Boats and Ferries

If you are planning on taking a boat to Europe, have your butler return this book for a refund, as you don’t need my advice on saving money.While in Europe, however, there are numerous ferries, lake steamers, and riverboats for those in the mood to set sail, many of which are cheaper with a Eurail pass. These discounts are listed on the back of the free map that conies with that Eurail pass. If you’re visiting the Greek Islands, you’ll undoubtedly travel by ferry at some point, and you probably will if you’re traveling from London to the rest of the continent (although there’s also the option of the Channel Tunnel). One “cruise” line that might interest budget travelers is the Norwegian Coastal Steamer Route, or “Hurtigruten.”

AWord about tours

There is a tendency among travelers to look down on tours, as if it’s “wrong” to see Europe that way. That is nonsense. If a tour is right for you and you enjoy yourself, who cares what anyone else thinks? Though I encourage independent travel, if it’s not for you, then it’s not. Don’t let anyone make you feel like less of a traveler just because you’re not sleeping under bridges. I will say, however, to be wary of tours that promise you “All of Europe” in two weeks. I strongly recommend that a two- or three-week tour take in a maximum of three countries, with two being preferable. See the section “Shorter Trips” (p.33) for more thoughts on this subject.

There are literally hundreds of tour companies competing for your travel dollar, and each has a different approach and level of service. The best way to choose among them is to contact two or three travel agents, get a bunch of brochures, and winnow them down to the best few prospects. Then talk to people who have taken those tours. If the company can’t or won’t provide you with names and numbers of satisfied customers, hold onto your wallet. The major complaint I hear concerns hidden costs on supposedly “all-inclusive” tours. Watch for these. Good luck, and remember to read the fine print.

These boats leave Bergen and arrive six days later in Kirkenes, well above the Arctic Circle, having cruised through some absolutely spectacular scenery on the way. Fares are very reasonable, especially for Norway, since these are working boats and not meant specifically for tourists. Off-season fares (from September 1 to April 30) are extremely reasonable, and anyone in Europe at this time should consider this trip. The Norwegian Tourist Board can give full details - see Basics #3 for their address.