ferncs
Traveller
3 comments
Posted 11 years ago
Hi, me and my boyfriend are going interrailing for the first time this summer, we've looked at hostel costs and night trains and this is our final plan so far.
Home-Paris-Munich-Venice-Vienna-Berlin-Budapest-Prague-Amsterdam-Brussels-Home
The basic plan is to arrive in a city in the early morning on the night train, stay in a hostel one night and then leave the next day late on the night train. The exception is brussels and munich which we will arrive at early morning and leave in the evening. We are really using Munich as a stopover from Paris to Venice as the Paris-Venice overnight train is not covered by interrail.
We have also planned it like this as I am limited by money and we can get as many night trains as possible this way (hence the Vienna to Budapest via Berlin :D ). We are not bothered about going out and getting drunk in the evenings, we just want to see as many places as possible on the way! The more money I can save on accommodation the more I have to do things in the city (I am very excited about the Baths in Budapest).
So what do you experienced travelers think? Is this a good first trip? It might seem a bit rushed but we will have two full days to see every city. We would have liked to visit the Plitvice national Park in Croatia but it uses too much time and money getting there, another time.
Just opinions please.
ardeeay
Traveller
99 comments
Hi
I like your plan :D
I am also planning an extended Eurail trip in May-June by night train visiting 29 capital cites with a minimum of hotel nights (only when I have to).
As you say if you arrive early in the morning, have a full day to walk around the city and leave in the evening you can rely on the night train to sleep. I am not all that concerned about saving money but do want to get a full night's sleep so have booked en suite sleepers on the trains (the cost is less than a hotel but more than a hostel). I could not sleep in a reclining seat and want privacy so couchettes are not for me, but would be a way of reducing costs if you can sleep OK. 8)
As you have seen the night journeys have to be long enough for them to run night trains so you itinerary like mine will criss-cross Europe. So I will go from Brussels to Paris via Berlin!
I am told that some train food is fairly expensive and only average quality so I think it would be best to pick up your evening meal before you get on the night trains. ;)
I am planning to take only what I can carry in a small backpack, limited by what I can take as carry-on luggage on a flight from Australia.
I am visiting all your cities except Venice. That is for another trip! Perhaps we will cross paths somewhere?
Good Luck and Best Wishes
Richard
ferncs
Traveller
3 comments
Thank you! I was really expecting someone to say we're rushing around too much. haha. We are considering staying an extra day in Prague now because of the lovely cheap hostel we've found, Arpacay Backpackers Hostel if you're interested. Good luck and have a lovely trip!
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
And the advantage of sleepers is that you often find a shower there (or you even can get compartments with own toilet and shower - but of course much more expensive than a hostel). I also like night train travel - but as well to stay a bit in hostels and meet other travellers.
Peter :)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej,
I like your approach a lot. :)
The problem with showers on trains is that they are usually limited to the sleeper carriage customers and are not accesible for passengers in couchette and seated accomodation. There would be showers on all of the night trains you are using but this would require a sleeping car reservation everytime (and on the Venice - Vienna train even a 1st class ticket)... :(
Anyways, nice route and really good use of the night train network. :) Not many travellers would think of going Vienna - Berlin - Budapest - Prague - Amsterdam! 8)
Flo 8)