Cheapest way to travel around Europe on my own?

ralphy

Blue264 wrote: »

My partner is in his early 50's and will still happily use hostels. Also, Barcelona has some of the best hostels in the World.

Barcelona can be a ridiculously cheap city to get around and see. Just buy a T10 ticket when you arrive at the airport. It's one of the best travel deals out there.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/faq/transport/t10/00-t10.html

For Switzerland, Austria & Germany, take a look at Flixbus, which is as cheap as Megabus in the UK. On many routes, the fare can be 1/3 - 1/4 the cost of a train fare with only 30-60mins difference in travel time. Definitely worth checking out.

https://www.flixbus.co.uk/

For Italy, I've been signed up to the Italo trains website for a few years now so that I can pounce on their deals. Italo don't have as expansive a network as Trentalia, but cover the main tourist routes. I've had business class tickets from Italo for less than the cost of a standard ticket with Trentalia.

http://www.italotreno.it/en

If you make it down to Rome, it's also worth checking out Tam busses. I've used them a few times and have always been impressed. Also, a few times, I've arrived for the bus earlier than the time I've booked and been allowed to take the earlier bus when they have free seats.

http://www.tambus.it/?lang=en

Further south, stick to the local Sita busses and you'll save a fortune.

As for flights between countries, the cheaper options will most likely Vueling, Niki (Lauda), Easyjet, Ryanair and Emirates Regional. If you put a route into Momondo, it will show if there's a train fare cheaper than an air fare. This is how I first discovered Italo.

I haven't done Scandinavia myself yet, but booked an awful lot of Scandic hotels for clients in the past.

Hope there's something in this that will help you.

Thanks blue some great information I shall have a look!
Thanks everyone else too for your tips and advice.

missbiggles1

Don't forget the various car sharing sites like https://www.blablacar.fr/

z1a

ralphy wrote: »

I've been to Spain, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, Greece, Egypt, Turkey and others but always with friends or family holidays/weekends away. I've never travelled abroad on my own before hence the reason for this thread! I want to explore parts of Europe I've never been before and always wanted to go.

I think you missed the point of the question "Where have you been for the last 40 years?"

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

DanStan

I'd say going by cheap diesel and camping. Shouldn't cost any more than £1k for 3-4 weeks

Fuzzy39

Inter rail is the best way of really experiencing new countries and meeting new people

markandkate

If using Accor hotels don't forget the Quidco cashback. also if you can travelovernight eg bus or train you will save a nights accommodation and arrive in the new destination early in teh morning to get the most from teh day

Voyager2002

Fuzzy39 wrote: »

Inter rail is the best way of really experiencing new countries and meeting new people

I don't think there is any "best" way. Train travel is brilliant, but you don't need inter rail unless flexibility is vital to you.

Teahfc

z1a wrote: »

I think you missed the point of the question "Where have you been for the last 40 years?"

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

One of the best ever replies on a forum I have ever read, the OP should write stand up as they are a natural. :T:T:rotfl: