IanNow that I got me to the fish it's the home straight now. Familiar #SwedenToWales stuff.
The main haul is Berlin–Amsterdam by #EuropeanSleeper with a couchette for £36 (that was a sale price, but under £50 is standard).
Hamburg–Berlin before that? Well that's £12 and takes two hours with Deutsche Bahn.
And why Amsterdam? Welcome to the world of Eurostar pricing: a 4hr ride from NL to London via Brussels can cost less than just the 2hr ride from Brussels.
Setting off at lunchtime for another round of #NotFlying #SwedenToWales
Money saving the priority this time, with day (£30) and night (£35) trains, a Flixbus (£20) through Denmark and a (free) short ferry hop. Then posh Eurostar Plus for under £50.
En route, there'll be #HummusRoulette but the culinary highlight is purportedly Germany's finest fish and chips. Where, you ask? Not saying. Yet.
Follow #GetMeToTheFish (on time) to find out.
A journey of a thousand schleps begins with a single mile.
Just walked to the station for the first of no idea how many trains or how many km over the next week.
Even by my #SwedenToWales standards, this go west #EuropeanRail adventure is a round about route.
Main target is Poprad in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, hence going with #Trains2Tatras (which you are welcome, even advised, to mute).
#Interrail
Just walked to the station for the first of no idea how many trains or how many km over the next week.
Even by my #SwedenToWales standards, this go west #EuropeanRail adventure is a round about route.
Main target is Poprad in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, hence going with #Trains2Tatras (which you are welcome, even advised, to mute).
#Interrail
On my last #SwedenToWales train, London to Cardiff. Two days of enjoyable travel with a few bits of unexpected excitement. Looking at you, Deutsche Bahn.
As an out and proud #NotFlying #EuropeanRail traveller, I now have IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY. Some of which may improve your day, and one of which could save your life.
(Am I selling this too hard?)
As an out and proud #NotFlying #EuropeanRail traveller, I now have IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY. Some of which may improve your day, and one of which could save your life.
(Am I selling this too hard?)
#SwedenToWales woke up on a ferry approaching Harwich and will spend the morning on trains, and at least one rail replacement bus. Cardiff by noon.
Which may give me some time to inflict all my invaluable insights about travelling on #EuropeanRail upon you. Shouldn't take long.
Which may give me some time to inflict all my invaluable insights about travelling on #EuropeanRail upon you. Shouldn't take long.
#SwedenToWales spoiler: I'm sitting on the ferry from Hoek van Holland to Harwich. Quite a lot of fun since the point when it became obvious my entire pre-built plan had gone up oin smoke. But actually, I got to the ferry earlier than I would have, despite stopping to have food with a pal in Utrecht.
See, #EuropeanRail networks are actually quite resilient. But you need a little confidence to wing it, for instance with shortcuts on local trains when an intercity express suffers big delays.
See, #EuropeanRail networks are actually quite resilient. But you need a little confidence to wing it, for instance with shortcuts on local trains when an intercity express suffers big delays.
Day 2 of #SwedenToWales kicks off somewhere in Danish waters, heading for Kiel in Germany.
Big luggage (bike stuff) means I've picked a route with easiest and fewest changes. Specifically, it is always a good idea to avoid Hamburg Hauptbahnhof.
The usual #EuropeanRail #ProTip involves Hamburg Dammtor but I've gone better. My train from Kiel is bound for Zurich, so I can ride it all the way to Hannover. Change there for Amsterdam.
Big luggage (bike stuff) means I've picked a route with easiest and fewest changes. Specifically, it is always a good idea to avoid Hamburg Hauptbahnhof.
The usual #EuropeanRail #ProTip involves Hamburg Dammtor but I've gone better. My train from Kiel is bound for Zurich, so I can ride it all the way to Hannover. Change there for Amsterdam.
It's a while* since I worked as a professional typesetter.
But this Rorschach test in the wall art on the Stena Line ferry from Gothenburg to Kiel is catnip for a smut for brains like me.
What the fruck?
* decades
Setting off for a fairly ordinary round of #SwedenToWales by #EuropeanRail and two ferries.
Because I am an Swedish trains pro (ie, a ponce), I get into the Customer Lounge when changing trains at Stockholm Central, despite travelling on a bargain ticket.
Pleased (and slightly surprised) to see that the staff there also let in a person I imagine is homeless, to use the toilet and get a bit of lunch. They are probably breaking lots of rules. Good on them.
Because I am an Swedish trains pro (ie, a ponce), I get into the Customer Lounge when changing trains at Stockholm Central, despite travelling on a bargain ticket.
Pleased (and slightly surprised) to see that the staff there also let in a person I imagine is homeless, to use the toilet and get a bit of lunch. They are probably breaking lots of rules. Good on them.