MissGronky86

As part of my travels I plan to spend 1 month out of my 3 months in Germany.

My main purpose at this time of year to see the Christmas Markets. I plan to fly from Zagreb to Munich or from Zagreb are there other places that would be better to fly into? I plan to leave Zagreb approx 30th November.

I also wish to be with my relatives from the 23rd December - 2nd Jan they are up in Hamburg/Cuxhaven.

My total budget is £5,000 this money including travel costs.

I am planning around a week in Prague (longer if using as a base for travels)
week in Poland (Warsaw and Krakow)
week in Budapest (allowing for travel outwith Budapest)
week in Zagreb (again allowing for freedom)
Month in Germany
few nights in Amsterdam
few nights in Bruges/Brussles

My research is suggesting that Germany can be quite expensive to travel. Am I best then to stick to one region such as north if I am to be there Christmas. Or will Munich be doable then up to Berlin?

Any advice previous experiences would be great

bardo1

This is a very complicated question.

I'm afraid you'll need to do some extensive research and planning on your own. :

1) Figure out available flights/trains/buses for each travel segment (Prague to Warsaw, Warsaw to Krakow, Krakow to Budapest, etc.) along with the cost (including cost of getting to any airports) of each option as well as the time spent for each option (including time getting to/from airports, train stations, bus stations).

2) <b>Do a spreadsheet</b> (!) with all the above info you gathered. Use your completed spreadsheet to help you decide on a transportation plan and note the overall transportation costs.

3) See what's left over from your £5,000. Decide what you'll spend each day in meals+transit+admission fees. This figure may end up being anywhere between £1,000-£2,000 for the whole month. This above figures assumes eating and sleeping for free in Hamburg/Cuxhaven with your family.

4) See what's left - that's your lodging budget for the month.
Research hostels, B&B's , hotels, and try to see if you can do it with what was left. You may need to adjust plans accordingly (maybe dropping Munich?)

Good luck!

Pegontheroad

I think you need to get a guidebook on the best of Europe and familiarize yourself with these destinations, possible hotels, transportation, and the costs of all of them.

Learn as much as you can about all of the above and make your decisions based on your knowledge.

Larger cities are generally more expensive than smaller ones, especially the hotels.

Specifically, I'd recommend that you see southern Germany as well as northern. They are quite different in many ways. There are cheap plane flights that will get you from the north to Bavaria inexpensively.

From where are you flying?

MissGronky86

bardo 1...

I fly out on the 5th November, will this be enough time to put together this spreadsheet to give me the best idea?? This will be my first time travelling and also alone. I am very flexible in the way I am happy to stay in one place longer therefore cutting down costs.

Thanks

MissGronky86

Bardo1... I must also say that I am also very flexiable with this itinerary I don't wan't it to rule my travels its just an idea really of the places I wish to go. Basically my starting base is Prague from 5th November after around 7 nights there anything may happen.

I have been wanting to go and do travels for years, putting it off for as long as I know, I am in the position where I have split from a longterm relationship, have no job currently, no long term lease on an apartment and around 3 months and £5,000 to use as I wish.

Although this isn't how I saw my travel plans turn out to be I am very excited on going with no real plans apart from a few major sights to see.

I wan't to make the most out of my travels and do not wan't to be hopping from place to place, I wan't to give at least a place a week or so to get a feel for it, staying on longer if I wish. I know this might make things more expensive in the long run leaving flights to last min, but I am willing to travel by bus for most of it to keep costs down.

Kathryn

bardo1

You'll have time to do a spreadsheet - it's a good idea even if you change your plans during the trip. That way, you'll have info on buses, train, and flights all in one place and on hand.

Bring a laptop to make transportation and lodging arrangements during your trip as you go. You can research some lodging options ahead of time (put them in a text document or spreadsheet too) and have options on hand. I would make arrangements for Prague before you leave home. Here's a great website to get started there:
http://www.eurocheapo.com/prague/hot...ice/cheap.html

and for other cities:
http://www.eurocheapo.com/

adrienne

Prague to Warsaw - it's a long trip - about 8 hours on the train. I would take the train for comfort - you can get up and move around.

Warsaw to Krakow - take the train. There's a fast train that takes about 3 hours. Polish trains are inexpensive (travel 2nd class) but I would recommend a seat reservation on this train as it is very popular.

Krakow to Budapest - use Orangeways buses - I think they depart once or twice per day and are inexpensive.

Train travel in Germany is less expensive if you book your tickets ahead of time. Look at the schedules to see the rates. You can book and print an eticket from home easily. You need to have the credit card that you purchased the ticket with when you show your ticket to the conductor as proof of who you are and that it is your ticket.

I would try to see Munich and Berlin before you head to Hamburg.

Is there any reason for going to Zagreb for a week? It's out of the way from the other locations and omitting it could save you some money and would allow more time in other locations.

swandav2000

Hi MissGronky86,

It's a common misperception that travellers have to show the same credit card to the conductor that they purchased the train tickets with.

It's true that you DO have to show the conductor a credit card that you indicated while buying the tickets.

But it DOESN'T have to be the same cc you used to purchase the ticket. There is an option during the buying process where you can indicate another cc as your proof of identity.

This can be important -- I personally use one cc for all my travel purchases, but when I'm enroute that cc is secured away in a hidden wallet. I always indicate and then show another cc that I keep in my wallet.

Good luck as you work out all your travels!

s

kfusto

Germany is not nearly as expensive as Belgium and the Netherlands, both of which we found to be among the most expensive countries we have visited.

I agree with creating a spread sheet and also using a good map and online travel resources to compare flight costs versus train and train passes as well.

MissGronky86

Adrienne - I think you are right, the more I research Zagreb the less I feel I need to go, I understand there is beautiful buildings and museums but as you say it is out of the way and also one of the most expensive for hostels and such like.

I've already taken Warsaw off of my itinerary with heading from Olomouc to Krakow to keep travel here low. I wonder if after Budapest I could return to Prague for they're very highly spoken about Christmas markets. I enjoy these events and when I go to Prague first I am too early for them.

Thanks

markan

There are ways to save money on train travel in Germany. The long distance trains (i.e. Munich to Berlin for example) will be fairly expensive and there's not getting around that other than buying online in advance.

However travelling with in the same state or region there are inexpensive options. For example in the state of Bayern there is a daily Bayern ticket that gives up to 5 people complete access to all regional trains, subways and buses for the entire day for a grand total of about 30 euros. The only catches are that you travel only within the state of Bayern and use only the regional trains (not ICE's for example). Each state has similar options. There are also other options like city day passes in cities like Munich and Berlin that give all day access to the subways and trams.

I've found taking advantage of these options can save a lot of money on transportation in Germany. Again with the long distance travel you have to just deal with it. If you're going to be taking a lot of long distance ICE trips between various states within Germany then I suggest looking at a rail pass that you can buy in advance. If you're only doing 1 or 2 of those then just buy those specific tickets in advance.