First Time Travelling to Europe - Help with Transport

z10cvbnm on 25/01/2018 - 09:18

Hi all,

I am going to Europe this March for 3 weeks, and will travel to Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

This is the first time I am going there and unsure on how should I arrange my transportation (trains between countries mostly). Heard about that rail passes and it looks expensive for what it is.

Do you think it'll be better to buy single ticket for whenever we need one? Not familiar with Europe and how the train system works, and hoping some help to avoid paying too much on transportation.

Also, any specific country/city that you think I should drive instead of taking public transport? Recommendation on places to visit also welcomed!

In summary, our trip looks like this:

  • Greece (4 days) - Athens + Santorini (all flights sorted)
  • Italy (7 days) - Rome - Florence - Milan (might do few day trips here and there)
  • Switzerland (3 days) - Bern - Lucerne (will probably drive) - Then take flight to Amsterdam
  • Netherlands (3 days) - Amsterdam
  • Belgium (1 days) - Brussels
  • France (5 days) - Paris

Thank you!

Travel

Comments

  • boomramada on 25/01/2018 - 09:32

    Don't buy a Europe rail pass. Buy them directly or through a booking websites.

  • QW3RTY on 25/01/2018 - 09:35
    +7

    When it comes to trains in Europe, nobody does a more detailed explanation than The Man in Seat Sixty-One.

    https://www.seat61.com/

    There's comprehensive guides on trains between certain countries and by following the links, you could build yourself a little spreadsheet and weigh up whether or not it makes financial sense to buy a rail pass.

    If you're only travelling between a couple of different countries, it may actually work out cheaper to buy one way tickets without a pass.

    I've just completed the same exercise for my trip coming up in two weeks and booked my train tickets through Eurail. After working out all the costs, I saved about $120 per person for my partner and I to travel between the UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Czechia. I ended up getting myself a Youth Eurail Select Pass.

    It's worth noting that Eurail have increased the age range defining "Youth" travellers in the past year, to include people up to 27 years old, which I've managed to sneak under for the purpose of this trip.

    Good luck!

    • z10cvbnm on 25/01/2018 - 09:56

      Thanks QW3RTY. I will check seat61.

      • QW3RTY on 25/01/2018 - 10:45

        Just thought I'd also share some other information on Belgium.

        I'm also going to Belgium and did a lot of research into where to say and what's good to do. The unanimous verdict I got from my research is that you're better off staying in Ghent, Bruges and/or Antwerp instead of Brussels.

        Reviews I have read have said that Brussels is somewhat underwhelming and even perhaps a bit "overrated".

        I'm going for three days in late February, and I'm going to do two nights in Bruges and one in Ghent. Might just be worth a look online on sites like TripAdvisor for "things to do". I came to the conclusion that Brussels may even be just a day trip from Ghent instead of being the base of operations.

        Of course, I haven't actually visited yet and everybody has different tastes, but that was just the result of my research. Perhaps there maybe be somebody else here who can speak from experience.

  • crozza on 25/01/2018 - 09:42
    +2

    seat61.com will have all your train answers.
    Do not leave it too long to book your trains, usually much cheaper 60 days out.
    If your trip is listed in order, maybe fly Athens to Rome.
    I would train Switzerland
    Substitute Venice for Milan.
    Follow seat61 advice on rail passes, you will probably find it cheaper to book individual legs.

    • frondono on 25/01/2018 - 10:30

      Seat61 helped me immensely. I would fly some of the longer journeys next time though.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 25/01/2018 - 10:19

    Try https://www.blablacar.com/ for carpooling.

    • crozza on 25/01/2018 - 21:35

      have just come across this carshare thing whilst researching Spain trip.

      have a look on Rome2Rio, great site we Aussies should support if appropriate.

  • Halo375 on 25/01/2018 - 10:26
    +1

    Buy online directly and BUY EARLY! The price of tickets increase the closer you get to the date.

    Plus its good to lock these things in now, have tickets printed, emails saved, etc. Basically just be prepared and build a good plan. Trains are awesome in Europe - you’ll see more of the countryside that way.

    • z10cvbnm on 25/01/2018 - 10:32

      Thanks Halo375! Yes that's definitely the plan. The missus needs to apply visa tho, so thinking if we should just buy it now before her visa is confirmed.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/01/2018 - 10:54
    -4

    First Time Travelling to Europe

    If you are time travelling to Europe first where are you going to visit next?

  • artfuldodger on 26/01/2018 - 09:38

    If its your first trip, I'd skip Belgium altogether unless there is something of interest you 'must see'. Just do the direct fast train from AMS to Paris. You could use the day elsewhere cause you've already got a hectic schedule for 3 wks.

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