Side Trips to Paris and Italy during WC

[BatigoL5]

Staying in Frankfurt for the WC, I'm looking to take two side trips to Paris and Vatican City.

I know there is a thread somewhere here about very cheap airfare traveling from one country to another while in Germany but I can't find it.

If anyone can help, that would be greatly appreciated.

I'll keep looking and hopefully I can find it.

Thanks to all.


And on a side note, anyone know how long a trip to either city via plane would take?

[dfb547490]

Paris is only a 5 hour train ride...probably not even worth flying unless you definitely just want to do it as a day trip.

[socrne1]

I think its called Raynair or something very close to that is the website for cheap airfare for inter europe travel. We are also going to go to italy for a few days after the second game.

[MikeLastort2]

This article is a bit dated (some of the airlines he mentions might no longer exist) but it's full of good info.

http://www.rudymaxa.com/article.php?ArticleID=90

[roadkit]

I think its called Raynair or something very close to that is the website for cheap airfare for inter europe travel. We are also going to go to italy for a few days after the second game.

You're probably thinking of Ryan Air. Very cheap, no frills European airline.

[Palermo10]

My group is going to Prague and Amsterdam from Berlin. The Amsterdam train ride is long, 11 hours, but if you have a Germany-only pass you can just train it to the border, or Dusseldorf, and take a short one across.

Or just use the Germany-Benelux pass.

[mad4footie]

http://www.flybudget.com/ This is a great website listing virtually all of the lowcost airlines and where they fly. Ryanair and Easyjet are probably the best known in Europe and have the most cities. Ryanair usually does not use the most convenient airports but their prices are hard to beat.

[ars20]

You could also try www.raileurope.com if youre interested in traveling by train.

[BatigoL5]

Awesome, thanks guys!

I found the links I was looking for finally after I read your replies.
Boy, I must have read that thread at least 10 times and not paid attention.

Anyone else thinking about about taking any side trips?

[mad4footie]

Copenhagen...not far from Hamburg by train and a fantastic city to visit. I'd also like to go to Prague.

[roadkit]

Copenhagen...not far from Hamburg by train and a fantastic city to visit. I'd also like to go to Prague.

Copenhagen is a great city - if you have the time for a sidetrip, I'd highly recommend it. Even over Paris.

[dfb547490]

I may take a day trip to either Brussels or Amsterdam on the 15th or 16th...should be fun. Leaning towards Brussels since I've never been there (although I've only been to Amsterdam for a few hours, but it's still "checked off the list" already).

[BatigoL5]

I've both heard and read that Brussels is a really great city and a must see
if you have any down time.
I'm still torn on what to do on our down time but right now I'm leaning on the side trips.

[abw]

Both Brussels and Brugge are great places. Brussels has a nice cafe culture, and Brugge is nice city - good for chocolate, fries, and a nice little museum.

[mad4footie]

I second the recommendations for Brussels and Brugge (a one hour train ride from Brussels..like walking back in time 400 years). Brussels is a wonderful city to visit and the people there are both friendly and very helpful (and most speak English)

[fidlerre]

...people there are both friendly and very helpful (and most speak English)I found this to be the case in almost all of Europe. The "snobby" rap isn't deserved -- at all, even in France.

[mad4footie]

The only time I went to France was for the Confederation Cup...not a whole lot of English going on but the people were really nice...and unexpected surprise considering it was 2003 the Iraqui war had just begun. I have had not problems anywhere I traveled in Europe but Belgium stands out as a place where people are especially helpful.

[dfb547490]

FWIW I was in Prague about a week after the Iraq war started and couldn't buy myself a drink once people realized I was American. Great town, highly reccomended if you get the chance. May be tough to get to since it's nowhere near Gelsenkirchen or K-town, but Nuremberg isn't too far away at all--I'd highly suggest a 2 day or so side trip between the Italy and Ghana games.

[ChrisSSBB]

Got a flight from Dortmund to Rome then Rome to Basel for 50 Euros on Easyjet (www.easyjet.com). Will spend 3 nights and 2 full days in Rome - 1 day touring Vatican, 2nd day Coliseum, etc. Leaves Dortmund the day after the match with Czech republic.

[Palermo10]

P.S. Rail prices went up as of the first of January.