Thank you! It does make more sense to buy the pass there, and from what I've read around they sell it at many points. I think only 1 trail is open, so we will just take boats/trains for the rest of it.

Using envelopes is a great idea, thanks mogsanova! That seems really convenient. We have about 12 places (including daytrips) in total, so it's a pretty long trip with a lot on the itinerary and this would make it much more easier on us than having through look through a lot of papers at the beginning of the trip!

in certain places the box to validate the ticket may be at the bus stop or in Venice on the pier. so look around.

the only time I ever saw someone get a fine or ticket or not having a proper ticket was on the metro in Prague, and the offenders were Czech.

in Milan in the subway you can purchase tickets from ticket booths or depending on the station from the stores in the station that sell newspapers/candy.. they will have a sign in the window.

for Venice look at this site for info on using public transit
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/...etto-fares.htm

Thank you! I've been searching for pictures of it to make sure I know what to look for when I get there. We will be getting a day pass in Milan, so I think we can validate it only once when we buy it and the youth pass for Venice.

I always see tickets that say valid for 75 minutes, 90 minutes, 100 minutes, etc. But does that only include a single ride? Or any transfers, return rides, etc within that time frame?

Since in Pairs I'm traveling solo, I wanted to keep it more open to travel with roommates in my hostel, etc.

Should I book these things with my hostel?
Versailles 1/2 day trip: Shuttle + entrance ticket to the castle: 44€
Montmarte walking tour: 14€ per person
Discovery Cruise: 12€ or Pleasure Cruise: 17€ on Seine

the ACTV--Venice's local transit authority--offers Tourist Travel Cards that can reduce the financial pain of riding the city's vaporetti and motoscafi. These electronic cards allow unlimited travel on ACTV water and land buses for 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, or 7 days, depending on which version you buy.

(Also, a 3-day "Young Person's Travel Card" for tourists between the ages of 14 and 29 is available in combination with the Rolling Venice Card. It's a good value, especially if you're staying at the Venice Hostel on Giudecca.)

as for your Paris solo portion..Paris Walks offers lots of walking tours including Montmarte for 12 euors per person and you just show up.. perhaps you can do this with other people from the hostel rather than pre-book

Versailles..44 euros seems rather high. you can take RER C line train for a lot less and buy a ticket to the palace, the train station sells a combo, or buy a ticket to the palace and grounds,..if you can see if other people at the hostel are doing this.. the train is 15-20 minute ride and a 5 minute walk with a shuttle you may be in traffic, and you are tied to its schedule,, there are frequent trains. just a consideration

<i> Pre-trip Checklist
Posted by: LR220 on Jul 1, 14 at 5:10pm</i>

Have a glance at http://tinyurl.com/29elmem, Last Call, Travel Prep and Pack List.

Most of your specific questions are answered on the Internet sites of the individual cities you plan to visit. Do some searching on line to minimize standing in line when you get there.