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Planning a MONSTER EuroTrip
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 22:25
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I am planning a trip to Europe in 2012, for about 3 months. I will be traveling with my best friend and we each have about 6,000 US dollars saved up. I’m going to buy a Eurail Global pass. Is it worth it to buy the pass for 3 months? I will be visiting France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Transylvania, The Netherlands, Croatia(Plitvice Lakes) and the U.K. I have no real desire to return to America. My buddy has family in France, so the plan is, he can get a work permit because his Mom is a citizen and I can work as a freelance writer/photographer. If it doesn’t work after 90 days and we have no money, we’ll have to come home. Worst case scenario it will be just a good vacation. What do you think? Does this sound too crazy? Any tips or advice on this future monster trip, will be much appreciated!!!

p.s. I have never traveled outside of California. So I need all the help I can get.

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ St.Augustine

Fri, 08/27/2010 - 12:20
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Don
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Technically, you can not enter as a tourist if your intentions are to work. Be sure you have proof of onward travel within 90 days.

Fri, 08/27/2010 - 14:51
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Isn’t freelancing a way around it? Cuz technically I’m not working for anyone in Europe. My intentions are to work, so I can travel.
Also, how long can I stay in Europe before I start getting in trouble?

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ St.Augustine

Fri, 08/27/2010 - 16:21
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s it worth it to buy the pass for 3 months? wrote:
Whether or not a pass is worth it and which specific type of pass is best depends on your exact itinerary — specific countries, cities and even specific dates and times for the trains you take. IMO, a consecutive day pass (like your 3 month pass) is seldom the best deal. Others, including Rick Steves, disagree. Assuming you won’t be doing the whirlwind thing of visiting a new city every other day, I’d look at a couple of flexi-passes. Perhaps a 15 day global flexipass and a another pass for 10 days or so — perhaps a 5 country select pass for France, Germany, Benelux, Italy, Spain if you can do most of your travel in those countries in a 2 month period.

Fri, 08/27/2010 - 16:39
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start trippin wrote:
Isn’t freelancing a way around it? Cuz technically I’m not working for anyone in Europe. My intentions are to work, so I can travel. Also, how long can I stay in Europe before I start getting in trouble?

Assuming you’re a US citizen… the US has tax treaties with most countries in Europe. In a nutshell, where you perform the work is where the tax is supposed to be paid.

US passport holders can play tourist in the Schengen Agreement border for up to 90 days in a 180 day period. You can’t leave Schengen-land and return the next day with a fresh 90 — it’s 90 in/ 90 out. You might be able to get through, but there are risks including fine and ban from re-entry. Check out the “nifty visa-checking tool” @ top of our Cheap Flights forum. Input your info and it will give a clear, concise summary of entry requirements. Note that some require proof of insurance as well as proof of onward travel. Some even require you give them a clear lodging plan and proof of sufficient funds.

If you tell them you’re not sure, maybe you’ll work, … then you’ll get further questioning. If they have reason to believe you are not entering strictly for touristic purposes, then you could be denied entry, and sent home at your own expense.

Better to sort this out ahead of time rather than showing up for an expensive and frustrating lesson.

Tue, 11/30/2010 - 02:27
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you must have a working visa if you plan to work there