College daughter traveling this spring
 

Hi everyone! My DD is traveling to Switzerland this spring to do a two week study abroad with her college. They are all to meet there. Teacher suggested they fly over a week ahead and travel a little before check in.

She would like to go to Prague. I found she can fly to Prague on United and direct home from Zurich. She will most likely fly out of Washington DC area for better fares and to travel with some girls.
The hard part is Prague to Zurich.Does anyone know of some cheaper airlines that service these two? Also, what is a good safe area/hotel in Prague. This is an unfamiliar city for me.
And last but not least, some suggestes cities for pre trip or mid trip for a few days that would be easy to get to from Riva San Vitale Switzerland. (The school is down by the lakes region of Switzerland). She has traveled through Zurich last summer with us and took the trains down to Lugano. So, this is at least somewhat familiar. We traveled down to italy last summer.

I am trying to help her research some ideas that are reasonably priced and safe for two or three young ladies to travel. They are all about 21, but are probably not all that worldly. My dd has traveled a little but always with us.
So, thanks for any info or recommendations !

< Also, what is a good safe area/hotel in Prague. >

Mala Strana near the river. Could find a decent triple at Bishop's House or Pension Dientzenhofer or if they can swing about 52 USD/night, Charles River Apartments (pricing is per flat so piling more in would lower costs). Don't stay near the train station.

<Does anyone know of some cheaper airlines that service these two?> Google discount european airlines. There used to be a bunch of start-ups in the mid-'00s (Wizz Air was one) and some have survived.

Oh, if you or the moderators re-tag this for Czech Republic and/or Switzerland, it may help drum up some feedback.

I use www.skyscanner.net to find flights. I just checked, and they do have direct flights between Prague and Zurich, but they're a little expensive. They have cheap flights with a layover in Cologne or Dusseldorf. Maybe she could stop for a few nights in one of those cities.

Skyscanner also lets you specify a country, rather than a city, as your starting point or destination. If you specify "Switzerland" instead of "Zurich", you may see other cities have reasonably priced direct flights to places she'd like to visit, and from which she could easily get to her destination.

Riva San Vitale is in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, near the Italian border. It's not very near Zurich at all. Would she maybe be better off flying into Milan, which looks a lot closer?

For a weekend visit during her course, she might be able to get to Como or one of the other towns on lake Como easily. Maybe she'd prefer to visit one of the other regions of Switzerland, such as Bern or Lucerne. I'm not familiar with transportation in this area; perhaps someone else can help with that.

There is also a direct overnight train between Prague and Zurich - CNL 458, leaving 18:10 arriving Zurich 9:17 am - many folks her age ride trains like that - very safe if you get a private compartment - if she knows others going to Prague they could book a double or triple or quad, etc and have a nice time - bring any food or drink on board, etc.

Get discounted fares at www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways that runs these trains. For general info on overnight trains and what to expect check out www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.sea61.com. Could be an adventure for a lifetime and IME of riding zillions of overnight trains very safe - I've seen many many gals her age on overnight trains. Save on the cost of a hotel and city center to city center.

CNL = CityNightLiner

Thank you all! This is her first trip sans parents. I am trying to guide her to make wise choices about transportation first, then hotels.I would rather give her some more money to stay in a little nicer place for safety reasons.

The skyskanner did come back with a 129 one way flight between prague and zurich which is the cheapest I have seen it. Anyone travel on germanwings before? Thanks for the website!!!

I always thought the train time to Riva san vitale was the about the same from zurich or milan. Just checking now, milan is a lot less time. I will check this out with her.

They key thing is to travel with one or two girls who have the same game plan. About 15 are going from the east coast.

Really appreciate all your wisdom here. I have traveled three times to europe in the last 6 years and everyone here has helped me so much in the past. I knew I could count on some good tips here! Thanks again!

PS she is studying Italian in college so traveling through Milan may be better on time and language!

Czech Airlines flies direct Prague-Zurich, however it's very expensive one way @ $623. I see on ITA Matrix where you can fly for about $123, and it takes 7 hrs after sitting around in Dusseldorf Airport. Or there's a flight for about $163 that takes just over 4 hrs. These are approximate prices, as we don't have the dates of travel.

Another option would be to take the bus to Munich in time to enjoy a couple of nights on the town, and then take the train to Zurich and their final destination. I'll never forget a long weekend in Munich while going to college in Innsbruck.

I'll echo Bamaman - break the week up between Prague and Munich - 7 days is a long long time in Prague for many - especially if someone is solo IME - and Munich is only about 4 hours or so from Zurich by frequent trains. Check out youth hostels in either city - they are safe and many folks her age are using them - great place to meet folks - hotels are so isolating.

My first trip to Europe when I was 20 I stayed my first two nights in Paris in a hotel and was bored - totally isolating - then I moved for several days to a youth hostel and had a lot more fun and met other folk.

Use Let's Go Europe to select hostels - great rundown - at any large library or www.letsgo.com (I think) - written by American students - been around a long long time.

She will be traveling with a girl or a few girls. They were told not to go off alone, but to team up and pick places. Much safer and I agree and more fun!

I am sending her all these websites for her to bring to class to help her make her plans!Thanks fodorites!

I agree with PalenQ that your daughter and her friends should stay in hostels--that's where everyone else their age will be staying and it's a great way to meet people. They won't meet anyone staying in a hotel.

My daughter, who traveled a lot by herself through Europe when she was 21, tells me that HostelWorld.com is the best site for finding and booking hostels. There are user reviews of the hostels (which my daughter found to be quite accurate) and your daughter will see that there's a wide variety of rooms--everything from large dorms to private ensuite rooms.

www.HostelWorld.com

So

She is 21 years old

She is going on a trip to meet a group from her school

She has been to eueope before - including this same area

And you still have to organize her flights and her hotels and whatever eles you may be working on

Now I understand why so many of the young people that come to us for interviews seem to expect to have everything done for them - instead of being the confident self-starters that we need to do these intern jobs.

Is you daughter really this helpless? Or is this just your fear that is pushing you to arrange everything for her?

Please don't reply NYtraveler if you have nothing nice or even remotely helpful to say.
She is not helpless. She asked me where to look for discount airlines and info on prague. I am asking the experts here. Now since you are apparently the expert on child rearing, I suggest you go back to the Lounge to advise.

I'm sorry - but I think what I have to say is way more helpful than suggesting a specific hotel for your daughter's trip.

If she's 21 presumably this is her senior year in college and she will very shortly need to start looking for a job.

Are you planning on organizing that for her as well?

At what point will she be old enough to start doing things for herself?

I know you think you are helping her but you are really making her life much more difficult long-term.

I'm sorry but I am seeing more and more young adults who can't do anything unless they are spoon fed instead of standing on their own feet and coping with life. (I know it's not all of them since my DDs were raised to be self-sufficient and are organizing their own lives.)

It's true that my daughters were traveling alone around Europe (the older daughter) and China (the younger) at earlier ages than this. A lot of the stuff they did I'm glad I didn't know about until it was all over, like staying in the rough hostels where Chinese travelers stayed, or hiking on high and dangerous trails in Sicily. These trips were about 15 years ago, and I think kids grew up quicker then.

I also don't think kids are necessarily safer traveling together, either.

Here in Italy, my husband has had young people turn up to job interviews with their parents, and once with Grandmom and Granddad. Grandmom later dropped by our house to give me some eggs fresh from her hens. I suppose she thought that would convince my husband to hire her grandson!

Folks, this is a thread about European travel for college students. If you want to give parenting advice, as Girlonthego says, go to the Forum.

Folks, this is a thread about European travel for college students. If you want to give parenting advice, as Girlonthego says, go to the Forum.>

hey hey - yes keep the preaching out of it and answer travel questions - time and time again this happens, often with the same ole folks giving parental advice. Answer travel questions without editorializing about something not asked.

thanks longhorn and PalenQ. I just want to guide her and her friends to the right websites for planning their trip. I come here for my own trips.

So, if anyone has any more good advice on travel, I would appreciate all recommendations on everything from hostels and safety and inner country traveling whether on trains or planes. I really appreciate the insight here.

girl, I visited Prague for the first time this past August. I was with a friend for most of the time but then had a long weekend by myself at the end of our trip. Didn't stay in hostels( past that stage if my life!).

We rented an apartment in Josefov on Hastalska Square--wonderful location, central but not party central. I moved across the river to Hoel Sax, which is up by the castle, for my solo weekend. Also recommend that area.

I certainly wouldn't rule out hostels because of age. They took the "Y" out of their acronym long ago.

I used to stay in hostels before I married my present husband, and I was no longer a youth the last time I stayed in one. I was also never the only guest my age. Hostels are great when you're traveling alone. You meet people, they organize tours, they offer all sorts of interesting events. I used to stay in the IH hostel in Manhattan; the last time I was there, one of the guests in my dorm room was a woman in from Connecticut who was doing some heavy duty shopping and put the money she saved on hotels towards purchases at Henri Bendel. I lived near New York, and used to stay in the hostel when I went to concerts or art exhibits.

I would ask about pickpockets. One of the above posters has been to Europe over 100 times and NEVER been pickpocketed. She is extremely street smart.

I have been to Europe well over 100 times and never been pickpocketed but there were several occasions if I had not been congnizant of the problem I may well have been. Always, ALWAYS use a money belt or similar device IMO that goes under your clothes - not strung around your neck as it can be snatched, leaving you with a wrenched neck! Crowded metro and train stations and any crowded area take special vigilance. But generally a bit of protection and a dollop of common sense will negate a very real problem in many places. And yes leave the family jewels at home.

Thanks again! Yes I am stressing already the money belt! Her friend went to Italy with the school and was robbed on the first subway ride. Welcome to Europe and thank you for donating your passport, 300 euros and a lovely credit card to the people!


Do you know if hostels have room safes?

Yes hostels usually have lockers but I still would always carry my passport, large money, credit cards, etc in a money belt or security device at all times.

I'd disagree with the Castle area - it's far from Old Town, not close to Mala Strana and very far from New Town - and basically atop the hill with the Castle. A 21-yo seeking to have more fun and be centrally located should stay closer to Mala Strana and Old Town Square.

I've never been pickpocketed and never really been close to it and I've been to Italy and Spain (including pickpocket Nirvana, Barcelona). I do not use a money belt, ever, and think it looks awful and advertises a certain level of paranoia.

Now, I'm a sizable man who grew up in 1980s NYC and dons his GTFO face if someone suspicious walks by, so I'm both street smart and intimidating to a sub-100 kg European who wears medium-size Tshirts. I also travel now with kids so if anyone gets too close, they're in legitimate danger from papa bear's claws. But there have to be better types of equipment for young people to wear to keep their necessary documents, cards and cash than a money belt or fanny pack.

This may help point her in a decent direction: http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...r-c-24_93.html

. I do not use a money belt, ever, and think it looks awful and advertises a certain level of paranoia.>

I wear a money belt no one can see or know I have on. Anyone who carries money and valuables in a wallet in a back pocket is simply saying "pickpocket me" - not saying Big Russ does that but some may infer that from his comments. I've seen pickpockets working the Paris metro gates and stick their hands in folks back pockets in the mad rush to get in.

She has a moneybelt which I would like for her to use for her passport and one credit card and majority of her money. Then carry some small money and one card in an easy access place for her, but still not easy access for others.

Big Russ, you are probably intimidating but doubt my DD will have the same effect. LOL

I HAVE been to europe more than 100 times and never been pickpocketed. I've also lived in NYC my entire adult life and have not been pickpocketed or mugged. Almost everyone I know has never been pickpocketd or mugged. I think the incidence is way less than most people think.

(Although my car was stolen off the street - my fault for not putting it in a garage).

Big Russ: How is the old town area to stay in Prague? Is there any area that is not a good area for young women to stay? What section is the main train station in? I know you said to stay away from the train station. Thanks!

Some hotels that look nice:
Hotel Jezulatta in Lessertown
Perla Hotel Old town
Unitas Hotel Old town
Hotel Cerny Slon Old town

Any comments on these? Looking for good central location, with free wifi, a/c, room safe, breakfast included, some offer airport transfers which is good too and most of all SAFE area to come back to at night.

The girls have no idea as none of them has ever travelled anywhere besides florida from Virginia except mine. 3 or 4 girls are going, so either one triple or two doubles. I am pressing them to make their plans asap since most hotels are selling out for May.

We stayed at Unitas Hotel in Prague. Love, love the location!! On a quiet street and definitely safe area.... it's across the police station/HQ!! But more than that, the staff is courteous, helpful and really friendly. The breakfast is wonderful and they have tiny hors d'oeuvres plated out in the lobby in the afternoon for guests. Highly recommend!

Why can't they book their flight into Prague and home from Zurich?

Prague is first. They will be going to school in Riva San vitale Switzerland and Milan is closer than Zurich.

Thanks JoyC. The Unitas looks nice, but may be sold out before all these girls get their acts together.

kybourbon. Milan will be their gateway home, I think. Nothing is booked yet.

Why? It would make more sense to book into Prague and home from Milan.

Try Josefov, very nice location. The area right around the Charles Bridge ("below" it) seemed a little too hectic for me.

This hotel was right near the apartment we rented and would be a good choice. Not sure what their budget is, and this is not a partying-college-kids place, but may give you an idea of location:

http://www.maximilianhotel.com/

There were lots and lots of young people out and about quite late all over Prague when I visited (including up by the castle at the Design Hotlel Sax, where I also stayed). I'd say the most important thing for them is to be sensible and not drink too much. :)

kybourbon, that is the plan. Flying into Prague, (there are no direct flights to prague from virginia, so into prague via another european city) and then home from Milan.

leely2. Thanks I saw that one on booking.com and trip advisor and will look at it again. They are not wild, I don't think. They are all legal in the US (I believe they are all 21). That was the one thing I told my DD. Don't drink too much! Hopefully she will heed my warnings or not tell me about how they barely lived one night until I am old, or older. LOL She said the other girls really have never traveled and their parents are worried about where they are going to stay. So, I am helping find them an area and some hotels to check out and the process of it all. Just want them to be safe. I told her to make them watch the movie Taken before they all go.That should scare them a little for the first few days anyway.

When Milan is the closest airport to their school, you could check wizzair.com for low-cost fares between Prague and Malpensa or Bergamo.

Easy Jet flies Prague/Milan and random dates show prices in the 40-50€€ range (+13€ to check a bag). All the budget airlines have strict luggage weight/carry on rules.

When you look at flights from Prague, you have to factor in all the extras (luggage fees, train cost to destination from the various airports).

I saw one flight for 77USD for the one way non stop from Prague to Milan on the day they would need to be at the school.
I have asked my daughter numerous times, is it 3 or 4 going to Prague, how much do they expect to spend on hotels per person, per night, and the extra traveling expenses. Need to know all that soon if you are traveling together. I have sent my DD a facebook message with several hotels and costs and links, sample airfares for both the US to Europe round trip and the inner city. Decide now if you want to travel together and book!!!!!!!!!!!

kybourbon, I didn't consider the extra costs for baggage in europe. Most likely they will have a bag that needs to be checked in europe.
Thanks for the link Cowboy, will check out the website.

I have also mentioned that if they didnt' want to do Prague,they can fly direct from washington Dc to numerous cities in europe. So, decide, decide, decide!