Advice needed for a European tour

IcarusPlus

Hi all,

Two friends and I are planning to go on a little European tour in June or July. Unfortunately, I'm in possession of next to no knowledge of travel on the Continent; I have no idea how to get around and what places to see, nor how to do either at an affordable price. Before I go off stumbling into the dark of ripoffs and cons, I thought it wise, then, to appeal to the infinite wisdom of the Boards.ie crew.

The plan is that we all meet up in London; then travel through France via Paris and Bordeaux (friend 1 lives there); then finish in Germany via Berlin and Hannover (friend 2 lives near to there). We're open to cutting through Switzerland and perhaps Austria before heading into Germany. This would all happen over the space of 2 weeks, or perhaps 3 if there's good reason.

The thing is, we're not quite sure how to do it. I imagine flying between countries would be ludicrously expensive; and then again, buying an armful of train and bus tickets would more than likely add up, too.

I hear bluster of what the young'uns call an "interrailing" pass. (Shamefully, I'm 22.) That sounds like a good deal indeed, and if each of us could get one, we'd probably expand our tour to other Eastern European countries to get the most out of our money. The issue, of course, is that it doesn't seem a Frenchman can use one in France, and likewise for a German in Germany. Regardless, is it still the most affordable option?

Another option is car rental: two out of three of us can drive. I'm guessing that, too, would be very expensive on a daily basis, plus the costs of petrol, etc. Would car rental companies be averse to, say, picking up a car in London and then dropping it off in Berlin?

If seasoned travellers can offer any advice, be it in terms of what to buy, or useful sites, that would be awesome. And by all means, feel free to suggest villages, towns, cities, and scenic routes - we're very open to suggestion, so long as we visit Paris, Bordeaux, Hannover and Berlin on the way.

Muchos gracias for your assistance!

martinsvi

plan sounds lovely, couple of thoughts though:

if you're only 22, forget about car rental. Picking up a car in London and dropping it in Germany? What do you think they will do with a car with a steering wheel on the "wrong" side? that's a no. I wouldn't recommend travelling with car anyway as the distances are huge and all you really see is the motorway.

Trains are really pleasant and a good way to get around - you will see much more of the country, but they are far more expensive than flying. Few years back I had to do Munich - Berlin couple of times, with germanwings ticket only was about 20-30 eur, while the train was 120...

germanwings, easyjet and ryanair really have a stiff competition going on in these countries and they will keep the price to a minimum

there really are not that much to be afraid of. Nothing in Germany, Austria or Switzerland atleast... I would recommend to not get involved with certain types of "businessman" around Paris/France but I guess there is no way of doing it without sounding racist...

IcarusPlus

Thanks for the reply, martinsvi.

I'm the youngest out of us: our primary driver would be 26 by the time of the trip, the other, 24, but yeah, I figured that the steering wheel would be an issue. (I think I was being presumptuous about rental companies sending their cars back and forth between branches.)

In terms of these smaller plane companies, how easy is it to book tickets for them on the fly ('scuse the pun)? Would they have to be booked, say, a month in advance, or could we get away booking them as we travelled - a few days before, perhaps?

(So I'm guessing that the Interrailing pass isn't really recommended, then?)

Thanks for the safety tips, by the way. I was conned out of €20 in Paris by a menacing group of Africans a few years back. They wrapped some bracelet around my wrist, promised me their "luck", and when my friend stepped in to object, he was manhandled and hustled by a pair of the conman's lackeys. It was a learning experience!

martinsvi

when you say smaller plane companies, what exactly do you refer to? non of my mentioned are small. I guess, I would recommend to book 2 months in advance. You can always check the http://www.skyscanner.ie/ to see what options you have regarding flights, but don't buy from them. Once you find the company/route you're interested, go directly to that airlines web site and it will be a few quid cheaper.

I really can't say anything about rail-passes as the rules are changing and I haven't followed them. Few years back when I was at your age and I had pretty much the same plan, I discovered that those passes will not work for me, but only because I was doing big city hops. Maybe for you it will be a better option, especially if you plan to visit some more "rural" destinations such as Bordeaux. I would definitely recommend trains over planes. TGV/Eurostar does 300kmh, german ICE 160-200kmh depending on route... there's no check-in or security hassle (just passport control in London)

I feel sorry that those scammers got you... if ever in that same situation- say that you will call the police, might not be a bad idea to actually yell... whenever in a dispute, call the police immediately, don't let them scare you with an idea that the police will fine you or other BS.

there's non of that anywhere else on your planned journey. Not even in eastern-europe. When in east - all you nead to know to stay safe is -
a) just because the booze is cheap doesn't mean you have to drink it all
b) police won't stand disrespect (I've seen kids showing middle fingers to cops here in Ireland... you try that there, you're going down!)
c) ladies are not interested in you!
d) never loose sight of your credit card when paying a bill in a place that could use some more customers

schemingbohemia

why are you meeting up in london? is that part of the holiday or will you just be meeting in the airport or st pancras (for eurostar travel) and heading straight off?

Inter-railing is the best bet but with the possible restrictions on travel in one's own country a good site to check out for rail travel is www.seat61.com it should be able to guide you towards the ins and outs of cheap rail travel.

From Bordeaux you could go into Biarritz and then San Sebastian which would be nice places to visit.

If I were you I'd go in June, fewer tourists around and possibly cheaper accommodation too.

keithclancy

IcarusPlus wrote: »

I hear bluster of what the young'uns call an "interrailing" pass. (Shamefully, I'm 22.) That sounds like a good deal indeed, and if each of us could get one, we'd probably expand our tour to other Eastern European countries to get the most out of our money. The issue, of course, is that it doesn't seem a Frenchman can use one in France, and likewise for a German in Germany. Regardless, is it still the most affordable option?

Not specifically true, its based on residence (I'd assume where you order the Interrail pass from) rather than what it says on your passport.

http://www.interrail.eu/interrail-passes/interrail-global-pass

35% off for travellers aged 25 or under on first day of travel.
Prices shown already include any applicable discounts.
Only valid in 2nd class. Youth who prefer 1st class can buy an adult pass.
Not valid in your own country of residence.
Only European residents can use an InterRail pass.

Other than that, where are all of you living, one in the UK ?

Why not buy a Luxo barge, register it to one off you and insure it.

A make of mine picked up an old V8 Merc E class for 350 quid sterling, had an MOT too.