How do i visit Italy for a weekend on a student's budget?
Hi, I'm a student studying abroad this semester in Paris. I am on a ridiculously tight budget and won't be able to spend alot of money on anything other than the necessities. i *do* however want to visit Italy (and England too maybe/hopefully) for a weekend, I don't have classes Friday so I would probably leave then or Thursday and come back Sunday. How much would the trip cost including getting there, hostels, etc.? Thanks!
Other - Europe - 3 Answers
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1 :
Go on the school travel club?
2 :
There are many ways to travel on a shoestring budget once you're in Europe. Book your train tickets ticket well in advance. Visit French Rail's Web site to see what advance booking savings are available, www.sncf.com. Limit your visit to northern Italy so you won't have to travel too far. Cities such as Bologna and Ravenna are spectacular and less touristy than Venezia or Roma. Look at Web sites such as TripAdvisor.com to identify good but affordable places to stay. Sometimes a pensione (similar to a B&B) in a suburban town is even cheaper than a hostel. Eat your main meal in the middle of the day, taking advantage of the posted "menu," which often includes soup or salad and a main course at substantial savings or a-la carte prices. Or shop at a market for bread, meat and cheese and have an "urban picnic" in a park and people-watch. Be sure you buy the International Student Identity Card. It offers free or deeply discounted admissions to museums, climbing cathedral towers, and other attractions. Two or three days of use pretty much covers the cost of the card. It also comes with a modest traveler's insurance. Visit www.myisic.com. Certainly take full advance of the incredible opportunity to venture into other countries during your semester in Paris. In addition to London (just 2.5 hours by Eurostar train), there is Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Luxembourg, all just waiting for you to come exploring!
3 :
There's a night train that leaves Paris from the Bercy station at 6:52 pm and arrives in Florence at 7:13 am the next morning - if you buy a ticket in advance and the Smart price is not sold out, you can get a berth in a 6 bed compartment for 35 euro. You could also continue on the same train to Rome. There's a similar night train returning to Paris. There's also a night train from Paris Bercy at 10:33 pm that arrives in Venice at 9:34 am the next morning for a similar price. There are other (higher price) discounted levels on tickets if the Smart price is sold out. Personally, I like the night trains and use them between my home in northern Italy and Paris when ever I go. Check into hostels for the stay while you're here. http://www.hostelworld.com/countries/italyhostels.html?source=googleadwordscountry&gclid=CIbn7vWnnp8CFcmOzAodeRng7g One caveat - Carnevale is coming up in February - it's likely that the discounted fares will already be sold out for at least the 6th through the 16th. However, it's much quieter the week before and after Carnevale and you might be able to find cheap tickets and cheap places to stay then or toward the end of January. You can eat fairly cheaply if you stick to panini, wraps, pizza by the slice, or bruschetta available at the bars or other food stands.
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