You've reached the blog where I will post my experiences from my solo backpacking trip through Europe in a total of 15 days. I hope you get some good information from this site. Don't hesitate to get in touch and post about your own experiences!


Friday, April 10, 2009

Europe Travel: Intial Thoughts

I've done a bit of homework over the last few days on how I will be able to fit in all this travel in a two week time frame. At least one city will have to be cut out of my original plans and right now, I am leaning towards removing Rome. As you can see below, it has already gotten the axe. I am going to be in Italy, but only for a short time and that will be in Milan. One of the issues I am running into is there is no quick way into or out of Interlaken, Switzerland and there is no way I am removing this destination from my list. What I will probably do is use Milan as a hub. I can board a 3 hour train from Interlaken in the morning and head south to Milan and then later that day take a RyanAir flight from Milan to Barcelona. It adds an additional cost for the flight but it will be worth it because I would burn 12 hours on a train from Interlaken to Barcelona otherwise.

Depending on my situation, Berlin might be kicked off as well. I've decided that at least two overnight trains will be needed and at least one additional RyanAir flight.


London, England <-> Amsterdam, Netherlands (Overnight Ferry)
Amsterdam, Netherlands <-> Brussels, Belgium (2Hr 45min DIRECT)

Option 1 - Visit Berlin
Brussels, Belgium <-> Berlin, Germany (6Hr 20min w/Connecting Train)
Berlin, Germany <-> Prague, Czech Republic (4Hr 50min DIRECT)

Option 2 - Skip Berlin
Brussels, Belgium <-> Prague, Czech Republic (OVERNIGHT 12Hr 58min w/Connecting Train)

Prague, Czech Republic <-> Munich, Germany (6Hr 4min DIRECT) (Speed Rail looks to be available at 3Hr 16min)
Munich, Germany <-> Interlaken, Switzerland (6Hr 50min w/Connecting Train)

Milan will be used as a jumper to Barcelona.
Interlaken, Switzerland <-> Milan, Italy (2Hr 50min w/Connecting Train)

Milan, Italy <-> Barcelona, Spain (RyanAir Flight)

Barcelona, Spain <-> Paris, France (OVERNIGHT 11Hr 55min)
Paris, France <-> London, England (2Hr 27min)

P.S. I used Rail Europe to get the times listed above.

http://blog.ryanbirk.com