131–140 of 156 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The Interrail reservations/supplements are fixed price (or for some SNCF trains there are two price levels as the train fills up). But their number is limited, so in a way the advice is the same.
Not for Eurostar. Interrail seat reservations are often more expensive than a new ticket.
Interrail used to be more popular years ago among young adults who had just finished high school. I did it with a few friends at the time, and it was an incredible experience of self-reliance, patience and just complete freedom. My best memory is sleeping under the stars outside the train station of Biarritz, France, on a mild summer night next to the Atlantic Ocean. Such a refreshing sleep. The next night we did the…
Interrail used to be more popular years ago among young adults who had just finished high school. I did it with a few friends at the time, and it was an incredible experience of self-reliance, patience and just complete freedom. My best memory is sleeping under the stars outside the train station of Biarritz, France, on a mild summer night next to the Atlantic Ocean. Such a refreshing sleep. The next night we did the…
So Interrail is either close to double as, or even several times more, popular than when you did your trip.
Interrail used to be more popular years ago among young adults who had just finished high school. I did it with a few friends at the time, and it was an incredible experience of self-reliance, patience and just complete freedom. My best memory is sleeping under the stars outside the train station of Biarritz, France, on a mild summer night next to the Atlantic Ocean. Such a refreshing sleep. The next night we did the…
I think it was much more popular before budget airlines became so big in Europe. When you can fly to most European cities for < €50 at anytime of the year taking lots of weekend breaks is affordable even for students.
I've travelled to almost every country in western Europe and several in Eastern Europe, not taking a single inter-Europe flight.
The only part I hate is after taking an overnight train, hotels aren't open for morning check in, and dragging luggage across cobblestone streets trying to find restrooms to take the obligatory 3 shit-sessions every morning due to my uncooperative butt is not fun.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You don't see as much though, and your options are more limited still. And the options you do have are likely more touristy as a result. As always, the most easy to reach places will have the most people. I would say that's not what you're going for in such a trip.
All true. Also: Weekend holidays involving flights are a completely unsustainable and irresponsible form of tourism given the climate crisis. Not that anyone much cares.
Also, if you drive, it's likely that the flight you would otherwise have taken is going to make the trip anyway. So you've just added whatever carbon your car emits to the total.
If you're really concerned about it, the best plan is to not travel for pleasure, or maybe use a bicycle.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How long was this experience? I have a sense that sleeping outdoors as part of an adventure is getting tarnished by the homelessness and mental health crisis (… which is a separate issue that can’t be appropriately addressed here). I live in a seasonal touristy area and I have to do double-takes as to whether someone is transient, or is just backpacking. The implication here is personal safety. The homeless individua…
Those were the only two times of outdoor sleep in my life to date. The itinerary was Milan - Zurich - Amsterdam - Paris - Biarritz - Modane - back to Italy, sleeping in either hotels or the closest camping site to the train station. IIRC it was a ticket for 20 days of unlimited travel, which we had to cut short as a friend did get sunburnt so badly to require a hospital stay. Ah, the joys of youth.
The best part of interailling for me was turning up to a major train station, looking at the giant departure board, choosing an enigmatic destination and just getting on the train. No booking or reservations or even planning at any point. Is this not possible any more?
It’s usually cheaper to book in advance. In particular if you want cheap seats on the Eurostar you have to books months in advance.
What a pity. Lots of fun weekends in Paris on that when I was younger.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
All true. Also: Weekend holidays involving flights are a completely unsustainable and irresponsible form of tourism given the climate crisis. Not that anyone much cares.
Not always. For solo travel, flying can emit less carbon than driving an ICE vehicle, assuming a full commercial flight and depending on vehicle fuel efficiency. For EVs, hybrids, and group travel the calculation may be different. Also, if you drive, it's likely that the flight you would otherwise have taken is going to make the trip anyway. So you've just added whatever carbon your car emits to the total. If you're…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think it was much more popular before budget airlines became so big in Europe. When you can fly to most European cities for < €50 at anytime of the year taking lots of weekend breaks is affordable even for students.
For actual travel I've almost always preferred trains over flights in Europe. Much less hassle, you can take your favorite liquids, no idiot airline agents trying to steal your 8kg kg carry-on for being overweight, no security line. I've travelled to almost every country in western Europe and several in Eastern Europe, not taking a single inter-Europe flight. The only part I hate is after taking an overnight train, h…
This more or less completely eliminated my gripe with check-in times being later than I arrive to a city.