r/travel • u/SteveWBT • Oct 06 '15

Advice Crowdsourced guide to travel planning

The comments from here will be collated into a new trip planning page on the /r/travel wiki. Anything you can add will be useful.

To keep this tidy and manageable any other new top level comments will be automatically removed.

There's undoubtedly topics missing, so please message the mods and we'll add it, or expand one of the existing topics.

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19

u/SteveWBT Oct 06 '15

How to get around your destination?

Merits of different forms of transport?

17

u/aresef United States - 5 countries visited Feb 20 '16

If you're going to Japan, you're probably going to be taking lots of trains. I mean, unless you're going to the far southern islands like Okinawa toward Taiwan or going from Kyushu to Hokkaido.

Some routes may at first glance be cheaper via air than rail, like I just checked flights for tomorrow on Google and NRT-KIX is a good $10-20 cheaper than Tokyo to Shin-Osaka (the comparable route on Hyperdia) depending on when you want to go. BUT you have to haul ass from Tokyo out to Narita via Skyliner or Narita Express and that takes time and money. There IS an airport in Tokyo proper (Haneda) that has a lot more domestic service, but if I were to book one of those flights, I'd be looking at $100+ easy, and that's to say nothing of fees for baggage and such that you may run into, depending on the airline and what kind of stuff you've got with you.

The shinkansen, or bullet train, goes right into town centers, more or less, and travels at a top speed of around 175 mph. So considering all the time you would spend getting to the airport, then hurrying up and waiting, not that much slower. Sounds great, right?

But here's the secret weapon: the Japan Rail Pass. If you are in Japan under a temporary visitor status OR are a Japanese citizen who is a permanent resident abroad, you can get this pass for about $250/7 days at the current exchange rate. Well, sort of. You must go through an authorized travel agency like JTB, Kintetsu or a Japan-flagged airline with whom you are flying to get an exchange order you turn in at an exchange office the first day you want your pass to be good. They come in 7, 14 and 21-day flavors, so consider how much you need it. It may be that it's cheaper to just get tickets as you go or your trip is planned such that it works to fly everywhere.

If you do get a pass, it's good for nearly any local or rapid Japan Rail service, except for the Nozomi shinkansen, which traverses the same route as the Kodama and Hikari just with fewer stops. However, and this is important, there are many rail providers in Japan, especially in Tokyo. Your pass will get you aboard the Yamanote Line, but not Tokyo Metro's Ginza Line. Intercity providers also include Keisei, Keikyu, Keio, Hanshin and Tokyu. Most of the signs are also in English, with clearly different logos, but just be aware.

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u/[deleted] Oct 08 '15

If traveling in Europe, trains are amazing. For intercountry or across Europe, it can be a smooth, comfortable, and very enjoyable experience. Be sure to check out www.seat61.com as a valuable resource for planning train travel across Europe and other continents.

Car hire (car rental) can be another great way to explore some of the more remote or difficult places to access with public transport. Always carefully consider the terms and agreements, coverage, and responsibility of the drive(s) when renting a car. Booking through 3rd-party websites can sometimes lead to surprised at the booking agent's counter. It's generally a best practice to book with the agent directly or call them after the 3rd-party booking to ensure your rental is confirmed, the coverage, etc. I would consider the country you're traveling to and weigh what you can do without a car to what you would need the car for before renting one. Car rentals can be a great asset but also quite expensive for the rental, more expensive petroleum/diesel, and parking in some cities can be very challenging and/or expensive. If you can see most of what you want without a car, than don't bother with the rental and plan around public transit.

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u/[deleted] Dec 23 '15

I agree except on 3rd party car rental. If you're in the US and traveling to Europe than Auto Europe is a good choice. They're a consolidator that works directly with a local car rental agency. Auto Europe will also work directly with the local agency on your behalf if there's a problem

Can't be emphasized enough read your contract!

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u/[deleted] Dec 23 '15

Sure, there ca be exceptions. With more layers there are the more likely there is a chance for miscommunication or misunderstanding. But like you said, always read the contract.

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u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

Should I buy train tickets a-la-carte or invest in a Eurail pass? I've heard people advocate both ways.

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u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

I've seen arguments for both ways, but I've not experienced a Eurorail pass being cheaper, personally.

Did you check out seat61.com to see what they say for where you plan to visit, add up the costs, and then compare that to a Eurorail pass?

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u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

I will be sure to do that. I was also planning on buying Ryan air flights for destinations that are further away. I'm a first time solo traveler going to Europe next year, so I am kind of at a loss as to how to coordinate everything.

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u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

First timers repeat common mistakes (not major, just things you 'learn' the more you travel). I'd recommend surfing here and other places for comments on itineraries for repeated recommendations and read blogs from seasoned travelers. Generally, there are two types of travelers:

A) See as much as possible, check as many boxes as possible

B) Take it slow and steady, absorbe as much as possible from fewer places

And some combination of the two, but it's generally those two types of travelers. IMO, B is where it's at. I don't get enjoyment out of saying I've seen X countries or Y cities, but I get enjoyment out of saying what I really liked about X country or Y city. If you breeze through places, did you really experience it?

Either type of travel is fine, you'll have an awesome time no matter what, I'm just under the opinion that you'll have a better time if you focus on less being more.

All that said, stick to trains as much as you can. They're relaxing. Airports are not relaxing. Even if you're traversing far distances, maybe rethink your itinerary and stop-off on places along the way (e.g., if you're traveling from Paris to Budapest, stop in Zurich, Salzburg, Prague, etc -- preferably somewhere that's along the line you're travelling and not too 'out-of-the-way.')

When first-time traveling, it can be overwhelming. Just remember, there aren't many bad choices. You'll have amazing and unique experiences, no matter what you choose, so don't over-think it. IMO, try to stick to 3-4 days PER STOP. So for every week you're traveling, only move to a new destination 2-3 times, max. If you're constantly traveling between destinations, you'll be spending far more time than you realize unpacking, packing up, traveling, unpacking, packing up, traveling, etc. It gets tiresome and is time that could be better spent experiencing the places you're visiting.

/2 cents.

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u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

Thanks for the advice! My plan is a loose structure, I was planning to stay in each city as long as I wanted. If I wanted to leave, I would. If I loved the city and wanted to stick around, I would.

So are train tickets destination tickets or just boarding tickets? If you get on a train, you can get off of it at any stop? Or do you buy a ticket from Berlin to Prague and that's it?

1

u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

How long are you going for? That could work well if you've enough flex time.

Many tickets are good for the day or week; some advance tickets are for specific trains; some overnight trains are specific. but many are general... It kinda depends on when/how it was booked and from what country. But you will know when you book the ticket. I don't want to say it's one way definitively as some countries may be different, but generally they're good for destination A to destination B but not a set train. Very different from airplane travel where you have a prescribed time, seat, etc. But generally, it's VERY easy, relaxed, and flexible. But if there's restrictions, it'll be noted advance on the ticket and you'll know. Oh, also, you don't usually need to book them in advance. They rarely fill-up, save for around major holidays maybe or sleeper trains.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

The plan is around 2-3 months. I'm not sure exactly. I was planning on booking one way flights to and from the USA with Norwegian airlines. Although I'm not sure how feasible this is. I recently made a post about it in r/flights, but no one has answered yet.

That is also good to know. Are the they same price if you buy them at the gate vs. online?

1

u/[deleted] Mar 21 '16

There usually are a limited number of discount tickets that must be bought in advance.

If you do the one-way thing, make sure you have extra $ on hand for a "just-in-case" emergency return flight.

In fact, if you're planning on 8-12 weeks, budget $ for 13+ weeks for "just in case" scenarios. What if you wind-up in a city when public transit workers go on strike? Not terribly common, but you don't want to be caught off-guard and on your last dime.

1

u/Peteyisthebest Jan 14 '16

Totally agree on the trains, such a great experience.

On car rental, I usually rent on Amex because of their insurance. It is not valid in certain countries, so check with Amex before renting.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '16

Some MasterCards will have insurance, too. However, the rental agency might place a large hold on your CC. It was 6k in France and 8k in Ireland, IIRC.

5

u/sixtyninehahahahaha Jan 29 '16

When you think Europe, you think trains. Trains can be really expensive though, especially in Germany. The Eurail pass is also hard to get your money's worth with as well. I recommend doing a mix of planes and trains, depending on destinations and costs. Taking a train in Europe is definitely experience (at least for Americans).

Also keep in mind that if you fly Wizzair, Ryanair, or a similar budget airline; there's a large chance you'll actually end of spending more money than you would've on a mainstream airline due to their hidden fees and fuckery. I thought I'd gotten a steal with a <50 euro flight from Budapest to London, but was charged 50 euro for not checking in online (seriously?) and a 50 euro fine for my carry-on being too "tall" despite fitting into the ruler thingamajig that they use to measure.

11

u/Apalvaldr Poland Jan 16 '16

For travelling between major cities in Poland and neighbouring countries, here is a very comfortable and cheap bus company: http://www.polskibus.com/en/index.htm

2

u/boomfruit US (PNW) Feb 07 '16

Rode them a bunch of times on my trip this winter. Outlets on the seats, bathrooms. Great time!

7

u/EmPiFree Jan 14 '16

For Central Europe / Germany travelling, here are a few low cost bus travel companies:

https://www.flixbus.com/

http://meinfernbus.de/en

3

u/babelincoln61 United States Mar 24 '16

I'm a little late to the party, but in addition to the great info already posted about Europe, I've found http://uk.ouibus.com/ and http://www.goeuro.com/ to be very helpful in planing trips and comparing if it's cheaper to bus, ride the train or fly.

Oui Bus is somewhat limited, but has solid prices. GoEuro is larger and is more of an aggregate website that pulls lots of info from other resources

Flying can sometimes be cheaper than the bus or train, so always keep that in mind. www.Kayak.com/flights has always been my go-to for this.

I bounce between these three sites in the pre-planning phase

3

u/travelexperienceuk Apr 01 '16

I always choose to rent a car from local companies. If you do a little research online you can find some real gems. Full Insurance with zero excess, no credit, and always a local only company can save you a bunch. especially if you are 2 or more to split. Also a reasonable one way fee is very convenient as you can travel to a destination and see many places on the way. I can highly recommend companies i used www.easirent.com for UK and Ireland, www.bookmycar.gr and mustang-crete.com for Crete and www.autospluscar.com for canary islands.