Traveling in EuropeOnce you arrive in Europe how do you get around? Traveling in Europe is somewhat different from traveling in the United States. Trains are much more popular, convenient and accessible means of traveling. Many European capitals have well-developed public transportation systems including subways, buses, and trams. There are lots of low cost European airlines. Europe has lots of motorways similar to interstate highways in the US but many are toll roads. Country roads in Europe can often be a one lane unpaved road. How do you decide whether you want to travel by train or plane or rent a car? Each type of transportation has it own advantages and disadvantages. It also depends on your style of travel. Trains in Europe
Eurail passes can make train travel easy and economical. They allow you to change trains quickly without having to purchase a ticket providing flexibility on when and where you travel. Trains run frequently and service small towns as well as capital cities. If you miss your train, chances are they another one will be coming soon. There is a wide variety in the type of train cars in service. Somehave seats more like buses while others offer compartments that hold 6 passengers while others provide desks (primarily in first class) Driving in EuropeDriving in Europe can be exciting. The small hill towns of Spain and Italy offer their own set of challenges. They were designed for horse and cart and foot traffic not modern automobiles.Gasoline can be 2-3 times as expensive as it is in the US. The prices are usually given by the liter which is roughly equivalent to the US quart. It takes 4 quarts to make a gallon. European rental cars are generally smaller than cars rented in the US and they may be models you are not familiar with. Some automobile manufacturers make different models for different regions of the world. European Airlines
If you are lucky enough to find a special deal,
traveling in Europe by air
can be the cheapest way to travel especially if you are going between countries.Most budget European airlines have websites where you can search for fares and schedules. They often offer web only prices. These are usually non-refundable, non-changeable tickets. Which means if your plans change you are out of luck. These go fast so you will need to book well in advance. These airlines often have tighter restrictions on baggage and when you need to be at the airport to make your flight. European River Cruising
Whether you are cruising down the Rhine viewing the castles and the vineyards or drifting on a canal barge in England or France, European River Cruising is a pleasant way to travel. From the vaporettos and gondolas of Venice to the bateaux mouches on the Seine in Paris to the sightseeing boats that cruise the canals of Amsterdam, traveling by water is one of the most popular modes of travel for tourists in Europe. Public TransportationPublic transportation in Europe consists of everything from trams to subways to boats. Public transportation will usually connect major train stations and the airport with subway, bus and tram systems so that you can easily get around the city.You can generally purchase a travel card that will cover the various types of transportation rather than purchasing separate tickets each time you board.
Europeans are great walkers! They walk around their towns and cities and they hike in the countryside and the mountains. |
