It's easy enough to travel in Europe, and a number of special deals and passes can make it fairly economical too. Air links are extensive, but also expensive, give or take the odd charter deal in season, and with the exception of Britain, where flying is the cheapest way to reach much of the Continent. In any case, you really appreciate the diversity of Europe best at ground level, by way of the enormous and generally efficient web of rail, road and ferry connections that covers the Continent
By train
Though to some extent it depends on where you intend to spend most of your time, train is without doubt the best way to make a tour of Europe. The rail network in most countries is comprehensive, in some cases exceptionally so, and the Continent boasts some of the most scenic rail journeys you could make anywhere in the world. Train travel is relatively cheap, too, even in the richer parts of northwest Europe, where, apart from Britain (whose rail system is in a state of virtual collapse following privatization), trains are heavily subsidized, and prices are brought down further by the multiplicity of passes and discount cards available, both Europe-wide ( InterRail for those based in Europe or the British Isles, Eurail for anyone based elsewhere) and on an individual country basis. In some countries you'll find it makes more sense to travel by bus, but if you're travelling further afield buying a rail pass may still pay dividends. We've covered the various passes here, as well as the most important international routes and most useful addresses; supplementary details, including frequencies and journey times of domestic services, are given throughout the Europe guide in each country's "Travel details" section.
If you intend to do a lot of rail travel, the Thomas Cook European Timetable is an essential investment, detailing the main lines throughout Europe, as well as ferry connections, and is updated monthly. Thomas Cook also publish a rail map of Europe.
By bus
For most people on a tour of Europe, a bus is something you take when there is no train. There are some countries (Greece, Turkey and Morocco are the most obvious examples) where the trains are slow or infrequent, and the bus network more widespread. In other countries, Spain and Portugal for example, the buses are cheaper, more efficient and genereally a more comfortable option. But on the whole in Europe you'll find yourself using buses for the odd trip here and there, usually locally, since on long-distance journeys between major European cities it's generally slower, more uncomfortable and not particularly cheap, especially if you have a rail pass. If you have a limited itinerary, however, a bus pass or circular bus ticket can undercut a rail pass, especially for over-26s. The Eurolines pass is valid for unlimited travel between 47 cities in Europe and the British Isles (though, with certain exceptions, it is not supposed to be used for journeys that do not cross international frontiers). It costs £90 (£109 for over-26s) for 15 days between 16 September and 31 May, and £120/145 between 1 June and 15 September. For 30-day passes, those prices are £129/162 and £179/222, and for a 60-day pass they are £162/205 and £195/259. Alternatively, Busabout run services for their own pass holders every two or four days between April and October (May to September in Spain and Portugal), taking in the major cities of nine European countries, with add-on connections to two more, plus a link to London and through tickets from elsewhere in Britain and Ireland. Two-week Busabout passes are £149 for youth or student card-holders, £169 for others, rising to £209/229 for 21 days, £279/309 for a month, £429/479 for two months, £529/589 for three, and £629/699 for the whole season. There are also Flexipasses for any 10 or 15 days in two months (£229/255 and £329/369 respectively), 20 days in 3 months (£429/479), or 30 days in 4 months (£599/659), with additional days at £25/30. Busabout passes are available at travel agents in Britain, North America or Australasia (for further enquiries call: in the US tel 1-800/664 4046, in Canada tel 416/322 8468, in the UK tel 020/7950 1661, in Australia tel 02/9657 3333 and in New Zealand tel 09/309 8824, or check Busabout's Web site at www.busabout.com ).
Driving
In order to drive in Europe you need a full and up-to-date driver's licence . EC-approved licences, such as those now issued in Britain and Ireland, are valid throughout the EU, and in theory elsewhere in Europe too. North American and Australasian licences are also in theory valid for driving in most of Europe (in Italy, Austria and Spain you need to carry a translation of this, available from your national motoring organization), but it is better to carry an International Driving Licence, especially if you want to rent a car. These are required in some East European countries and are available from national motoring organizations for a small fee; you'll need to show your driver's licence, passport, one passport photo and proof of age (18 or over). You should also carry your vehicle registration document at all times (if the named owner is not present on the trip you'll need a letter from them authorizing use of the vehicle) and, if taking your own vehicle, be insured. Your existing insurance policy may already provide third-party cover for a certain period in Europe (this is frequently the case with British policies), but for some countries you will need to take out a supplementary policy. As proof of insurance cover, it's sensible to get hold of an International Green Card from your insurers - and it's obligatory in certain countries anyway. In case of breakdown, you can take out, at extra cost, extended cover with automobile associations, although the motoring organizations of most countries operate some kind of reciprocal breakdown agreement with members of most foreign motoring organizations, so if you are a member it's wise to have your membership documents with you as well. Your national organization can provide a list of countries with reciprocal arrangements. A nationality plate should be displayed on the rear of your vehicle, and a warning triangle (which must be displayed if you stop on the road) and first-aid kit are either required or advised throughout Europe. A fire extinguisher is obligatory in Estonia, Lithuania, Greece and Turkey. All the countries of mainland Europe drive on the right-hand side of the road, so your headlights should be adjusted accordingly, and priority to traffic coming from the right is a common rule of the road. Pretty much every country included in The Rough Guide to Europe has a decent network of main roads; only when you get onto minor roads do the differences between southern, eastern and northwestern Europe become really apparent. In most of Europe motorways are free, but in some countries tolls are levied: in Greece, Spain and Portugal these are fairly cheap; in France they cost more but the primary roads there are invariably excellent; in Italy the cost can be substantial if you're travelling long distances. Fuel prices vary from around 52¢/36p for a litre of unleaded in Poland, or 75¢/52p in Greece, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic, to a hefty $1.20/84p in the UK and almost as much in Norway and Finland; petrol is also pricey in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, while in Eastern Europe it is generally cheaper. Leaded petrol is being withdrawn in most European countries, and is already unavailable in a few. Diesel is usually only slightly cheaper than gasoline; in Britain, amazingly, it actually costs more.
The alternative to taking your own car is to rent one on the spot. Compared to rates in North America, this can be expensive, and you may find it cheaper to arrange things in advance through one of the multinational chains, or by opting for some kind of fly-drive deal. If you do rent a car in Europe, rates for a small hatchback start at £140/$200 a week (depending on the country and the time of year) if you book in advance, usually more if you rent on the spot; we've given more precise details in the relevant sections of the guide but in general costs are higher in Scandinavia and northern Europe, lower in eastern and southern Europe. Unlimited mileage deals (as opposed to those where you pay a charge per kilometre) work out better value and give more flexibility. To rent a car you'll need to present your driving licence, sometimes an international driver's permit, and should be at least 21 years of age with more than one year's driving experience, though these regulations can vary some countries like Italy will not rent out a car if you don't have a credit card to put down a returnable deposit; if in doubt, check in advance with the car rental company or your home motoring organization. Note also that some firms don't allow you to take their cars across country borders
By train
Though to some extent it depends on where you intend to spend most of your time, train is without doubt the best way to make a tour of Europe. The rail network in most countries is comprehensive, in some cases exceptionally so, and the Continent boasts some of the most scenic rail journeys you could make anywhere in the world. Train travel is relatively cheap, too, even in the richer parts of northwest Europe, where, apart from Britain (whose rail system is in a state of virtual collapse following privatization), trains are heavily subsidized, and prices are brought down further by the multiplicity of passes and discount cards available, both Europe-wide ( InterRail for those based in Europe or the British Isles, Eurail for anyone based elsewhere) and on an individual country basis. In some countries you'll find it makes more sense to travel by bus, but if you're travelling further afield buying a rail pass may still pay dividends. We've covered the various passes here, as well as the most important international routes and most useful addresses; supplementary details, including frequencies and journey times of domestic services, are given throughout the Europe guide in each country's "Travel details" section.
If you intend to do a lot of rail travel, the Thomas Cook European Timetable is an essential investment, detailing the main lines throughout Europe, as well as ferry connections, and is updated monthly. Thomas Cook also publish a rail map of Europe.
By bus
For most people on a tour of Europe, a bus is something you take when there is no train. There are some countries (Greece, Turkey and Morocco are the most obvious examples) where the trains are slow or infrequent, and the bus network more widespread. In other countries, Spain and Portugal for example, the buses are cheaper, more efficient and genereally a more comfortable option. But on the whole in Europe you'll find yourself using buses for the odd trip here and there, usually locally, since on long-distance journeys between major European cities it's generally slower, more uncomfortable and not particularly cheap, especially if you have a rail pass. If you have a limited itinerary, however, a bus pass or circular bus ticket can undercut a rail pass, especially for over-26s. The Eurolines pass is valid for unlimited travel between 47 cities in Europe and the British Isles (though, with certain exceptions, it is not supposed to be used for journeys that do not cross international frontiers). It costs £90 (£109 for over-26s) for 15 days between 16 September and 31 May, and £120/145 between 1 June and 15 September. For 30-day passes, those prices are £129/162 and £179/222, and for a 60-day pass they are £162/205 and £195/259. Alternatively, Busabout run services for their own pass holders every two or four days between April and October (May to September in Spain and Portugal), taking in the major cities of nine European countries, with add-on connections to two more, plus a link to London and through tickets from elsewhere in Britain and Ireland. Two-week Busabout passes are £149 for youth or student card-holders, £169 for others, rising to £209/229 for 21 days, £279/309 for a month, £429/479 for two months, £529/589 for three, and £629/699 for the whole season. There are also Flexipasses for any 10 or 15 days in two months (£229/255 and £329/369 respectively), 20 days in 3 months (£429/479), or 30 days in 4 months (£599/659), with additional days at £25/30. Busabout passes are available at travel agents in Britain, North America or Australasia (for further enquiries call: in the US tel 1-800/664 4046, in Canada tel 416/322 8468, in the UK tel 020/7950 1661, in Australia tel 02/9657 3333 and in New Zealand tel 09/309 8824, or check Busabout's Web site at www.busabout.com ).
Driving
In order to drive in Europe you need a full and up-to-date driver's licence . EC-approved licences, such as those now issued in Britain and Ireland, are valid throughout the EU, and in theory elsewhere in Europe too. North American and Australasian licences are also in theory valid for driving in most of Europe (in Italy, Austria and Spain you need to carry a translation of this, available from your national motoring organization), but it is better to carry an International Driving Licence, especially if you want to rent a car. These are required in some East European countries and are available from national motoring organizations for a small fee; you'll need to show your driver's licence, passport, one passport photo and proof of age (18 or over). You should also carry your vehicle registration document at all times (if the named owner is not present on the trip you'll need a letter from them authorizing use of the vehicle) and, if taking your own vehicle, be insured. Your existing insurance policy may already provide third-party cover for a certain period in Europe (this is frequently the case with British policies), but for some countries you will need to take out a supplementary policy. As proof of insurance cover, it's sensible to get hold of an International Green Card from your insurers - and it's obligatory in certain countries anyway. In case of breakdown, you can take out, at extra cost, extended cover with automobile associations, although the motoring organizations of most countries operate some kind of reciprocal breakdown agreement with members of most foreign motoring organizations, so if you are a member it's wise to have your membership documents with you as well. Your national organization can provide a list of countries with reciprocal arrangements. A nationality plate should be displayed on the rear of your vehicle, and a warning triangle (which must be displayed if you stop on the road) and first-aid kit are either required or advised throughout Europe. A fire extinguisher is obligatory in Estonia, Lithuania, Greece and Turkey. All the countries of mainland Europe drive on the right-hand side of the road, so your headlights should be adjusted accordingly, and priority to traffic coming from the right is a common rule of the road. Pretty much every country included in The Rough Guide to Europe has a decent network of main roads; only when you get onto minor roads do the differences between southern, eastern and northwestern Europe become really apparent. In most of Europe motorways are free, but in some countries tolls are levied: in Greece, Spain and Portugal these are fairly cheap; in France they cost more but the primary roads there are invariably excellent; in Italy the cost can be substantial if you're travelling long distances. Fuel prices vary from around 52¢/36p for a litre of unleaded in Poland, or 75¢/52p in Greece, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic, to a hefty $1.20/84p in the UK and almost as much in Norway and Finland; petrol is also pricey in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, while in Eastern Europe it is generally cheaper. Leaded petrol is being withdrawn in most European countries, and is already unavailable in a few. Diesel is usually only slightly cheaper than gasoline; in Britain, amazingly, it actually costs more.
The alternative to taking your own car is to rent one on the spot. Compared to rates in North America, this can be expensive, and you may find it cheaper to arrange things in advance through one of the multinational chains, or by opting for some kind of fly-drive deal. If you do rent a car in Europe, rates for a small hatchback start at £140/$200 a week (depending on the country and the time of year) if you book in advance, usually more if you rent on the spot; we've given more precise details in the relevant sections of the guide but in general costs are higher in Scandinavia and northern Europe, lower in eastern and southern Europe. Unlimited mileage deals (as opposed to those where you pay a charge per kilometre) work out better value and give more flexibility. To rent a car you'll need to present your driving licence, sometimes an international driver's permit, and should be at least 21 years of age with more than one year's driving experience, though these regulations can vary some countries like Italy will not rent out a car if you don't have a credit card to put down a returnable deposit; if in doubt, check in advance with the car rental company or your home motoring organization. Note also that some firms don't allow you to take their cars across country borders
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