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| Traveling in Europe? |
The Traveler's Pub The Home of Adventure Travel |
Join our Travel
Message Board!
Message Board!
Getting there and getting around
1. How should I go about getting a plane ticket to Europe?
Just search around. Something to keep in mind is that it is usually cheapest
to fly into London. You can almost always save money by flying into London
and then taking a budget flight to the continent on an airline such as Ryanair.
It might seem counterintuitive to do it this way, but you could save hundreds.
2. How do I get around once I'm there?
In the cities you'll get very familiar with public transportation and wonder why
it isn't as good in the US. Subways and buses are cheap, easy to use, and
will be able to take you to or very close to nearly any place you want to go.
3. Whats the best way to get between cities?
There are several options, you can take buses, trains, rent/buy a car, or fly.
Most backpackers will take trains and or flights. Trains take longer but will
almost always put you in the heart of the city, planes will be fast but you will
likely need to book ahead.
4. Is it really economical to fly from city to city?
Usually yes. Airfare within Europe is amazingly cheap, you can often take
long flights for $10 or $20 dollars. Just remember, airports aren't downtown
and you'll still need to catch a bus or cab to get into the city.
5. Which rail pass should I get?
It will depend on the length and ambitions of your trip. If you want a short
whirlwind trip, you should get a pass that will allow for a lot of usage. Longer
trips, or trips that will include longer stays in each city, should use passes
that have a number of travel days per period.
Hostels
1. Should I book ahead?
This really depends upon your travel style. Booking ahead will prevent you
from having to do last minute hunts for a bed, but it also prevents some
spontaneity in your trip. One time it is always important to book ahead is on
the first night of your trip, you'll know what city you will be staying in and
probably suffering from jet lag.
2. What is a Hostel room like?
It will very greatly from hostel to hostel, but most will simply be a bunk bed in
a room. The number of beds will very but 8 to 12 is pretty typical. In many
hostels you can book a private room at a much greater cost.
3. What about bathrooms and showers?
Again, it will very greatly. Some hostels will have them in the room, but
most have a designated area per floor. Most often it will they will be private
toilet and shower stalls segregated by male and female. Occasionally they
will be co-ed, but the stalls will almost always be divided.
4. Can I leave my backpack at the hostel?
Most hostels will have a baggage room where you can leave your bag during
the day. It will usually be looked, so make sure you've got everything you
need out before leaving. Many people are hesitant to leave their bag, but bad
things seldom happen to them. Backpackers don't have much interest in
stealing each others dirty laundry.
Packing
1. What kind of backpack should I get?
Just shop around and find one that is comfortable and will be big enough for
you. When buying your bag, choose small. People like to fill their packs to
capacity, but the lighter you pack the better off you will be. You will be more
cursed by the crap you shouldn't have brought than the things you wish you
did. When it comes to internal versus external frames, most people will
prefer internal, they are far less clunky and easy to get around.
2. How should I store my valuables?
Get a money belt. They are cheap and easy to find, and a great way to
keeping your most important stuff (passport, plane and rail tickets, credit
cards) together. Pick pocketing is much more common in Europe and the
US, if you where the money belt correctly you should be pretty safe.
Safety
1. Is backpacking safe?
You will likely feel safer (and for the most part be safer) in Europe than in the
US. Crimes such as assault and mugging are far rarer in most parts of
Europe, but pick pocketing is much more common. Just use common
sense and you should be fine.
1. How should I go about getting a plane ticket to Europe?
Just search around. Something to keep in mind is that it is usually cheapest
to fly into London. You can almost always save money by flying into London
and then taking a budget flight to the continent on an airline such as Ryanair.
It might seem counterintuitive to do it this way, but you could save hundreds.
2. How do I get around once I'm there?
In the cities you'll get very familiar with public transportation and wonder why
it isn't as good in the US. Subways and buses are cheap, easy to use, and
will be able to take you to or very close to nearly any place you want to go.
3. Whats the best way to get between cities?
There are several options, you can take buses, trains, rent/buy a car, or fly.
Most backpackers will take trains and or flights. Trains take longer but will
almost always put you in the heart of the city, planes will be fast but you will
likely need to book ahead.
4. Is it really economical to fly from city to city?
Usually yes. Airfare within Europe is amazingly cheap, you can often take
long flights for $10 or $20 dollars. Just remember, airports aren't downtown
and you'll still need to catch a bus or cab to get into the city.
5. Which rail pass should I get?
It will depend on the length and ambitions of your trip. If you want a short
whirlwind trip, you should get a pass that will allow for a lot of usage. Longer
trips, or trips that will include longer stays in each city, should use passes
that have a number of travel days per period.
Hostels
1. Should I book ahead?
This really depends upon your travel style. Booking ahead will prevent you
from having to do last minute hunts for a bed, but it also prevents some
spontaneity in your trip. One time it is always important to book ahead is on
the first night of your trip, you'll know what city you will be staying in and
probably suffering from jet lag.
2. What is a Hostel room like?
It will very greatly from hostel to hostel, but most will simply be a bunk bed in
a room. The number of beds will very but 8 to 12 is pretty typical. In many
hostels you can book a private room at a much greater cost.
3. What about bathrooms and showers?
Again, it will very greatly. Some hostels will have them in the room, but
most have a designated area per floor. Most often it will they will be private
toilet and shower stalls segregated by male and female. Occasionally they
will be co-ed, but the stalls will almost always be divided.
4. Can I leave my backpack at the hostel?
Most hostels will have a baggage room where you can leave your bag during
the day. It will usually be looked, so make sure you've got everything you
need out before leaving. Many people are hesitant to leave their bag, but bad
things seldom happen to them. Backpackers don't have much interest in
stealing each others dirty laundry.
Packing
1. What kind of backpack should I get?
Just shop around and find one that is comfortable and will be big enough for
you. When buying your bag, choose small. People like to fill their packs to
capacity, but the lighter you pack the better off you will be. You will be more
cursed by the crap you shouldn't have brought than the things you wish you
did. When it comes to internal versus external frames, most people will
prefer internal, they are far less clunky and easy to get around.
2. How should I store my valuables?
Get a money belt. They are cheap and easy to find, and a great way to
keeping your most important stuff (passport, plane and rail tickets, credit
cards) together. Pick pocketing is much more common in Europe and the
US, if you where the money belt correctly you should be pretty safe.
Safety
1. Is backpacking safe?
You will likely feel safer (and for the most part be safer) in Europe than in the
US. Crimes such as assault and mugging are far rarer in most parts of
Europe, but pick pocketing is much more common. Just use common
sense and you should be fine.
| Backpacking in Europe - Frequently Asked Questions |