Hey everyone! I haven't posted in a while because I've been galavanting through Europe and now I'm at home for a few weeks before starting my second semester in Germany! I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about how I've been able to travel so much during my time in Germany.
Travel around Europe
First of all, coming from a country where it costs a fortune to even fly within the province, I wasn’t expecting to be able to travel around Europe for as little as I’ve managed to. There are extensive networks of planes, buses, trains and even a great car-sharing website (which I’ve yet to use).
I have been able to visit Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and various places within Germany, all while not spending too much money.
Means of transport
Bus companies
I would first like to mention the bus company „Flixbus“. This company is well known and reputable throughout Europe. I have travelled with them to many cities and their tickets can be as little as 5 Euro for one-way. They run freqeuntly through big cities, and Freiburg also seems to be a main hub! Their busses are comfortable, always have A/C (or at least are supposed to), a washroom, and they also have snacks and beverages (including beer) for purchase. Sometimes they run late, but of course there is no way in avoiding things like waiting at boarder crossings or traffic. They are also introducing a new „Flixtrain“ which I am super excited about and look forward to trying it out!
Deutsche Bahn
Within Germany, Deutsche Bahn, or DB, is a great train service. They have frequent trains to basically every corner of Germany and they are comfortable and (generally) on time. I have only had one bad experience with them (a story for another time but I missed my flight to Poland because of my delayed train), but I am looking into taking care of that right now. A good thing to keep in mind is to book tickets in advance because the closer you get to the departure date, the more expensive the tickets (generally) are. I also highly recommend investing in a Bahncard or a Probe Bahncard. These are beautiful little cards which allow you to get 25 or 50% off all of the train tickets you purchase with DB. You can get a Probe Bahncard and it’s valid for 3 months and barely costs you anything – if you plan on travelling by train frequently, I highly recommend it. But keep in mind, you have to cancel it at least 6 weeks before it’s renewal, otherwise, you’ll get caught paying for a full year after that (this happened to me, oops).
Budget Airlines
Two budget airlines which I have had good experiences with so far have been Ryanair and EasyJet. EasyJet is slightly more expensive but I travelled to Amsterdam for less than $90 CAD roundtrip and the whole journey was pleasant. Ryanair has crazy cheap offers, you just have to keep checking and they have sales frequently. I have seen roundtrip flights to the UK for around $20 CAD. I still don’t understand how this is even possible but I guess ignorance is bliss. Keep in mind that you will not be receiving exquisite service, and you will have to pay for basically anything else. I have travelled with friends and I’m pretty sure they purposely seat you on opposite ends of the plane (Ryanair, not EasyJet). It seems like in the summer months the prices of flights drastically go up so definitely get some travelling in before July and August!
Tipp!
Just a couple more things for avid travellers, the following apps are absolute dreams:
Rome2Rio
Skyscanner
Rome2Rio allows you to type in 2 destinations and it gives you all of the options on how to get from point A to point B (whether it be bus, boat, plane, train etc). It seems like it’s beginning to get more updates as well so that’s a huge plus. Skyscanner searches all airlines and gives you options based on price, layovers, or time. They also have an option so that you can discover and see where you can go for the least amount of money from the airport of your choice!
I hope everyone enjoyed my tips! So far I have trips booked to the Netherlands, Croatia and Slovenia for second semester. We’ll see where else I end up!
Emmalee
"The Ease of Travel" highlights how advancements in technology and infrastructure have transformed the way we explore the world. From booking flights and accommodations online to navigating new cities with GPS and travel apps, the process has become more streamlined than ever. These innovations have made it easier for travelers to plan spontaneous getaways or meticulously organized trips, allowing for greater flexibility and adventure. If you're planning your next travel experience while managing your academic responsibilities, services like Take A Class For Me can help you keep up with your coursework. This way, you can fully enjoy the excitement of travel without the added pressure of falling behind in your studies. Safe travels.
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Hi Emmalee! I am a fan of your Blogs! I am from a town near Ottawa, but I am currently living in Berlin. How did you apply to University? Did you have to use Uniassit? I am wondering because I am having problem with Unissait, even thought I have a valid Canadian High school diploma, and German C1 Zertifikat....
Hi Eva, The application procedure depends on which subject you would like to study and where you come from. If you have questions about the application process of certain universities, please get in touch with them directly. On our website you can find more information about the general application process. On the Service page you can find our helpful guide: https://www.study-in-germany.de/ten-steps Best wishes, your Study in Germany Team
I also spent a really good time there while the journey of this charming place and came back with a lot of pleasant memories. I would love to go there again if I get any chance.
Hi, Absoultely love your blogs, particiculary you happen are in Freiburg. My daughter is a senior in the U.S high school, I have been encouraging her to apply to Uni of Frieburg. Very useful info and inspiring thoughts. Thanks. A mom in New Jersey
Hey! That's amazing. Freiburg is a truly amazing place, if she has any specific questions, please, send her my way. Emmalee