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what if our plans change last minute??
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 01:22
europlanner
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I am planning a 4 week trip. Pretty much I have planned and what I want has come to 3 weeks. So, this gives me “Breathing room” incase of flight delays, train delays, etc. Also incase we love one place so much we want to spend an extra day or 2.

So, if I plan 3 weeks of the 4, how can I book hostels/trains/flights in advance? Should I just order them as I go??? I am forsure getting the Eurail Pass.

So I am confused as to that part…I want to book in advance to have a spot reserved, but what if our itinerary changes and we can’t make it, etc…

what do you suggest?? (this is our first time backpacking in Europe…first time was with our school so we didn’t have to do any planning)

Euro Honeymoon
I am leaving from Canada with $5000 for 38 days
Amsterdam, Hanover, Berlin, Munich, Zürich, Lucerne, Rome, Florence, Paris, Bruges, Lille, London
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 14:46
#1
oldlady
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Quote:
So, if I plan 3 weeks of the 4, how can I book hostels/trains/flights in advance?
You can’t, so book 1st and last nights in advance (based on the arrival/departure cities of your flight). Book the others, on-line or by phone a few days in advance as you go along and your plans firm up. If you really feel you must book in advance, read all the fine print about cancellations. Many pre-paid hotel/hostels are 100% non-refundable. Others may have serious cancellation fees.
Quote:
I am forsure getting the Eurail Pass.
Some kind of railpass will probably save money on this trip, but it isn’t valid in UK, it’s probably not worth it in Poland or Italy and if you’re willing to commit to exact days and times in advance you can often get great special fares for German trains. Which specific pass are you planning on buying?

Tue, 08/04/2009 - 15:55
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europlanner
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oh really? ok good to know. The trains is what I am finding the hardest to understand.

As of right now, looks like this:

London to Liverpool TRAIN
Liverpool to Amsterdam FLIGHT
Amsterdam to Berlin TRAIN
Berlin to Krakow TRAIN
Krakow to Rome PLANE
Rome to Florence TRAIN
Florence to innsbruck TRAIN
Innsbruck to Munich TRAIN
Munich to Paris TRAIN
Paris to London EUROSTAR

What would you suggest? I am confused as to what to get!

Euro Honeymoon
I am leaving from Canada with $5000 for 38 days
Amsterdam, Hanover, Berlin, Munich, Zürich, Lucerne, Rome, Florence, Paris, Bruges, Lille, London
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 16:41
#3
europlanner
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That is idea #1. This is Idea #2 (takes out Rome so we don’t have to go all the way there)..

London-liverpool train
liverpool-amsterdam plane
amsterdam-berlin train
berlin-krakow train
Krakow-Budapest train
Budapest-Salzburg train
Salzburg-munich train
Munich-zurich train
zurich-paris train
paris-brussels train
brussels-london train

Would this be better? I am thinking so. What pass to get?

Euro Honeymoon
I am leaving from Canada with $5000 for 38 days
Amsterdam, Hanover, Berlin, Munich, Zürich, Lucerne, Rome, Florence, Paris, Bruges, Lille, London
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 17:52
#4
oldlady
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The ultimate decision on which pass to get depends on a very exact itinerary (dates and times) and hours of time spent looking up fares and checking for available specials on the individual national rail company website. Since you don’t want an absolutely set itinerary, you won’t know which, if any, pass would have been the absolute best deal until the trip is over. Try using www.railsaver.com for a recommendation based on standard fares. Follow the “I have a good idea of my itinerary” route and click “I prefer using railpasses (to point to point tickets ‘only when it saves money.’” Do this twice, with each of your two itineraries.

I think you’re better off skipping Italy. Given what you seem to by trying to cram in, save Italy for a future trip when you can commit an absolute minimum of a week — better yet, 2 weeks.