Travel Advice for Europe wanted

[mangyiscute]

Hello, so basically I am taking a trip around Europe this winter. My current plans are that I am in Rotterdam from the 8th-12th December, and then I am meeting someone in Cologne on the 19th December. For the week between these dates, I am currently unsure what to do - I have looked at returning home (to Reading) but the Eurostar from Rotterdam/Brussels is very expensive. I'd then also have to train/fly back out to Cologne. The other option I've looked at is the ferry which has the cheap Rail and Sail ticket from Rotterdam to London (although on their website they only seemed to offer singles for a journey from England to the Netherlands not the other way round).
Therefore, I am now looking at spending this week somewhere in Europe, I would like the idea of purchasing for example the German Railpass for €165 (as I'm 19 so I think that I would qualify for the youth pass) and then travelling around various places - I don't think that I'd want to stay in just one place for the whole week - however, the cost of accommodation is quite expensive, and I've also never travelled around Europe much and never alone so the idea is quite daunting to me as well. Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper way to spend the week?

 

[bspahh]

The other option I've looked at is the ferry which has the cheap Rail and Sail ticket from Rotterdam to London (although on their website they only seemed to offer singles for a journey from England to the Netherlands not the other way round).

You can book a single Sail Rail ticket from the Hook of Holland to any Greater Anglia from

Met de ferry en trein naar Londen | Engeland | Stena Line

Naar hartje Londen met trein en Stena Line ferry. Boek je ferry overtocht naar Engeland en treintickets online bij Stena Line. Welkom aan boord!

booking.stenaline.nl

The last time I used this, I couldn't find it directly from www.stenaline.nl but it came up with a Google search.

 

[davetheguard]

A week exploring the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) sounds good to me.

Almost alone in Europe now, Germany is still insisting on masks on public transport, so you'll not have to mind that if you're going to go there.

By the way, public transport in Luxembourg is free, and I definitely think Luxembourg City is worth a visit; it's rather magnificently set, surrounded by a deep gorge.

 

[Alfonso]

Hello, so basically I am taking a trip around Europe this winter. My current plans are that I am in Rotterdam from the 8th-12th December, and then I am meeting someone in Cologne on the 19th December. For the week between these dates, I am currently unsure what to do - I have looked at returning home (to Reading) but the Eurostar from Rotterdam/Brussels is very expensive. I'd then also have to train/fly back out to Cologne. The other option I've looked at is the ferry which has the cheap Rail and Sail ticket from Rotterdam to London (although on their website they only seemed to offer singles for a journey from England to the Netherlands not the other way round).
Therefore, I am now looking at spending this week somewhere in Europe, I would like the idea of purchasing for example the German Railpass for €165 (as I'm 19 so I think that I would qualify for the youth pass) and then travelling around various places - I don't think that I'd want to stay in just one place for the whole week - however, the cost of accommodation is quite expensive, and I've also never travelled around Europe much and never alone so the idea is quite daunting to me as well. Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper way to spend the week?

Travelling alone can be great fun, but so much advice would depend on your personality and interests. Hostels are both cheap and good places to meet people, couchettes are for some people cheap and fun and magical, falling asleep somewhere and waking up somewhere completely different, yet others find them cramped , uncomfortable and impossible to sleep in. Footy fans find European tickets much cheaper than UK ones. How about taking the Nightjet to Vienna, spending a few days in relatively cheap Hungary/Slovakia/Czech Republic, then either night train back or very cheap "via cheb" ticket from cz to cologne?

 

[30907]

How about taking the Nightjet to Vienna, spending a few days in relatively cheap Hungary/Slovakia/Czech Republic, then either night train back or very cheap "via cheb" ticket from cz to cologne?

Random thoughts:
you might find an Interrail good value, with Passholder fares at EUR 30 or so.
There are Christmas markets galore, which make up for the lack of daylight.
If you come back from CZ, you will have the new sleeper to Zurich via Leipzig and Frankfurt as an option.
Don't penny-pinch too much (as I did in your situation) - especially as the old-type compartments where you can lie flat are rare
Hostels and couchettes are great if you can cope with company - less so if you are an introvert!

 

[nanstallon]

Benelux is a good bet if you want a mix of efficient rail services and interesting places, such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg city, with often attractive scenery. There are several preserved railways, which may or may not be operating in December (Santa trains?). The CF du Bocq near Namur (which is worth seeing anyway) is a good one as is the Hoorn - Medemblik near Amsterdam. These countries are also good for youth hostel availability, although you'll need to check that they are going to be open in winter.

 

[DanielB]

There are several preserved railways, which may or may not be operating in December (Santa trains?). The CF du Bocq near Namur (which is worth seeing anyway) is a good one as is the Hoorn - Medemblik near Amsterdam.

Hoorn - Medemblik is only operating between Hoorn and Wognum on weekends (Christmas express) and on Friday the 16th (late afternoon/evening train to the Christmas market in Medemblik, see their website.
The VSM is operating a special Christmass express as well, not on their own route (Apeldoorn-Dieren) but between Arnhem Central and Ede-Wageningen instead, on the 17th and 18th of December.

 

[dutchflyer]

Om the side: HTL prices in DE=Germany are usually quite a bit lower as in NL/BE. For around 50/60€ you can get a good room (BF is usually extra) in big chains-or look at a site like booking.com and set it to ´from lowest´-it will also show hoStels (multi bed rooms) if there are.
HotelBB is a large chain, also in FR, that has ,most of its HTLs very near main stations. The main exception is when there is a tradefair (Messe) going on in some specific cities-then prices rocket high.
Of course there are also the hoStels themselves-if you happen to be member of YHA, you also get member prices in its affiliate: DJH (Deutsche Jugend Herberge) though most lack what they offer in GB: kitchens, they are mostly aimed traditionally at large noisy school groups.
Germany for trains has much more to offer as NL or BE-variety, colours, sights, and delays.

 

[mangyiscute]

Thanks so much everyone for all of the advice

 

[Feuillesmortes]

I'd get an Interrail and explore the Christmas markets.

However, flights from those places to/from London are so very cheap that spending a week in hotels & eating out looks a relatively expensive option unless you have a particular desire to do it.

Om the side: HTL prices in DE=Germany are usually quite a bit lower as in NL/BE. For around 50/60€ you can get a good room (BF is usually extra) in big chains-or look at a site like booking.com and set it to ´from lowest´-it will also show hoStels (multi bed rooms) if there are.
HotelBB is a large chain, also in FR, that has ,most of its HTLs very near main stations. The main exception is when there is a tradefair (Messe) going on in some specific cities-then prices rocket high.
Of course there are also the hoStels themselves-if you happen to be member of YHA, you also get member prices in its affiliate: DJH (Deutsche Jugend Herberge) though most lack what they offer in GB: kitchens, they are mostly aimed traditionally at large noisy school groups.
Germany for trains has much more to offer as NL or BE-variety, colours, sights, and delays.

What do you think about the availability of couch-surfing type arrangements in the area especially for a 19 year old?

 

[EuroRail]

Hello, so basically I am taking a trip around Europe this winter. My current plans are that I am in Rotterdam from the 8th-12th December, and then I am meeting someone in Cologne on the 19th December. For the week between these dates, I am currently unsure what to do - I have looked at returning home (to Reading) but the Eurostar from Rotterdam/Brussels is very expensive. I'd then also have to train/fly back out to Cologne. The other option I've looked at is the ferry which has the cheap Rail and Sail ticket from Rotterdam to London (although on their website they only seemed to offer singles for a journey from England to the Netherlands not the other way round).
Therefore, I am now looking at spending this week somewhere in Europe, I would like the idea of purchasing for example the German Railpass for €165 (as I'm 19 so I think that I would qualify for the youth pass) and then travelling around various places - I don't think that I'd want to stay in just one place for the whole week - however, the cost of accommodation is quite expensive, and I've also never travelled around Europe much and never alone so the idea is quite daunting to me as well. Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper way to spend the week?

Sounds an amazing opportunity!
I can understand that travelling alone can feel daunting, but it isn't as difficult in reality once you do start to do it! That was my experience. And Europe is a good place to start. As someone else has said, a lot depends on your interests and the types of places you like to visit, experience or photograph. My fear when I was travelling alone was how would I feel being on my own in the evenings, as my days were fully occupied wandering around taking photos - all I can say is that I had a nice meal, some wine and a book to read and I was quite content and my worry subsided! As for your journeys, I'd suggest giving yourself some robust connection times so that you're not worrying about making the train connections you want.
You commented on the cost of hotels: I've noticed that accommodation in less "touristy" places is often cheaper. Also, if you wanted to visit Vienna for example, you could always check out hotels in Bratislava as it's only an hour away by train, but when I looked, hotels were cheaper.
My other thought is to have a think about whether your accommodation offers a good (perhaps buffet) breakfast. It saves spending money on lunch and also saves time spent finding somewhere to eat for lunch.
Have a great trip, wherever you decide to go.

 

[thaitransit]

Travelling Alone is great especially if you have done your research and prepared well with transport and accommodation booked before leaving.

With long distance trains never cut connections any finer than 2 hours incase of delays. If the train connection is less than daily consider at least 4 hours as you don't want to be stuck for 2 days waiting for next train!

when travelling alone I find its worth paying a bit more for a comfortable hotel as that gives you a safe comfortable space to relax at night while you can use the evenings to plan your next days photography etc. Its also advisable to try get hotels close to the train station especially if you have very early starts or middle of the night arrivals.

 

[philthetube]

If you are thinking about hostels there is an app hostel world which will help.

 

[mangyiscute]

Do people think it's worth buying the seat reservations for ICE trains - I think most of the services I will be taking I will be taking the train from the start station, so I expect that it shouldn't be too hard to find an unreserved seat - do these trains have anything similar to how most british trains have an unreserved carriage?

 

[railfan99]

Do people think it's worth buying the seat reservations for ICE trains - I think most of the services I will be taking I will be taking the train from the start station, so I expect that it shouldn't be too hard to find an unreserved seat - do these trains have anything similar to how most british trains have an unreserved carriage?

I was on an ICE from Vienna to Frankfurt (late morning departure) in 1st within the last couple of weeks. It was full, and may have had standees in economy class.

A reservation is minimal cost so do it. If you can afford a 1st class Interrail, purchase that rather than economy class.

 

[rvdborgt]

Do people think it's worth buying the seat reservations for ICE trains - I think most of the services I will be taking I will be taking the train from the start station, so I expect that it shouldn't be too hard to find an unreserved seat - do these trains have anything similar to how most british trains have an unreserved carriage?

Depends a lot on route and day. I usually check on the DB planner 1-2 weeks in advance how busy it will be and then decide whether to book a reservation or not. Remember the DB reservation price is per journey, including all trains in that journey.

 

[DanielB]

Do people think it's worth buying the seat reservations for ICE trains - I think most of the services I will be taking I will be taking the train from the start station, so I expect that it shouldn't be too hard to find an unreserved seat - do these trains have anything similar to how most british trains have an unreserved carriage?

Unreserved carriages don't really exist in Europe AFAIK.

I'd recommend reserving on any international ICEs between the Netherlands and Germany, those can be very busy especially in holiday periods. And it of course depends on your preferences regarding seats, when you'd like to sit on a specific side of the train or definitely want a forward facing seat reserving might help avoiding a lengthy search for an unreserved seat matching your preferences.

 

[D365]

A week exploring the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) sounds good to me.

Almost alone in Europe now, Germany is still insisting on masks on public transport, so you'll not have to mind that if you're going to go there.

By the way, public transport in Luxembourg is free, and I definitely think Luxembourg City is worth a visit; it's rather magnificently set, surrounded by a deep gorge.

Great points, I've definitely got exploration of 'north Europe' on my to-do list.

 

[AdamWW]

Unreserved carriages don't really exist in Europe AFAIK.

I'd recommend reserving on any international ICEs between the Netherlands and Germany, those can be very busy especially in holiday periods. And it of course depends on your preferences regarding seats, when you'd like to sit on a specific side of the train or definitely want a forward facing seat reserving might help avoiding a lengthy search for an unreserved seat matching your preferences.

Can you tell which way the train is going to be facing so you can do that?

 

[DanielB]

Can you tell which way the train is going to be facing so you can do that?

In principle ICEs are planned to run in a certain order of carriages, though a set may end up inverted. Which order is planned can for example be found on sites like https://www.vagonweb.cz/

OeBB also displays an arrow with the direction of travel in the seat plan. Though be carefull with that in case a train is reversing somewhere en route.
For example for a Zürich - Wien Railjet car 27 is shown as being in front at both Zürich - Buchs SG and Buchs SG - Wien, which is impossible as the train reverses in Buchs SG.

 

[Gordon]

Unreserved carriages don't really exist in Europe AFAIK.

Reservation is not obligatory on Germany inter city trains so you can find unreserved seats on many trains. Trains in Switzerland are largely unreserved and non-TGV in France is often not reservation obligatory

Can you tell which way the train is going to be facing so you can do that?

The bahn.de journey planner gives train formation and direction of travel

 

[DanielB]

Reservation is not obligatory on Germany inter city trains so you can find unreserved seats on many trains. Trains in Switzerland are largely unreserved and non-TGV in France is often not reservation obligatory

Yes I know. However I read "unreserved carriage" as an entire carriage in which seat reservations are not offered. Those you'd not find in an IC or ICE in Germany.

In your way you could call the Dutch trains "unreserved trains", as reservations are not even available. But don't think that was meant in the original question.

 

[AdamWW]

The bahn.de journey planner gives train formation and direction of travel

Ah thanks. I hadn't noticed that. Or had forgotten...

 

[rvdborgt]

The bahn.de journey planner gives train formation and direction of travel

It used to do that when selecting a seat but it's been quite some time since I last saw the direction of travel there. I now use www.fernbahn.de.