solo guy traveling to europe help please :)
Jan 9th, 2017, 07:24 AM
#21
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<i> solo guy traveling to europe help please 
Posted by: robdetroit8905 on Jan 7, 17 at 1:16pm</i>
As a fellow Michigander (Midland) who has flown to Europe many times I suggest that you take a non-stop flight from DTW to AMS. Start shopping Delta and watch the prices. Use flexible dates. Take the last flight of the evening from DTW so you can sleep during your normal sleep time. You'll arrive in Amsterdam at about 11:00 local time without jet lag. Since you are covering a lot of territory in Europe it would be best to get an open jaw ticket.
Arriving in Amsterdam in April/May is a great choice. The annual King's Day celebration on April 27 is a party you will never forget. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/travelog/QueensDay2008.htm.
Join Hosteling International https://www.hihostels.com/ and book ahead. Hostels are a great way to bunk in as you travel. They usually have washing machines, refrigerators, budget breakfasts, and free wifi.
Night trains are not as plentiful as in the "good old days" but can still be used to save time and money on some routes. For an illustrated introduction see http://www.enjoy-europe.com/night-trains-in-europe.htm.
There is plenty of good advice in this thread, especially the notes from <i>kja on Jan 8, 17 at 12:24am</i>. You are probably packing too much. Forget the hoodies, period. Blue jeans are not a good idea, but one pair of light weight black jeans might be OK. Cut the clothes list down so it all fits in a 21" roller bag.
My favorite guidebook for accuracy and completeness is Lonely Planet's "Europe on a Shoestring." I've used Rough Guide, Let's Go, Rick Steves, Frommers, and others. Lonely Planet is the best.
Your athletic interests will probably be well covered by walking all day. The sports you mentioned will not be easily accessible nor priced for a budget traveler. Your$5k is very tight and must be well managed.
Posted by: robdetroit8905 on Jan 7, 17 at 1:16pm</i>
As a fellow Michigander (Midland) who has flown to Europe many times I suggest that you take a non-stop flight from DTW to AMS. Start shopping Delta and watch the prices. Use flexible dates. Take the last flight of the evening from DTW so you can sleep during your normal sleep time. You'll arrive in Amsterdam at about 11:00 local time without jet lag. Since you are covering a lot of territory in Europe it would be best to get an open jaw ticket.
Arriving in Amsterdam in April/May is a great choice. The annual King's Day celebration on April 27 is a party you will never forget. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/travelog/QueensDay2008.htm.
Join Hosteling International https://www.hihostels.com/ and book ahead. Hostels are a great way to bunk in as you travel. They usually have washing machines, refrigerators, budget breakfasts, and free wifi.
Night trains are not as plentiful as in the "good old days" but can still be used to save time and money on some routes. For an illustrated introduction see http://www.enjoy-europe.com/night-trains-in-europe.htm.
There is plenty of good advice in this thread, especially the notes from <i>kja on Jan 8, 17 at 12:24am</i>. You are probably packing too much. Forget the hoodies, period. Blue jeans are not a good idea, but one pair of light weight black jeans might be OK. Cut the clothes list down so it all fits in a 21" roller bag.
My favorite guidebook for accuracy and completeness is Lonely Planet's "Europe on a Shoestring." I've used Rough Guide, Let's Go, Rick Steves, Frommers, and others. Lonely Planet is the best.
Your athletic interests will probably be well covered by walking all day. The sports you mentioned will not be easily accessible nor priced for a budget traveler. Your$5k is very tight and must be well managed.
Jan 9th, 2017, 08:25 AM
#22
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Again Let's Go Europe IMO is the best resource for hostels and things like youth hotels where you need no membership and are more client oriented -but do get the HI card spaarne mentions or you'll pay more for HI hostels without one.
Jan 9th, 2017, 06:14 PM
#23
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Okay, wow alot of good information. Now feeling like i am not as prepared as i thought I was or thinking it would be a bit simpler... So good to know I need to do more, alot more. Ive been using the app hopper to watch for flights and found one way flights averaging around 500 bucks usd so figured 1000 for the flight and 4000 usd left to use at a 1000 a week. I would stay in hostels as long as they looked safe, if not was going to look into airbnb. Ive read about shoulder season which is why i picked out april/may time.
Has anyone stayed in any hostels that they recommend to be safe and somewhat pleasant in the locations of Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, venice, florence, rome?
Has anyone stayed in any hostels that they recommend to be safe and somewhat pleasant in the locations of Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, venice, florence, rome?
Jan 9th, 2017, 06:27 PM
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Sorry, robdetroit8905, I can’t answer your question about hostels. Traveling, particularly on a budget, can be challenging – but I hope you take heart in all the great information people have offered! I’m sure you’ll do fine and have some wonderful experiences along the way.
@ tom_mn: Thanks for the clarification – good to know, and my apologies for the mischaracterization.
@ spaarne:
@ tom_mn: Thanks for the clarification – good to know, and my apologies for the mischaracterization.
@ spaarne:
Jan 9th, 2017, 07:38 PM
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I agree with kja. I've never seen a request for information generate so many responses and so quickly. People have really taken in interest in your future trip. Before I started asking more questions about hostels, etc. I'd take some good time to digest all of the information you have received. Use that to assemble a first draft itinerary fitting your interests and budget. THEN, come back to elicit feedback on that. ��
Jan 12th, 2017, 05:30 PM
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Thank you everyone for all the good information. I have been looking through it all and goin over my plan for the trip and am still struggling. But i have changed my trip plans to what i think is a better trip with less distance in between traveling.
Jan 12th, 2017, 06:59 PM
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Sounds like a great first step. Less time spent on trains, buses and planes means more time seeing things, enjoying great food and wine, meeting people, etc. When you have a first draft itinerary assembled, I'd suggest starting a new thread and post it under the applicable countries for people to provide feedback.
Jan 13th, 2017, 08:01 AM
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Less time spent on trains, buses and planes means more time seeing things, enjoying great food and wine, meeting people, etc.>
Agree with all but meeting people -one of the nice things about train travel.
Agree with all but meeting people -one of the nice things about train travel.
Jan 13th, 2017, 11:57 AM
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Or i could/would travel by train and getting an EuRail Pass once in Europe and could take night trains so id spend the days in cities and nights sleeping on the train.>
night trains are IME a good place to meet Europeans your age and from around the world - get a 2ndclass couchette -six berths for about $25-30 (railpass covers basic train fare but not sleeping costs) =- few night trains have open seating anymore where you can with a pass pay nothing extra and anyway that is dicey with thefts being possible in those open-access train cars.
night trains are IME a good place to meet Europeans your age and from around the world - get a 2ndclass couchette -six berths for about $25-30 (railpass covers basic train fare but not sleeping costs) =- few night trains have open seating anymore where you can with a pass pay nothing extra and anyway that is dicey with thefts being possible in those open-access train cars.
Jan 13th, 2017, 01:30 PM
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You might check out from Amazon or your local library a book for first timers like you. Rough Guide has one "The Rough Guide to First-Time Europe" Rick Steves has "Through the Back Door 2016: The Travel Skills Handbook". These are more about "how" to travel than "where" to travel. Have fun planning!
Jan 13th, 2017, 02:23 PM
#32
Mine is a tiny tip but I'm good at packing...
<To bring 5 days worth of clothing outfits: 5 t-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 2-3 pairs of jeans, 5 pairs of socks/underwear, 3 hoodies, 1 spring/summer jacket, pair of good tennis shoes and wear comfortable boots(Timberlands or other recommend pair).>
You don't need to bring 3 hoodies, 1 is enough. You don't need 3 pair of shorts, first of April/May is a little early for summer weather most places, and 1 pair is plenty. You don't need hiking boots for touring cities, but 2 pair or comfortable shoes or boots is a good idea.
The only thing you need multiples of is stuff like socks and underwear, so you have enough to get to the next laundry-matt or so they can dry overnight being washed in the sink.
<To bring 5 days worth of clothing outfits: 5 t-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 2-3 pairs of jeans, 5 pairs of socks/underwear, 3 hoodies, 1 spring/summer jacket, pair of good tennis shoes and wear comfortable boots(Timberlands or other recommend pair).>
You don't need to bring 3 hoodies, 1 is enough. You don't need 3 pair of shorts, first of April/May is a little early for summer weather most places, and 1 pair is plenty. You don't need hiking boots for touring cities, but 2 pair or comfortable shoes or boots is a good idea.
The only thing you need multiples of is stuff like socks and underwear, so you have enough to get to the next laundry-matt or so they can dry overnight being washed in the sink.
Jan 13th, 2017, 03:47 PM
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Just get a couple of pairs of Ex Officio underwear. You can wash one at night and it will be dry by the morning.
Swap with two pairs.
It is pricey though but sometimes you can find it on sale at REI or Amazon.
Swap with two pairs.
It is pricey though but sometimes you can find it on sale at REI or Amazon.
Jan 17th, 2017, 07:13 AM
#34
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https://rail.statravel.com/#Eurailpromotion
I don't know if you technically need to be a student to use STA Travel, but they have lots of less expensive options for visiting Europe.
I don't know if you technically need to be a student to use STA Travel, but they have lots of less expensive options for visiting Europe.
Jan 17th, 2017, 07:49 AM
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Hey Rob!
I've stayed at TOC Hostel in Barcelona and it was amazing! Excellent experience all around. I went to Barcelona in June and it was super hot (I am from Alberta, Canada so similar weather to you) and it was almost too hot - so cannot even imagine sightseeing in July/August!
I am taking a guess here on your age and assuming you might be under 40, and if you are, with what you want to do, have you considered maybe taking a guided tour? I know these are not for everyone - but they are an excellent way to see all the attractions and cities you want to see in a small time period, with a smaller budget - plus saves you some planning. TopDeck is great - I've had several friends do their tours through Europe and really enjoyed them. Or just to work out itineraries looking at their offerings are good too.
I just booked Italy including Rome myself and hostels there we under $150 for 4 nights, train tickets were pretty cheap between Rome and Florence and Venice, averaging around $24 per trip one way (I converted to USD for ya!)
Skyscanner for flights (if you leave April 3 from NY to London it's only $152!) And trainline.eu for trains
April/May is a great time to travel, rates are just going up in May to the summer prices depending where you go. I just booked end of April/beginning May 2 weeks in Italy and it wasn't very expensive at all. (And I did AirBnB not hostels - which was more expensive depending on where I was staying, but I want sleep because I am doing a rigorous schedule of sight-seeing).
If you do your trip as is now, it would probably look like this:
Week 1: London, Amsterdam
Week 2: Belgium, Paris
Week 3: Barcelona, Rome
Week 4: Florence, Venice
I think this is do-able but until you know your dates and estimate your costs per night and of course flights/trains, it would be hard to tell... I live in England right now, so would encourage you to maybe cross London off as your fellow Michiganer (Michigan-ite?) suggested. It would be a better bang for your buck and experience to see the UK/Ireland in one big trip at a later date. London is cool, but there is a ton more to see especially with Scotland and Ireland so close too. Just an opinion though! That would leave you more time to see more in each of your cities.
For packing, if you are planning on travelling more, invest in a backpack. Mine has been amazing and it is only a 40L. I am taking it for 2 weeks. Lots of hostels have laundry really close to them so you really can take for a couple days at a time and just wash things. MEC is a store that you can order from online (Canada) and their branded stuff is great - plus they ship and your dollar is better than ours!
I would condense your packing to 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 4 pairs of socks/underwear, 1 hoodie, 1 spring/summer jacket, pair of good tennis shoes and wear comfortable boots(Timberlands or other recommend pair). iPhone+charger, 1 hat, sunglasses, toothbrush, contacts/glasses, all other daily essentials. (Do not forget a plug in adaptor!)
And don't forget - there is always jet lag and that initial lack of energy due to it the first week you get to Europe too.
Agree about Europe on a Shoestring as well - but don't forget you are there for the experience so do lay down the money for things like touring the Vatican, etc.
Also, a word to the wise about low cost airlines - specifically RyanAir; be wary of the airport you are getting dropped at and how you can get from there to the city you are going to. Had a couple friends get dinged by not doing that and ended up having to pay a super high cab fare or crazy bus fare because of this.
I've stayed at TOC Hostel in Barcelona and it was amazing! Excellent experience all around. I went to Barcelona in June and it was super hot (I am from Alberta, Canada so similar weather to you) and it was almost too hot - so cannot even imagine sightseeing in July/August!
I am taking a guess here on your age and assuming you might be under 40, and if you are, with what you want to do, have you considered maybe taking a guided tour? I know these are not for everyone - but they are an excellent way to see all the attractions and cities you want to see in a small time period, with a smaller budget - plus saves you some planning. TopDeck is great - I've had several friends do their tours through Europe and really enjoyed them. Or just to work out itineraries looking at their offerings are good too.
I just booked Italy including Rome myself and hostels there we under $150 for 4 nights, train tickets were pretty cheap between Rome and Florence and Venice, averaging around $24 per trip one way (I converted to USD for ya!)
Skyscanner for flights (if you leave April 3 from NY to London it's only $152!) And trainline.eu for trains
April/May is a great time to travel, rates are just going up in May to the summer prices depending where you go. I just booked end of April/beginning May 2 weeks in Italy and it wasn't very expensive at all. (And I did AirBnB not hostels - which was more expensive depending on where I was staying, but I want sleep because I am doing a rigorous schedule of sight-seeing).
If you do your trip as is now, it would probably look like this:
Week 1: London, Amsterdam
Week 2: Belgium, Paris
Week 3: Barcelona, Rome
Week 4: Florence, Venice
I think this is do-able but until you know your dates and estimate your costs per night and of course flights/trains, it would be hard to tell... I live in England right now, so would encourage you to maybe cross London off as your fellow Michiganer (Michigan-ite?) suggested. It would be a better bang for your buck and experience to see the UK/Ireland in one big trip at a later date. London is cool, but there is a ton more to see especially with Scotland and Ireland so close too. Just an opinion though! That would leave you more time to see more in each of your cities.
For packing, if you are planning on travelling more, invest in a backpack. Mine has been amazing and it is only a 40L. I am taking it for 2 weeks. Lots of hostels have laundry really close to them so you really can take for a couple days at a time and just wash things. MEC is a store that you can order from online (Canada) and their branded stuff is great - plus they ship and your dollar is better than ours!
I would condense your packing to 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 4 pairs of socks/underwear, 1 hoodie, 1 spring/summer jacket, pair of good tennis shoes and wear comfortable boots(Timberlands or other recommend pair). iPhone+charger, 1 hat, sunglasses, toothbrush, contacts/glasses, all other daily essentials. (Do not forget a plug in adaptor!)
And don't forget - there is always jet lag and that initial lack of energy due to it the first week you get to Europe too.
Agree about Europe on a Shoestring as well - but don't forget you are there for the experience so do lay down the money for things like touring the Vatican, etc.
Also, a word to the wise about low cost airlines - specifically RyanAir; be wary of the airport you are getting dropped at and how you can get from there to the city you are going to. Had a couple friends get dinged by not doing that and ended up having to pay a super high cab fare or crazy bus fare because of this.
Jan 20th, 2017, 06:46 AM
#36
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wow thank you all for the information. I have been digging deeper into this trip and have changed it and came up with my new set locations. I will either be going from April 25-May 23. Or May4-May 31 still trying to figure out best time to go between those 2 dates. The pricecs in flights vary between $50-100USD Any opinions?
Plan is to
Fly from Detroit-Rome
Train Rome-Florence
Train Florence-Venice
Venice-Barcelona
Barcelona-Lisbon
Lisbon-Detroit
I am happy with the locations and each train ride from every location is not too bad I believe between 1.5-3 hours.
I am redoing to my plan for packing now thanks to 'thestoryofangelina'
doing more reading now as well I cannot wait for this trip!
Plan is to
Fly from Detroit-Rome
Train Rome-Florence
Train Florence-Venice
Venice-Barcelona
Barcelona-Lisbon
Lisbon-Detroit
I am happy with the locations and each train ride from every location is not too bad I believe between 1.5-3 hours.
I am redoing to my plan for packing now thanks to 'thestoryofangelina'
doing more reading now as well I cannot wait for this trip!
Jan 20th, 2017, 08:49 AM
#38
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I think MinnBeef is right -- rome2rio.com puts the flight time for Venice to Barcelona at about 5 hours, and that probably doesn't include getting to / from the airport, being at the airport well in advance, etc.
BUT overall -- much better and much more realistic! Should be a great trip.
BUT overall -- much better and much more realistic! Should be a great trip.
