Europe is home to one of the most complete railway systems in the world. Hop aboard a train and watch as Europe's most dramatic scenery rolls by. Consider a Eurail pass, which is good for a set number of countries or a set number of days. Eurail passes offer you the freedom to tour Europe by rail at your own convenience. A railway trip also affords you the opportunity to see a wide range of places within a very short time. Eurail offers global passes that allow you to tour 21 different countries. Global passes start at $430. Select passes allow you to choose up to five countries for unlimited travel for a given number of dates. Select passes start at $269. Regional passes highlight popular regions and give you unlimited travel through their countries. Regional passes start at $149. Finally, single country passes offer unlimited travel through a specific country starting at just $39.
The classic European backpacking trip is a right of passage for many college-age travelers. Stay in hostels and hitchhike through the countryside, meeting youth from other countries and forming lifelong bonds. Backpackers should consider purchasing a membership to Hostelling International. Hostelling International maintains a chain of accredited hostels and information centers. Memberships are free for backpackers 18 and under, and $28 for those over 18. Backpackers should also consider a guidebook, such as those published by Lonely Planet or Rick Steves. Guidebooks range from $10 to $20, and offer up-to-date information on accommodations, attractions and transportation options.
The finer things in life were invented in the quaint streets and rolling countryside of Europe. See where it all began. Center your trip around the centers of arts and culture found throughout Europe. Listen to symphonies in Vienna, view the art of the masters in Italy and sample world famous cuisine in France. Look for art gallery and museum discount cards, which allow you to see all major city attractions for one price. The Paris Museum Pass starts at $45 and allows you access to more than 60 museums and galleries. The Rome Archaeological Card grants you access to the Coliseum and all National Roman Museums, starting at $45. Many cities also offer guided bus tours that travel between major monuments and museums providing historical information. Tours usually last between 1 and 3 hours and cost between $30 and $100 depending on the length of the tour and sites seen.
Learn a new language by immersing yourself in the daily lives of the people that speak it best. Learn how to order tapas in the native tongue of Madrid, perfect your German over a pint in a beer garden or discuss politics in the cobbled streets of Warsaw. Most larger cities offer short-term language immersion courses that will have you talking with locals in no time. Consider companies like The Language Travel Company, which offers courses throughout Europe. (See References 3.) They can also arrange for you to stay with a host family so that you can practice the language when not in the classroom.
Travel through Europe on the open road. No schedules and no limits give you the ultimate flexibility for your European trip. Having your own car also allows you to visit destinations that are out of the way. quaint countrysides and villages. Car rentals cost as little as $25 a day and can be adjusted to allow different pick-up and drop-off cities. If you plan a trip that will last several weeks or more, consider leasing a car rather than renting. You may also want an International Driver's License to avoid hassles with law enforcement. International licenses cost around $15 and are available at most American Automobile Association offices. (See References 4.) Just be sure to stay on the correct side of the road.
