Jimi Michiel

Ok, I'm going to do some backpacking in Europe in May and June and was wondering what the best ways to get around for cheap are. I'm not a big fan of hitch hiking, but I'm also not a big fan of EuroRail passes that cost a fortune and won't get me where I need to go... My main problem is getting into and out of Croatia (Split). I'm looking for help getting from Prague to Croatia, and then from Croatia to northern Italy (and continuing to Switzerland). I've heard about ferries from Croatia to Italy, but haven't been able to find solid information.

Thanks,
Jimi

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Tootsall

Jimi, you might have luck at the Fodors website Fodor's Travel Guides | Plan Your Trip Online . There are lots of folk there who post their experiences and can answer specific questions.

For train travel we found that you can frequently get pretty inexpensive tickets by purchasing through the automatic machines or ticket booths at the train stations. Certainly unless you plan on travelling heavily on an almost-daily basis, the local prices are (I think) better than the rail passes which seem to have gotten quite expensive in the last few years. (We paid as little as $40 for unlimited travel for one 24-hour period on the German system... for a family of 4!) You'll also save because when buying locally you aren't "supporting" half of the travel industry! It also leaves your options open should you decide to hop a bus (if you meet fellow travellers.. which you will... they'll have recommendations on that and you need to be flexible).

Ed