As just about any trip, the earlier you
book your tickets and hotel, the better deals you get, but don't worry, there are also very good deals all year long.
If you are planning to travel by train, the « eurail pass » could be your best
option. This passes are sold by the amount of travel days and countries,
meaning that if for example you buy the European pass for 5 days,
you'd be able to travel for 5 days within a month, no need to used
them all at once.
Tip : Once you buy the eurail
pass you have two options, either you go to the train office (SNCF boutique or train station) to make reservations on your trains (This
may cost you 10 – 20 euros per train) but will entitle you to high
speed trains and even trains with beds. Or if you are on a budget or
just want to be spontaneous and jump in the first train you can do so
without any fees.
Note: Even if it takes you 10 extra minutes check how much would the tickets will cost you separately, sometimes the eurail pass is more expensive than the tickets you need.
If you are planning to travel by air,
the most popular -low cost- airlines are Easyjet and Ryanair. However
do not dismiss looking at the regular airlines, Airfrance sometimes
has good deals that might surprise you, as well as Alitalia and Lufthansa. Make sure you compare all the options, trains and airlines
before taking a decision.
Note: Make sure your read the terms and conditions on luggage and check in at the low cost airline's site. The luggage is not included in the ticket price.
If you are going from Paris to London
for example, most people chose to jump blindlessly in the Eurostar,
which can cost around 150+ euros return (even with the 12-27 card) while
you can find 100 euros return tickets with Airfrance ! Take the
extra 5 minutes and compare the fares.
You can also travel by bus, if you have
a long holiday and don't mind spending time in the buses, this may
come across as the cheaper option because there are bus passes too
and some of the trips are overnight so if you are backpacking you can
sleep in the bus and save the night at the hotel but watch out for
the traffic and your comfort.
In case you come from a country where
the best option is to get your car and drive, here's a heads up, car rentals in France are very pricey, the daily fee is very high and there are
expensive tolls on every mayor highway. Unless you want to see the
small towns and get lost in the tiny roads of the the beautiful french « campagne »
I strongly recommend the public transportation.
Advice : The top destination of
most of the students are always the famous places, London, Barcelona,
Madrid, Milano, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam... But I invite you to get
tempted and take the risk to head over less known countries – You
won't regret it.
Eastern Europe is my very favorite.
Take a plane down to Prague enjoy the beautiful Blatavla river
crossing by the Charles bridge at sunset, go up to the castle and see
the beautiful red roofs over the city, continue your trip to Vienna,
go to the Opera (there are cheap opera tickets for students right
before the show starts) explore the marvels of the Belvedere Palace. Jump in a bus (or train) to Bratislava and be delighted by the
contrast of the new luxurious town and the old town where you can
almost feel the communist air. This cities have nothing to envy to
the known cities in Europe. And neither the Czech Republic or Slovakia are
ruled by the euro yet so you will truly make the best of your money
down there.
Tip : Before planning any trip
please check at your country's embassy site or the one of the country
you are planning to visit to see you need a visa. Just because
you have a Schengen visa on your passport or a French carte de sejour doesn't mean you can go anywhere !
T-
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