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Congrats on your trip to Europe, Meghan! When I was in France two summer ago, I took the SNCF train from Paris to Lyon and back, and it cost me $200. I thought that was very expensive, but since I was only going to those two cities in France, it was cheaper to buy one isolated ticket. So the unlimited pass doesn’t seem quite so exorbitant in comparison. If you’re going to be traveling for a while and going from country to country and city to city, a Eurail pass, even the expensive one is cheaper than last minute flights. Even considering the budget airlines, since they will gouge you on checked luggage.
If you decide to travel via air and train without the pass, it will take considerable organization and price comparison to ensure that you are getting a better deal. That being said, I have never bought the unlimited pass, so I cannot speak from experience; however, if you can afford it, it gives a peace of mind that you’ve already paid for all your travel and you can go where you want whenever you want.
You can also try blablacar if you are open to ride shares. It could be a great way to meet new people, and it’s certainly a spontaneous way to travel, if you are comfortable traveling with strangers.
Hi Callista,
If your doctor is willing to fill 6 months of prescriptions, you should be fine as long as you bring the prescriptions with you, depending on what they are. With a prescription and your passport, you should be able to bring most medicines into most countries. With that evidence, you will not be accused of trafficking.
If you are worried about your medicine getting stolen, then you will need to make arrangements to have your prescriptions filled while you travel. However, they may not be available. Check with the US State dept. http://travel.state.gov/ to find out if your medicines are legal. If they aren’t then you won’t be able to get them filled. And you might want to reconsider bringing them in.
Hi Nora!
Sorry for the delay, I was out camping in the Sahara. I have only ever done solo travel in France. I was with a group when I traveled to Germany and I have never been to Switzerland. To travel through France, I used the SNCF train system that was super reliable and comfortable, but it was pretty expensive. There is also carpoolworld.com in France and covoiturage.fr that are free ride shares, but you have to register for both services. Blahblah car is another ride share app and you are expected to at least chip in for gas. I personally have never used this service.
Going out at night by myself and staying at hostels has always been a pleasant experience for me in Europe, because I have always had the benefit of my smart phone. I only feel vulnerable when I get lost (which is often) or when I arrive in a new city without lodging. Lately, I have been using airbnb to book rooms in homes hosted by other women. I would only recommend using airbnb if you have a smartphone with you or at the very least, a phone with a working sim card, as you usually need to contact the host to meet you. I like it because I get a view of how local people live, but I can also come and go as I please.
As far as hostels go, staying in dorms feel better when there are male and female dorms. I also appreciate lockers so I don’t have to worry about leaving my things or lugging them with me when I go out. I have always been able to meet people who want to you out in a group, but there have been occasions when not everyone wants to head back at the same time, which makes a phone come in very handy. I lived in France 15 years ago, and traveled without a phone, and although it seems romantic and nostalgic to disconnect, it has made me feel much safer and in control of my surroundings. Double check that your phone is unlocked for European sim cards, otherwise you can buy cheap smart phones for around 20 Euro. I am in Spain right now, and I bought my sim card here, however my phone is from Thailand and came unlocked.
