How to Travel Europe

When on a trip throughout Europe a large portion will be the actual travelling itself, how do you get from one city to another?, Sometimes you may have to pass border’s and through several different counties. Thankfully Europe is probably the best continent in which to travel, with easy, speedy and convenient public transportation. Below are some of the most popular way’s to travel with there pro’s and con’s that should be considered.

• Train
  The most common and convent way to travel long distance’s in Europe. The train will get you from city centre to city centre as most major train stop’s will be found at the heart of the city. Trains can range from fast high speed trains through Germany and France to slow moving outdated model’s in part’s of eastern Europe. Trains are generally priced appropriately, in more expensive area’s you can expect to pay well over 100 Euro for a train ride between major European city’s, where as in part’s of eastern Europe it could be nearer 15 Euro for a similar length Journey. Train passes in the more expensive parts of Europe are worth the initial expense if used frequently, although you may still be required to pay reservation’s especially on “sleeper trains”.

+ Frequent connections on major route’s
+ Train Station’s in the heart of the city
+ Various rail passes available offering good value for money
+ Sleeper trains are useful for longer distance’s and save money on accommodation

~ May need to pay reservation’s, despite paying several hundred Euro on a pass
~ Trains can not take short cut’s and route’s between distant city’s can be long
~ Some trains can be extremely busy, if there’s no reservation there’s no guarantee of a seat
~ May need several different trains for longer route’s

check Cheap Rail Tactics and Strategies for more info.

• Bus
  Like the train the stop’s are generally in the heart of the city and easy to get to. Although they are slower and can be easily held up in major city’s with traffic. Although most long distance direct bus’s will be able to avoid other town and city centre’s and make use of high speed motorway’s. Bus’s will also work out cheaper than trains in the bulk of routes and are more frequent.

+ Generally cheaper than other form’s of transport
+ Bus Station’s in the heart of the city
+ Extensive network’s covering the entire continent
+ Greater choice of departure time’s

~ Slower than most other option’s
~ In poorer area’s, the bus’s can be hot and uncomfortable in summer.
~ Some bus’s can be extremely busy, if there’s no reservation there’s no guarantee of a seat.
~ May need several different buses for longer route’s or getting to more remote area’s.

• Flight’s
  With the advent of budget airline’s, Travel of vast distance’s has become allot easier and more choice of route’s and destination’s has lead to cheaper price’s. Airport’s are more often than not far out from city centre’s and transportation although frequent and easy to access is generally expensive. Also with Security procedure’s you will be required to be in the airport often a couple of hours in advance, can also take time getting through security and picking up your luggage on arrival. Flight’s can occasionally work out cheaper than trains.

+ Comfortable and convenient for long distance’s.
+ Can cut what would have otherwise been a 20+ hour journey over land or water in to one of a few of hours
+ A safe form of transport.
+ Good transportation link’s to city centre via. Bus, Train or even Metro.

~ Airport’s are not in city centre’s especially one’s used by low cost airline’s
~ Transportation although frequent to and from airport is generally expensive.
~ Journey time’s can be deceptive, a 1 hour flight can actually take several hour’s due to security.
~ Price’s may also be deceptive, with various add on charges.

check Cheap Flight Tactics for more info.

• Ferry
  Generally a cheap form of transportation for covering vast stretches of water. Like trains some run over night, therefore saving money on accommodation. On the down side they are often slow and in bad weather can be unpleasant for longer trip’s. Generally good connection’s in countries such as Greece where ferry may be the only form of transport for some island’s. In peak season some can be extremely busy and uncomfortable.

+ Cheap form of transport
+ Good network of ferry’s for Mediterranean
+ Night ferry’s can save on accommodation
+ Generally good transport link’s to city centre

~ Fairly slow form of transport
~ In bad weather can be uncomfortable
~ In peak season can be busy to islands

• Car
  Renting private transportation can be expensive although cost’s can be cut if there’s more than one person sharing transportation. Freedom to go wherever and whenever you want without having to relay on timetable’s, you will also get to see hidden away town’s and village’s to explore the real Europe. Can be uncomfortable sitting driving for several hour’s, although this can again be improved if there’s more than one driver.

+ Freedom to go wherever you want
+ No need to relay on timetable’s

~ Rather costly form of transport
~ Finding somewhere to park may be hard in city centre
~ Have to do the driving yourself, rather than relaxing
~ Different rules and law’s may apply for different countries
~ Road sign’s may not be easy to read