7 countries in 15 days, is it possible?
Oct 25th, 2009, 09:16 AM
#81
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You can buy discounted first-class point to point tickets also, if you plan in advance, so if you know you want first class, I'd suggest doing the price comparison that way. For example, last year I bought 59-Euro train tickets from Paris to Frankfurt (just missed out on the 39-Euro ones). But I could have gotten first-class tickets for 69 Euros, and arguably that would have been a better deal (although I was entirely comfortable in second class on an ICE train).
Oct 26th, 2009, 10:04 AM
#82
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For a lot of travelers (probably most) a rail pass costs MUCH more than point to point tix.>
yes indeedy one wonders on what comments like this based - 'probably most' i do wonder how the poster comes to this conclusion to emphatically claim that - well if just a few train trips of course but for a train trip of save a few weeks or more i would really question - the 'most' aspect - to me just more regurgitation of Fodor mantra - railpasses are always a bad deal - say something enough folks will believe it.
yes indeedy one wonders on what comments like this based - 'probably most' i do wonder how the poster comes to this conclusion to emphatically claim that - well if just a few train trips of course but for a train trip of save a few weeks or more i would really question - the 'most' aspect - to me just more regurgitation of Fodor mantra - railpasses are always a bad deal - say something enough folks will believe it.
Oct 26th, 2009, 12:10 PM
#83
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But I could have gotten first-class tickets for 69 Euros, and arguably that would have been a better deal>
a tad more than $100 - and a Eurail Select pass for 3 countries - say Germany, France and Switzerland or Austria costs $411 for 5 days of unlimited travel over a 2-month period or about $82 a day and with the 69 euro 'discounted' first class ticket above i suppose that is train specific - can't be changed or refunded and must be booked far enough in advance to get
the railpass can be used on any train any time and the cost of unrestricted first class tickets means that just a few of those can make the pass pay off. Plus after you get to Frankfurt you could use the pass the rest of the day on the S-Bahn trains that run right thru the heart of town.
a tad more than $100 - and a Eurail Select pass for 3 countries - say Germany, France and Switzerland or Austria costs $411 for 5 days of unlimited travel over a 2-month period or about $82 a day and with the 69 euro 'discounted' first class ticket above i suppose that is train specific - can't be changed or refunded and must be booked far enough in advance to get
the railpass can be used on any train any time and the cost of unrestricted first class tickets means that just a few of those can make the pass pay off. Plus after you get to Frankfurt you could use the pass the rest of the day on the S-Bahn trains that run right thru the heart of town.
Oct 27th, 2009, 04:45 AM
#84
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We always buy passes and for us, it is worth it.
We traveled with friends last year who ended up throwing away two discounted first class tickets as we decided to leave Vienna earlier than planned. We have the flexibility to do so and they did not.
Horses for courses.
We traveled with friends last year who ended up throwing away two discounted first class tickets as we decided to leave Vienna earlier than planned. We have the flexibility to do so and they did not.
Horses for courses.
Oct 27th, 2009, 07:29 AM
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Hi Siri, you are on the right track to achieving your whirlwind Europe tour - starting a tentative itinerary, asking questions, reshuffling, and then researching all the details. Go for it! Don't be disheartened by negative comments - holiday success and enjoyment are truly unique to each individual.
I've just returned from a fabulous, enriching 7 night, 4 guesthouse, 3 islands & 2 countries adventure and I'm older than you. Never felt stressed, enjoyed many siestas, travelled by plane, bus, hire car, taxi, ferry and shanks-pony - and loved every minute of it.
My tip is let the internet do your fine detail work ... booking and printing tickets, timetables, booking hotels/guesthouses, info on sites you want to see, so you end up with a minutely detailed plan with as much hassle removed by diligent pre-trip planning.
My second tip is travel light, ultra light if possible - a backpack/bag you can comfortably wear on your back is ideal, mine was just over 7kg which included winter/summer clothes and all camera/computer gear. Plus a smaller handbag with your document essentials/money/c.cards/tickets that you can hang over your shoulder and tuck under one arm for safety and easy access. And a small but extensive first-aid kit, so you can 'repair yourself' without necessarily hunting up a pharmacist or doctor.
Above all, wear comfortable shoes ,)
Good luck with your adventure!
I've just returned from a fabulous, enriching 7 night, 4 guesthouse, 3 islands & 2 countries adventure and I'm older than you. Never felt stressed, enjoyed many siestas, travelled by plane, bus, hire car, taxi, ferry and shanks-pony - and loved every minute of it.
My tip is let the internet do your fine detail work ... booking and printing tickets, timetables, booking hotels/guesthouses, info on sites you want to see, so you end up with a minutely detailed plan with as much hassle removed by diligent pre-trip planning.
My second tip is travel light, ultra light if possible - a backpack/bag you can comfortably wear on your back is ideal, mine was just over 7kg which included winter/summer clothes and all camera/computer gear. Plus a smaller handbag with your document essentials/money/c.cards/tickets that you can hang over your shoulder and tuck under one arm for safety and easy access. And a small but extensive first-aid kit, so you can 'repair yourself' without necessarily hunting up a pharmacist or doctor.
Above all, wear comfortable shoes ,)
Good luck with your adventure!
Oct 28th, 2009, 12:16 AM
#87
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Gosh! Cut your list at least by a half! You will be exhausted and won't see anything! All those cities are really worth to see more than just a couple of hours.
If you want really to enjoy - reduce the amount of your destinations.
If you want really to enjoy - reduce the amount of your destinations.
Oct 29th, 2009, 07:24 AM
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Siri; I am in a similar situation as I am planning my first trip to Europe next year. However, I am going to restrict my number of cities / countries to about four or five over a three week interval. This way I can take time to enjoy myself.
I will likely fly into Heathrow or Paris, with the intent to spend a two or three days in one small village in France. Then, I will take a WizzAir flight to Kyiv, Ukraine where I will spend a few days there visiting a friend. The remainder of the time I will spend "training" back through Budapest, Prague and Kracow with my friend before I head to Munich from which I will fly home. Why fly into Heathrow or Paris and back from Munich. These are the cheapest locations for me to arrange my flights to/from my home in Canada.
Heck, I might even drop the Paris/France part of my itinerary and just fly return through Munich.
I will likely fly into Heathrow or Paris, with the intent to spend a two or three days in one small village in France. Then, I will take a WizzAir flight to Kyiv, Ukraine where I will spend a few days there visiting a friend. The remainder of the time I will spend "training" back through Budapest, Prague and Kracow with my friend before I head to Munich from which I will fly home. Why fly into Heathrow or Paris and back from Munich. These are the cheapest locations for me to arrange my flights to/from my home in Canada.
Heck, I might even drop the Paris/France part of my itinerary and just fly return through Munich.
Oct 29th, 2009, 08:24 AM
#90
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You are just plain lucky to get a plethora of some valuable information , even the snide ones have a message. I did what you plan, but that was to merely tell people at home that you went on a jaunt. i was 30 years old then , and doable.
However, I wish to add to the humungous inputs; (done the eurail 4 times; but each occassion they have newer offers;point to point is cheaper ; see the add ons for night travel, but travel thru Alps do it day journey to enjoy the beauty of them.
Down load Google Earth and feed in the places one at a time, see the places in relation to the inter distance.Europe is small. but seein each place requires time.
Go to each location site, key in e.g 'rome in a day", so places of interest will come up doable in a day. Tour operators are there or helpful info is there, the best places to see in a city, jot down,as mentioned earlier each place of interest requires afew hours, to reach, stand in line, see, exit, travel to next place.
After you have selected the 5-6 places, the goto climate of each place and select the month to travel, places have rain, or it is too hot or too cold.
Age is a factor, after a series of night travels, one does require a night of good sleep in a proper bed.
Some tips by Flurrytiles are worth their weight in gold!!
European airlines chep, if booked early , 2mnths ahead,the net gives schedules; visit cheap airlines europe. select country/s of operation. some of these close down as soon as they open be careful.
Austrian does open jaw ticketting;so you do not have to go back to vienna at your cost to fly back.Move from one end of the map i.e. Vienna to the other in a single direction, then fly back from Rome to Vienna at their cost.
see Vienna - 2 nights- (jet lag , one night rest),
goto Innsbruck -day ride enjoy alps scenic , enroute get down at Watten - Swaroski Museum (4 hrs), carry onto Innsbruck,for night halt. Next morning take Cable car,( 4hours).
Luzern , Interlaken 3 nights- ; enjoy the lakes and heights of Alps. Only if you are medically cleared? or else just stick to base level.See Eurail concession for europe, gives you an idea what else is available at discount.
Travel thru to Milan on the scenic train, onto Venice. See Murano (5 hours),See the glass museums, locate addresses. check out the cost of gondola? night train to Florence 3 hours.
Florence, you need to arrive the night before to be in line early morning for the Uffizi museum. Pisa (maybe since you are there 3hours + 2 hours one way) , only if u want to help straighten it!! . Tuscany wine country ( a day trip, conducted tour)
Rome one day, 7 hours trip to 7 sites Must see,( bus hop on hop off" from out side train station) . These days Italian tourism board has set up offices in many places, try them too for guidance.
Add travel time by visiting eurail site. Calculate time and fare.
Stay - search places next to train station,
Have a great time, plannng .
However, I wish to add to the humungous inputs; (done the eurail 4 times; but each occassion they have newer offers;point to point is cheaper ; see the add ons for night travel, but travel thru Alps do it day journey to enjoy the beauty of them.
Down load Google Earth and feed in the places one at a time, see the places in relation to the inter distance.Europe is small. but seein each place requires time.
Go to each location site, key in e.g 'rome in a day", so places of interest will come up doable in a day. Tour operators are there or helpful info is there, the best places to see in a city, jot down,as mentioned earlier each place of interest requires afew hours, to reach, stand in line, see, exit, travel to next place.
After you have selected the 5-6 places, the goto climate of each place and select the month to travel, places have rain, or it is too hot or too cold.
Age is a factor, after a series of night travels, one does require a night of good sleep in a proper bed.
Some tips by Flurrytiles are worth their weight in gold!!
European airlines chep, if booked early , 2mnths ahead,the net gives schedules; visit cheap airlines europe. select country/s of operation. some of these close down as soon as they open be careful.
Austrian does open jaw ticketting;so you do not have to go back to vienna at your cost to fly back.Move from one end of the map i.e. Vienna to the other in a single direction, then fly back from Rome to Vienna at their cost.
see Vienna - 2 nights- (jet lag , one night rest),
goto Innsbruck -day ride enjoy alps scenic , enroute get down at Watten - Swaroski Museum (4 hrs), carry onto Innsbruck,for night halt. Next morning take Cable car,( 4hours).
Luzern , Interlaken 3 nights- ; enjoy the lakes and heights of Alps. Only if you are medically cleared? or else just stick to base level.See Eurail concession for europe, gives you an idea what else is available at discount.
Travel thru to Milan on the scenic train, onto Venice. See Murano (5 hours),See the glass museums, locate addresses. check out the cost of gondola? night train to Florence 3 hours.
Florence, you need to arrive the night before to be in line early morning for the Uffizi museum. Pisa (maybe since you are there 3hours + 2 hours one way) , only if u want to help straighten it!! . Tuscany wine country ( a day trip, conducted tour)
Rome one day, 7 hours trip to 7 sites Must see,( bus hop on hop off" from out side train station) . These days Italian tourism board has set up offices in many places, try them too for guidance.
Add travel time by visiting eurail site. Calculate time and fare.
Stay - search places next to train station,
Have a great time, plannng .
Oct 30th, 2009, 12:45 AM
#91
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Siri: You have had so many replies,not sure if you'll get to mine.
But......we did a 10 day trip in 2000.Just to Italy.
We went to Venice, Florence and Rome.
Between traveling and settling in to our hotels.
We truly only spent 1 full day in each city.
I agree with every one else you will only get to see the inside of the train station.I'm not sure where you are flying from but I always need one full day to recoup from jet lag.So that eats in to your time,also.
Slow down and enjoy Europe,because I can guarantee you will be back.
But......we did a 10 day trip in 2000.Just to Italy.
We went to Venice, Florence and Rome.
Between traveling and settling in to our hotels.
We truly only spent 1 full day in each city.
I agree with every one else you will only get to see the inside of the train station.I'm not sure where you are flying from but I always need one full day to recoup from jet lag.So that eats in to your time,also.
Slow down and enjoy Europe,because I can guarantee you will be back.
Oct 30th, 2009, 12:12 PM
#92
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Siri,
My first trip to Europe (nearly 30 years ago) was 6 cities/towns in 17 days and I loved it. My mom and I planned it as though it would be our only trip to Europe and decided what we would most like to see. The itinerary came out of that list. We managed at least 2 nights in each location because we thought we would get better rest and make the most of our time. Even so I remember dinner in Florence near the end of our trip where I thought I could put my head on the plate and sleep. Sleeper train between Paris and Switzerland would have saved us one long travel day.
I think Subiindia has provided some great advice. I hope you will post a trip report and let us know how it goes.
My first trip to Europe (nearly 30 years ago) was 6 cities/towns in 17 days and I loved it. My mom and I planned it as though it would be our only trip to Europe and decided what we would most like to see. The itinerary came out of that list. We managed at least 2 nights in each location because we thought we would get better rest and make the most of our time. Even so I remember dinner in Florence near the end of our trip where I thought I could put my head on the plate and sleep. Sleeper train between Paris and Switzerland would have saved us one long travel day.
I think Subiindia has provided some great advice. I hope you will post a trip report and let us know how it goes.
Oct 30th, 2009, 07:33 PM
#93
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Many thanks for all your input/comment/insight especially the recent posts.
I have come up with itinerary as below with some questions to ask.
Should I travel with either one of these or combine?
- Point to Point Tickets?
- Select Pass?
- Seperated One Country Pass?
Day 1 - Prague
Day 2 - Prague
Day 3 - Prague to Vienna (morning train)
Day 4 - Vienna
Day 5 - Day trip to Melk
Day 6 - Vienna to Salzburg (morning train)
Day 7 - Salzburg to Innsbruck (night train)
Day 8 - Innsbruck
Day 9 - Innsbruck to Verona (Sleeper Train)
Day 10 - Verona to Venice (morning train)
Day 11 - Venice to Florence (night train)
Day 12 - Florence
Day 13 - Florence to Rome (morning train)
Day 14 - Rome
Many thanks,
I have come up with itinerary as below with some questions to ask.
Should I travel with either one of these or combine?
- Point to Point Tickets?
- Select Pass?
- Seperated One Country Pass?
Day 1 - Prague
Day 2 - Prague
Day 3 - Prague to Vienna (morning train)
Day 4 - Vienna
Day 5 - Day trip to Melk
Day 6 - Vienna to Salzburg (morning train)
Day 7 - Salzburg to Innsbruck (night train)
Day 8 - Innsbruck
Day 9 - Innsbruck to Verona (Sleeper Train)
Day 10 - Verona to Venice (morning train)
Day 11 - Venice to Florence (night train)
Day 12 - Florence
Day 13 - Florence to Rome (morning train)
Day 14 - Rome
Many thanks,
Oct 30th, 2009, 07:59 PM
#94
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It's certainly much better than your original plan! If you know that those are the cities you want to prioritize and the speed at which you want to travel, it does make sense geographically. Personally I'd take Salzburg and/or Innsbruck and add it to Rome. I assume by "night train" you mean "train in the evening" and not "overnight train."
I can't definitively answer your question about the pass vs. point to point, other than to suggest you price out both options and see if there's a major difference in cost. A benefit of the pass is that if you decide (for example) that you love Venice and want to stay there an extra day rather than going to Florence, you have more flexibility to do that. (I'm still not sure *when* you trip is, though; if it's during high season, you may not be able to be very flexible due to accommodations not being as easily available.)
I can't definitively answer your question about the pass vs. point to point, other than to suggest you price out both options and see if there's a major difference in cost. A benefit of the pass is that if you decide (for example) that you love Venice and want to stay there an extra day rather than going to Florence, you have more flexibility to do that. (I'm still not sure *when* you trip is, though; if it's during high season, you may not be able to be very flexible due to accommodations not being as easily available.)
Oct 30th, 2009, 09:17 PM
#97
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Having been to all three I suggest going to Salzburg and eliminating Innsbruck then apply that time to Rome. If it will work with your planned sleeper train that is. I've not been to Verona but I would consider giving that up to spend more time in Venice--a magical place.
What month do you think you will travel? It was very cold one September in Austria and oh so warm in Italy. You might need to pack a little more for the different climates.
What month do you think you will travel? It was very cold one September in Austria and oh so warm in Italy. You might need to pack a little more for the different climates.
Oct 31st, 2009, 06:17 AM
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Have you begun to investigate all there is to do in each of your destinations? Trimming your itinerary to Prague, Vienna, Florence and Rome (with easy day trips from each) in 15 days would give you much to see and do. You would have time to really soak up the atmosphere and not just see the "must sees". You need to take into account how much time will be spent getting to/from your lodging sight (not just the train time but also the bus, taxi or walk to your hotel), packing/unpacking and familiarizing yourself with an area.
Read the following thread and you will see that most memories have nothing to do with places but the people encountered. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nce-venice.cfm I think you have a better chance of having such experiences with a trip that includes less travel and unpacking time.
You will contend with jetlag a couple of days on the front end and your last day will include packing which also detracts from the amount of quality time you have available.
Read the following thread and you will see that most memories have nothing to do with places but the people encountered. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nce-venice.cfm I think you have a better chance of having such experiences with a trip that includes less travel and unpacking time.
You will contend with jetlag a couple of days on the front end and your last day will include packing which also detracts from the amount of quality time you have available.
