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General Travel Tips and Advice Have you traveled before?- Please share your tips and advice with fellow Tpunks!

Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
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Old 05-13-2008, 09:38 PM   #1
snowball1982
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Default How far to plan/book ahead?

Hey folks,
2 months until I begin my 4 month trek through Europe (see the details here: http://travelpunk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=16042).

Shit is happening so fast it is crazy. How far ahead should I plan in my travels? AKA how far into my trip should my hostels be booked? What about transport?

For the most part I would like to wing it, but unfortunately I am leaving mid-end of July so it is just not that easy.

Any tips?
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Old 05-14-2008, 01:43 AM   #2
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There are recent reports that hostels are all booked up in Paris and London (read here)

We're talking in March and April. Can you imagine how much more packed these places will be in the thick of the travel season, July and August?! Fuggetaboutit...

Seriously, I been in Paris during the months of May, June, and July, and let me tell you that July is insanely packed with toursists.

I'd prepare ahead of time, as much as you possibly can during July and August.

But listen, in general, booking ahead doesn't mean you can't wing it when you get there. It just means you know where you're going to sleep when you roll into town for the first few nights.

Bedtimeonthemoon just posted and gave us an update on her hostel situation in Paris.

She also may leave Paris earlier than the 2 weeks originally planned.

That's how I tend to travel too. At my own pace. I like to roll out when I feel like picking up my momentum at any given time.

And this is my take on transport. Not even worth thinking twice about, as far as I am concerned...

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Old 05-14-2008, 08:09 PM   #3
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Thanks for the hints TP.
I am hoping to wear down the tourist season by waiting it out in Ireland, (Scotland?), Sweden, and Finland. Hopefully that will take me to the end of August, whereby I will be moving south August 25thish?

Are those countries busy in summer as well? I mean, relative to other places....?
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Old 05-14-2008, 09:45 PM   #4
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If you're looking for less crowds and more freedom in your travels I (and a lot of others) would recommend you head East, I loved Poland and Hungary is pretty cool. Unfortunately I ran out of time but I heard great things about Lithuania, Romania et al.

When I was travelling in Eastern Europe I usually managed to book everything a day before I left whereever I was. In Western Europe I found I had to sit myself down and book a week or two ahead.

I say wing it at first and you will get a feel for how busy a place is. If you leave it too late and have a bad experience, learn from it and book further ahead next time. I much prefer flexibility over security as you will meet all sorts of crazy people going in all directions and you won't want to be held back by bookings.

Also if you feel the need to wait out the tourists it will be much cheaper to do it in Eastern Europe than in expensive countries like Scotland, Sweden and Finland.

I've rambled a lot in this post. Bottom line. Eastern Europe is awesome, check it out.

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Old 05-15-2008, 11:08 AM   #5
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Hey,

I would say book at least your first few nights where you plan to be because worrying where you going to sleep everyday is not a lot of fun lol I've also had the run in that most hostels are booked up. You can get rooms, but is just depends how picky you are and how many people you want to share a room with. Finding a room at the last minute (ie: the night before you will check-in) in a hostel or hotel in Paris is tough. I moved around a lot to experience different local areas of Paris and it took a long time to find a decently priced room the night before I was going to move. Just something to keep in mind since 2 months from now I believe it's still busy busy season.
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