Routes in Europe independently. The route of our travel across Europe (Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Germany). Air tickets booking. example

Instructions

Don't pay for tourist voucher... Even if you are not an avid traveler and are afraid to travel around an unfamiliar country on your own, break away from the hotel and the bus with a guide, overpower yourself - once try not to book a full tour to Europe with a travel company. You will save a lot, and it will not be difficult to book tickets for a plane and a hotel or hostel - it can be easily done via the Internet. There should be no problems with a visa either, if you have issued plane tickets, insurance, hotel reservations and confirmation of a bank account.

Look for promotions and discounts, in Europe they can be significant, moreover, for all types tourist services... With a significant discount, you can buy air tickets, book a hotel. Today, buying a plane ticket to Europe is sometimes two, or even three times cheaper than flying the same distance across Russia. In Europe itself, plane tickets between countries can cost about $ 20-30, and it is cheaper even to travel by train, and even more so by car.

The cheapest way to travel between European cities is by hitchhiking. And if in Russia this type of movement has not yet gained such popularity, then in Europe they got used to it for a long time. It is safe and free, you just get up on the highway, vote, agree with the driver to what point he can take you, and thank him after the trip in words, share your lunch or treat coffee at the eatery. In order to communicate with the driver, you need minimal knowledge of the language, the main thing is that you do not need to be ashamed of communicating with local residents.

To save money on accommodation, you can book rooms in hostels instead of a hotel - this is an option of a European hostel, quite clean and comfortable. Seasoned tourists don't even spend money on hotels or hostels. They carry tents and sleeping bags with them, settling down for the night under open air in campsites, of which there are quite a few throughout Europe. You also need to pay for a place in a camping, but much less than for a hotel or hostel.

There is an option with free accommodation. To do this, you need to agree in advance with the host from the city where you are heading. There is a special travel service: https://www.couchsurfing.org, where tourists from different countries are looking for people who can host them for a couple of nights while traveling. The service is free, as is the stay in the house of such owners.

When in a European city, do not travel too much on public transport, it is very expensive. All sights are in the center, so you have to walk a lot. If you know the language of the host country, or at least English, you can rent a bicycle for a day, it is more convenient and cheaper than using public transport.

Instead of expensive customized excursions, use the services of a special free excursion... It is carried out by volunteers in most European cities, taking tourists to the most visited architectural monuments. At the end of the excursion, if you wish, you can leave them some money, but this is not necessary. Such excursions are conducted in English, regardless of whether the tourists are in, and last about 2.5-3 hours.

Traveling in Europe is becoming more and more popular. The number of cars is growing, which means that the flow of autotourists is growing. It is comparative cheap way see many interesting places. But knowing some of the features of traveling by car, you can save a lot of money. And you just need to know what you will encounter abroad and what you need to prepare for.

Use a navigator. This will greatly facilitate your journey. Also, load the latest maps into the navigator so that it does not send you on non-existent roads and finds the shortest paths between point A and B.

Plan your route in advance, at least roughly. There is no need to plan in the style: "Tomorrow at 12:00 we will be there, but already at 16:00 we need to be elsewhere." This planning breaks down in the early days. It is better to decide which places you want to visit, and already on the way you can change the plan according to your wishes.

Take a paper card. This saves in some cases. The navigator can break down, and it is quite difficult to navigate in a foreign country. I recommend marking the places that you want to visit on the map, so that later it will be easier to find your way.

Don't chase the number of countries you see. It is better to get acquainted with the new state in more detail than just drive through it and say that you have been there. It is best to travel no more than 400 kilometers per day, the rush is very tiring and makes the journey just a race against time.

Refuel your vehicle on time. Traveling by car in Europe requires a lot of gasoline. If the tank is only half full (or half empty, an eternal dispute between optimists or pessimists :)), then it is better to refuel. Then you can simply forget about it, and there will be no gas station nearby. Also remember that in some European countries, in the evening and at night, refueling works automatically and payment is made at this time only in cash.

Watch the road carefully. Since there are a lot of roads in Europe, the chance to turn "the wrong way" is great. If you use a navigator, the risk of such a situation is minimized.

Take your inverter with you. This device converts the current with which you can not worry about dead batteries in a laptop, phone, photo or video camera.

Choose the right road type. If you want to get from one place to another as quickly as possible, then use the autobahns, and if you want to see interesting places, then choose ordinary roads.

Documents

Where are we without papers :). So before the trip, it is imperative to collect the necessary documents so that our trip goes like clockwork. Please note that in different countries different road rules apply. When entering Germany at the border, your car can be checked for contamination environment, in many countries of the European Union studded tires are prohibited, and with toning you will receive a huge fine. And now directly to necessary documents for traveling in Europe.

• Rights. In Russia, the right to drive an international car has long been valid, so no additional certificates are needed here.
• Auto insurance. Moreover, the European standard car insurance, which is called the Green Card, is valid throughout the entire European Union. It can be issued both at home (it will be much easier) and at the border (it will be cheaper). If you have a CASCO, then you need to write an application for the extension of the policy to other countries (which you want to visit).
• Car documents... Technical passport; technical inspection pass; a power of attorney, if you are not the owner of the car, and the power of attorney must also be translated into English and notarized.
• Customs declaration. Confirms that you entered the European Union with your own car. The declaration is drawn up at the customs checkpoint.
• International passport. You can get it in 1-3 months, and if you already have it, then check that it is valid for more than 6 months from the date you return home from the trip.
• Visa. Or rather. You will need to submit documents to receive it at the embassy of one of the countries you want to visit. If you intend to be in a particular country for most of the trip, then submit documents to the embassy of that country. And if the trip is of the type "One day - one country", then it is better to submit documents to the embassy of the country through which the journey across the European Union will begin. It is important to know that the Schengen visa is not valid in Great Britain and Ireland, for these countries you need to issue your visas.
• Medical insurance. Mandatory document when entering the European Union. More about travel insurance, which includes and medical insurance, you can read.

Route

It is very easy to create a route. You can use the service, where you can not only find out which roads you need to take, but also the distance, how much gasoline you need, the approximate travel time and much more useful. This is my favorite service for planning a trip by car in Europe. You can also use google maps.

As for the nuances of planning a route:

• do not try to drive as much as possible;
• if you are tired, then rest; if you fall asleep while driving, then you will no longer have to travel;
• also get directions in the car navigator;
• print your route on paper;
• decide on the important places you want to visit and mark them on the map.

Accommodation

Some travelers spend the night right in the car. I don't really like this method, if you too, then read this paragraph further. While traveling, you can use as well as live in hotels or rented rooms / apartments. I recommend reading the articles on how and how to use. When I traveled around Europe, what I loved most of all was living in hotels, this great option housing for those who love travel comfort and do not like unnecessary troubles with rental housing "on the spot."

To book hotel rooms, use the service, you can also try to find hotels on, but the first service has already established itself as reliable, convenient and most effective in terms of finding inexpensive accommodation options.

There are also a lot of campgrounds in Europe. Camping is a small summer camp for motorists, equipped with everything necessary for recreation, in which you can set up a tent, and there are also small houses. - a very convenient search for campsites, which allows you to travel in Europe by car very cheaply.

Find inexpensive hotel from RoomGuru right now:

Airbnb rentals

Is a popular all over the world service that allows you to quickly and easily book accommodation in the desired location. All users unanimously point out the advantages of their favorite site arena:

• Openness. When booking apartments, the traveler gets to know, communicates with the owner of the property, learns the details and living conditions.
• Interest. Independent vacation planning and apartment booking, immersion in an authentic environment, emotions from communication are an important part of any trip.

It is mutually beneficial to rent accommodation from individuals when traveling in Europe. Many Europeans make their living by renting out their homes to tourists. And the newcomers receive accommodation and a lot of recommendations and advice on how to spend time in an unfamiliar country.

Airbnb helps you stay in places that are truly interesting to tourists. Apartments for rent in the heart european capitals on the famous boulevards of Vienna or Paris, narrow streets of Prague, on the avenues of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bor the opportunity to rent a house in the Alps, or at the purest lakes of glacial origin, or in a lovely provincial hinterland - what could be better? Doesn't this open up wide opportunities for quality rest and good acquaintance with a foreign country?

Arenby with an established communication system of participants acts as a kind of guarantor of a good and interesting trip. To reduce the cost of rent, use.

Money

What money to take on a trip to Europe? How many to take? It all depends on which countries you decide to visit. Not all European countries use the euro. In Switzerland - Swiss francs, in Great Britain - pounds sterling, in Norway - Norwegian kronor.

If you are going to travel all over Europe, then take a euro and a bank card. Which bank card should I choose? Best of all, Visa or MasterCard, does not play a special role in rubles or euros. Even if the card is in rubles, then when shopping abroad, an automatic conversion will be made and you will be able to pay for any goods and services. It is important that the card is personalized (your name must be engraved on it), those cards that are issued in 10 minutes will not work. Read more about travel money and bank cards.

Travel cost

The main costs of traveling by car in Europe can be divided into five unequal parts:

• Traveling expenses. Includes gasoline, oil, toll roads, parking lots, car washes.
• Residence. Overnight in hotels / hostels / campgrounds / rented apartments.
• Food. Shopping for groceries in supermarkets, meals in buffets, visiting restaurants and cafes.
• Sights. Visiting museums, galleries and popular temples costs money.
• Other expenses.

How much you spend depends on your travel style... If you eat in expensive restaurants in every city and spend the night in five-star hotels, then such a trip by car across Europe will cost several hundred thousand rubles a month. And if you choose to use campgrounds, then such a trip by car in Europe will cost 30,000-80000 rubles a month. The more countries you visit, the more the trip will cost. The good thing about independent car travel in Europe is that it is you who decide how much and what you want to spend your money on.

When I traveled around Europe, I did not calculate the costs. But my friends just recently returned from a two-week trip to Europe by car and recorded all their expenses. Their route was as follows: Moscow -\u003e Warsaw (Poland) -\u003e Berlin (Germany) -\u003e Prague (Czech Republic) -\u003e Bratislava (Slovakia) -\u003e Kiev (Ukraine) -\u003e Moscow.

Their costs are as follows:

• Gasoline - 25,000 rubles
• Accommodation (hotels, rented apartments) - 20,000 rubles
• Meals - 12,000 rubles
• Visiting attractions - 5000 rubles
• Other - 5000 rubles

In just two weeks, they spent 67,000 rubles. They are not frugal travelers. You can, traveling along this route, spend 2 times less. The main expense item is gasoline. Calculate how much it will be required for a trip and already based on this, determine what the price of your trip is. You can easily calculate the amount of gasoline required on the website.

How to save money on a trip

• Think over your route. Do not move in zigzags (for example, the route Moscow -\u003e Warsaw (Poland) -\u003e Kiev (Ukraine) -\u003e Prague (Austria) -\u003e Moscow will be wasteful, because from there you have to go from Warsaw back to the east to get to Ukraine, and then go west again to Prague), go in one direction (from north to south, from east to west), then your journey by car in Europe will be less expensive and not exhausting.
• Consider autobahn options. Sometimes it is cheaper to pay for the expressway than to go to the ring road.
• Take food with you. Take something that doesn't go bad quickly.
• Drive during the warmer months. The cheapest trip will be in the summer, because it is possible to spend the night in campsites where the fee is minimal.
• Sleep in hostels. It's something between a hotel and a hostel. A fairly cheap way of living abroad.
• Use CouchSurfing. You can live absolutely free with other travelers. Only this is more a way to meet interesting people than a "free hotel".
• Take your fellow travelers with you. Let them pay part of the cost of gasoline and ride with you in the same car.
• Use others.

Traveling around Europe in your own car is a very exciting and interesting event in the life of any person. I recommend that you get to know the life of the local population in as much detail as possible and communicate with new people, then there will be even more positive emotions. Using the information provided in this article, you can easily and quickly organize your travel by car in the European Union and around the world. Travel and enjoy life! All the best;) !

Material about the essentials: how to travel cheaply if the euro jumps, and with it the prices in rubles?

I thought, thought, how to explain it more easily and came up with! For me - the owner of five Schengen - these secrets of saving in Europe are obvious, but for a beginner in travel, most likely not.

Therefore, it was decided to take a friend Dmitry, who has not yet seen abroad, but really wants and seems to even be preparing, to find out his algorithm for organizing a trip and, based on the result, direct him in the right direction, along the way explaining the announced life hacks to you, the reader.

1. Decide how cheaper to have a rest - on your own or on a tour

“So the plan is to go cheap to Europe. Will you go on tour or will you “collect” the trip yourself?
- Himself, of course. So 100% more profitable!

Explanation: so, but not so. Most of the EU countries are indeed wiser to visit on their own. But:

• if you plan to fly to one country,
• this is - Spain, Greece, Cyprus or Bulgaria,
• and the goal is a seaside vacation,

then the tour will be more budgetary... The truth, verified by me more than once! Even to see the same Barcelona, \u200b\u200bit is cheaper to take a voucher, for example, to Pineda de Mar and drive several times to the city by train, than to arrange a self-tour of the capital.

Viewpoint "Bunker" in Barcelona - high and free

- You were going to Paris, right? How are the ticket searches going?
- I monitor flights, there are three months ahead ... but flying from Moscow is not so profitable.

Explanation: Inexpensive and comfortable - it happens very rarely, so you have to sacrifice something. You probably know that the cheapest flights are in Europe. True backpackers love budget airlines (low-cost airlines) - Ryanair, Wizzair, Vueling, etc .: once you are in the eurozone, you can travel all over it.

How to get out of Russia without too much loss? The main directions are Vilnius, Riga, Helsinki, Tallinn.

• From Moscow: Nesterovsky train (≈1200 rubles), Ecolines, Luxexpress buses (≈3500 rubles), for those who like tougher - (≈1500 rubles)
• From St. Petersburg: buses Ecolines, Luxexpress (≈1500 rubles), minibus to Helsinki (≈1000 rubles)
• From the regions: more difficult, but there are also chip flights, for example, Kazan-Munich for 6,000 rubles

And one more rule: buy tickets in advance - it always works. To skate cheaply to Europe for May, I grabbed a ticket back in September, and what a! Moscow-Oslo for 3500 🙂

Bergen street, Norway - we walked up to the observation deck in 1.5 hours
(you can use an expensive funicular)

The right services for finding flights

Everyone knows where to look for tickets - on the largest aggregators, but not everyone makes full use of their capabilities.

• Skyscanner is a cool function of choosing directions depending on the departure point. I often use it and find myself a winner (as with Norway). You type the city of departure into the window “from where”, and in “where” - the mysterious “everywhere”, and here they are - the most delicious options for your dates
• Aviasales - there is a calendar of low prices, and it finds a little more offers. Convenient for searching round-trip tickets: the cost is lower than on the SkyScanner

Coffee and Croissant in Paris - our favorite cafe Eric Kayser

5. Traveling with hand luggage

- Okay, let's say I fly to Paris from Vilnius with a low-cost airline. But plus the luggage surcharge?
- Are you sure he is needed?

Explanation: yes, low-cost airlines only allow you to carry carry-on baggage - such is the "payback" for low prices... But cheap travel isn't just with a backpack on your back. It can be a standard suitcase 55 x 40 x 20 + a backpack that is not too full (read the conditions of carriage) - isn't it enough, even if you go for 2-3 weeks? Well, the issue with liquids is easily solved with the help of travel kits.

Observation deck "Tibidabo"

6. Correct accommodation booking

- The next stage is accommodation. Your actions?
- There is definitely Booking, it is on everyone's lips.

Explanation: Booking is good, especially when it returns 1000 rubles or 10% for the entire amount spent (choose what is more profitable for you) from the booking, but the best search engine is RoomGuru, which monitors the bases of both Booking, and Agoda, and a dozen other systems. Hotels, motels, guesthouses - for all this here. When choosing inexpensive accommodation in Europe, pay attention to hostels. In some Asia they should be avoided, but in the West they are quite decent.

Do you want authenticity and immersion in foreign life and culture? Rent an apartment / room / house on Airbnb! The service is very beneficial for long trips or with a company of 3 people or more. Here is a promo code for $ 32 \u003e\u003e for the first booking, and here -

Atlantic Ocean in Porto, Portugal

7. Schengen visa yourself

- Will they give Schengen? The agency offered to issue insurance against non-delivery.
- Stop, which agency?

Explanation: if you live in Moscow / St. Petersburg, going to an intermediary when there is a consulate nearby is just blasphemy and a violation of the budget tourism code! In the regions, you should also contact not an agency, but an authorized visa center. Collect the package of documents yourself and do not forget the suitable photo ↓

8. Cheap moves + hotel savings

- How else is it cheap to travel around Europe? You mentioned that you can also “go around” ...

Explanation: when the plane is not subject to the purse, the aforementioned is able to help out - most often the drivers declare an adequate price. For example, 12 euros for the Berlin-Prague route.

Another option - I warn you, for someone uncomfortable - is night buses (etc.) and trains: you move to another country and save on a hotel.

9. Pay attention to the airport

- Okay, okay, then I'll take Vilnius-Paris.
- Attention! Underwater rock!

Explanation: some unscrupulous airlines (and the inattention of the tourist) turn cheap vacation costly with just one detail - a generalization of the city of arrival. For example, you see Paris on your ticket, but you don't notice the BVA airport in brackets. And to cut from this BVA to the capital - about an hour by car for 20 euros (my case)! So turn on the meticulous paranoid and look with a magnifying glass 🙂

This view opens up when you approach Barcelona airport

10. Discounts and promotions on tours and tickets

• Promotional codes for tours - a nice discount of 1-3% on Onlinetours, triggered when you click on
• Last minute tours - scroll through the feed of the same name on
• - allow you to fly to Europe cheap, literally for pennies (Barcelona for 6000 round trip? :)). Aggregators don't always find them, so ↓
• Subscription - namely, to our telegram channel

Traveling in Europe is what we often dream of when sitting at work or watching a travel program. It often seems to us that it is expensive, difficult and generally ... impossible. Although this is not the case. After all, we just need to get to Europe to cross the border (unlike, for example, the residents of Vladivostok or Peru). Agree, in this case, the obstacle is not distance at all!

The only real obstacle to visiting Europe is the financial issue, but here it all depends on the person's desire. On any trip, you will have to spend some money - just somewhere more, and somewhere less. As for traveling in Europe, it all depends on:

• how to get around,
• where to live,
• what kind countries to visit,
• and how long to stay in them.

In the same city, different people for different periods of time can spend different amounts - some - 5 euros, others 20, still others - 100, well, or 1000. It depends on the habits and scope - who gets what. Once on board a low-cost airline, I heard the opinion that everything depends on the comfort zone and I agree with this opinion. Also, I often come across the fact that a person actually cannot afford a luxury vacation option in Europe, and does not want to hear about other opportunities. It happens, but you can't do anything here (except to raise the level of income). The main thing to remember is that all the most interesting things in life are just outside the comfort zone! Take a look at least once, because traveling on your own through Europe is the easiest and surprisingly exciting way to do it!

My job is to tell you about how you can travel around Europe and what to save on, and it's up to you to decide :). Go!

Traveling in Poland

Traveling in Poland is the first thing that comes to mind, especially since Krakow is worthy to see it! In fact, this is a beautiful city with many interesting sights and it will not be difficult to get here from the same Lviv. The price of a bus ticket Lviv-Krakow - from 350 UAH. and the passengers will stay on the way for about six hours. That is, it can be very not bad option for weekend or May holidays! In addition, Krakow is the country's second transport hub, so from here you can fly by low-cost to literally any country in Western Europe! A trip to Poland requires a Schengen visa - this is a minus, but the fact that Polish visa centers, if in almost all regions of Ukraine, is a plus. The peculiarity of obtaining the Polish Schengen is that the embassy requires full payment for housing - this is a minus, and a plus is that hotels and hostels in Poland are relatively inexpensive! Therefore, you are planning a trip to Poland without doubts and fears.

In addition, Poland is one of the best countries in Europe for hitchhiking! Usually budget travelers and stoppers travel on an international bus to Przemysl (a bus from Lviv costs from UAH 154 if you buy online, but if the visa issue is resolved, then you can take the bus for 50 UAH - if you sit right near the checkpoint) and then they travel freely both in Poland itself, tap and in Europe as a whole. And note, tickets can be bought on the website!

In Poland, the most eager to visit is Krakow - as the ancient capital of the country, as well as the ski resort of Zakopane, especially when it comes to a decision.

In addition to buses, many will be interested in low-cost flight wizzair Kiev-Katowice, but keep in mind that you will have to add a cost to the low cost of the ticket if it is large - after all, this is a budget airline! Therefore, travel light! It is more economical. Also cheap ones can be caught from UIA and the Polish national airline LOT.

Many will also be interested in a trip to the capital - Warsaw or the seaside city of Gdansk.

Travel across the Czech Republic

Traveling around the Czech Republic can also bring incredible pleasure, because most of the towns here have preserved, frankly, a medieval flavor, and the Czech Republic will especially delight lovers of castles and antiquity! When planning, a must-see is of course the magnificent Prague, as well as the neighboring mineral spa - Karlovy Vary. Visits to picturesque small Czech towns, Olomouc or Cesky Krumlov can be incredible pleasure.

As a rule, there are direct lines, but there are no low-cost airlines today. UIA also sometimes offers inexpensive, to be more exact, to Prague. To be honest, the cheapest way to get to Prague is by bus. Although the journey will be quite long.

Who doesn't dream of going to Italy?

I was there, but damn it, Italy is never enough! Travel to Italy earlier could have been organized much easier - there were direct cheap flights both from Kiev and Lviv. Today, to travel to Italy, you need to go to neighboring countriesto buy a ticket for a cheap low-cost airline.

Options to get to Italy from Ukraine:

• bus Uzhgorod - Kosice (Slovakia) and plane to Milan
• bus Lviv-Karakov + plane even to Rome, even to Venice, even to Milan
• combination of low-cost air tickets to Budapest, Vilnius, Katowice plus air tickets to Italy
• look for ankyon tickets from UIA.

Visa-free is valid for biometric passports. If you need a Schengen visa: There is a visa center only in Kiev. Full instructions on how to plan, which you can read about in a separate article !.

Travel to Slovakia, Austria and Hungary

Organizing a trip to Slovakia today is easier than ever, because there is a direct bus from Uzhgorod. Depending on the destination, the fare is from 2 to 8 euros !!! And then - local internal transport. Train from Kosice to Bratislava - up to 19 euros - by bus or train. Interesting factthat Bratislava is 49 km from Vienna. which will allow you to travel to Austria on a pack of days. After Vienna, you can go to Salzburg, and then to Munich, or from Vienna to Budapest by train for 13 euros (it's even cheaper than a bus). From Budapest to Kiev, there is both a low-cost flight and a bus to Kiev, Uzhgorod, Lviv.

Simple route independent travel to Slovakia, Austria and Hungary looks like this:

• train Kiev-Uzhgorod,
• bus Uzhgorod-Kosice,
• train Kosice-Bratislava,
• bus Bratislava-Vienna,
• train Vienna-Budapest,
• plane Budapest-Kiev.

On the way out you will at least visit: Uzhgorod, Kosice, Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest!

By the way, you can organize a trip in the opposite direction. Such an eventful trip will leave a lot of impressions! In Vienna, be sure to visit the Castaletto pastry shop! Well, it can be organized simply by castles and fortresses, which is also worthy and interesting! can be bought or booked online.

Organization of independent travel in Europe

An independent trip to Europe, or rather its organization, consists of four parts:

• transport;
• housing;
• visa (if needed);
• attractions.

Each of them should be considered separately, but in general across Europe it looks like this:

1. Tickets for transport are bought... Actually, from the availability of tickets, a further travel plan in Europe is built, because it is the dates of departure that determine not only the length of stay anywhere, but also is of great importance for visiting many attractions. People who are not affected by visa-free travel should also plan to obtain a visa based on the purchased transport tickets.
2. Hotel bookedYou can find a hotel / hostel / apartment with free cancellation and select a different one if the booking conditions permit. The hotel is in any case the most flexible category of the entire plan. You can even cancel your reservation and live later on coaching or with friends, but in any case, you need a reservation to apply for a visa. Accommodation reservation is in any case necessary for a visa.
3. Documents are submitted for a visa (and if necessary, then before these on the passport for traveling abroad). As a rule, a copy of the tickets and hotel reservation are useful for obtaining a visa.
4. sights - the last point of the plan. It is important, but at the same time you can browse the Internet and read about places worth visiting on the eve of departure or even while traveling.

Bus, plane, train tickets in Europe, as well as hitchhiking and blablacar

Tickets to Europe are a determining factor for both hotel booking and visa (if needed), so this is the first thing to worry about. Bus, plane, train tickets in Europe, as well as hitchhiking and blablacar - these are the main ways of getting around modern independent travelers in Europe.

When planning a budget trip to Europe, the following options are considered:

• air ticket: a promotional offer from a regular airline (for example, an offer from an airline mailing list) or cheap plane tickets (low cost or a budget airline, such as wizzair or vueling). More information in a dedicated article about low-cost airlines in Europe... Also, aggregators can be implemented through special sites.
• bus ticket: today for regular passenger international flights you can buy a ticket online directly on the website. Direct flightusually long, but you can plan a trip with transfers - which is cheaper and more interesting. For example, from Kiev (and other Ukrainian cities) you can take a train, and from Lviv you can buy a bus ticket to Przemysl, Lublin, Warsaw or Krakow. From Uzhgorod, it is convenient to go to Kosice (Slovakia) or Budapest (Hungary), where you can also either take another European transport or spend a wonderful weekend.
• railway ticket It is convenient to buy from Ukraine only to Moscow or St. Petersburg, but this can be done only at the train station, since international train tickets are not sold online even in Europe. The exception is private railway companies.
• hitch-hiking - this is a free transport of travelers by drivers - a whole movement. Before planning such a trip - read how things are with hitchhiking in a particular country and, just in case, take money with you for public transport... But even if you have planned a hitchhiking trip, the best way to cross the border is by bus - there are fewer questions when getting a visa and less queues at the checkpoint. For this purpose, flights Lviv-Przemysl (Poland) or Lviv-Vishne-Nemecke (Slovakia) are well suited - such tickets will cost only a few euros - check the system.
• blablacar - or the companion service is no longer a free service, but you pay only for gasoline together with a driver. It is often cheaper than public transport, and it is also beneficial for the driver, because in this case the cost of his trip is reduced. By the way, the blablacar will also be extremely interesting for drivers - such a paid hitchhiking :). But often-thickly bla-blacar becomes a business for some drivers, rather than a way to split the price of gasoline.

Accommodation in Europe: hotel, apartment, hostel, coaching

Housing in Europe is different for every taste and budget. there are both fashionable and inexpensive and comfortable. Individualists can rent an apartment, apartment or even a villa, and budget travelers usually choose democratic hostels, or live with foreigners for free. For nature lovers and thousands of stars overhead - camping.

Websites for booking hotels, hostels, camping sites, as well as apartments and apartments in Europe:

• booking.com - the European leader in booking accommodation. Here you can find both hotels and hostels, as well as campings and apartments. Here is the largest base of housing and the lowest prices for regular customers. Although the main direction of the resource is hotels. Here you can find both the most expensive rooms and offers in guesthouses and home hotels, although if you are looking for hostels or apartments, take a look at the following two resources. It is also worth visiting the booking service if you just need a hotel reservation with free cancellation to obtain a visa - this is the best service for these purposes. By the way, if you are planning a trip to Asia, then take a look at agoda.com, the leader in Asia.
• hostelworld.com- the best website for booking hostels both in Europe and in the world. As a rule, the site takes 10% of the cost as its fee, but considering that the average European hostel costs about 12 euros per night - the money is very small. There is much more choice of hostels here than on any other resource, since the conditions for them are the most favorable - the hostel owner does not have to "share" the profit with the service and the management system is quite simple. By the way, you can find a hostel here and book directly from the hostel's home site, although the savings in this case will be insignificant and it will be more difficult to resolve any issues.
• airbnb.com - a service for renting apartments and apartments, places in interesting, non-standard hotels, as well as through it you can rent a bed in your own house for money :). Such a paid coaching. Those who prefer to have not only their own shower, but also their own kitchen - you are here! Prices are different, as are offers :) From guest sofas in the corner to private villas.
• couchserfing.org- the world community of travelers and their sympathizers - when foreigners accept tourists in their home for free. At first, the community was organized to learn something new, but has evolved into a service for finding free housing, not only in Europe but around the world. If your comfort zone allows you to live with strangers and craves communication, this is the best housing option in Europe. It will be especially interesting for those who dream start a love relationship in Europe! I often hear romantic stories of dating through coaching! Try to find love in Europe by couchserfing.org!There is no guarantee, of course, but there will definitely be something to remember and tell about!

Some travelers feel great on the couch of strangers (coaching), others in a tent, others in a hostel, and for some, a hotel should have 5 stars and a swimming pool. And here we must pay tribute: the hotel of the highest category and the cheapest hostel are significantly different, and here you really need to decide in advance or TRY! I knew girls who rested their hands and feet and said - the hotel is at least three stars, the amenities are only in the room ... and then once they tried to spend the night in the hostel's common room with young people (and not only) from all over the world, that now only hostels during European travel and recognize !!! Breaking the pattern in action.

If you are a sociable person and love people, then it is better to live by coaching: That is, foreigners are invited to stay with them for free. Why? What would not be sour! This is an opportunity not only to see new country, saving on accommodation, but also to get to know the locals, so to speak, at home.

Visa-free regime and visas

Since 2017, Ukraine and the EU have visa-free regime by biometric passports.

With Albania (90 days), Bosnia and Herzegovina (90 days), Chornogoria (90 days) and Serbia (30 days), Ukraine has a visa-free regime, but on different conditions.

You can find out more precisely where a Ukrainian needs a visa in Europe on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Policy of Ukraine: mfa.gov.ua/ua/consular-affairs/travel-advice/entering-foreign-countries.

Attractions in Europe

When it comes to sightseeing in Europe, I always advise you to go to local tourism resources, as well as international forums such as tripadvisor. The thing is that the Russian-speaking tourist community is always "in itself". There are few experimenters and there is little new information, while our foreign ones are more advanced. I often come across the fact that we overpay simply because of ignorance. For example, if you score "visiting the Vatican Museums" in Russian, then you will be offered an excursion for 80 euros, and if you climb into the English-language forums, you will find out that the entrance costs 15 euros + a walkie-talkie-guide - 5 euros. Agree - the difference is significant!

You can also watch thematic shows like Heads and Tails to highlight what you want to see. And also be open to information on the spot! For example, you can give in and go on a local excursion. Did you know that in Edinburgh you can go on a boat ride to the islands to watch seals? And this is one of my brightest memories of Scotland and I learned about it on the spot!

I do not recommend paper guides and tourist guides. Why? Their main readers are housewives. Do you need it?!?

As a rule, not only for the country, but for everyone european city there is a website and it is better to go to the official resources - they have more information. Be sure to carefully look through the information about: what to do, transport, TOP-10 sights of the city, non-standard offers. And also on these sites there is often information about musicals, theatrical performances, exhibitions and festivals! I strongly advise you to choose something according to your interests!

To make your trip special, memorable and not like everyone else - do something unusual. For example, in London, go to a musical (I was at the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall), and you can go to, say, a football match or a music festival. In Cologne - I visited the world exhibition of the photo industry Photokina, in Vienna - of course the opera, in Paris - the exhibition of Raphael. Another option for an unforgettable trip is to check your plans against the world tour schedule of your favorite artists, for example, rock bands. I personally visited the adored Nickelback. Everyone has their own interests, and Europe opens up maximum opportunities for the realization of any desires. Use it!

You can also take advantage of the offers of local "couponers" - I once bought a boat trip along the Rhine from Mainz to Cologne for ridiculous money and had an unforgettable day.

Be non-standard!

Travel routes in Europe

Travel routes in Europe are built on two principles:

1. Wherever you want, because the power of a dream is limitless.
2. Where there are cheap tickets and when you find it, you light up this idea.

And yes, it's actually that simple! As a travel blogger, I am often asked where to go on their first independent trip to Europe: people, as often happens in other spheres of life, simply do not know what they want. Think about the place, think about the associations - what is Europe to you? Rome? Paris? London? If you dream of London then focus on your UK trip! The dream will take you further than just an abstract desire for change! Read,. Don't compromise on a dream - it doesn't pay off. Break your own patterns, because you have one life in this body. And dreams without the strength and ability to fulfill them are not given to us!

The first independent trip can be in:

• cIS countries: what about Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk, Chisinau? The only difference in the organization will be that you do not need a visa, but you know Russian.
• asian Europe: a trip to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey (Istanbul). Visas are also not required here and most of the population knows the language. Also, the organization of the trip will be similar, but you must be prepared that this is not Europe, but Asia. Which is also intriguing, but for the first independent trip - a very good idea!
• baltic countries: from Kiev to the same Vilnius or Riga there are inexpensive flights and there are direct international buses... Here you will need a Schengen visa, but on the other hand, the older generation in these countries knows Russian, which creates unique opportunities and you can get to know the "non-tourist" Baltic states.
• Eastern Europe:visit neighboring with Ukraine Poland, Slovakia, Hungary. They are notable for the fact that there are inexpensive tickets for international buses, as well as prices for food at the level of Ukrainian, and in some cases even lower, which cannot be said about Western European countries.
• Southern Europe:Spain and Greece - these countries are generally cheaper both in terms of housing and food than the same France, Germany or Great Britain. Inexpensive air tickets, both to Spain and Greece, can even be bought direct. As a rule, cheap flights from Kiev to Athens, and low-cost vueling flies to Barcelona, \u200b\u200bSpain, which can allow you to save on the flight.
• Western European countries much more expensive than Ukraine not only in terms of accommodation, but also in terms of basic products (of course, local cheeses and sausages are cheaper here if they were sold in Ukraine, but in general food is much more expensive here). Accommodation even in a hostel strongly depends on the city. The most expensive hostels are in Venice, Paris, Vienna - if the average cost of a night in Europe in general is 12 euros, then in these cities it is 33 (although this is not a record either). Great Britain is even more expensive than France or Germany. You need to be prepared for all these nuances.
• Northern Europe - most expensive. Food, housing and transport in Norway, Sweden, Iceland break all records, but what the nature is! If your dream is to see fjords or Northern Lights - it's definitely worth it! Moreover, from Poland you can fly to Oslo too for ridiculous money!

Holidays in Europe

Rest in Europe is when you don't want to decide anything, plan, but generally lie on the beach and go on one or two excursions. In fact, this site is not for those fans. I perceive rest as active time spending a day or two on the beaches of Ibiza is a very good idea!

If your case is "doing nothing" with good service - you need to look for offers from professional travel organizers and choose the most acceptable ones. There is nothing wrong with relaxing mentally and physically in a good hotel on a pleasant beach in Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece. And for such fans nothing more profitable than a "package" has not yet been invented.

The only thing - be prepared for the fact that the company to which you gave the money for the trip may go bankrupt at any moment and then the rest in Europe will turn into "tin in Europe". Such cases happen more and more often, and this is because companies are dumping because of competition and the struggle for a vacationer and at some point will no longer be able to pay the bills. In this case, you risk being left without money far from home.

In order not to get into such situations, I travel on my own and I wish you so (or at least have with you an amount sufficient for a return ticket). You will know how much the trip costs and you will have all the money with you.

Travel and you will be happy!

Helpful? Tell your friends, because they'll come in handy too!

Many people love all-inclusive vacations. It is when travel agency shows the best, in their opinion, place for rest, is engaged in buying tickets, booking a hotel and drawing up an excursion program. The result is relaxation like everyone else.

And sometimes you want to organize something different from a routine trip from a travel agency. This is how traveling around Europe by car becomes, the routes and cost of which we will try to determine in this article.

If a tourist has never been on an independent trip to Europe by car, you need to carefully evaluate all the pros and cons of such a trip and only then decide to organize a trip.

The main advantages of the auto tour include the following:

• Complete independence - wherever I want to turn there. This means that you can always stop or turn off the chosen road in the direction of some unusually beautiful place. You can delay slightly or adjust your travel plan a little.
• Profitability. If you approach the organization of the route correctly, you can make the trip quite budgetary.
• You can take with you everything that fits in the trunk and on the roof of the car.
• Convenience. IN tourist bus it is difficult to relax, strangers can cause irritation. Only close people with whom you are comfortable take on your own car.
• Freedom from the schedule. Without a car, you need to follow the schedule of departure of buses and trains, spend some time waiting for departure.

With all the positive aspects, a car tour will not be successful if the driver cannot rest well. The constant driving is very tiring. Therefore, it is better if two experienced drivers are traveling on a trip who can change each other.

Where to go with your car

You can go to Europe by driving your own car or by renting it. It is difficult to describe the huge number of interesting places that open up to the traveler in Europe. Each tourist can find the most exciting route for himself. Here are a few directions that, according to vacationers, are considered the most picturesque.

Austria, Großglockner alpine road

This is a journey for drivers who are not afraid of winding mountain road... It bends in unthinkable turns, then descends, then rises up, revealing to the gaze the unique grandeur and splendor of the Austrian mountains. You can stop the car and enjoy the green alpine meadows.

Travel video on this Austrian road:

One landscape combines lovely villages, rugged glaciers, green valleys and cascading waterfalls.

Do not plan your travels during the winter and spring months. The road is getting dangerous.

The winding route of the Hochalpenstrasse highway connects Carinthia and Salzburg. The entrance to the alpine road is paid: 35 euros for one day. If you move around in the evening and at night - 25 euros.

Alsace Wine Route in France

It has been an official tourist route since 1953. The route is not long - about 170 kilometers. The path begins in the small village of Marlenheim and ends at Thann.

The view of travelers is presented with landscapes of incredible beauty. Drivers are not very fond of going along this route, as the entire path is dotted with French wineries, where they immediately offer to try real Alsatian wines. While driving, you can taste the divine drink only upon arrival at the parking lot.

Italy, Florence

Italy is a unique country where each place has its own unique architecture, and the local landscapes are only admirable.

To the most romantic and picturesque italian roads relate:

• Pianoro - the length of the road is about 100 kilometers. It has a completely unromantic name - Track SP / SS 65. The unique landscapes of wine-growing Tuscany against the backdrop of the Alpine mountains create a stunning sight.
• Otranto - Leuca. A small country road about 75 kilometers long takes the traveler to the most extreme point of the Italian heel - seaport Otranto. Its attraction is the lack of tourists. You can stop anywhere and have a picnic or swim in the magical waters of the Mediterranean.
• Riva del Garda - Cortina d'Ampezzo. Wonderful trail leading to ski resort... Its length is just over 200 kilometers. The path begins from the magnificent Lake Garda. All the way you can admire the picturesque alpine landscape.

Montenegro, Bay of Kotor

Montenegro is a unique country with a huge number of attractions and natural architectural monuments. Each area amazes with its beauty and picturesqueness. Therefore, the road along the bay is one of the many worth taking.

For 130 kilometers, a magnificent view of the bay opens up, there are many different attractions around. You can push the car to the side of the road and spend time studying them calmly.

What you need to know to travel by car in Europe

Before planning a trip by car to European countries, you need to worry about obtaining a visa. This can be a permit issued to the Schengen zone and opening the possibility of movement in all EU states or a national visa, if the route was drawn up for a specific country.

Visa processing has its own characteristics, in addition to the standard package of documents, you must attach the following papers:

• The route of the trip with a mark of all possible stopping points (this is a replacement for booking air or railway tickets).
• Confirmation of the reservation of places for the night in all places of the proposed stop (that is, the route must be clearly thought out by the hour).

In addition, the driver must have an international driving license. In some countries there is a limitation on car rental if the total driving experience is less than 3-5 years. It is worth asking about this in advance.

Which car is better: personal or rented?

This is a very important point. In most cases, it is better to give preference to a rented car and get to the place of the route by plane or train. Firstly, the driver will not be so tired and will have enough strength to fully “drive” around Europe. And secondly, at home, you will not have to solve a lot of problems with the registration of technical and permits for a car to enter. After all, most European countries make high demands on the condition of the car, if something goes wrong, the car will simply not be allowed across the border.

Choosing your own car

Going along the route in your own car, you should consider the following nuances:

• Don't hit the road on an old vehicle. It may simply not withstand the long journey and fail the environmental safety test.
• Pay attention to the rubber. In many countries there are earlier requirements for wintering. Finland belongs to such states. The borders of some states are closed to owners of studded tires, as it significantly injures the road surface.
• The tinting will have to be removed from the car. There are certain parameters of its admissibility. Usually Russians exceed them with interest.
• Certificate of the technical condition of the vehicle and its possible participation in an accident in the presence of external damage.

But if the traveler is confident in the reliability of his "iron horse" and does not trust the rented equipment, then in accordance with all technical specifications car, the trip will be pleasant and comfortable for him. And European roads will leave only the best memories.

But do not forget that the car must be equipped with child seats, for each passenger there must be reflective vests. The complete set includes a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. If they were bought more than six months before the border crossing, the car will not pass the check. There is a special RUS sticker on the rear window for Russian tourists.

Insurance

Buy it in advance, as the closer to the cherished goal, the more expensive its cost. Without a "green card" stuck to the windshield of a car, entry to any European country will be closed.

The cost of insurance is about 50 euros. It can be issued for a period of two weeks to one year.

Cost of travel with your own car

First of all, you need to determine the cost of fuel - this is one of the main items of expense. If you are planning a tour of several European countries, you need to understand that the cost of gasoline in them will differ significantly.

To calculate this amount, you need to clearly think over the entire travel plan, including all stops, parking and movement around toll roads... A well-planned tour will cost significantly less than a chaotic journey.

A shared European tour by car will include the following costs:

1. Green card - insurance. If you issue it on the territory of Russia, the cost will be 2,400 rubles for 15 days. For 30 days, the amount increases to 4500 rubles.
2. International driving license - the maximum cost is 1600 rubles.
3. Medical insurance for the minimum coverage - about 1400 rubles.
4. The full cost of the visa, including the consular fee in the region of 4500 thousand rubles. Perhaps more with expedited paperwork or delivery to your home.
5. Gas consumption depends on the point of departure and the place of arrival. Each European country has its own tariffs. Consider the price of gasoline using the example of France:

• A 95 - 1.48 euros per liter;
• A 98 - 1.55 euros per 1 liter;
• diesel fuel - 1.40 euros per liter.

1. Toll roads, parking. On the roads, you can see the map and read the cost of entry to them. One parking space costs from 10 to 15 euros per day.
2. Living expenses. It all depends on the accommodation that is booked in advance. Hostels and campgrounds are relatively inexpensive. At the same time, they have all the necessary conditions for a normal rest. The cost of an overnight stay is from 25 to 35 euros. Find out in advance how many beds are in the room. In foreign hostels, rooms for 8-10 beds are often rented. A room in an economy class hotel costs from 50 euros and more per night
3. Food costs. You can't do without them. In an inexpensive canteen, lunch will cost around 15 euros per person. Fast food is even cheaper - about 10 euros. It is not worth pawning less than 60 euros per day for meals per person. Usually you have to spend more. You can only save on dry food.
4. Excursions. There are sights that you can see for free, but you will have to pay for some of the visits. In order to calculate this cost item, you need to find out the cost of entrance tickets to those museums and galleries that you plan to visit.
5. Purchase of souvenirs. Here it is better to immediately lay down a fixed amount, otherwise in every city you will want to buy some small change. The result is a huge amount of expense.
6. Mobile connection. We check the cost with our operator or purchase a card on the territory of a European state.
7. Form major. We plan for it 10-15% of the total travel budget. And we don’t spend unnecessarily.

Thanks to this list, you can very accurately calculate the possible expenses and calculate the points on which it is worth saving.

What can you save on

Most of the costs are spent on fuel, food and accommodation. In order to save on gasoline, you need:

• Refuel the car completely before entering a foreign country. It is unlikely that you will be able to carry cans of gasoline with you, they may not be allowed at customs.
• Refuel only in localities. The cost of gasoline on the highway is somewhat more expensive.
• Try to avoid traffic jams.

You can save some of the funds allocated for food if you eat in ordinary canteens and cafes where they prefer to have a snack locals... All tourist establishments are much more expensive.

Booking hostels and campgrounds allows you to reduce the amount of living expenses. Moreover, if you worry about this in advance, you can find rooms with only 4 beds.

What to take with you on the road

It is necessary to arrange luggage taking into account customs requirements. Therefore, you should find out exactly what is prohibited for import into the state, and what items can be imported, but in limited quantities.

In addition to a personal set of things in long journey you need to take the following items:

1. The minimum set of tools for car repair. These are the jack, pump, fire extinguisher and warning triangle.
2. Mobile phone, photo camera, camcorder, laptop or tablet and chargers for them.
3. Navigator. A necessary thing, especially when you are in a foreign country and do not possess any language skills.
4. Travel plan and detailed map to him. A guide to the places you plan to visit will not hurt.
5. Parking sign. A must-have item for Europe. When the car is parked, exact time parking. This applies to free parking spaces. It's just that in such places there is a limited time of free standing. That is, you cannot leave the car for three days and forget about it.
6. Local currency cash and international credit cards. Credit cards must be personalized. Otherwise, problems with calculations may arise.
7. A thermos for tea and coffee, to sip drinks on the road without stopping. Bottled water.
8. Lantern.
9. Necessary medicines, in addition to those in the medicine cabinet.

Further baggage can be assembled at your own discretion. The list contains only everything you need. In a rainy season, an umbrella or raincoat will do the trick. For summer, a fumigator or mosquito spray. In order not to forget something, you need to make a list. This will make it easier to navigate what is important and what is not needed at all.

At first glance, it seems that planning a trip to Europe with your own car is very difficult. But this is not the case. You just need to prepare for it in advance. It is impossible to think over a route in 1-2 days, book accommodation for the night and calculate the required budget. Hectic trips are also great fun, but they usually come with a lot of expense. Everyone who once tried to independently organize their own car tour in Europe gets a lot of great impressions and starts planning a new trip.