What to bring Interrailing? / What size backpack

breadmonkey · 11-06-2007 11:43PM

DaveMcG wrote:

I'm sh*tting it that they'll come loose when they're being bounced around the airport though It'd suck to arrive in Paris only to see my bag coming around sans my sleeping bag...

What about putting the tent in the rucksack and wearing a load of T shirts/stuff a load of other crap in your hand luggage? I wouldn't be mad about putting the bag through with the tent attached like that.

dcarroll · 12-06-2007 03:44PM

I'm going to just buy the tent and any stuff like that I'll need to buy over there, aer lingus only allow a certain amount of luggage, 15 kg i think, my friend got chardged 80€ for exceeding the limit when going away for the summer last week

dcarroll · 15-06-2007 08:26PM

would this backpack do? gonna be gone for 4 full weeks so i dont know if its big enough

http://www.lidl.ie/IE/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20070618.p.TravelBackpackOnWheels

dcarroll · 18-06-2007 05:17PM

bought the above backpack today, it seems ok, 60L so i'd imagine that will be big enough, its also very handy as it has a detachable day-bag, several different compartments etc. It also has a section to fold away the straps so they wont get broken while in transit, and it has wheels and a handle which would be good for wheeling around airports and train stations to give your back a rest

the only thing i'm worried about is it's weight, it weighs nearly 5kg because of the wheels, handles and all that, and i'm only allowed 15kg on my flight back with ryanair

breadmonkey · 19-06-2007 09:19PM

dcarroll wrote:

the only thing i'm worried about is it's weight, it weighs nearly 5kg because of the wheels, handles and all that, and i'm only allowed 15kg on my flight back with ryanair

You definitely don't want it to be more than 15kg so you have an in-built anti over packing device!

kdouglas · 20-06-2007 12:03AM

DaveMcG wrote:

Aaaaaand the flights are booked Heading out July 2nd at 6.25am!

Less than 3 weeks, scary! :eek:

just ordered my tickets and booked flights today too... 18th july 9.45am... first stop barcelona and then eastwards!!

didnt see it mentioned, but id imagine a roll of duct tape might come in handy, its got a million and one uses, this if my first time interrailing though, but its just something i thought of...

a few people mentioned credit cards.... i dont have a credit card myself, but i use my parents one to buy stuff online all the time, i know the number off by heart and can use it to book hostels while im away, but would i need to actually apply for a card with my name on it to bring with me or is it sufficient to book online but not have the physical card with you when you turn up?

20-06-2007 12:34AM

kdouglas wrote:

a few people mentioned credit cards.... i dont have a credit card myself, but i use my parents one to buy stuff online all the time, i know the number off by heart and can use it to book hostels while im away, but would i need to actually apply for a card with my name on it to bring with me or is it sufficient to book online but not have the physical card with you when you turn up?

I had a 3V card (though it's more of a sheet) with me which allowed me to book hostels as I was going along, so you could do that, but if you wish to pay you'd need the actual card. It might be worthwhile either getting one or borrowing one from someone (that you know!) just in case yours goes missing and you have to withdraw cash from a bank machine.

kdouglas · 20-06-2007 12:12PM

well i would only be paying the deposit online via hostelworld etc... with the credit card, and then paying the rest in cash when i arrived

doc strangelove · 20-06-2007 07:27PM

Additional suggestions:

1) Bicycle lock - really secure your rucksack on trains for that extra ease of mind.
2) Train timetable - absolutely essential; I made the mistake of getting my interrail ticket in Istanbul, where (surprise, surprise) they never provided me with a timetable. I was struggling until I managed to locate a copy in Athens (not at the interrail office which had no copies, but after much searching at the STAtravel office). Useful for determining those overnight trains which allow you to cut down on accomodation costs.
3) A good book. A lot of hostels offer book swaps, so you can exchange a copy of a book you have recently finished reading for one left by another traveller.

20-06-2007 07:29PM

kdouglas wrote:

well i would only be paying the deposit online via hostelworld etc... with the credit card, and then paying the rest in cash when i arrived

Yeah, that's what I did.

On the train timetable book, I got the Thomas Cook book which really was essential.

Dave! · 20-06-2007 08:38PM

Cheers chaps. I'll try and get that Thomas Cook book tomorrow.

Got myself a teeny tiny bag to use as a day bag. It's about the size of a purse, lol, but it's manly and black

Re: credit card -- can you really just use 3V vouchers? I would just be paying the deposit and the rest in cash when I get there. Jeez that's handy. But I'm gonna get the credit card anyways, for the peace of mind really. At least if I run out of cash or get robbed or somethin, I won't have to worry about running out of money.

The last 3 things I need to do now is (a) buy some insurance, (b) get a credit card, and (c) book the hostel for the first few nights.

Hopefully I won't have any trouble getting the credit card... so much f*cking hastle.

20-06-2007 08:49PM

DaveMcG wrote:

Re: credit card -- can you really just use 3V vouchers? I would just be paying the deposit and the rest in cash when I get there. Jeez that's handy. But I'm gonna get the credit card anyways, for the peace of mind really. At least if I run out of cash or get robbed or somethin, I won't have to worry about running out of money.

I remember seeing something stating that you weren't allowed (in Ireland) or something to that extent, but given that the 3V system was a Visa number they didn't know the difference! But yeah, it worked. I think one of the problems was that if there were problems in your room, they couldn't charge extra to your credit card since it's a once off thing

The credit card has, as I said, the added bonus of being able to withdraw money just in case you lose your ATM card.

Thomas_S_Hunterson · 21-06-2007 08:33PM

You could use wirecard instead of 3v

http://www.wirecard.com/wirecard

It has the benefit of lower fees and being able to top it up by bank transfer (online banking) while you're over there.

CantGetNoSleep · 22-06-2007 12:48AM

DaveMcG wrote:

Cheers chaps. I'll try and get that Thomas Cook book tomorrow.

Got myself a teeny tiny bag to use as a day bag. It's about the size of a purse, lol, but it's manly and black

Re: credit card -- can you really just use 3V vouchers? I would just be paying the deposit and the rest in cash when I get there. Jeez that's handy. But I'm gonna get the credit card anyways, for the peace of mind really. At least if I run out of cash or get robbed or somethin, I won't have to worry about running out of money.

The last 3 things I need to do now is (a) buy some insurance, (b) get a credit card, and (c) book the hostel for the first few nights.

Hopefully I won't have any trouble getting the credit card... so much f*cking hastle.

will you let me know where you get that and how much it costs, so many people seem to be talking about it im sure they could be got from people who went interrailing last year

Dave! · 22-06-2007 07:09AM

I presume you're talking about the Thomas Cook book there...

I'll have a look in Eason after work, hopefully it'll be there!

22-06-2007 09:15AM

I think it was near enough to 20 euro. And the problem with going by a timetable which is a year out of date could be problematic as it's printed only for April - November (or something arbitrary like that covering the entire interrailing season)

Dave! · 24-06-2007 12:25PM

Myth do you remember where you bought the book? I had a look in Eason's in the square (Tallaght) and they didn't have it.

The only place I can see it is here:
http://www.thomascookpublishing.com/book.htm?series=Timetables&book_id=318

And I dunno how long that would take to deliver! :eek: It would have to be before 2nd July!

24-06-2007 02:31PM

DaveMcG wrote:

Myth do you remember where you bought the book? I had a look in Eason's in the square (Tallaght) and they didn't have it.

The only place I can see it is here:
http://www.thomascookpublishing.com/book.htm?series=Timetables&book_id=318

And I dunno how long that would take to deliver! :eek: It would have to be before 2nd July!

Yep, Easons on O'Connell Street. I'd be surprised if they didn't have it.

Dave! · 24-06-2007 03:03PM

Cheers man, I'll have a gander there at some stage this week.

breadmonkey · 24-06-2007 04:32PM

Don't bother bringing a book of train timetables with you! You can find everything here

www.seat61.com

Or failing that, when you arrive somewhere just go to an info desk and ask for the timetable for whatever train you're planning on taking next.

Thomas_S_Hunterson · 24-06-2007 04:41PM

This one's also quite good: http://fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/en?OK#focus

Dave! · 02-07-2007 12:48AM

Later, suckers!

Flying out at 6.30am

02-07-2007 12:50AM

Enjoy it!

Awayindahils · 05-07-2007 09:00AM

I know in advance that I am not going to be camping. So with this in mind how important is the sleeping bag?

CantGetNoSleep · 05-07-2007 07:52PM

i amn't planning for some of the bedding they give me in a hostel to be the same as i'd expect in a 4 star hotel, thats why im bringing one

kdouglas · 05-07-2007 08:59PM

Awayindahils wrote:

I know in advance that I am not going to be camping. So with this in mind how important is the sleeping bag?

was thinking the same myself, currently debating whether to bring a light sleeping bag or just a sleeping bag liner to use if the sheets are a bit suspect since ill be staying in hostels all the way...

05-07-2007 09:24PM

Awayindahils wrote:

I know in advance that I am not going to be camping. So with this in mind how important is the sleeping bag?

I think in one of the hostels I stayed in there was just a bed, nothing else, so it was necessary then. But all others had sheets & stuff.

Awayindahils · 06-07-2007 10:37AM

Myth wrote:

I think in one of the hostels I stayed in there was just a bed, nothing else, so it was necessary then. But all others had sheets & stuff.

Yeah I was checking out hostels online and they always seem to state if they are going to have bedding. I think I may risk it and if it becomes absolutely neccessary buy a cheap one out there.

stevire · 11-07-2007 10:58PM

We booked our flights for interrailing on monday... I know the max baggage is 15kgs, but whats the story with bringing baggage on to the plane?? Do you have to pay extra or is there a certain size and weight restriction.. We're booked with Ryanair

CantGetNoSleep · 13-07-2007 05:16PM

yeah there is it says it on the site somewhere, i'm fairly sure you're allowed another 10kg in hand luggage (I'm not sure if they weigh it anywhere though). But remember theres nothing to stop you wearing 2 or 3 jumpers onto the plane and taking them off once you get on. We're flying back with ryanair so we plan on wearing jeans and a hoody (only bringing one of each) as these would be our heaviest clothes, and if we're overweight we'll just wear more clothes onto the plane rather than them being included in our 15kg allowance.

Just a quick question regarding this - We're flying back from Poland and want to bring back a few bottles of vodka, does anyone know can we bring these onto the plane if we buy them in the airport duty free area? And does this count as part of our hand luggage allowance? IIRC there is nowhere after duty free where they could possibly weigh my hand luggage, but i could be wrong?

What to bring Interrailing? / What size backpack

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