jcwfox
Traveller
4 comments
Posted 12 years ago
Hi,
I am considering going interailing next month and just wanted to find out a few things. I have never been travelling before and therefore am a little apprehensive about undertaking a trip which would be alone. Has anyone else traveled alone, is this ok?
Furthermore I'm also interested to find out how you no what train to catch to your various destinations. Ie If I wanted to travel between Amsterdam and Berlin, is there a way of finding out what train to catch at specific times before leaving on the trip so everything is planned out. Or do you just find out when you get there as to which trains to catch?
I would be taking the 10 travel days in 22 days trip I hope to take a round route of Amsterdam-Berlin-Krakow-Prague-Vienna-Bratislava-Munich-Amsterdam. Does anyone have any opinions on this route, would anyone recommend it or any other routes? (I'm pretty clueless on routes to take)
Finally I would be travelling from the UK but as you can see my trip plans to start in Amsterdam so I am thinking of taking the Eurostar/plane to Amsterdam. Is there a better alternative eg starting the trip in France and stopping off at a extra destination in Belgium for example?
Any answers to any of these questions will be much appreciated, as well as any other information. Thanks.
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
First, have a look at the [b]beginners guide[/b] for Interrailers. It will explain you all your questions:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/first-time-interrail[/u]
There are thousands of Interrailers every year [b]travelling alone[/b] - so just relax. You will meet a lot of nice people in the hostels and trains around Europe! :)
For [b]train connections[/b] just check the information here - it also show you trains free of reservation fees to save you money: [u]https://rail.cc/en/search-interrail-route[/u]
Example Amsterdam to Berlin: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/amsterdam-to-berlin[/u]
[b]London to Paris/Amsterdam[/b]: try to either get a special price for Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels (in Belgium I recommend Bruges instead of Brussels). Or use a bus. Or the ferry Harwich-Hoeck van Holland.
London - Paris: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/london-to-paris[/u]
London - Amsterdam: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/london-to-amsterdam[/u]
railcc Blog: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/london-to-paris-by-eurostar-train-bus-or-ferry//[/u]
Your [b]travel route[/b]:
Change a little bit ...
London - (Paris - Bruges) - Amsterdam - Berlin - Prague - Krakow - Budapest - Vienna - (Bratislava) - Munich
And finally: if you like all the information here on railcc and whant to support our work, buy your official Interrail pass via the shop (see blue bar at the bottom). Thank you! :)
Peter :)
jcwfox
Traveller
4 comments
Thanks a lot for that Peter,
Just trying to get my head round the reservation process. Is it essential to book a reservation before the trip for the trains you are travelling on OR is it possible to pay the reservation fee when on the trains?
Cheers
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Irecommend to make your reservations during your trip. It is easy to do at train stations. :)
But good news (check the schedules), you won't need a lot of reservations.
Everything is free on your route except:
London to Paris or Amsterdam, depends on your route.
If you get by Eurostar to Brussels, then just use a free IC train to Bruges or Amsterdam, depends on where you want to stay first (see schedules).
Prague - Krakow: if you want to travel by night train, get it in Berlin main station for example (or in Prague as well).
The day train reservation is easy to get at the day of departure or one day before.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/prague-to-krakow[/u]
Krakow - Budapest: the same like the connection above.
[u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/krakow-to-budapest[/u]
All other connections are FREE - no reservation required. Just use the railcc schedules which will guide you!
Peter :)
jcwfox
Traveller
4 comments
Thanks again for that. Looks like i'm defiantly going ahead with the trip starting next month with the route of London (via Eurostar)- Brussels - Brugge -Amsterdam - Berlin - Prague - Krakow - Budapest - Vienna - Bratislava - Munich - Brussels (via Eurostar) - London. This is on a 10 travel days in 22 days. Does this look good?
A further question is how do people go about carrying money, I hear cash machines charge if you use a standard account card, is there a special card you can get to put your money onto which gives free transactions out across Europe?
Cheers.
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Looks very good! :)
Just one change: ... Budapest - BRATISLAVA - Vienna ...
Concerning your money: every bank wants to ear money - nothing is for free. Some offer free transactions, but bad exchange rates or in reverse. Maybe someone else from the UK knows a good deal.
I always use a standard bank card with maestro symbol or my visa credit card on ATMs.
Peter :)
jcwfox
Traveller
4 comments
I think i'm going to change my route a little so I am able to spend more time staying in city's so no longer going to go to Budapest . I am interested in understanding more about the night trains. I plan to get the Prague to Krakow night train and also the Krakow to Vienna night train. Do these trains run everyday? Also with a 22 day travel pass how much extra will I be having to pay for the privlage of a bed? Finally do these trains sell out quickly or are you able to book night trains at the station on the day or a few days before travelling?
Thankyou
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
Reservation of night trains is possible at large railway station in Europe (except the UK) which are selling international tickets. For example Berlin central station or Prague, ...
It is not possible to preview if a day is full or not on a special day. So I recommend to make the reservation one-three days in advance. Online booking is not possible for these two night trains.
Just have a look at the information here (schedules, prices, etc) - both running daily:
Prague-Krakow: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-night-train/prague-krakow-en-443/148[/u]
Krakow-Vienna: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-night-train/krakow-vienna-en-402/70[/u]
Peter :)