Assistance with first trip to Europe
Mar 15th, 2014 | 08:00 AM
#21
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
The problem is, I'm not really sure of the best way to get to and from these cities. In Japan, you get the railpass and you're done for the entire country, but I've been reading conflicting information online about rail vs discount airlines when it comes to Europe.
I'm sure we'll be using the local trains/busses within each city we visit (will the railpass be beneficial there?)>
railpasses are not the panacea they once were for many folks - not just because of discount airlines but also discounted inter-city train fares that for folks taking a relatively few train trips in a relatively few countries that course could be the cheapest way.
Flying between mega touristed cities means see mobbed tourist cities and tarmacs and airports - taking the train lets you also see the often bucolic Europe in between those tourist meccas.
European trains, at least on the Continent, now blast between most key cities at speeds of up to nearly 200 mph and there are overnight trains between just about any two cities far enough removed - save time even over flying and the cost of a night in a hotel.
The mnatra I find more and more on Fodor;s is that railpasses are NEVER a good idea anymore and IMO and IME of training around Europe with passes for decades no could be further from the truth - anyone taking several longish train rides in several countries or anyone taking lots of trains in one country (there are one-country railpasses) may well find a pass a boon.
And folks wanting flexibility to hop any train anytime as a Eurailpass still allows in most of the countries in Europe can also be key - the discounted tickets that are often hyped as a panacea for everyone are train-specific often non-changeable nor trefundable and as they are sold in limited numbers must be booked in stone weeks or months before to guarantee getting.
And if over 25 a Eurailpass is usually first-class only and IME of decades of traveling with a first-class pass for the trip of a lifetime I urge you to consider making your first train trip as relaxed as possible - first class has bigger seats, less seats per same size train car as in 2nd class (which is perfectly adequate - not a cattle car usually just that first class is much more adequate and why zillions of Europeans pay more to go first class - lots easier to stow luggage - I often put in on an empty seat near me, etc.
so there is my suggestion - to investigate railpasses and just do not pay much attention to folks who say railpasses are never a good thing - my experience tells me that is a foolish statement - do your research and come to your own conclusion.
I have no idea of what your eventual itinerary is so I am not saying a railpass is warranted but if traveling enough look them over.
some great sources to learn about European trains- www.budgeteuropetravel.com - www.seat61.com (good info on discounted tickets); www.ricksteves.com.
I'm sure we'll be using the local trains/busses within each city we visit (will the railpass be beneficial there?)>
railpasses are not the panacea they once were for many folks - not just because of discount airlines but also discounted inter-city train fares that for folks taking a relatively few train trips in a relatively few countries that course could be the cheapest way.
Flying between mega touristed cities means see mobbed tourist cities and tarmacs and airports - taking the train lets you also see the often bucolic Europe in between those tourist meccas.
European trains, at least on the Continent, now blast between most key cities at speeds of up to nearly 200 mph and there are overnight trains between just about any two cities far enough removed - save time even over flying and the cost of a night in a hotel.
The mnatra I find more and more on Fodor;s is that railpasses are NEVER a good idea anymore and IMO and IME of training around Europe with passes for decades no could be further from the truth - anyone taking several longish train rides in several countries or anyone taking lots of trains in one country (there are one-country railpasses) may well find a pass a boon.
And folks wanting flexibility to hop any train anytime as a Eurailpass still allows in most of the countries in Europe can also be key - the discounted tickets that are often hyped as a panacea for everyone are train-specific often non-changeable nor trefundable and as they are sold in limited numbers must be booked in stone weeks or months before to guarantee getting.
And if over 25 a Eurailpass is usually first-class only and IME of decades of traveling with a first-class pass for the trip of a lifetime I urge you to consider making your first train trip as relaxed as possible - first class has bigger seats, less seats per same size train car as in 2nd class (which is perfectly adequate - not a cattle car usually just that first class is much more adequate and why zillions of Europeans pay more to go first class - lots easier to stow luggage - I often put in on an empty seat near me, etc.
so there is my suggestion - to investigate railpasses and just do not pay much attention to folks who say railpasses are never a good thing - my experience tells me that is a foolish statement - do your research and come to your own conclusion.
I have no idea of what your eventual itinerary is so I am not saying a railpass is warranted but if traveling enough look them over.
some great sources to learn about European trains- www.budgeteuropetravel.com - www.seat61.com (good info on discounted tickets); www.ricksteves.com.
Mar 15th, 2014 | 10:22 AM
#22
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
@bilboburgler and @PalenQ
Thank you thank you for taking the time to use your experience and answer the queries I had, rather than criticize our mini adventure. I really appreciate it!
I do believe we will fly into London, take the EuroStar from London to Paris, fly from Paris to Rome, fly from Rome to Barcelona, then fly home.
Thank you thank you for taking the time to use your experience and answer the queries I had, rather than criticize our mini adventure. I really appreciate it!
I do believe we will fly into London, take the EuroStar from London to Paris, fly from Paris to Rome, fly from Rome to Barcelona, then fly home.
Mar 15th, 2014 | 11:18 AM
#23
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 13,540
Likes: 2
Delta has decent overnight service from Lihue to Rome with just one stop in Los Angeles. Coming back they have service from London to Lihue again through L.A.
From Rome to Barcelona there are discount flights on Vueling. And from Barcelona to Paris there is an overnight train with sleeper cars if you're interested in trying that. Then Paris to London,either Eurostar train or cheap flights on Easyjet.... ending your vacation in London.
whichairline.com is the place to check on which airlines fly cheaply between your cities. With all you're hopping around, hopefully you'll be traveling light...but remember that the low fare airlines don't include much baggage in the quoted price.
Anyway, that's the way I would do it...... Rome 5 nights, Barcelona 3 nights, Paris 5 nights and London 5 nights. If the budget allows, definitely add one night to each city to allow for transfers between cities and all the wasted days going to and fro.
From Rome to Barcelona there are discount flights on Vueling. And from Barcelona to Paris there is an overnight train with sleeper cars if you're interested in trying that. Then Paris to London,either Eurostar train or cheap flights on Easyjet.... ending your vacation in London.
whichairline.com is the place to check on which airlines fly cheaply between your cities. With all you're hopping around, hopefully you'll be traveling light...but remember that the low fare airlines don't include much baggage in the quoted price.
Anyway, that's the way I would do it...... Rome 5 nights, Barcelona 3 nights, Paris 5 nights and London 5 nights. If the budget allows, definitely add one night to each city to allow for transfers between cities and all the wasted days going to and fro.
