How to Travel Europe

When on a trip throughout Europe a large portion will be the actual traveling itself, how do you get from one city to another? Sometimes you may have to pass borders and through several different countries. 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 ways to travel with there pros and cons that should be considered.

• Train
  The most common and convenient way to travel long distances in Europe. The train will get you from city centre to city centre as most major train stops 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 Trains can range from fast high speed trains through Germany and France to slow moving outdated models in parts of eastern Europe. Trains are generally priced appropriately, in more expensive areas you can expect to pay well over 100 Euro for a train ride between major European cities, where as in parts 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 reservations especially on “sleeper trains”.

+ Frequent connections on major routes
+ Train Stations in the heart of the city
+ Various rail passes available offering good value for money
+ Sleeper trains are useful for longer distances and save money on accommodation

~ May need to pay reservations, despite paying several hundred Euro on a pass
~ Trains can not take short cuts and routes between distant cities 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 routes

check Cheap Rail Tactics and Strategies for more info.

• Bus
  Like the train the stops 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 centres and make use of high speed motorways. Buses will also work out cheaper than trains in the bulk of routes and are more frequent.

+ Generally cheaper than other forms of transport
+ Bus Station’s in the heart of the city
+ Extensive networks covering the entire continent
+ Greater choice of departure times

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

• Flights
  With the advent of budget airlines, Travel of vast distances has become a lot easier and more choice of routes and destinations has lead to cheaper prices. Airports are more often than not far out from city centres and transportation although frequent and easy to access is generally expensive. Also with Security procedures 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 distances.
+ 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 links to city centre via. Bus, Train or even Metro.

~ Airport’s are not in city centres especially one’s used by low cost airlines
~ Transportation although frequent to and from airport is generally expensive.
~ Journey time’s can be deceptive, a 1 hour flight can actually take several hours due to security.
~ Prices 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 trips. Generally good connections in countries such as Greece where ferry may be the only form of transport for some Islands. In peak season some can be extremely busy and uncomfortable.

+ Cheap form of transport
+ Good network of ferries for Greece & the Mediterranean
+ Night ferries can save on accommodation
+ Generally good transport links 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 can be cut if there’s more than one person sharing transportation. Freedom to go wherever and whenever you want without having to rely on timetables, you will also get to see hidden away towns and villages to explore the real Europe. Can be uncomfortable sitting driving for several hours, although this can again be improved if there’s more than one driver.

+ Freedom to go wherever you want
+ No need to rely on timetables

~ 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 laws may apply for different countries
~ Road sign’s may not be easy to read