Userpic

Jasperwolf
Traveller
0 comments

Posted 13 years ago

Hi there

Four friends and I are planning on interrailing in Europe during Sep 2014, but none of us have traveled Europe before and I'm taking lead role as planner!

Our initial plan is to head (from UK) straight to Italy; spend a few days there doing Rome (maybe Venice or Milan) we're all big football fans so fancy visiting the San Siro. Then heading to Ljubljana - Zagreb - Belgrade - Budapest - Prague - Berlin - Amsterdam - back to UK. Hoping to do it over 4 weeks (1 month continuous interrail pass) so we have time to party/ fit in day trips. Trying to avoid overly large travelling distances other then UK- Italy to avoid supplement payments on trains?

Whats the best/cheapest way to get from UK - Italy? Ferry and then interrail from Calais through France/Switzerland?

Was planning on booking hostels initially in Italy, and then just booking on the internet a few days in advance of each place. Is that the best way to do it?

Any info would be great on this, as we're literally starting from scratch.

Cheers, Andy.

Follow this topic
Userpic

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

replied 13 years ago

Hi Andy,

first, sorry for answering that late... :os

UK - Italy:
I'd say take the ferry Dover - Calais, then continue to Paris. If you want to travel cheap go via Boulogne - Amiens instead of Lille, then you dont have to pay for TGV (6€). :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/ferry-london-paris-england-france/f1222[/u]
Maybe spend a day or two in Paris, then take the direct night train to Rome. :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/paris-florence-rome-night-train/f1453[/u]

Italy:
If you want to travel cheap in Italy, avoid the AV and ES services as they require a compulsory reservation for 10€. Instead use IC trains (3€ reservation, not compulsory but recommended) or regional trains.

Italy - Ljubljana:
:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/venice-ljubljana-train/f3664[/u]

The rest of the trip is rather uncomplicated. As long as you dont travel overnight you wont need any reservations as far as I see it. If you are in doubt whether a connection requires a reservation or not just ask here. :)

One month is enough time to fit in every place you want going to. Usually it is ok to book hostels just a few days in advance of each place, yes. In the unlikely case you cant find any accomodation you could still change your itinerary and come back there later.


Flo 8)