EURAIL/HOSTEL/FLIGHT QUESTIONS

[wilson49332]

I was looking through the forum and saw a few general themes to your questions.

If you have any other general questions please respond and I will add them.

I always welcome suggestions as well!

Transportation within Europe (mostly mainland is what I focus on, but I do know some on UK as well- Ivy knows much more there as she is there now!)

Option 1: Rent a car

This is not really something many people choose to do because it can be expensive with toll fees, gas and insurance risks. If you choose to try this option, most major American companies such as Avis, Enterprise, etc are located in Europe. Many take AA discounts as well as Entertainment discounts, etc. ISIC also has rental discounts- their favourite is Auto Europe. They might be the cheapest bet.

Roads in all of Europe are much the same as here in the US. Except for all of the UK where you drive on the left, including Ireland.

Freeway speeds can vary- but for the most part they are 65mph (marked in km of course). (In the UK however, all distances and speed signs are in miles per hour, only mainland Europe is fully metric)

21 is the minimum age for the most part although this isn't stringent in many countries- it can be 18 as well, and for the most part there are no surcharges like here in the US for being under 25. An American driver’s license and passport will get you a car, however I would get the insurance unless your credit card covers that (some do come with it built in- check!).

I would also go to AAA and purchase ($10.00) an International Driver’s Card; however, it is not required but very helpful.

There are also places you can go to lease a car in Europe much like you would do here for months if needed (and the paperwork is much less!) they are a bit pricey but worth it if you need a car.

Check with
[link] or
[link] or
[link]
For the lease option (longer term)

Don’t forget that car parking is scarce and expensive in cities- this is best if you know someone that has free parking and can shuttle you around once in the city- as also most European cities are NOT car friendly- you’re not in the US anymore where we are obsessed with our own car! (Too bad too!).

Example is London where they charge a fee to drive downtown each day! It’s about 15 USD a day! (8 GBP per day, almost no parking is available and heavy fines for not paying the congestion fee.)

Option 2: The Eurail!

Where to start? Well first Ivy has some good sites for the general info to read up on in her sticky note.


Eurail FAQ

1. Should I get it?

Well, that depends. Look at the places you wish to go. General rule is that each ticket if purchased without any pass would cost (if under 26- as students get a discount on travel in most of Europe on most modes of transportation) 120 USD. The average pass will run around 500 USD but can range from 100.00-1700.00 (see prices below). Therefore, what I do is check each ticket I will need and price it on any of the major sites listed in Ivy's sticky note but don’t check I have a rail pass.

Add that up. If it is more then the price of the Eurail pass that you need, then buy the pass, it’s a better deal. Usually this means you are taking 3+ round trips on the train. If you are going to travel light, then a car or planes are better, or individual train tickets.

What about the major cities?

Well, no. The pass only covers city to city. Many major cities offer students transportation passes for unlimited travel on public transportation within the city for 1/3/5 etc days. I have seen those in London, Paris, Munich, Berlin but I am sure there are other cities too. They can be purchased here for extra service fees/shipping- or best bet is any major pubic site. They run usually around $15-30.00 for the day.


2. Which one is right for me?

Well, that depends. There are several from which to choose. There are three types; however, we only discuss two types (the adult ticket can be ignored unless you are over 25). The saver is for travellers with two or more people (Not just one- you MUST buy two of these).

This is a good deal if you are going with a friend- it is in first class.

There is also the youth, which covers most people. It is for travelling alone- and you only need to buy one. It is in second class, which is not much worse then first to be honest.
OK- so now you have picked the classification and class of travel. That was the easy part. Now the good stuff.

There are three main types of passes to choose from now.

There is the Eurail pass, which is the traditional pass, the Select Pass, and the individual countries pass.

A. Eurail

Is expensive but can be useful for the most frequent travellers. It allows train travel in ANY of Europe. It is also unlimited travel on any day for as long as you pay for it (15 days to 3 months your choice). Pick a train and go!

B. Eurail Select Pass

This is a great pass that is best for most and fairly cheap. It allows you to choose the countries you need to go to- but they must be connected (EG Italy and France, or Italy, Austria, and Germany). You can buy it for 3/4/5 connecting countries- you choose which and where. Note you can ONLY travel in those countries or pay a supplement if you need to go elsewhere. Also, this isn’t good every day for your period of time chosen. You pick the number of days you need- usually 5/6/8/10/15 days. It only counts days used on the train though.

***NOTE: Night trains after 7pm count for travel on the next day, so they are very worthwhile, as it is like getting 2 days for one. All you do is mark your day with ink on the paper they give you, and that’s one day used.

C. Eurail Flexi

Same as the Eurail, only it gives you 10/15 days to use it within 2 months (your choice). It is cheaper but note you only get the 10 or 15 days to use it not all 60 days like you would if purchasing a 60 day Eurail Full pass.

D. Eurail regional pass

Good in select 2-3 countries. Check the websites for which. One example is Italy and France pass, which allows unlimited train travel within Italy and France.

Note that on any of these passes you will need to know how long you will be using the pass. Usually you can choose 1/2/3 months and then it expires. Note that does’\t mean you can use it for that entire time- only that you get that long to use all of your days.

1. So what is it?

This pass allows unlimited train travel depending on which pass you choose. You can jump on anytime you want to go anywhere you want (if the country is included in your pass).

2. How does it work?

Well, all you do is get it validated on the first train you take at the train station ticket booth. From there you’re set. If you have a flexi pass, you write in the day before getting on the train. Day trains do not need a reservation unless it is a high-speed train like Thalys. The book that you receive with your pass tells you if you need one or not.

3. What do I do once I get it?

Well you can make reservations from the US within 2 months (see above). However, they usually include a service fee, so I would wait until you get to Europe, where any train station can make one for you if needed.

4. What do they cost?

This website is good for that:
[link]

FAQ 2 shows you which you will need- or you can click on the question mark from there site. It says help me pick a pass and will do the same thing I did above.

You can purchase these passes here in the US at any travel agency like AAA, STA, or here on Student Universe. It comes via mail or at a travel agency where they print it for you right there with no surcharges, etc.

That’s all about the pass. There is also a fee to reserve as well even in Europe. (On high speed and night trains only)

It costs 11.00 USD to reserve a high-speed day train, or night train seat (not something you want to get at night!)

Note: the book tells you if you need a reservation. Otherwise, you can walk on and find a seat.

25.00-40.00 USD for a night train couchette. A couchette is a bed that folds out. You will share with 2-5 other people in the room, depending on the train. On the other hand, you may get an empty car as well. They come with a shared bathroom at the end of the car which is shared by 4 other rooms each with 4-6 beds as well, and sometimes a little wash basin. They are often coed.

50-100 USD for a sleeper, which is nice if you want privacy. They are shared with no more then one other person, but many are individual. Most come with a private shower.

Most trains also have food on board- but I would bring your own as well.

5. Schedules and more info- night trains vs. day trains etc.

Luggage is unlimited, but watch your things and lock it up!

Night trains aren’t very comfortable; in fact, taller people may not even fit entirely in the seats. However, you are saving yourself a night in a hostel as well, so the price is not that bad ($30.00 or so as noted above).

Schedules are posted at most websites noted on Ivy’s sticky note.

Take a night train as much as possible as it saves a day on the pass, a motel night, and gives you the day to tour cities.

**NOTE: the UK has their own rail system and the Eurail pass that is NOT valid there!

In addition, the Chunnel train is half off, but not fully covered by the Eurail pass. It costs usually 50USD to take the Chunnel each way. That's rather cheap trust me!

It DOES cover ferries however. (Not to the UK again, though.) NOTE- you do NOT need to buy a map of the trains or schedule book as the pass comes with one free. For those of you who think they stop you at each border- NOOOO. They don’t. No passport checks etc. it’s like going from state to state here- just a sign on the roads/ flags. If you are within the European Union or countries in the Schegen agreement. Most of Eastern Europe will have a stop at each border where everyone has their passport checked and often stamped.


Option 3: The cheap flights!

It may be that train travel is not an option, or flights are cheaper and quicker. Most flights are around 150USD, but can be as cheap as 75USD in the middle of the week, up 300USD. Check the sites given for prices (in Ivy’s sticky note), or www.whichbudget.com.

This saves time, but note:
Watch the airport you are flying into and out of. Most of the cheap fares are out of an airport that is far from the city centre! Transportation is usually by taxi or bus only to those airports so that needs to be factored into the total price.

EG- Most budget flights to Rome are to Ciampino instead of the larger Fiumicino.

In addition, flying budget into London is to Luton, Gatwick or Stanstead all of which are quite a ways from London, and the extra cost associated with getting to and from them may outweigh the cheap flight!

Hope that helps- again suggestions are welcome.

Hostels

For those of you who do not know what they are here is the info.

They are simply cheap places to stay. Many of them are for people aged 18-30, and many of them are places to meet others our age. They range in things offered. Many offer a small breakfast in the morning that is included in the price.

They can come with dorm room type settings, with up to 20 people in the room in bunk beds, to private rooms like a hotel.

One thing to watch is the location. Many of them are not located in the safest parts of the city. Some of them can be very dirty as well. Hostels usually have lockers for your stuff- you bring the lock or you can rent one from them. Some may also make you rent the sheets, but most come with them now. (Many still do not give you towels and you must rent them- so I would suggest you bring your own along with your own sheets. You know they have been washed then!)

Booking is easy- they usually cost around 15-30USD for a bed, unless staying in a private room which will run from 50-100USD.

Most hostel showers are shared, but even in the cheap hotels, this is true to save on high water prices. Usually though it is a series of cubicles, not just an open shower.

They can be booked online through some of the websites located in Ivy's sticky note.

Here are a few that I either have been to myself, or are rated highly by others that have been there.

Paris

Note: in this city even the regular hotels are not always the best. Make sure you know what you are doing, as some hostels are very dirty! Most of them are near Gare du Nord or Est (which some of the area is good, other blocks are not safe.)

1. Absolute-Paris
2. Caulaincourt Square Hostel
3. Peace & Love Hostel

Berlin

Berlin’s Hostels are excellent! Just about any of them will be fine.

1. The circus, they have a couple in Berlin
2. A&O Hostel, they have a couple in Berlin as well
3. Heart of Gold Hostel

London

London's hostels seem to be either excellent, or horrible. There is no in between.

1. St. Christopher’s Brand- they have a few in London
2. Astor Brand- they also have several in London, any are good
3. Piccadilly Backpackers Hostel

Rome

1. Yellow Hostel
2. Alessandro Hostel- they have a couple in Rome
3. Youth Station Hostel
4. Maria Vittoria Hostel

Munich
Most any in this city will be fine. The public transportation here is excellent due to many upgrades for the recent World Cup, and its one of the cleanest cities I have had the pleasure to visit and live in.
1. Wombats
2. Euro Youth Hostel
3. Easy Palace City Hostel

Vienna (Wien)
1. Wombats
2. Hostel Ruthensteiner

Amsterdam
1. The Bulldog
2. The Flying Pig
3. St Christophers
4. Lucky Lake

Other cities to be added

Many hostels are located near train stations so getting to them is not an issue.
If you’re a student travelling in peak times you will most likely be staying in hostels. Sorry to say like me I would rather be in a name brand hotel- but hostels are awesome if you pick the right one. You meet so many people. If you must stay in a hotel- be ready to fork out 100 bucks or more! They have cheap ones much like Motel6 and Econo Lodge of America, (note Accorhotels such as Ibis and Etap) however you must know that they are usually located in areas of the city with no public transportation- and are usually 30-50 miles away.

Note: You DO NOT need a card to stay in a hostel. There are a few that may say you do, but I wouldn’t stay at the ones that say you do. Most of the cards cost around 25 bucks, and do nothing more then the ISIC does (which is something I would buy!) If a hostel does require a card you will just have to pay a few more dollars but they won’t refuse you.