalized. You never know what may happen.

logos999

>Cell phones
A german cheap prepay phone is between 20 and 25€, including 10€ of calling credit. Pretty much the same as in the US. Since incoming calls are free for you, this would be your easiest and least expensive alternative. I hope the police are strict about people camping in the park!
Many shops in Munich stay open until 10pm during the worldcup. Beergardens may stay open until 1am. So have fun and don't drink too much. The 5 liter beer barrels are free of deposit btw... ;-)