An Erzgebirgsbahn train pauses as the Czech village of Potucky. Photo © hidden europe
April 11, 2012
hiddeneurope
“What’s the best way from X to Y?” It is a query we’ve read a thousand times here on EuroCheapo, and it comes in various guises on hundreds of other travel forums: from Fodor’s to Frommer’s, from BootsnAll to the Thorn Tree. For those who pose such questions “best” probably equates “cheapest” or “fastest.” But » Read more
February 29, 2012
hiddeneurope
“I want to see the Alps by train, so I’ve the booked a ride south from Berne into Italy,” said Margot. We didn’t have the heart to tell her that a big chunk of the 90-minute run from the Swiss capital south to Domodossola in Italy is through tunnels. Of course, there is a lot » Read more
February 9, 2012
Tom Meyers
EuroCheapo is pleased (and somewhat surprised) to announce the launch of guides to cheap hotels in Geneva and Zurich. For years we’ve steered clear of these pricey cities (and the country in general), assuming that Switzerland was simply inhospitable to budget travelers. With many hotels starting north of $250, how could any Cheapo afford to » Read more
January 5, 2012
hiddeneurope
Last month, EuroCheapo chief Tom Meyers popped the train versus plane question…. does the savvy traveler fly or take the train around Europe? But it is not a straight either / or choice. Many leisure travelers, and many business types too, realize that long-distance coaches present a credible alternative to air or rail travel on » Read more
Posted in Alternative Transportation, Amsterdam, Bus, hidden europe, Lisbon, London, Macedonia, Paris, Riga, Switzerland, Tallinn, transportation, Trip Planning, United Kingdom, Vilnius
December 21, 2011
hiddeneurope
Eurostar’s flagship services linking London’s magnificent St Pancras station with Paris and Brussels have been an overwhelming success, transforming London’s relationship with two close continental capitals. So much well-justified praise is heaped on Eurostar’s capital city links that it is easy to overlook that the rail service through the Channel Tunnel is good for more » Read more
Posted in Britain, Brussels, France, Germany, hidden europe, London, Nice, Paris, Switzerland, Train, transportation, United Kingdom
November 30, 2011
hiddeneurope
Europe’s new rail schedules come into effect on Sunday December 11, 2011. And these new schedules will, for the most part, apply through December 2012. The latest monthly edition (dated December 2011) of the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable has just landed on our desks, and we’ve been taking a peek at what rail travelers » Read more
Posted in Belarus, Budapest, Copenhagen, Denmark, France, hidden europe, Madrid, News, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Train, transportation
July 6, 2011
hiddeneurope
Last week, we looked at the celebrated Glacier Express rail route, and questioned whether it might just take in one glacier too many (not to mention the 191 tunnels along the route). It’s a long haul from any major Swiss city or airport to either St. Moritz or Zermatt, which are the end points of » Read more
June 29, 2011
hiddeneurope
“The most famous of Switzerland’s railway lines,” burbles the guidebook. Frommer’s Switzerland is given to hyperbole, and particularly where the Glacier Express is concerned. “The route is one of the most spectacular in the world,” the authors advise. Yes, the 180-mile journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt is a very fine trip, though hardly the » Read more
April 6, 2011
hiddeneurope
Europe’s spring airline schedules came into effect last week, so in this travel brief we take a look at what’s new in the skies over Europe for the 2011 peak season. A new airline takes off from Vienna Our prize for the zaniest airline name in the new schedules goes to People’s Viennaline, a start-up » Read more
Posted in Airlines, Airports, Budget Air Travel, Denmark, easyjet, hidden europe, Kosovo, Macedonia, plane, Ryanair, Switzerland, Vienna
March 23, 2011
hiddeneurope
Brig is one of those places through which every European traveler passes eventually. Strategically placed in Switzerland’s Valais region, this major transport hub lies at the northern end of the Simplon tunnel. It is served by major international express trains such as the services from Geneva and Basel to Milan and Venice. And Brig is » Read more