European Destination

[sonic2009]

Good evening everyone.

Now I was going to go to Berlin in February, but the cost of hotels has shot up recently and I've considered going somewhere else.

I would like people to help in some ways of giving me some thoughts, basically I would like somewhere that is cheap ie Prague etc. Has transport networks that can travel around on in the cities. A bit like London/Hanburg etc.

2-3 hour flights from Manchester.

 

[AndrewE]

Prague was a rip-off when we were there, with attempted swindles all over the place. Slovakia was the complete opposite, welcoming and not over-priced. Plovdiv and Poprad were interesting, the rural areas were superb for walking: remote and undeveloped/neglected/backward (i.e. abandoned after the fall of the Eastern bloc) Bratslava was a very nice small city.
We only went to Prague en-route home (to pick up an overnight train to Koln via Berlin.) Shan't be doing that again!
A

 

[Ianno87]

I'd suggest Poland - plenty of cheap travel to be had around the country. Trams and a couple of Metro lines in Warsaw (which is a great city, as is Krakow).

 

[alex397]

I’d maybe focus on a place that has a large variety of different transport, and there is plenty of choice in Central/Eastern Europe!

* Bratislava, Slovakia - a small but interesting city, with trams and trolley buses. Staying here would be a cheap option for Vienna which is easily accessible from Bratislava (the two closest capital cities in Europe I believe). The border with Hungary is close too.

* Talking of Hungary, there is of course Budapest. A huge tram system with quite old rolling stock, Metro, and I think they still have trolleybuses. On the edge of the city is a rack railway (part of the transport network) and the ‘Children’s Railway’ where most of the staff except the driver are children!

* Sofia, Bulgaria - another city with trams, trolleybuses and a Metro. The tram network is interesting with its elderly fleet of Tatrasex-German and Swiss trams.

* Vilnius, Lithuania - the last foreign place I went to pre-Covid. No Metro or trams, but do have an elderly fleet of Skoda trolleybuses which are in incredible condition for their age. Can’t imagine they will be around much longer though. The city has a huge old town as well.

* Riga, Latvia - trolleybuses and also a tram network which has Tatras in great condition. Another city with a historic old town too.

I could go on - many of the cities of Central/Eastern Europe have plenty of interest, and relatively cheap compared to Western Europe too.

Youve got me craving a trip to that part of the world now! I’m not sure when I’ll be able to though.

 

[30907]

No idea about flights - it's not clear what the situation will be by then.

First, check school February holiday dates for Germany (as well as UK, obviously) - I suspect that will be affecting hotel prices away from ski resorts as people are probably wary of travelling abroad.

Second, I would second Bratislava. As well as Vienna (and perhaps Budapest), Brno is within easy reach and has an impressive tram network.

I would consider adding a night or two in Kosice - or use the sleeper one way, it's pretty cheap.

I assume you know Prague already?

 

[Lewlew]

You can get some cheap train and ferry tickets. Get the ferry to The Netherlands from Harwich or Belgium from Hull and head into Europe by day or night trains.

I enjoyed Tallinn in Estonia which was fun in the winter and I have been meaning to go back during the Summer.

Tromsø, Norway is on my list but isn't that cheap but will be epic train/ferry trip up the coast.

 

[sonic2009]

Thanks for all the replies. So far.

I'm planning to go somewhere for my birthday on the 9th Feb - 11th Feb.

No idea about flights - it's not clear what the situation will be by then.

First, check school February holiday dates for Germany (as well as UK, obviously) - I suspect that will be affecting hotel prices away from ski resorts as people are probably wary of travelling abroad.

Second, I would second Bratislava. As well as Vienna (and perhaps Budapest), Brno is within easy reach and has an impressive tram network.

I would consider adding a night or two in Kosice - or use the sleeper one way, it's pretty cheap.

I assume you know Prague already?

I've never been to Prague.

 

[30907]

Thanks for all the replies. So far.

I'm planning to go somewhere for my birthday on the 9th Feb - 11th Feb.


I've never been to Prague.

In which case you're mostly clear of holidays.

Prague is bigger, more touristy, more expensive, but has more trams, a Metro and some interesting rail bits.

 

[rf_ioliver]

Helsinki - though I recommend avoiding November, come in January/February when there's proper snow.

Good tram network, commuter ferry, three commuter lines, a metro which you can ride the entire system in about an hour or less. Ferry to Tallin takes about 2 hours for an interesting day-trip.
Tampere/Turku under two hours on VR's double deck intercity trains (Finnish loading gauge)

 

[zero]

Prague is a bigger and more popular city for tourists, so obviously you re more likely to encounter swindles and scams. However people like us are less likely to be interested in the typical tourist activities and more likely to venture out into the suburbs, so there i

As an obvious foreigner I was more of a target in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia than in Czechia (as there were more tourists in Prague who were less careful than me).

For me February is the perfect time to go to places like Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain

Nordic and Baltic countries I prefer to go in March to April as snow and ice may still be around, but the sun is back out during the day. Jan and Feb tends to be too dark for my liking

 

[jamesontheroad]

Back from Prague a few weeks ago. I sypathise with those up-thread who've had bad experiences. However I still rate it as one of my favourite European cities provided you steer clear of the touristy bits: i.e. the Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. Maybe check them out early morning when it's quiet, but don't eat or drink around there.

I was in town for a few days and the locals all agreed that COVID has been a mixed blessing. Hotels and restaurants have struggled, but the city is much more walkable and more enjoyable without crowds of tourists. So I'd heed the caution of those writing here, and encourage you to stay away from the city centre when you eat and drink, but still consider it. Rail + tram are very cheap and extensive. I can even recommend an AirBnB studio-apartment which was very good, in a nice residential neighbourhood with good bars and cafes nearby, 10 minutes walk from Vrsovice station and 2 minutes from the tram.

Quick PS. Despite the slump in tourism, still be wary of pickpockets on trams. Don't flash big cameras, valuables etc and keep one hand on your bag at all times. I've taken two student groups to Prague in two consecutive years and always had thefts on public transport.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

In February, central/eastern Europe could be very cold/snowy if there is a severe winter.
But the Tatras in winter would be a nice destination, with the metre gauge Tatra Electric Railway and mountain transport - aim for Poprad.
Zakopane on the other side of the Tatras in Poland would be good too (reached via Krakow, although onward trains are few/slow).

If you want mild weather, Porto would seem a good option, a fascinating city with a variety of local transport.
Or Lisbon (tram, ferry etc). Or both, easy to travel between the two.

All the above are relatively cheap.
Easy to fly to Krakow/Porto/Lisbon, a bit harder for Slovakia (Bratislava, Košice).
There's also a Prague-Poprad-Košice day train.

 

[30907]

Tatras are lovely, but the OP is tight for time. With such specific dates it appears to be Bratislava or Lisbon from Manchester - you could do much worse than either!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Hoping to visit Prague during December for first time, purposely going midweek to avoid the worst of the tourist crowds.

From what I hear, much like many cities, don't be make yourself a target and you are fine. We are stopping in the centre of the old town but simply because when we booked the hotel prices were so cheap we got a five star with breakfast and free cancellation for less than you'd normally get an out of town hotel for.

To add to people's suggestions however, Krakow is beautiful the salt mines are well worth a visit. Lisbon/Porto are beautiful and Porto in particular if you like port!

 

[AndrewE]

Hoping to visit Prague during December for first time, purposely going midweek to avoid the worst of the tourist cowds.

From what I hear, much like many cities, don't be make yourself a target and you are fine. We are stopping in the centre of the old town but simply because when we booked the hotel prices were so cheap we got a five star with breakfast and free cancellation for less than you'd normally get an out of town hotel for.

To add to people's suggestions however, Krakow is beautiful the salt mines are well worth a visit. Lisbon/Porto are beautiful and Porto in particular if you like port!

If you go into a (CAMRA - listed) brewery-linked restaurant not even in the touristy centre, look very carefully at the menu and work out what you expect to pay. We were only alerted by a local couple at the next table having a furious row about their bill before we had even ordered!

We knew exactly what we needed to pay, but there was no itemised bill (- for the first time at all in a long-ish holiday across S Poland, Slovakia and going home via Prague to get a sleeper train at the very end of that trip) A "Waiter" appeared when we were ready to pay, pushed numbers into a hand-held calculator and showed us a total massively above what we owed. We said "no way," after which he did the same charade and produecd a slightly lower number! We told him to piss off and left the correct amount on the table... we weren't pursued outside!
Stick to places that aren't Prague!
A

 

[Iskra]

Kiev

 

[Aictos]

What about Vienna? I found that to be quite reasonably priced.

 

[WestCoast]

I’ve been to most of the places mentioned in the thread and they’re all great suggestions however one of the best cities I’ve ever visited in Central Europe has been Wroclaw in Poland. It has a beautiful centre with a really fascinating history given it was the German city of Breslau prior to WW2. It’s got a slightly different feel to it than other Polish cities, you’ll see it in the architecture. Really good tram network with a cool variety of stock. Not many crowds of tourists and no scams etc. Quite a lot of direct flights from the UK to serve the Polish community here as well.

 

[StephenHunter]

Bratislava is a dump around the central station, but nice in the old town.

 

[AlbertBeale]

I’ve been to most of the places mentioned in the thread and they’re all great suggestions however one of the best cities I’ve ever visited in Central Europe has been Wroclaw in Poland. It has a beautiful centre with a really fascinating history given it was the German city of Breslau prior to WW2. It’s got a slightly different feel to it than other Polish cities, you’ll see it in the architecture. Really good tram network with a cool variety of stock. Not many crowds of tourists and no scams etc. Quite a lot of direct flights from the UK to serve the Polish community here as well.

And - given what these forums are about - remember it's a pleasant (and less conscience-troubling) rail journey from the UK to Poland too...

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Kiev

Takes a long while to get there by train, but it's a great city to explore and contrast with western Europe.
It's got a remarkable cityscape and orthodox religious architecture, plus an impressive arts scene.
Plenty of local transport (bus, tram, very deep metro), including a city circle main line route where all the freight is.
Fast DMU from Boryspil airport station, unfortunately from the UK you will likely be on Ryanair.
Visa free for UK citizens (as for EU), but you currently need covid insurance and a vaccination certificate.

 

[sonic2009]

Kiev

Is this safe given the current tensions in the region?

Takes a long while to get there by train, but it's a great city to explore and contrast with western Europe.
It's got a remarkable cityscape and orthodox religious architecture, plus an impressive arts scene.
Plenty of local transport (bus, tram, very deep metro), including a city circle main line route where all the freight is.
Fast DMU from Boryspil airport station, unfortunately from the UK you will likely be on Ryanair.
Visa free for UK citizens (as for EU), but you currently need covid insurance and a vaccination certificate.

Thanks for the detail information

Ryanair is fine with me.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is this safe given the current tensions in the region?

No problem in Kyiv or anywhere west of there (Lviv, Odesa etc).
You might see some military activity (trainloads of tanks and other hardware) in the freight yards.
Otherwise little different from other central/eastern European capitals.
The separatist conflict in the east (a long way from Kyiv) seems to be at a stalemate at the moment.
I think the Belarus border is closed after the recent protests, but I believe you can still reach Moscow on a sleeper with the right visa.

 

[WestCoast]

And - given what these forums are about - remember it's a pleasant (and less conscience-troubling) rail journey from the UK to Poland too...

In normal times, absolutely, an enjoyable and straightforward trip made easier by the availability of reinstated direct (evening and early morning) services Berlin to Wroclaw. At the moment more challenging of course due to multiple COVID entry regulations and the traffic light system for multiple countries you pass through. Hopefully sooner rather than later that will be eased.

 

[Iskra]

Is this safe given the current tensions in the region?


Thanks for the detail information

Ryanair is fine with me.

Kiev is perfectly safe, I visited in Jan 2020.

Apart from some captured Russian (sorry, seperatist rebel) tanks displayed in the street and a soldier rest area in the station the city is entirely normal.

It has very interesting and still quite soviet railways which are worth exploring before they get modernised.

For further info and pictures, look at my trip report thead- Iskra’s Odysseys

 

[The exile]

I’ve been to most of the places mentioned in the thread and they’re all great suggestions however one of the best cities I’ve ever visited in Central Europe has been Wroclaw in Poland. It has a beautiful centre with a really fascinating history given it was the German city of Breslau prior to WW2. It’s got a slightly different feel to it than other Polish cities, you’ll see it in the architecture. Really good tram network with a cool variety of stock. Not many crowds of tourists and no scams etc. Quite a lot of direct flights from the UK to serve the Polish community here as well.

Can second that!

 

[sonic2009]

Kiev is perfectly safe, I visited in Jan 2020.

Apart from some captured Russian (sorry, seperatist rebel) tanks displayed in the street and a soldier rest area in the station the city is entirely normal.

It has very interesting and still quite soviet railways which are worth exploring before they get modernised.

For further info and pictures, look at my trip report thead- Iskra’s Odysseys

I cannot seem to locate your thread. Unless I'm not searching correctly.

There are some very interesting options here, just looking at all the places now.

I have been looking to leave on the morning of the 9th and return late on the Friday 11th

 

[Iskra]

I cannot seem to locate your thread. Unless I'm not searching correctly.

There are some very interesting options here, just looking at all the places now.

I have been looking to leave on the morning of the 9th and return late on the Friday 11th

Iskra's Odysseys

Ok, so I used to 'spot' as a teenager. For the first time in 10 years though today I used the railway purely for recreation. I didn't bother taking numbers down, I just rode trains- I don't know if this has a particular name. Anyway, here goes... This trip took in some very scenic lines, and a...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[sonic2009]

Thanks for all your input.. Looking like I'm set for Budapest in February, cracking deal with BA for £200 Manchester - Budapest via Heathrow 2 nights hotel & checked baggage!!

 

[YorkshireBear]

If you go into a (CAMRA - listed) brewery-linked restaurant not even in the touristy centre, look very carefully at the menu and work out what you expect to pay. We were only alerted by a local couple at the next table having a furious row about their bill before we had even ordered!

We knew exactly what we needed to pay, but there was no itemised bill (- for the first time at all in a long-ish holiday across S Poland, Slovakia and going home via Prague to get a sleeper train at the very end of that trip) A "Waiter" appeared when we were ready to pay, pushed numbers into a hand-held calculator and showed us a total massively above what we owed. We said "no way," after which he did the same charade and produecd a slightly lower number! We told him to piss off and left the correct amount on the table... we weren't pursued outside!
Stick to places that aren't Prague!
A

Hmmm, worth being a little on the careful side then.