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Backpacking Europe Getting Around |
Planes
often assume that since they are trying to stick to a budget that flying from place to place
extremely low cost air carriers with prices that may surprise you. Service quality is not a high
extremely low cost air carriers with prices that may surprise you. Service quality is not a high
priority and any in flight amenity is going to cost you, but in some places you can fly between
cities for just a few dollars. It can be a great way to cover long distances, saving both time and
money.
money.
There are some important considerations that people often overlook. When you fly between
cities you will almost always be many mile out of the city so you will still need some ground
transportation. If the city does not have a big metro system you’ll have to take a bus which
could be time consuming or a taxi which isn’t usually cheap. Just something to keep in mind.
Also keep in mind the many hidden fees, such as taxes, credit card fees, and baggage fees.
While it can still be cheaper than travel by train, a price stating one dollar (yes, quoted prices
can be that low!) from a place to a place is going to cost much more.
Also, these budget carriers aren’t known for their on time arrivals. Don’t rely on them too much
for time critical stuff.
Trains
Nearly all back packers will become very familiar with Europe’s wonderful train system. Trains
are a great way to travel in Europe. They are reasonably priced, fairly quick, and convenient.
For shorter distances between cities and in some cases from airports to downtown this is the
way to go.
People living outside of Europe can get a Eurorail pass that allows you travel via train for the
length of your trip. They are customizable by number of countries you want to visit, how often
you expect to use it, and for how long. Prices very depending on this. It will really be up to
your particular travel style as to which you get.
Trains park at long docks and open the doors, you just hop on a car that is convenient. When
you board a train setting is not usually assigned, you just take a spot. Most trains will have a
rack to put your bag when you get on. An employee will come through and check your ticket
at some point after the train gets going. Going internationally there will usually be custom
agents checking in with you. Have your ticket and passport ready.
The layout of a train, if you’ve never ridden one is best described as similar to that of an
airplane but much roomier. There will be multiple cars that you can walk through, most trains
will have one or more dining cars (Food and snacks here are very expensive). There are first
class cars and coach cars. These are usually very similar and in some cases its hard to tell the
difference. I don’t recommend bothering to buy first class tickets.
Some trains are laid out differently and have cabins. Usually there will be six seats to a cabin,
three facing front, three facing back.
Night trains have sleeping cabins with bunks instead of cabins. People often hear stories of
having things stolen from these while you are sleeping. This is very over-hyped, but I still lock
my backpack to a post or something to be careful.
Be careful when you select where to sit. Some trains start at a location but split during transit
and half goes someplace and the other goes elsewhere. While it might be fun, it could also be
a pain to wake up and find that you are in a country you weren’t expecting to be in.
A major advantage to traveling by train is that train stations are almost always downtown or
very near downtown. This gets you to most of the key places to see by little more than
stepping of the train.
Another advantage is that they can pass for a place to sleep at night. On longer trips you can
visit a city, take a night train, and have the full next day to visit the city you’ve just come to.
Usually a night train will have an additional charge not covered in your pass though. Its good
to kill two birds with one stone.
Auto
Some people choose to rent a car to travel around. This offers a lot of flexibility and freedom.
You can come and go as you please. The downside is of course having to deal with trying to
find places to park downtown and getting used to each country’s driving laws.
An option some people may take is to buy a cheap car upon arrival and sell it when you leave.
This could save quite a bit of money, if you’re lucky. Of course that assumes you get a car that’
s not going to break down on you too.
Foot
You will be doing a lot of walking. A lot. Once you get into a city and find a place to stay, most
of your getting around will be walking to some form of public transportation which will take
you close to where you want to go, then you’ll walk some more. Maybe you want to take taxis
or something, but that is going to eat your budget alive.
It is vital to have some good, comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking many, many miles everyday
if you keep busy. Your feet will ache and possible blister. Often you will have that big heavy
backpack with you, so keep that in mind when packing.
Even after you get to a place, you will still be doing a lot of walking. For example, if you were to
visit the Louvre in Paris, the museum is literally several floors miles in length.
What I’m getting at here, is you’ll be on your feet a lot. Be prepared.
Public Transportation
The public transportation systems in Europe in general are magnificent. After experiencing
them you will wonder how (or maybe more appropriately why) the US does without. They are
very convenient, and certainly faster and cheaper than most other options available.
Nearly all major cities have a metro system and for most back packer that will be the best way
to get around. I suspect most Americans aren’t very familiar with them, since most of our cities
don’t have them. Concept is simple. Just hope on an underground train and it takes you
where you want to go, with several stops along the way. Cities like London and Paris are
particularly good about having stops that appeal to back packers.
They are usually pretty inexpensive and a variety of tickets or passes are available. Usually
you can find them in single trips, full day passes or multi-day passes. You’re sure to find
something that fits yours needs.
Metro stations are usually a walk down some stairs and to tracks. There will be two sets, each
going the opposite direction. The stations vary greatly between cities and even within cities.
There will be a sign hanging of where the “line goes, that is where the metro stops at. The
metros come every few minutes. Sometimes they are very busy, sometimes you may have the
whole car to yourself. Cars themselves usually have some seats and ample room for people to
stand.
They are usually very safe. We hear horror stories about New York style subways here, but the
issues aren’t nearly as prevalent in Europe. Mind your common sense of course, but you
shouldn’t have any issues.
Buses are even more common. They aren’t usually much cheaper than metro systems, nor are
they usually as fast or convenient. They have to deal with traffic, with metros obviously do not,
and they don’t usually have as strait of a path to follow. But in some cities this will be your
best option.
It’s a good idea to get a metro and/or bus route map when you arrive in a city. They are almost
always free and easy to come by. Just check any tourist office, larger metro stop, bus station,
or airport. They’re usually small and easy to store, it’s worth picking them up.
often assume that since they are trying to stick to a budget that flying from place to place
extremely low cost air carriers with prices that may surprise you. Service quality is not a high
extremely low cost air carriers with prices that may surprise you. Service quality is not a high
priority and any in flight amenity is going to cost you, but in some places you can fly between
cities for just a few dollars. It can be a great way to cover long distances, saving both time and
money.
money.
There are some important considerations that people often overlook. When you fly between
cities you will almost always be many mile out of the city so you will still need some ground
transportation. If the city does not have a big metro system you’ll have to take a bus which
could be time consuming or a taxi which isn’t usually cheap. Just something to keep in mind.
Also keep in mind the many hidden fees, such as taxes, credit card fees, and baggage fees.
While it can still be cheaper than travel by train, a price stating one dollar (yes, quoted prices
can be that low!) from a place to a place is going to cost much more.
Also, these budget carriers aren’t known for their on time arrivals. Don’t rely on them too much
for time critical stuff.
Trains
Nearly all back packers will become very familiar with Europe’s wonderful train system. Trains
are a great way to travel in Europe. They are reasonably priced, fairly quick, and convenient.
For shorter distances between cities and in some cases from airports to downtown this is the
way to go.
People living outside of Europe can get a Eurorail pass that allows you travel via train for the
length of your trip. They are customizable by number of countries you want to visit, how often
you expect to use it, and for how long. Prices very depending on this. It will really be up to
your particular travel style as to which you get.
Trains park at long docks and open the doors, you just hop on a car that is convenient. When
you board a train setting is not usually assigned, you just take a spot. Most trains will have a
rack to put your bag when you get on. An employee will come through and check your ticket
at some point after the train gets going. Going internationally there will usually be custom
agents checking in with you. Have your ticket and passport ready.
The layout of a train, if you’ve never ridden one is best described as similar to that of an
airplane but much roomier. There will be multiple cars that you can walk through, most trains
will have one or more dining cars (Food and snacks here are very expensive). There are first
class cars and coach cars. These are usually very similar and in some cases its hard to tell the
difference. I don’t recommend bothering to buy first class tickets.
Some trains are laid out differently and have cabins. Usually there will be six seats to a cabin,
three facing front, three facing back.
Night trains have sleeping cabins with bunks instead of cabins. People often hear stories of
having things stolen from these while you are sleeping. This is very over-hyped, but I still lock
my backpack to a post or something to be careful.
Be careful when you select where to sit. Some trains start at a location but split during transit
and half goes someplace and the other goes elsewhere. While it might be fun, it could also be
a pain to wake up and find that you are in a country you weren’t expecting to be in.
A major advantage to traveling by train is that train stations are almost always downtown or
very near downtown. This gets you to most of the key places to see by little more than
stepping of the train.
Another advantage is that they can pass for a place to sleep at night. On longer trips you can
visit a city, take a night train, and have the full next day to visit the city you’ve just come to.
Usually a night train will have an additional charge not covered in your pass though. Its good
to kill two birds with one stone.
Auto
Some people choose to rent a car to travel around. This offers a lot of flexibility and freedom.
You can come and go as you please. The downside is of course having to deal with trying to
find places to park downtown and getting used to each country’s driving laws.
An option some people may take is to buy a cheap car upon arrival and sell it when you leave.
This could save quite a bit of money, if you’re lucky. Of course that assumes you get a car that’
s not going to break down on you too.
Foot
You will be doing a lot of walking. A lot. Once you get into a city and find a place to stay, most
of your getting around will be walking to some form of public transportation which will take
you close to where you want to go, then you’ll walk some more. Maybe you want to take taxis
or something, but that is going to eat your budget alive.
It is vital to have some good, comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking many, many miles everyday
if you keep busy. Your feet will ache and possible blister. Often you will have that big heavy
backpack with you, so keep that in mind when packing.
Even after you get to a place, you will still be doing a lot of walking. For example, if you were to
visit the Louvre in Paris, the museum is literally several floors miles in length.
What I’m getting at here, is you’ll be on your feet a lot. Be prepared.
Public Transportation
The public transportation systems in Europe in general are magnificent. After experiencing
them you will wonder how (or maybe more appropriately why) the US does without. They are
very convenient, and certainly faster and cheaper than most other options available.
Nearly all major cities have a metro system and for most back packer that will be the best way
to get around. I suspect most Americans aren’t very familiar with them, since most of our cities
don’t have them. Concept is simple. Just hope on an underground train and it takes you
where you want to go, with several stops along the way. Cities like London and Paris are
particularly good about having stops that appeal to back packers.
They are usually pretty inexpensive and a variety of tickets or passes are available. Usually
you can find them in single trips, full day passes or multi-day passes. You’re sure to find
something that fits yours needs.
Metro stations are usually a walk down some stairs and to tracks. There will be two sets, each
going the opposite direction. The stations vary greatly between cities and even within cities.
There will be a sign hanging of where the “line goes, that is where the metro stops at. The
metros come every few minutes. Sometimes they are very busy, sometimes you may have the
whole car to yourself. Cars themselves usually have some seats and ample room for people to
stand.
They are usually very safe. We hear horror stories about New York style subways here, but the
issues aren’t nearly as prevalent in Europe. Mind your common sense of course, but you
shouldn’t have any issues.
Buses are even more common. They aren’t usually much cheaper than metro systems, nor are
they usually as fast or convenient. They have to deal with traffic, with metros obviously do not,
and they don’t usually have as strait of a path to follow. But in some cities this will be your
best option.
It’s a good idea to get a metro and/or bus route map when you arrive in a city. They are almost
always free and easy to come by. Just check any tourist office, larger metro stop, bus station,
or airport. They’re usually small and easy to store, it’s worth picking them up.
| Forms of Transportation |
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