[.Scout.]

(Original post by Abcrew)
I'm in exactly the same position as you! I'm looking to travel around Europe during August as that's the only month I'm free from work and uni. Any advice from anyone would be grateful! Also how much do you guys reckon it would cost for 2/3 weeks travel around Europe? (Obviously I know this can vary depending upon where and what you do)

Which part of Europe?
East (countries like Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) are much, much cheaper then cities such as Paris, Vienna, Rome...

I went East and spent around:
10- 15E a night for hostel.
5-10E on Food and drink (breakfast was inc. in most hostels and usually I skipped lunch in favour of a big dinner out somewhere). I know people who spent much more though - I just eat quite little.
10E+ on nights out.
Another 15E + on transport/entrace to attractions.

There were days where I spent MUCH more, and days where I spent much less...it just depends what your plans are! I would budget 50E a day though...

[skry]

hello! we are planning to go on the interrail next year and i'm really excited! But I am also really really worried about getting lost etc. I am going with someone else but i'm worried about staying over in places and stuff. I know it's part of the excitement, I just don't want things to go wrong haha! Any advice?

Thank you

[pizzle223]

(Original post by 21stcenturyphantom)
14th-16th in Ljubljana and 16th-18th in Bled.

Ahh I just miss you!
My Plan - Fri 17 Zagreb - Ljubljana
Sat 18 Ljubljana - Bled
Sun 19 Bled
Mon 20 Bled - Ljubljana
Tues 21 Ljubljana

Well I guess I may see you on the 18th!!
Will you be in town that night?

[Syko]

Finally got around to putting some plans into action and will spend a third summer in a row InterRailing.. .at least for a bit.

Instead of going for a grand tour like I did last summer, I'll be based mainly in Austria, although I will be starting in Slovakia and flying home from Switzerland.

Trip will be packed though, as I'm trying to fit as many ice hockey games in as I can.

[21stcenturyphantom]

(Original post by pizzle223)
Ahh I just miss you!
My Plan - Fri 17 Zagreb - Ljubljana
Sat 18 Ljubljana - Bled
Sun 19 Bled
Mon 20 Bled - Ljubljana
Tues 21 Ljubljana

Well I guess I may see you on the 18th!!
Will you be in town that night?

Damn! No I'm staying in Bled the 16th & 17th. On the 18th I'll be an early train to Vienna as I have to be in Vitis, northern Austria, by nightfall. Shame though!

[ChapelTom]

Me and my best mate have decided to go inter-railing next June. About 10.5 months to save up for it.

Were going for the 10 in 22 days and have a rough idea of what we want to see. For me I wanted to do Berlin, Prague and Budapest, he wanted to do Munich as well. We'd be flying out to Copenhagen to start it I reckon, make our way south.

Here are our early ideas:
Flight from Manchester to Copenhagen
Copenhagen - 2 nights
Malmo - half a day and get night train to Berlin
Berlin - 1 night
Prague - 2 nights
Munich - 1 day and get night train to Vienna
Vienna - 1 night
Bratislava - 2 nights (but we wouldn't arrive until 4 ish)
Budapest - 2 nights
Zagreb - 1 night
Ljubljana - 2 nights (2nd one, getting the sleeper to Sagrans in Switzerland)
Vaduz - Few hours in Liechtenstein
Zurich - 2 nights
Flight home from Switzerland.

11 countries. We went to Edinburgh last month and despite arriving at 9am on day 1 and leaving at 4pm Day 2 we managed to see a lot of the city, blitzing it essentially!

Anyone any advice on what beer prices and meal prices are likely to be like per country? We want to try local beer/local food where we can. I'm going to save £700 for the 17 days, is that likely to be enough with hostels?

[.Scout.]

(Original post by ChapelTom)
Me and my best mate have decided to go inter-railing next June. About 10.5 months to save up for it.

Were going for the 10 in 22 days and have a rough idea of what we want to see. For me I wanted to do Berlin, Prague and Budapest, he wanted to do Munich as well. We'd be flying out to Copenhagen to start it I reckon, make our way south.

Here are our early ideas:
Flight from Manchester to Copenhagen
Copenhagen - 2 nights
Malmo - half a day and get night train to Berlin
Berlin - 1 night
Prague - 2 nights
Munich - 1 day and get night train to Vienna
Vienna - 1 night
Bratislava - 2 nights (but we wouldn't arrive until 4 ish)
Budapest - 2 nights
Zagreb - 1 night
Ljubljana - 2 nights (2nd one, getting the sleeper to Sagrans in Switzerland)
Vaduz - Few hours in Liechtenstein
Zurich - 2 nights
Flight home from Switzerland.

11 countries. We went to Edinburgh last month and despite arriving at 9am on day 1 and leaving at 4pm Day 2 we managed to see a lot of the city, blitzing it essentially!

Anyone any advice on what beer prices and meal prices are likely to be like per country? We want to try local beer/local food where we can. I'm going to save £700 for the 17 days, is that likely to be enough with hostels?

Hiya.
I really think that you're packing far too much into your route. IMO it would be better to spend longer in places (so you can explore properly) instead of doing a whistle stop tour of as many places as possible. Not only will you not see as much as you want but you'll also be exhaused!

If I were you, I would start the trip in Berlin. After the night train, you'll be exhaused - you won't be able to appreciate the city properly in one day. I've been to Berlin twice and spent 3 days there each time. There's so much to see and do that I could've easily spent much longer there - doing Berlin in one day would be pretty tough. Plus, you'd be missing out on all the great nightlife and believe me, it's good.
You could go to Copenhagen at another time, it seems to far out of the way for it to be worth including it in this trip.

Also, I think you need more time in Ljubljana. I spent 1.5 days in the city and then a further day and a half in Bled and I easily could've stayed longer. You really need to make space for Bled in your trip, after all, that's what the majority of people go to Ljubljana for!
There is an amazing hostel in Bled called Hosteller Bled. It's basically this guys house but he was so incredibly welcoming as he told us all about the local and surrounding area. Best hostel I've ever stayed in.

Budget wise, that is do-able. That would give you around £41 a day which might be a bit of a squeeze in places.
For example, Vienna is VERY expensive yet cities such as Bratislava and Budapest are so much cheaper. In Vienna I was spending 25E a night on accom where the further east I went it became so much cheaper - Bratislava for example was around 15E a night.
Also, you have to remember that you will have to pay an extra fee for night trains.

I've rambled on here but if you have any questions, just ask. I did a similar route last year

[sophiemay20]

This time in three weeks I'll be in Krakow, ahhh! So, so excitedddd!
Got myself the Lonely Planet Eastern Europe guide.. it's a block of a book, but a pretty good read so far!

Does anyone have any experience of visiting Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina) or Belgrade (Serbia)?

[ChapelTom]

(Original post by .Scout.)
Hiya.
I really think that you're packing far too much into your route. IMO it would be better to spend longer in places (so you can explore properly) instead of doing a whistle stop tour of as many places as possible. Not only will you not see as much as you want but you'll also be exhaused!

If I were you, I would start the trip in Berlin. After the night train, you'll be exhaused - you won't be able to appreciate the city properly in one day. I've been to Berlin twice and spent 3 days there each time. There's so much to see and do that I could've easily spent much longer there - doing Berlin in one day would be pretty tough. Plus, you'd be missing out on all the great nightlife and believe me, it's good.
You could go to Copenhagen at another time, it seems to far out of the way for it to be worth including it in this trip.

Also, I think you need more time in Ljubljana. I spent 1.5 days in the city and then a further day and a half in Bled and I easily could've stayed longer. You really need to make space for Bled in your trip, after all, that's what the majority of people go to Ljubljana for!
There is an amazing hostel in Bled called Hosteller Bled. It's basically this guys house but he was so incredibly welcoming as he told us all about the local and surrounding area. Best hostel I've ever stayed in.

Budget wise, that is do-able. That would give you around £41 a day which might be a bit of a squeeze in places.
For example, Vienna is VERY expensive yet cities such as Bratislava and Budapest are so much cheaper. In Vienna I was spending 25E a night on accom where the further east I went it became so much cheaper - Bratislava for example was around 15E a night.
Also, you have to remember that you will have to pay an extra fee for night trains.

I've rambled on here but if you have any questions, just ask. I did a similar route last year

And I'll reply to this. Its early days yet, 10.5 months till we bother, probably many a meeting over a pint before this is sorted. Me and my mate know exactly what we want. We want to see as many countries as possible, take in as much in as possible, see as much as possible. We like to walk, take photos, don't get ripped off by attractions and if its necessary to see something, will pay for it. We are doing for a whistle stop tour, and if we like certain cities can always go back in future years anyway.

Exhaustion? I have never worried about exhaustion, I know what 20 hours of physical exertion feels like, this isn't that.

We initially had Berlin down for 2 days but my mate wants to see Munich, I may ask him to reconsider! As I see what you mean, I'd do Munich for football/beer anyway in future years.

Nightlife? Spending a night in a Brauhaus would do me, drink in a proper pub with good beer. We'll probably hit a club or two at some point though.

I can see what you mean about Copenhagen, it is an awkward start as well. But we've decided to fly from Copenhagen to Berlin instead and stay in Berlin Thursday/Friday and a bit of Wednesday, its a late flight.

I never considered the Lake Bled, just Ljubljana itself, if we like certain palces, I go back in future years.

And I've probably rambled on as well...

[usernonapplicable]

(Original post by ChapelTom)
I'm going to save £700 for the 17 days, is that likely to be enough with hostels?

Unless you have all the bases covered regarding your travel and accommodation, £700 will go nowhere.

[21stcenturyphantom]

(Original post by .Scout.)
There is an amazing hostel in Bled called Hosteller Bled. It's basically this guys house but he was so incredibly welcoming as he told us all about the local and surrounding area. Best hostel I've ever stayed in.

Huzzah! This is the hostel I've booked into for 2 nights. Very excited! Can you easily walk from.Lesce-Bled to the hostel, do you know?

[.Scout.]

(Original post by 21stcenturyphantom)
Huzzah! This is the hostel I've booked into for 2 nights. Very excited! Can you easily walk from.Lesce-Bled to the hostel, do you know?

Heya, I'm not too sure if I'm honest because I got the bus from Ljubljana to Bled.
If you're going from Ljubljana I would really recommend taking the bus as it was super cheap and really quick journey. Buses also left regularly. Also this means that you don't have to use a day on your interrail pass for such a small journey.

When I left Bled to go to Austria, I got a bus from Bled to Lesce because the station is located a few km away from Bled itself. I was told that I could walk it and that it would take about 30 mins. However, I wimped out and got the bus as 1. it was quite remote and I had NO idea where I was going and 2. it was boiling hot and I didn't fancy lugging my stuff around. Instead I got the bus, which was cheap and dropped me from Bled town to right outside the station at Lesce.

Look on Hostel world for exact directions Whilst you are there, the guy who runs the hostel can tell you where to get the bus from/how best to get to your next destinatiom.
Enjoy, Bled is wonderful and the hostel is the best I've stayed in. Ha, it sounds as if the hostel is employing me to write good things about it online.

[21stcenturyphantom]

(Original post by .Scout.)
Heya, I'm not too sure if I'm honest because I got the bus from Ljubljana to Bled.
If you're going from Ljubljana I would really recommend taking the bus as it was super cheap and really quick journey. Buses also left regularly. Also this means that you don't have to use a day on your interrail pass for such a small journey.

When I left Bled to go to Austria, I got a bus from Bled to Lesce because the station is located a few km away from Bled itself. I was told that I could walk it and that it would take about 30 mins. However, I wimped out and got the bus as 1. it was quite remote and I had NO idea where I was going and 2. it was boiling hot and I didn't fancy lugging my stuff around. Instead I got the bus, which was cheap and dropped me from Bled town to right outside the station at Lesce.

Look on Hostel world for exact directions Whilst you are there, the guy who runs the hostel can tell you where to get the bus from/how best to get to your next destinatiom.
Enjoy, Bled is wonderful and the hostel is the best I've stayed in. Ha, it sounds as if the hostel is employing me to write good things about it online.

Excellent, thank you for the helpful post, Scout. I think I'll probably walk it from Lesce-Bled; I love walking and if anything I'm gutted I didn't turn this trip of mine into a camping trip as I am a hiker.

Yes I've read only good things about Hosteller on Hostelbookers. I've never been to Slovenia and Bled looks absolutely stunning. I'll probably get the train from Ljubljana to Bled as I have an every day within 22 days InterRail card so I don't have to ration my train journeys. Can I ask a question about the InterRail cards; how do you use them? I've never travelled very far by train, certainly not abroad. Do I just approach the ticket office, show my pass and ask for a ticket?

[.Scout.]

(Original post by 21stcenturyphantom)
Excellent, thank you for the helpful post, Scout. I think I'll probably walk it from Lesce-Bled; I love walking and if anything I'm gutted I didn't turn this trip of mine into a camping trip as I am a hiker.

Yes I've read only good things about Hosteller on Hostelbookers. I've never been to Slovenia and Bled looks absolutely stunning. I'll probably get the train from Ljubljana to Bled as I have an every day within 22 days InterRail card so I don't have to ration my train journeys. Can I ask a question about the InterRail cards; how do you use them? I've never travelled very far by train, certainly not abroad. Do I just approach the ticket office, show my pass and ask for a ticket?

For the majority fo journies, you won't need to get a ticket. Just jump straight on the train. When you get your interrailling pass you'll see that there is a grid section...when you go on any train, you MUST record the details of your journey on this grid.
For example, 'depart: BLED - 09:00, Arrive: Salzburg' Date:16/07/12'.

When the ticket inspector goes around the train, show them your interrail pass and they check that you've filled this grid in. They then stamp your pass to show that you are using that date as one of your days of travel. This may be different for you though as you have unlimited days.

However, some trains (night trains or high speed trains) you will need to pay an extra fee. Just go to the ticket office show them your ticket and then tehy will tell you how much you need to pay. You will also need to reserve a seat for these trains (can also be done in advance at the ticket office).
I hope this has helped.

[ChapelTom]

(Original post by usernonapplicable)
Unless you have all the bases covered regarding your travel and accommodation, £700 will go nowhere.

I mean £700 on spending money, that excludes ALL travel costs. You mean £700 won't be enough for 17 days?

[21stcenturyphantom]

(Original post by .Scout.)
For the majority fo journies, you won't need to get a ticket. Just jump straight on the train. When you get your interrailling pass you'll see that there is a grid section...when you go on any train, you MUST record the details of your journey on this grid.
For example, 'depart: BLED - 09:00, Arrive: Salzburg' Date:16/07/12'.

When the ticket inspector goes around the train, show them your interrail pass and they check that you've filled this grid in. They then stamp your pass to show that you are using that date as one of your days of travel. This may be different for you though as you have unlimited days.

However, some trains (night trains or high speed trains) you will need to pay an extra fee. Just go to the ticket office show them your ticket and then tehy will tell you how much you need to pay. You will also need to reserve a seat for these trains (can also be done in advance at the ticket office).
I hope this has helped.

Great, thank you very much for your help. Yes I think I will just avoid the high-speed lines, if possible.

[AskanceAndWit]

(Original post by veggie4life)
I did this last year all on my own hopped on the eurostar in London and went to :

Brussels > Amsterdam > Berlin > Dresden > Munich > Florence > Pisa > Milan > Monaco > Nice > Cannes > Marseilles > Barcelona

Before I went i'd never done anything anything like it and i'm not the adventurous sort - most of my friends didn't actually think i'd go through with it!

It definitely turned out to be the best experience of my life. going on your own definitely has a couple of lonely moments but really in my 23 days there were just two nights I spent alone!! You will have the time of your life but i definitely don't recommend staying in hotels - you wont meet anyone and the people you meet make the trip!

How old are you? I've just turned 18 and I'm also female so I'm a little wary of going alone, but like everyone else I seem to have the problem of skint friends and trying to organise a date suitable for all of us. I'm quite keen to just pack my bags and go but realisticly I know this could be dodgey - what advice would you give? Is it possible to just buy you pass and go? can I do everything else once I get there? x

[MancStudent098]

(Original post by AskanceAndWit)
How old are you? I've just turned 18 and I'm also female so I'm a little wary of going alone, but like everyone else I seem to have the problem of skint friends and trying to organise a date suitable for all of us. I'm quite keen to just pack my bags and go but realisticly I know this could be dodgey - what advice would you give? Is it possible to just buy you pass and go? can I do everything else once I get there? x

My normal method if I'm interrailing is to always have my hostel for the next destination booked before I get on a train. Ideally book a few stops ahead in the summer, particularly if your destination is popular, expensive or is holding a special event of some sort.

You will need to pre-reserve sleeping accom. on a train if you want to do overnights. Some long distance trains in some countries will also require reservation for seated travel in the day. Again, in the summer demand > supply, so basically I would suggest that the first thing you do when you arrive at the train station of a new city is go straight to the ticket counter and book your ticket out.

You are best off either getting a Thomas Cook european rail timetable, or using www.bahn.de. It's the German national rail website but you can see times for any journey beginning in Europe (pretty sure it'll even plot you the trans-siberian all the way to Vladivostok ) and it's available in English.

Apart from that you only really 'need' clothes, a passport and an ATM card. Other stuff may be advisable

As for inter railing alone, I've never done it, I suspect it might get a bit boring and lonely at times, but I guess you may meet up with other single travellers or even a group along the way.

Also there's a big inter rail sticky thread, just FYI.

[AskanceAndWit]

(Original post by MancStudent098)
My normal method if I'm interrailing is to always have my hostel for the next destination booked before I get on a train. Ideally book a few stops ahead in the summer, particularly if your destination is popular, expensive or is holding a special event of some sort.

You will need to pre-reserve sleeping accom. on a train if you want to do overnights. Some long distance trains in some countries will also require reservation for seated travel in the day. Again, in the summer demand > supply, so basically I would suggest that the first thing you do when you arrive at the train station of a new city is go straight to the ticket counter and book your ticket out.

You are best off either getting a Thomas Cook european rail timetable, or using www.bahn.de. It's the German national rail website but you can see times for any journey beginning in Europe (pretty sure it'll even plot you the trans-siberian all the way to Vladivostok ) and it's available in English.

Apart from that you only really 'need' clothes, a passport and an ATM card. Other stuff may be advisable

As for inter railing alone, I've never done it, I suspect it might get a bit boring and lonely at times, but I guess you may meet up with other single travellers or even a group along the way.

Also there's a big inter rail sticky thread, just FYI.

Thank you. Yeah I've looked through that thread. If I can find a travel buddy either online or through friends that would be ideal, but I'm restricted time wise and if I'm going to go its needs to be soon, ie next week or so! thanks for your help

[klipsan]

I'm 2 years older than you, but I hitchhiked across Europe on my own for a month. I must've been picked up by about 50 cars overall, and met many many more just on my travels, and never once had a problem. But then again, it only takes 1 mistake. If you're confident and have your wits about you, I don't see why not. These days its such a shame that girls can't travel solo because of the fear or what may happen...