CSwestern

Hello, I am figuring out my trip and calculating a realistic amount of time and money for my travels. I kind of finalized all the places I want to visit and I want to know If you can give me any advice or suggestions on this itinerary if possible. I will be going backpacking and couch surfing. My plan b is using hostels.



Here is my itinerary: (some of
These days can be flexible )
Germany Munich 10/3-10/6(oc
Prague 10/7-10/10
Austria Vienna 10/11-10/14

Italy Venice, Milan, Florence 10/15-?
(Not sure how much time I need I each city here)
Lastly fly to Spain Barcelona thinking 3 or 2 days there don't know if that's enough time ,then head home.

Should I book the flight from Italy to Barcelona in advanced or will it be cheap either way if I wait a couple weeks before my travel?

I haven't looked into the eurorail yet but I want to make sure all the trains I need to take would follow this itinerary.

Thanks

Aramis

Some broad pointers;

Trains follow whatever itinerary you make - they just might require connections for some routes.

Rome to Barcelona is usually a very inexpensive route to fly - especially on Vueling, a discount carrier bot others usually match it. Start checking the prices now so you get comfortable with what is available. It should be much less expensive that flying from Florence or Venice, but one never knows.

http://www.skyscanner.com

I don't know if you listed sites in the order you planned to visit them but the geographically preferred routing would be;

Prague - Vienna - Munich - Venice - Milan - Florence (Rome?) - Barcelona

And finally - make sure Milan has the things you want to see or do on your trip. And it might, but It is not a really favoured destination of most travelers to Italy.

kybourbon

I would look at budget flights. Besides skyscanner, also look at www.whichbudget.com.

spaarne

<i>1st time to europe- from 0ct 3-25 2014 trip need advice!
Posted by: CSwestern on Jun 25, 14 at 6:26pm
Germany Munich 10/3-10/6
Prague 10/7-10/10
Austria Vienna 10/11-10/14
Italy Venice, Milan, Florence 10/15-?</i>

That is ambitious but easily possible. Look at night trains for most of your trips, Munich to Prague to Vienna to Venice. You'll save time and money. Couchettes cost about the same as a hostel room. See http://tinyurl.com/y57vft for an illustrated introduction to night trains.

I'm sure you know that you are arriving in Munich on the last weekend of Oktoberfest. Make sure you have a room booked and paid for before you go.

greg

The budget airline prices don't go down by waiting. They are priced in tiers where early buyers grab the discount offerings leaving expensive tickets to the late comers.

You already know that you are hitting Munich at the end of the Oktoberfest. I presume you also know that the accommodations are tight and what are available as your backup command premium prices even for hostels if you don't lined up a reliable, primary couch surfing location.

nytraveler

Not sure wha tyou mean by backpacking - do you mean camping? Otherwise a back pack is just a type of luggage - not a place to stay.

You have 7 places in 21 days - so allowing at least 5 of them for travel from one place to another you have 2 days in each place. Do you think that's enough time to see much of a world capitol. And remember each country has a different language and every city has a different means of transit that you must get used to - and then find your way around.

My DD and two friend did something 2 summers ago - but took almost 6 weeks. She spent about $8K plus airfare - living modestly , no shopping and only basic student nightlife.

Have you run the numbers on a budget yet?

BigRuss

<<Lastly fly to Spain Barcelona thinking 3 or 2 days there don't know if that's enough time ,then head home.>>

It's not enough time.

Cities are not equal just because they are cities - do more research on what you want to see and you can allocate time better.

PalenQ

I haven't looked into the eurorail yet but I want to make sure all the trains I need to take would follow this itinerary.>

A Eurailpass may not be the cheapest deal for your rather limited train travel plans - buying tickets as you go along though can be pricey if buying full fare - rather go to the web sites of the national railways involved and book discounted tickets - though they are sold in limited numbers so much be booked weeks in advance to guarantee - and there are often severe restrictions on changing and refunds.

If you want fully flexible travel and especially if you want first-class trains (always a significant benefit to me in my years of European train travel) then yes a Eurail Select Pass valid in any 4 countries of your choosing may be the best deal. In your case Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy.

For lots of great info on European trains and passes check out these IMO superb sources: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com - the latter has a wealth of great info on discounted tickets.

PalenQ

Lastly fly to Spain Barcelona thinking 3 or 2 days there don't know if that's enough time ,then head home.>

You could also take from Livorno, near Florence, or Genoa - not sure which one an overnight ferry from Italy to Barcelona - add a little romance to your trip and save on the cost of a hotel to offset boat fare.

PalenQ

To go between Vienna and Italy you can take an overnight train - a comfy German CityNightLIner - CNL - save travel time and the cost of a night in a hotel.

http://www.citynightline.de/citynigh...en/index.shtml

check the official site for fares and special deals.

PalenQ

direct trains between Vienna and Venice I believe have just be reinstated - for a few years it was a train to Villach then a bus to Venice due to some snafu with the Italian Railways and Deutsche Bahn (German Railways)

but now there seems to be direct trains - get discounted fares at www.bahn.de/enif you book far enough in advance.