Travel Prep
Rail Europe vs Omio vs Trainline: Which Consistently Gets the Best Deals on Train Tickets
We ran dozens of pan-European searches on the three top train booking platforms, Rail Europe, Omio, and Trainline, and compared the results. The goal was to find out: Which site results in better and cheaper train trips? All three of these websites are far easier to use than most national European train booking sites, which can …
We Tested the Legitimate Train Booking Platforms for France—Here’s What Works Best for Cheap Tickets
I’ve been booking train tickets online for French trains for two decades, both with the SNCF’s official websites and the various good competing private booking platforms. There is now a healthy variety of alternatives for booking French train tickets that can get you e-tickets with the same dynamic pricing as you’d get purchasing directly from …
Schemes for Cheap Train Tickets in France
The minimalist cheapskate writer of this article on a Ouigo train I’ve been whizzing around France on TGV and other trains as cheaply as possible for over two decades. And here, my dear penny-pinching minimalists, is an insider’s guide to the best current strategies, booking platforms, discount cards, sales, and future insights for bopping around …
Reviewed: The Cheapest, Easiest Ways to Book Italian Train Tickets
You can get the same lowest prices as the official Italian train operators offer but avoid the hassle of dealing directly with them. We’ve spent weeks testing websites to find out how to efficiently book the cheapest tickets for Italian train travel. We tested all kinds of routes and options, and looked at overall end …
Solutions for Buying Train Tickets for France in Spite of Credit Card Rejections from Ouigo and SNCF Connect
Trouble with a foreign credit card and the French train system? You’re not alone, but there really are solutions that don’t involve aggravation, nor travel agents and their extra fees. Photo credits Tomas Depenbusch and ccPixs. The French train operator’s websites SNCF Connect and Ouigo are notorious for rejecting bank and credit cards from outside of …
Can I Take Fido? Top Tips for Riding European Trains With Dogs
For over two years I’ve been crisscrossing Europe by train with a dog. I am a digital nomad and the dog in question is actually my daughter’s, but is with me while my daughter finishes her degree. So where I go, the dog goes. Traveling around Europe may seem like a carefree life, but it …
Solved: The Problems with Renfe’s (God-Awful!!) Website and How to Get Around Them
The Renfe website is infamous for random payment card rejections and other dysfunction that can make it nearly unusable. Even Spanish-speaking users with Spanish bank cards have problems. But there are solutions. Oh the many, many problems with Renfe.com! I’m fluent in Spanish and have used the site for years, but I still get plenty …
Safety, Comfort, and Easy Ticket Booking on Brazilian Long-Distance Buses
You might not be used to long-distance bus travel. But in Brazil, buses are an important and useful way to travel the country. And for a land with plenty of inconveniences for travellers, the intercity buses are generally surprisingly comfortable and pleasant. We’ll show you how to avoid the few pitfalls to Brazilian bus adventures, …
Here’s How We Solved the Problems with Booking On Trenitalia’s Website
I’ve been booking trains in Italy for many years, and oh, the problems. Trenitalia’s official website is buggy to say the least, and the ticket machines in train stations are as confusing as the humans at the ticket counters. Worse, using foreign (American, French, etc.) credit cards can cause even more headaches. Italians have these problems …
Study Abroad Packing: What to Bring, What to Leave Behind
Former students and study abroad trip leaders agree: Less is more, but don’t forget key essentials. Photo by Steven Lewis. I’ve interviewed former students and a long-time trip leader about what you should pack — and, just as importantly, not pack — for study abroad trips. Add to that my own two study abroad experiences …