When traveling to Europe is it better to...?

Question

My sister and I are going to Europe next summer to visity Italy, Spain or Greece and Germany. Is it better to fly into and out of the same city, or into and out of two different cities? What's the deal with Eurorail passes? Someone has told me that the trains aren't that convenient and we should fly between cities in Europe.

Thanks. I appreciate any practical travel advice.

Answer 1

Depending on the time of year you might want to make a one way trip, south to north in spring, or north to south in fall.
In that case using two different airports is the thing to do.
Even when the weather is no reason, one way traveling is often easier to do. And unless you have relatives or friends that you can use as base, going back to a place you have been is not really attractive.
Open jaw flights, (leaving from an other airport) are mostly the same price as returning from the same airport.

If you plan to be in the train more than in different towns an Eurail pass is the thing for you, if you plan to use the train just for transport, look into the flexi passes, just a few days in a longer period, like 15 days in two months.
You can also combine several one country passes, most useful if you can travel for more than 2 months.
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_index.htm

Flying within Europe is most useful if you want to combine towns that are far away from each other, and when you just want to do some capital cities and are willing to ignore the rest of the countries.
The trains give you a much better view on the real countries.
But if you book early the cheap airlines do give a cheaper journey than a rail pass.

Between Italy and Greece you can use ferries or fly, or use the train a long way around.

Get a good guidebook, read about the countries you want to visit, and see if there is something inbetween the towns you really want to do that is also worth going, or if you want to concentrate on the main towns.
I like the Lonely Planet series, for you the South Europe edition and the Germany edition would be great. (By now you can also find them second hand, as they have been popular for a while.)
These guides give you info on travel, hostels and hotels in different price classes, (and camping if you prefer that.)
Sights and museums, with prices and opening times.
Shopping, food with info on supermakets, markets and eating out also vegetarian and so on.

You can also find a lot of info on internet, just google one of the countries you want to go and tourist info, train times or whatever you are interested in.
The sites popping up are mostly in English too.

Make a list about what you really want to do, with a second list for things you would like to do too if you have the time.
Try to make a schedule with so many days in each town, and how long it will take to travel from one town to an other.
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm will help you.

Enjoy a year of planning!

Answer 2

Whether you fly into and out of the same city depends on whatever deal you get with the airline.

Get an up-to-date copy of the *Rough Guide to Europe* and it should have current details of Eurorail passes and much more.

Trains in Europe are mostly great and a much more pleasant way to travel than flying. However the prices vary depending on where you are. For example trains in Austria are cheap, but very expensive in Switzerland. You can often get good deals in Germany but check the Internet on that. Also when you book a long-distance train ticket make sure to check if you need a seat reservation or you may be left standing for some or all of the journey.

Answer 3

I'd say it depends on the amount of time and money you have to spend. Eurorail passes aren't cheap, but it is by FAR the better way to see Europe. Train stations are interesting and so is the rail experience. Train stations are conveniently located too, airports usually aren't.

Either way, you'll enjoy your adventures. Don't forget security - pickpockets and crime in general are bad in some of those areas. Wear your wallets, passports, and tickets UNDER your clothes, don't put anything valuable in a bag, keep your backpacks fastened, not just over one arm, and watch each other's backs, especially in crowds. Beware of groups that will surround you and try to distract you while one/some go behind you. Don't let fear spoil your fun, but practice being on your guard. It's far better to be prepared than to get ripped off and have it ruin your trip.

Answer 4

you can generally fly into one European city and out of another - this is the best way as you wont have to retrace your steps.

Generally its best to travel by train between European cities - there is an extensive network of long distance trains either high speed or slower night trains. You get to see more of the country and can sleep betwene destinations which is always good. You will also always arrive and depart from the centre of cities.

Flying between cities is also possible but having to travel out to the airport, security checks at the airport and having to travel in to the city at the other end mean that it is a hassle. I guess it depends on how much time youve got and which destinations you want to visit.

Answer 5

In a nutshell: Eurail worth for a trip between two or more Countries (for a trip inside just one Country generally is cheaper buying the tickets the old way); flying is cheaper and faster only between far Cities cities.
For instance, between Rome and Paris. Between Milan and Rome, for instance, it's one hour by flight, but you need a total of two further hours to reach downtown from the airport (then also paying the bus, underground or a cab), whil by train it's 4 hours and a half downtown to downtown and cost less.
I think every trip that last up to 5 hour by train are cheaper and the same time fast enough by train.

Answer 6

I don't know if you're a troll, or something like that but I will answer you. Of course it still a good place to travel, there are too many muslims, here in Spain is full of them, but you will find more Spanish people than muslim, so...and they are not criminals, they're cool, I have a friend from Morocco and I really can say, he's a better person than natives European, for example from The Netherlands.

Answer 7

If i was in your place i would try a pre organized circuit..you can ask for that in a Travel Agency, because that way, you will not go by yourselves, you can go in a group, you will have no bad "surprises" and they organize and plan things for you, and besides you will know how much you will spend (of course reserve some for extras).I think it's more safe...the adventure idea sometimes puts you on troubles...and if you plan to come to Europe now in summer time, is very confusing....