So I am leaving with a buddy of mine, maybe two of them in mid July to arrive in London for the week, then we are going to northern Italy, and travel to Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany in the next 20 something days. We have decided to go with the Rail pass and hopefully get to see some great views and hopefully save money that way. We have wayyyyy too many questions and far too many unanswered ones. I guess we are just really excited to spend the time there, and are looking to just be as spontaneous as possible. Can't wait to hike, and see everything we can. We just need some tips from more experienced people on things we worried about. We wandered about the trains and how many small trips like from little city to little city would our pass cover? General info on hostels, tips, tricks and geez, we aren't really even sure how much money to have. With all the flights, train, food/drink, and other fees we couldn't guess any number between 3500-5000. Any tips and advice is greatly appreciated, THANKS! :cheers:

First off, WELCOME to the boards... :clap:

I would recommend reading as much as you can online. There are links on TP that will guide you through almost every step in the process. i.e. packing lists, estimated hostels costs (you can actually book and reserve rooms through TP as well as see others rankings on them) great sights to see, and gear advice. i know that i have put specific questions on this sight when i needed help and i got more then enough good advice, the people on here are amazing. another thing that might work for you, go to somebody at an STA travel store or a travel agency and talk to them about maybe working out a sample itinerary. don't necessarily book through them but get all the free advice you can. search online for airfare. its not too hard to find discount flights if you know where to look, again, there are plenty of links on the TP front page. I am going to Europe this summer for about a month too and i am a little unsure of my final budget. i have heard if you budget $75 a day you should be fine, but i guess it all depends on how you live. I am going to get as much as i can paid for before i leave. i'm getting my parents to cash in creditcard points to pay for my airfare or to buy it for me as a birthday present and i'm asking for a rail pass, cash and travel things on my list for christmas and my birthday from everybody i know. the more you get from others, the more you will have when it comes down to travel time. I know that i'm looking for basic accomodations and i will spend most of my money on attractions/sightseeing, food, and drinking. I know that i will try to not eat at restaurants too often and will resort to buying a loaf of bread and PB&J at the local market and making sandwiches for myself. cheap and convienent.

here is a link that will help with choosing the right railpass for you.
Railpasses

GOOD LUCK and feel free to post any questions you might have...we are all here to help!

:cheers:

SOunds like we are doing the exact same trip. I am going London, Benelux, Paris, Spain, Switerland, Germany starting July 15th.

I was in Italy Paris and greece last summer so i did a lot of research and could answer most of ur questions.

Perfect idea on getting the things ur definatly going to need before u go (rail, air). My advice is not to book too much in advance. I ended up trying to cram too much in too little of time and ended up cancelling things where I lost deposits.

The more you travel from city to city, the more u will spend (food, metro, sleeper train reservations, little things added up)

Don't pack too much since your hiking

Bring paperback books to read on trains that u can throw out when finished

Hostelworld and this site can answer everything u need

Call your bank and let them know you are going out of the country so they dont put holds on cash withdrawls (heard that happened to a friend)

Bring neutral clothing that u can wear day and night

Factor in alcohol in budget (that put me under), that is if your drinking
what else.....
IF you buy gifts for people, get them at the end. I lost mine in the mail in Paris (bastards) I did some great barganing with a street vender.

thats all I got for now. Ill think of more later. We should keep talking and if you want to meet up somewhere out there, let me know. Maybe in Interlaken Switzerland. Heard it is amazing.

cya...lilchappy :party:

Welcome to the boards! :cheers: Looks like most informations already been provided.

Welcome - ask specific questions, as many as you like, we be more than happy to help :cheers:

i guess the main concerns are pretty much answered, we are going to get the unlimited pass, and the only real questions are just what to do in these countries, how the bloody hell we are going to get into the small villages/towns, and AIRFARE! Any tips on what to do! we are all REALLY looking forward to trying to hike through those hills of Interlachen, Switzerland and that area. (while being drunk). SO NEAT!
:cheers:
Cheers Mates!