Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTH AFRICA
Rail Europe
011 628 2319,
raileurope.co.za
.
Official distributor for European rail in
South Africa.
STA Travel
South Africa 0861 781 781,
statravel.co.za
.
By bus
Long-distance journeys by bus between major European cities are generally slower and less
comfortable than by train and - if you have a rail pass - not necessarily cheaper. If you're
only travelling to a few places, however, a bus pass or circular bus ticket can undercut a rail
pass, especially forover-26s. There's also the option ofa bus tour if you're ona tight sched-
ule or simply want everything planned for you.
Eurolines
eurolines-pass.com
. Offers the Eurolines pass, valid for travel between 51 cit-
iesintwentycountries.Itcosts£246/€290(£292/€345forover-26s)forfifteendaysinhigh
season (late June to mid-Sept as well as Christmas/New Year) and £317/€375 (£385/€455)
for 30 days. Prices are around a third lower in low season.
Busabout
busabout.com
.
Offersahop-on,hop-offservicethroughoutWesternEuropeop-
erating May-Oct. There are three “loops” on offer as well as a Flexitrip Pass where you
design your own route. Prices start from £399/€471 for a one-loop pass or £349 /€412 for
the Flexitrip Pass.
Contiki
contiki.com
. Long-established operator offering bus tours throughout Europe for
18- to 35-year-olds from three to 46 days. A twelve-day “European Discovery” tour visit-
ingtheNetherlands,Germany,Austria,Italy,SwitzerlandandFrancestartsat£1168/€1380
including hotel accommodation and meals.
By ferry
Travelling by ferry is sometimes the most practical way to get around, the obvious routes
being from the mainland to the Mediterranean islands, and between the countries bordering
the Baltic and Adriatic seas.
By plane
MostEuropeancountriesnowhaveatleastonebudgetairlinesellinglow-costflightsonline,
andinvariably undercutting train andbusfaresonlongerinternational routes.Apartfromits
environmental impact, travelling by air means you miss the scenery and “feel” for a country
that ground-level transport can provide; there's also the inconvenience of getting between
airports and the cities they serve, often quite a haul in itself. But, if you're pressed for time,
