Travelling Round Europe & BeyondBlog about travelling around Europe & the rest of the world

Once you’ve decided you want to visit Europe, one big questions still remains: how will you travel? There are countless ways to get around the continent, each one a little different than the last. Whether you have a luxury holiday budget for taxis and flights, or you want an affordable coach tour, there is an ideal way for you to travel throughout Europe.

The quickest way to get from city to city across Europe is to fly. If you only have a few key destinations you would like to visit, this may be perfect. The downside, of course, is that flights are often the most expensive means of transportation. If you’re on a budget, book flights online well in advance and take advantage of some of the budget airlines. Keep in mind that several cities have more than one airport. Paris, for example, is known for it’s huge international Charles de Gaulle Airport. But if you want to save some cash for sightseeing, try a smaller carrier operating out of the nearby Orly Airport instead.

Many people think of rail travel as the original way to get across Europe. Out your train window, the scenery will often be mountain ranges and lakes, rather than miles of highway or simply clouds. You really can sightsee as you travel! Try a Eurorail pass if you want to travel spur of the moment–one upfront cost means you can hop on a train whenever you like, and head to whatever destination sounds good at the moment. Traveling overnight by rail can also save you money on a night of accommodation.

Coach tours are available from most European countries, but need to be organized in advance. While travel by bus means a much longer travel time overall, it can be often be the cheapest way to get around. An organized tour means you also get a guide’s services built into the overall price. The guide can give you information about the area you’re driving through, or prepare you for the next city on your stop. Most tours only visit the bigger capital cities or popular tourist destinations, so they may not be the best option if you want to experience the real culture of an area. Coach tours can make travel much simpler, as destinations and often accommodation are already selected for you. Not a bad idea if you want to avoid getting lost in a foreign country!

If you want absolute freedom from bus, flight, or train timetables, driving a car is your way to get across Europe. Keep in mind that gas can be quite expensive in some countries, and the roads are not always in ideal conditions, especially in some Eastern European countries. Traffic in the heart of cities like Paris or Rome can be horrible, and navigating systems of narrow one-way streets might prove too difficult. If at all possible, save the driving for smaller towns or getting across the country, and opt for public transportation where it is possible in the largest European cities. Rental cars are available all over Europe, but they may be cheaper to rent in some cities than others.