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There are STUDENT SERVICES you can find on the web which offer really inexpensive air fares. Be careful. Some of them are really reliable, others may leave you stranded. Try to check with friends. If you're taking a group of more than 10 students STA is the way to go --they'll arrange your flight(s) and can reserve train tickets and are willing to handle most of anything else. |
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BY TRAIN: YOUR EURAIL PASS: Your very best friend. Allows you multiple trips at a fraction of costs. All the rules for it's use can be a little complicated, but boy is it worth it. Remember: if you're a member (or your family is a member) of the European Union, you need to bring along your green card or you won't be able to get your Eurail pass authorized once you arrive. Though a Eurail pass allows you to hop on a train at will, its wise to reserve a seat unless you want to be caught standing. Trains in Italy, Spain and France can become VERY CROWDED, and without a reservation... you're screwed. SLEEPER CARS: A little bit of HEAVEN ON RAILS. You might think you're saving money by sitting up in a regular seat all night but you'll be paying for it the next day. With a Eurail pass you only pay a supplement for a sleeper and then you can enjoy the best the European train system has to offer. You need to reserve, often days in advance, so don't put it off till the last minute. Of course, some people are never satisfied: I wasn't claustrophobic until I slept in a closet size compartment with six other people. Between the hypnotic motions of the train and the horrifying thought there were two people sleeping right above me who could at any moment fall on top of me, squashing me to death, I was petrified, but it had to be done.
TRAIN FOOD: An oxymoron? Certain trains have pretty fine dining rooms, and you eat fairly well, but remember they are pretty expensive for what you get. IF DADDY'S PAYING then have a wonderful meal. Trains in Italy and Spain (and sometimes France) have very high-end restaurants and there's nothing more unusual and downright pleasant than having a lovely meal as you're riding along. English and German trains often substitute the dining car with snack bars. You may want to buy something and bring it back to your seat. If dining is an important item, check before you reserve that your train has a dining car. Your best bet may be buying something before you board. If so, get to the train station in time to do so or you may have to settle with whatever you can grab before the "all aboard". Lily: Ugh. That's the last time I try buying a meal in a train supermarket. What did you get? Isaiah: Um... some sort of meat / rice. I think it's supposed to be a side dish. What did you get? Lily: A sandwich. I mean, I think it's a sandwich. It's got bread anyway... NO, THEY'RE NOT STEALING YOUR PASSPORT: In between countries, sometimes your passport is taken by the conductor. He deals with passing the border, and it is disconcerting because what if he DOESN'T GIVE IT BACK??? Natch, he will. He shows up after breakfast if it's an overnight ride to hand them out. If, however, you're approaching your destination and there's no passport, find your conductor pronto... he may have been waylaid by an irate tourist from Omaha. WOW, SOME TRAINS ARE FAST: On the continent, there are a variety of choices, and the TGV's are the fastest on record. You have to pay a supplement, but its minor with a Eurail pass, and often it's worth it. Don't get freaked out when you're asked to pay extra. EGAD, THOSE ENGLISH TRAINS: Recently, the English train system has been privatized so expect maximum chaos until they get everything sorted out. The most expensive trains can be for short distances and sometimes you will save money by going a further distance and connecting with a cheaper train. None of this makes any sense, but it tells you that you really have to do your homework before expecting to ride these trains. PAYS TO CHECK AHEAD: Out of the way little town are on lightly traveled routes, and sometimes the train doesn't run every day. Don't presume, but make sure you have a way out of the boondocks. TRAIN STATIONS: Sometimes they'll be MORE than one station in a city, so you need to make sure which one stops in the center of town, or else you'll be stuck with a very long taxi ride when you arrive. When departing, know which station is yours. In Paris, for example, has more than a dozen, and the train stations are geared for the DIRECTION of the train (North, Southwest, West, Northeast, etc...) so make sure you know which station your train leaves from. BY BUS: Trains are sometimes cheaper than buses but when there's no train there will always be a bus (well, at least you hope so). However, their schedules often vary depending on the day and are less dependable than the trains. You also need to make sure WHERE they stop... (is it near a hostel? the center of town? etc.) Because you may find that staying on another stop will get you to just where you want to be.
SUBWAYS & OTHER INTRA-CITY TRANSPORTATION:
LONDON— THE TUBE It's pretty amazing and mighty confusing. Get a subway map, and things will start to make sense. Colors are pretty important, because if you can't remember the name of a line, you can always remember the color. There's a list of stations at each stop before you reach the platform, and if you can see your destination on the list, you know you're in the right side. AND FOR GOD'S SAKE - MIND THE GAP. PARIS— LE METRO It's laid out better than London and is much more glamorous but the signs are all in French which means trouble for some. SORTIE means exit - the first French word you need to keep from wandering endlessly. You need to know how to ask for UN CARNET (say car-n ) -that's ten subway tokens for a reduced price. You'll use them all in no time. Hold on to your stub until you exit, or you might be questioned and fined (unusual but it happens). And yes, there's a list of destinations at each platform to keep you on the right side but they're harder to find than in London, and you can get on the wrong way easily. There's also a list of destinations inside the car, and you should check those with the stations you're passing to make sure you're not going the wrong way. You'll see people jumping the turnstiles, but we'd strongly urge you to resist. There are large fines, and even an evening in jail - it really isn't worth it. Know that you have to physically open the doors by hand - there not going to open otherwise. Just watch the natives. A bell sounds when the doors are going to close, and you want to avoid getting caught in them. Take extra care if you happen to be traveling with any giant bunny rabbits. Notice some of the exceptional stations: THE LOUVRE (exhibits reproductions of art), HOTEL DE VILLE (with its history on billboards) are only two of many. Stand up when there's a crowd. There are little seats which lower from the walls near the doors to offer additional seating. Parisians abandon them when the train becomes crowded as they take up a lot of space. If you stay seated you'll get a lot of angry frowns - you're being inconsiderate and rude. Watch the sound level. You'll find few people talking loudly and yelling on Metro trains. Most people read books. Best to keep your conversation level down if you don't want to offend. Pay attention to the doors. You'll notice that doors close and if you're not paying attention you can get left behind. We've lost several students this way (isn't that right Laurel?) Pay attention, and get on and off the train in time. PARIS BUSES The buses in Paris are sometimes the fastest and most pleasant way to travel, as many of them are open in the back. For short trips find out where the bus goes and hop on. Your subway ticket works on buses as well. VENICE— IL VAPORETTO Don't wait for a bus. In Venice you're going to take a VAPORETTO - a water taxi. There are a lot of them, and there are different signs and waiting docks for each. It can get really confusing but once again there are signs listing all the destinations. Many of the water taxis in the middle of town stop in most of the important places. It's when you go to the islands or other out of the way destinations that you've got to be sure you're on the right boat. You also need to get a little more aggressive and push your way on. If you're with a group this becomes very important because the gate will slam shut and you'll be left stranded. Have an emergency plan if this happens. We didn't. Thank god for the Venice police. Ronald: (In Italian) Excuse me officers, but where would I go to find a lost a thirteen year old boy? Officers: (In unison) Tyson? GONDOLAS The price for a gondolas ride depends on where you are. If you're in a packed tourist section of town you can expect the highest price ($30-$60). If you find a gondola on a side canal you can get the price down, especially if some of the riders are beautiful girls AND are charming. (You'll be amazed what you can get if you're charming.) Sometimes you can arrange something for off hours. Its a romantic experience, well worth it if that's what you're looking for, and five or six riders can pitch in together for a cheaper ride. ROME, BARCELONA AND MADRID These are cities that really don't have such extensive subway systems. Florence doesn't have one at all. Besides, you seldom need them to get around. In fact, in Rome we suggest you don't take it at all. Barcelona and Madrid on the other hand are fairly good and will be there when you need them. |
