AisleSeat

We have taken several trips using EuropeanDestination.com to book our transportation, hotels and connecting transportation. Check them out, it could save you a considerable amount. Be sure to check all the options for hotels by location and star levels plus you can adjust your transportation to flight that don't leave at 5 am.

we like to stay in the area around the main train station in Munich. There are dozens of hotels of all star levels and it is close to the pedestrian some of the old city, a 10 minute walk from Marienplatz or you can take the s bahn.

On city passes, in Paris the museum pass, available at larger Metro stations, not only gets you into the museums (Louvre, Orsay, Versailles) but it lets you go to the front of the line to get in. That could be very valuable.

in London we have enjoyed the hop on hop off bus. You pay for 24 hours so you can get on at noon and use it till noon the next day. It is a great low energy, first day in London activity ( getting over your jet lag activity) while you get the lay of the land.

On Neuschwantein be sure to get the tickets for both castles. I think they call it the Kings ticket. Neuschwantein wasn't lived in for but a few months so it is a little like seeing a stage set. Hohenschwangau however, on t he opposing hill, is where Ludwig grew up and I find it fascinating.

thursdaysd

There is no reason to pay a ridiculous price (especially if on a budget) for the HOHO bus in London. The regular buses are just fine and will be covered by a transport pass or Oyster card.

Either use the maps app on a smart phone or the London Transport web site journey finder or print off their central London bus map - e.g. http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-...ral-london.pdf

I never take HOHO buses, but I have read reports of long waits for a bus with space to show up.

PalenQ

HOHO buses get mixed reviews - for me a HOHO bus is neat in that it circualtes all day between major sights and you can of course hop on and hop off at will - with commentary en route - good for an orientation to any city but in London heavy traffic can makes these and regular buses slow going at times.

StCirq

Do not buy the London Pass.

Do not buy the Paris Pass.

Do not book with Viator.

Right there, you've saved a good deal of money. You can arrange all the Pass items on your own for far less, and won't get saddled with tickets for silly things no one bothers going to, or doesn't have time to.

Viator is a third-party operator. You will pay less, and have better insurance if something goes wrong, if you book directly.

noddingheadgirl

Thank you to everyone for the great advice!! Definitely adjusts our budget and plans a bit.. we are still debating about changing our travel dates to leaving May 27 vs May 28 which I think we will do- just have to adjust the hotels a bit. But I think it's worth having that extra day, specially since we plan on doing a few day trips in Munich. (two castles and a trip to The Eagles Nest)


-Nicole

alexandrak

I don't have much advice, but we did 16 days in Italy last summer, and are doing 15 in France, Germany and Belgium this summer, with flights over $2000 for both of us (from Toronto) and our overall cost is between 7000-8000. And I don't like staying in less than four-stars, and like to eat well. We are doing no tours this trip as we were disappointed by the Viator tours in Italy. Just my two cents!

Kirkesgaard

In case you are still looking for hotel alternatives. In Heidelberg you picked a hotel that is a bit away from the old town (and one of the pricier ones) ... You could check if there was an alternative closer to town center. Might be cheaper and easier logistics at the the same time.