Eurailpass (Includes 17
European countries)
3 month unlimited
How did you figure out which
passes you needed?
We planned out which countries
we wanted to visit, estimated the
time we would want in each and the
number of cities we were hoping to
visit in each country.
RailEurope has a pass
comparison chart that is very
helpful. Go to their site, then to
RailPasses then click on the
comparison chart.
Do you need to make
reservations when taking the
train?
If you are traveling long
distance or wanting a couchette
for overnight travel, yes. In
fact, I think that couchette
reservations are mandatory. You
will pay for both reservations
($5-$10) as well as for
couchettes. For short trips within
a country, you should be fine.
Trains crossing borders tend to be
more crowded.
If you are traveling within
England, definitely make a
reservation-they are free and save
you the hassle of overcrowded
trains!
Once you were in a city, how
did you get around?
In most cities in Europe, the
train station you will be arriving
at is very central. From there,
you can walk, take a bus or in
some cases, take the underground
subway. There are usually maps in
the subway station showing you
where to get off and what the
stations is called. Give your
hostel a quick phone call before
you arrive and ask for directions
on how to get there. If all else
fails, ask somewhere! Most people
are more than happy to help-bus
drivers will tell you what bus to
catch or where to get off etc.
Guide Books
Which guide books did you
bring with you?
We brought both "Let's Go
Europe" and
the "Lonely Planet Western
Europe". We couldn't
have done without both of
them-they both offered different
information, which we found
helpful.
The Lonely Planet had clearer maps
and more accurate information but
Let's Go had sections on Prague
and Scandinavia, which the Lonely
Planet didn't. You can buy them
online in my Amazon bookshop for
less than bookstore prices.
Here is a direct link for them
both;
Let's Go Guidebooks
Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Hostels
Do hostels require anything
specific?
There are two types of hostels;
independent and hostels that are
affiliated with Hostelling
International. The HI hostels
require you to have a Hostelling
International card or you will pay
extra. They also like you to have
a
sleeping sheet (bed sheet sewn
in half) and in some cases, a
pillowcase. If you do not have
these, you will have to rent
theirs for a small fee. The
independent hostels do not require
a membership card. It varies from
hostel to hostel whether they
require the sleeping sheet and
pillowcase.
Where do I leave my main
pack when I go out for the day?
Many of hostels provide lockers
you can use to store your pack
during the day. Some require you
to have your own lock, so you
might want to bring one along for
that sort of thing. For hostels
that don't have lockers, this is
what I suggest. Bring all your
valuables (train tickets,
travelers cheques, passport etc.)
with you at all times or have them
locked the the hotel safe. If you
bring them with you, make sure to
lock the small lock on your
daypack to ward off pickpocketers.
Lock your main pack to the leg
of your bed using a
cable lock or something like
that then secure the zippers on
your bag with small
travel locks.
Where do I get a Hostelling
International Card?
Visit a HI hostel in your city
before you leave or buy one online
here. An adult membership
(age 18-54) is $28 US dollars.
Where do I get a Hostels of
Europe Card?
You can buy the Hostels of
Europe card online
here. A one year membership is
$15 US dollars.
What is the difference
between a Hostels of Europe Card
and a Hostelling International
card?
The HI card is good for those
hostels that are a part of the
Hostelling International
affiliation. When you are looking
them up on the web or in your
guide book, they will usually have
HI Hostel listed after them.
Hostels of Europe is a group of
independent hostels that allow you
to get a discounts up to 15% using
their card. The HI hostels will
charge you more if you don't have
their card. You will not pay more
if you do not have the Hostels of
Europe card at their hostels.
Which card did you bring?
I brought both. For 7 months,
we got our moneys worth out of
both of them. If you don't know
which one to buy, try looking at
the hostels and seeing which you
think you will be staying more at.
