For example departure at 11:25 from Amsterdam Centraal (IC to Arnhem Centraal, then the RE to Düsseldorf Hbf, then the IC to Cologne/Köln Hbf). The price is €29.90.
I don't think that's really expensive, although our trip to Munich (three times further) was only about €38,00, but booked much further in advance
Hey, many thanks for all your advice. This has been a major headache for us, as this is my son's first solo transcontinental flight, and his otherwise normal laid back approach has been a significant challenge, but your words have made him a bit more travel savvy now.
jiejie - Sorry, should have said, he is travelling from Manchester UK, in the end we opted for a direct flight on Hainan airlines to Beijing, all other operators were via stopover at CDG or Amsterdam, then on to Beijing.
At Beijing he will make onward transfer to Changchun. He will need to transfer T2 to T1 at Beijing, but has 12 hours (!) stopover in Beijing. Flying next week.
manchurianexile - Yes his new employer will meet him in Changchun airport, thanks.
A few additional questions please, again based on possibly untrustworthy stories about China.
How easy is it to use a UK debit card to withdraw money/pay for services in China, forgive my ignorance but I don't know how 'modernised' Changchun is ?
How much Yuan will he need to take to get him through a month before his first payday ? His accommodation and first two week internet is supplied free, so basically just food and utilities ?
He is flying via Beijing to his final destination via a combined Hainan airlines ticket, will they likely transfer his luggage, or will he need to baggage reclaim at Beijing before boarding his domestic flight to Changchun ?
Where is the best place for him to hang out during his Beijing stopover, T2 arrivals or T1 departures, where is the best place to eat/relax ?
Finally, anybody have any tips or advice about living in Changchun ?
Again, thanks for your wise words.
I think I should have been a little more clear when posting the original message. When I say we want to visit those 4 countries it doesn't mean we want to cover the whole of each country. During the last trip too we spent more time in the cities we visited (Rome 4 days, Venice 2 days, Florence 2 days, Cinque Terre 3 days, Paris 4 days, Swiss valley 4 days, Amsterdam 2 days). I am sure there is more to do in each of those cities but I think we did justice to what we wanted to see. I do need to do more research before I ask suggestions. This time we should have 15/16 full days and plan would be to fly into Frankfurt or Munich. Plan would be to spend 8 days in Germany, 3 in Vienna, Budapest (2 days) and the remaining 2-3 days in either of the country based on what we would like. I will post back after doing a little more research
I don't "feel" the sub-marine level of Amsterdam - the dykes and levees are far away. But in New Orleans it's right in your face - you get off a tram and you have to go through a 2-3 metre high wall with a sliding gate in it - keeping the sea and the Mississippi River out of the French Quarter!
Why do you keep saying 'Germany and Amsterdam' as if these are equivalent destinations? Germany is a big country with varied regions and landscapes and varied cultures within those regions. Which bit of Germany do you have in mind?
Germany and Amsterdam, because I've always wanted to visit there. I don't even know why. Just wanted to. If I have to clarify some places I have heard of and would possibly like to see is Anne Frank house, Van Gogh Museum and in Germany Lubeck and Berlin
And what time of year wil you travel? This can affect what there is to see and how busy the trains are.
I planned to start next month.
You can certainly travel through 8 to 10 countries in the space of a month, but why? Do the maths -- in 30 days, take out 8 to 10 days for travel. What can you do with the remaining 20 days?
I thought something of 10 countries 20 cities or something like that. I've heard people do that much. This also sounds what I'd like to do -- See as much as possible in a month period of time, but not too much. I don't really want to sit down, I just want to travel and see the world.
Also, with the Interrail ticket you are buying a certain number of days of travel. You will need to do some planning to decide where you will want to end up at the end of each day.
And maybe you don't need a pass. Maybe point-to-point tickets by train or bus will serve you better. Read about Interrail here:
https://www.seat61.com/InterRail-pass-guide.htm
I'm familiar with the thing people saying you really don't need a interrail card in some occasions. I was thinking about Global Pass -card. With this you can travel a month period time as much as you want. It costs around 500 euros. I personally feel interrail card is more safer and easier option to go with. It doesn't really cost that much.
To give you something to consider as a first-time visitor, a route with a focus on Germany and Eastern Europe that hits some of the classic spots and all with daytime travel to enjoy the views: Hamburg-Berlin-Dresden-Prague-Vienna-Budapest-Ljubljana-Zagreb. Fly home. Or from Budapest travel to Belgrade, and then fly home.
These are mainly the tips I'm looking for. Thank you. (But you left out my dear Amsterdam!)
I'm thinking about 10 countries 20 cities. How "true" or realistic this sounds to you in a month period of time. I know in the end I choose the route and all, but I'd like to just get some contrast on this -- other people wants to chill on their interrail trip -- I want to live as cheap as possible and see as much as possible, but not too much. I don't want to end my trip in a hurry.
I understand this can be difficult for you to answer, since you don't know my true (hell, even I don't) view on the thing, but I'd appreciate your help and tips.
E: I'd like to do as little planning as possible what comes to the places I visit. I am spontaneous and I'm really not a nitpick type of a guy. Of course I'll do tentative planning to what countries I'll visit -- but other things might come with an element of a suprise. I'm sure you know what I mean and how I think through this. I'm also thinking this might be a little naive point of view for this, but... I'll live with it. I guess.
You can get a no-change service from Paris Nord to Schiphol Airport in about 3:05 hours - so not a big issue.
Subject to your re-checking the multi-city option that Helen has noted - $1000-$3000 does sound an exceedingly large differential (but I concede I haven't done any research on it).
In terms of itinerary shape, I think it's much better. In terms of timing, you might consider one less Amsterdam day and one more Paris one ... if you wish to do 1-2 of the very good day-trips out of Paris, then an additional day might appeal (Versailles, Chartres, Provins, Fontainebleau, Rouen, Reims, etc).
Hubby and I decided to just cut Geneva as it really complicates our travel. Our itinerary now looks like this:
Day 1: Arrive in AMS
Days 2-4: Amsterdam
Day 5: Travel to Antwerp
Days 6-8: Antwerp (+ day trip to Bruges?)
Day 9: Travel to Paris
Days 10-13: Paris
Day 14: Train back to AMS for departure.
We'll still check other airlines for options to depart from Paris, but so far it's a $1000-3000 difference from a simple roundtrip airfare from AMS. Will that be worth the less hassle to travel back to AMS?
My favourite in Europe is Amsterdam, although it has had issues recently with passport control. Also like Manchester and Barcelona unless flying with Easyjet!
Singapore is very good but a bit pricey. I don't mind Bangkok. But working in travel i kind of dread flying now as i hate the whole airport experience. But you have to do it.
Hi,
I have a few questions before I travel to Rotterdam.
What is the best way to travel to Rotterdam?
Depends on where you start. Schiphol airport? Use the "intercity direct" train, note: there is a surcharge for this high speed option. The slower "intercity" is cheaper.
How can I travel to my accommodation?
Google Maps will tell you. Use the "directions" button and change the car symbol to the public transport symbol. And make sure it's showing you a time in Dutch daytime. If you are checking it from another time zone, it might be nighttime in the Netherlands and you will only see the public transport available during the night.
There, I taught you a trick that will change your life from now on! You're welcome. ;-)
Have you seen any bike, scooter or car-sharing concepts?
Yes there are bike sharing concepts, I have used one in Berlin and they are midget-sized bikes that are very heavy to use. You're better off renting a bike with at least 3 gears (for the Erasmus bridge!) and on which you can adjust the saddle to your body size.
Have you used one? Which one?
What is the best way to for traveling in Rotterdam?
Walking, bike, public transport. Definitely not driving by car. Parking is hyper expensive. And traffic is so slow that a bike is often faster.
Some more tips about Rotterdam, if you scroll down on this page: https://obertop.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/amsterdam-tips-daytrips-to-other-places/