Travelling in Europe

[1two]

Been thinking about this for years but I've got too many commitments now to just pack up and eff off (Mortgage, Job and Woman) !

I'm 23 so want to do it sooner rather than later! and i'm hoping to save enough money to cover the bills for 6 weeks (not an awful long time but probably most i could get off my work) and do a bit travelling through Europe!

I don't want to book flights/trains and have my trip planned out before i leave so was thinking of buying a van, kitting it out with what i need and just deciding where i'm going when i get off the ferry in france!

Or i have heard you can get train tickets that let you use any european trains, but that sounds like you'd be tied to cerain routes?

So has anyone got any tips? Van good idea or psh? train?

Thanks!!

[Scooter]

Been thinking about this for years but I've got too many commitments now to just pack up and eff off (Mortgage, Job and Woman) !

I'm 23 so want to do it sooner rather than later! and i'm hoping to save enough money to cover the bills for 6 weeks (not an awful long time but probably most i could get off my work) and do a bit travelling through Europe!

I don't want to book flights/trains and have my trip planned out before i leave so was thinking of buying a van, kitting it out with what i need and just deciding where i'm going when i get off the ferry in france!

Or i have heard you can get train tickets that let you use any european trains, but that sounds like you'd be tied to cerain routes?

So has anyone got any tips? Van good idea or psh? train?

Thanks!!

yeah you can but there is lots of restrictions on the train tickets and some times you are better buying each ticket sep

[scott7_0(Prague)]

Been thinking about this for years but I've got too many commitments now to just pack up and eff off (Mortgage, Job and Woman) !

I'm 23 so want to do it sooner rather than later! and i'm hoping to save enough money to cover the bills for 6 weeks (not an awful long time but probably most i could get off my work) and do a bit travelling through Europe!

I don't want to book flights/trains and have my trip planned out before i leave so was thinking of buying a van, kitting it out with what i need and just deciding where i'm going when i get off the ferry in france!

Or i have heard you can get train tickets that let you use any european trains, but that sounds like you'd be tied to cerain routes?

So has anyone got any tips? Van good idea or psh? train?

Thanks!!

Buy a one way flight to somewhere and work your way back via trains and buses!!

[1two]

yeah you can but there is lots of restrictions on the train tickets and some times you are better buying each ticket sep

Thats why i was thinking a van!
Im not even fussed for big Capital citys etc. I just want to be free of everything for 6 weeks (wish it was longer by a year) and do as i please!

[steakbake]

i always think that travel is at it's best when you actually dont have any fixed plans.

up until the commitments you mentioned found their way into my life (woman, job, house) i used to go to greece. id get cheap flights to athens then head on down to the ferry terminal and catch whichever one appeared to be going first.

i highly recommend it.

there is interrail, but that binds you into doing all your travel on the railways.

i think the van sounds like a belting idea. if you get one big enough, a ground mat and a sleeping bag, it will take care of some of your accommodation costs too. driving also gives you the freedom to go places where you might not otherwise get to by train or other public transport.

the downside is that if it gets nicked or breaks down, you're ****ed.

also, make sure you don't leave your stash in it as you cross a border. smoke as you go - that was certainly cheech and chong's advice.

[1two]

i always think that travel is at it's best when you actually dont have any fixed plans.

up until the commitments you mentioned found their way into my life (woman, job, house) i used to go to greece. id get cheap flights to athens then head on down to the ferry terminal and catch whichever one appeared to be going first.

i highly recommend it.

there is interrail, but that binds you into doing all your travel on the railways.

i think the van sounds like a belting idea. if you get one big enough, a ground mat and a sleeping bag, it will take care of some of your accommodation costs too. driving also gives you the freedom to go places where you might not otherwise get to by train or other public transport.

the downside is that if it gets nicked or breaks down, you're ****ed.

also, make sure you don't leave your stash in it as you cross a border. smoke as you go - that was certainly cheech and chong's advice.

Thats what i was thinking! Hostels when possible, van when needed!
Know what you mean about it getting icked or breaking down but i cant plan a trip round that!
Defo swinging towards the van idea!

Just need the money now for buying one/covering bills at home/spending money :dizzy:

Going out today to buy myself a big map of europe!:agree:

[steakbake]

Thats what i was thinking! Hostels when possible, van when needed!
Know what you mean about it getting icked or breaking down but i cant plan a trip round that!
Defo swinging towards the van idea!

Just need the money now for buying one/covering bills at home/spending money :dizzy:

Going out today to buy myself a big map of europe!:agree:

:jealousas****:

[1two]

I just googled travelling europe by van......

first link is titled "Hobo Traveller":thumbsup:

Its meant to be! thats my mind made up!:greengrin

[scott7_0(Prague)]

I just googled travelling europe by van......

first link is titled "Hobo Traveller":thumbsup:

Its meant to be! thats my mind made up!:greengrin


Without putting you off your great plan, have you even looked into the car/van insurance for traveling off our beautiful ISLAND?? :dunno::dunno:

Hope you have a big budget in mind,

[les83]

I've done a lot of travelling round europe by train (but I get it for nought) think if you get yourself into somewhere like sta travel or whatever there are some pretty good tickets for under 25s even though you're not a student.
Rail network over there is pretty expansive and if time and money are tight you can save a few quid taking the overnight trains. I'd get yourself a book like lonely planet's guide to europe on a shoestring and take a look where you kind of fancy going and see there are any major areas you fancy which are not at all near the railways.
Youth hostels are great too as long as your not looking for the ritz although some of the german one's are actually better than more expensive budget hotels
have fun anyways! :greengrin:

[IberianHibernian]

6 weeks is not that long and if you`re travelling alone (great way to meet others by the way) rail travel is probably the best. Night travel saves a lot on hotels and is often very comfortable anyway especially on trains from/through Germany . For such a short time I doubt a van is worth it and on trains you`ll meet folk and get to know countries . I hate planes and travel a lot by train and have noticed that I have got to know a lot of places that air travellers never see .However you travel , maybe best to choose a part of Europe you want to see and then see what happens .

[Hibs90]

Been thinking about this for years but I've got too many commitments now to just pack up and eff off (Mortgage, Job and Woman) !

I'm 23 so want to do it sooner rather than later! and i'm hoping to save enough money to cover the bills for 6 weeks (not an awful long time but probably most i could get off my work) and do a bit travelling through Europe!

I don't want to book flights/trains and have my trip planned out before i leave so was thinking of buying a van, kitting it out with what i need and just deciding where i'm going when i get off the ferry in france!

Or i have heard you can get train tickets that let you use any european trains, but that sounds like you'd be tied to cerain routes?

So has anyone got any tips? Van good idea or psh? train?

Thanks!!


Am I the only one getting that Hippy vibe? :greengrin

[1two]

6 weeks is not that long and if you`re travelling alone (great way to meet others by the way) rail travel is probably the best. Night travel saves a lot on hotels and is often very comfortable anyway especially on trains from/through Germany . For such a short time I doubt a van is worth it and on trains you`ll meet folk and get to know countries . I hate planes and travel a lot by train and have noticed that I have got to know a lot of places that air travellers never see .However you travel , maybe best to choose a part of Europe you want to see and then see what happens .

The van idea would kinda fit in with my future business plan though:wink:

I was looking at the eurtrain tickets and it £320 for a month, not sure eactly what that includes but seems very reasonable considering plane ticket costs etc!

seems to be a lot of different tickets for the train way though and i'm not sure which one would best suit me if i want to be flexible, and the time scales etc.

Think it will be me and the bird and my pal so a ticket for the 3 of us would probably be less than the van insurance alone im guesing!

I'm going to have a proper look into it all when i get a spare couple of days!

[1two]

Am I the only one getting that Hippy vibe? :greengrin

Thats what im hoping for! a hippy for 6 weeks!:thumbsup:

Take some pegs and sell them out my caravan for money to get my fix!

[duncs]

Pop into STA Travel (I know they have a branch at Bristo Square and somewhere else) and just tell them what you fancy doing, they are really helpful - even if you don't book with them, they are usually fountains of knowledge on the stuff and usually don't try and hawk their own stuff if it isn't best suited for you (like some travel agents).

[jakki]

A bit off subject-

When I was 20, life was boring in Edinburgh (except for the Hibs), working in insurance was boring but I had met my German boyfriend but he couldn't get a visa and so I decided to move over there. In those days, it was not the done thing to move in together and so I got a job as Au Pair in Cologne.

Things didn't go well either with the boyfriend or the job and I packed them both in within 3 weeks.There was I a 21 year old in a foreign country not speaking the language and didn't want to go home with my tail between my legs. I found a better Au Pair job and stayed there for over 15 months.

I had the time of my life mixing with Germans and learning their culture also touring Europe with my new family. I came home on holiday and met Dave and never went back which was my intention. We've been happily married now for 35 years but I put that down to that I managed to see a wee corner of the world whilst in Germany.

I would say to all, before you settle down, go out and see the world, wheither its UK, Europe or further afield, you'll not regret the experience

[Hibs90]

Thats what im hoping for! a hippy for 6 weeks!:thumbsup:

Take some pegs and sell them out my caravan for money to get my fix!

Typical hobo :brickwall

[rainman]

A bit off subject-

When I was 20, life was boring in Edinburgh (except for the Hibs), working in insurance was boring but I had met my German boyfriend but he couldn't get a visa and so I decided to move over there. In those days, it was not the done thing to move in together and so I got a job as Au Pair in Cologne.

Things didn't go well either with the boyfriend or the job and I packed them both in within 3 weeks.There was I a 21 year old in a foreign country not speaking the language and didn't want to go home with my tail between my legs. I found a better Au Pair job and stayed there for over 15 months.

I had the time of my life mixing with Germans and learning their culture also touring Europe with my new family. I came home on holiday and met Dave and never went back which was my intention. We've been happily married now for 35 years but I put that down to that I managed to see a wee corner of the world whilst in Germany.

I would say to all, before you settle down, go out and see the world, wheither its UK, Europe or further afield, you'll not regret the experience

Absolutely!!

Came over to perth, australia in September. Not intending to travel, signed for a football team over here. Season finishes in November so last year i bought a ticket to S. Korea and lived in Soul for a couple of months. Not the best place but some nightlife and had a great Christmas and new year there. This year I've just bought a VW Camper Van, it came with tent, sleeping bag and bbq equipment. When the season finishes I'm going to drive round east via South Australia and then come back over to top so that I've driven all the way round. Not sure if the old van can make it but that's half the fun. There's jobs all the way round picking fruit etc that will keep me going.

Hopefully I'll be back in time for the new season. I still want to see South East Asia so will definately be hitting Laos and ****et at some point along with Cambodia and Vietnam. After that, who knows. Taking a year to travel is good but can be restricted, I'm just gathering money and travelling where and when I want. Guys in Perth marry their High school sweethearts, buy a house and settle down before they're 21. I've told them their mad but they won't listen.

Young, free and not a thing in the world holding me back. :thumbsup:

[LunaJLHsauzee]

I went travelling between October and May, absolutely loved it

Spent my time in China, taught english in a kindergarten, great fun sometimes :thumbsup: and other times you would quite happily organise a kindergarten Last Man Standing match:brickwall

Travelled around Beijing and Shanghai but mostly around the island ofHainan I was on, it was beautiful.

My gap year didn't go the way most others did, a six month relationship which is now 7 and counting is evidence of that:greengrin

So be careful is all I am saying, or being young and free might not be as free as before:greengrin

[Haymaker]

If you go to prague, check out a place called "Camp Herzog" its up in prague 6 IIRC. Its an old ladies backgarden that she rents out to people camping, its cheap and can park your car/van too. The whole street is awesome and down the road is a place called the cross club. Go.

I will be there in a few days myself actually.