Im thinking about a Contiki tour for 12 days from London, thru Western Europe to Paris, then I want to stay in Paris a bit, then hopefully travel around a bit. What are the best places I could visit for cheap? The only thing I'm nervous about is the cost of travel, its not as cheap as I thought it would be. I really want to go to Krakow, Poland.. ..but Ive been looking at flights and I think it will be a couple hundred dollars.. ..and I dont think I can afford the train plus it would take a long time. I'd appreciate any advice/experiences! Thanks guys!

Trains are a much better way to travel around Europe and by the time you have to get to an airport, get checked in, wait around to get your luggage, etc it can sometimes take just as long as a train ride. From Paris there are many high speed trains (200-300km/hr) or you could try catching an overnight train as this way you are travelling whilst sleeping and wake up in a new city.

If you go to Krakow, be sure to catch the local train to Auschwitz for a day.

"Training" is a great way to see the countryside!!

Hi
You could take an overnight train from Paris to Krakow, sleeping cars are great, first class sleeping cars are even greater and still half the price of a fllight. You could consider one of the cheap airlines: Central Wings, Wizz Air, etc which will fly you for 20 Euros one way, but you must book well in advance (6 months?), or if you really want to save money, take a bus, it is about 18 hours - Eurolines is one name that comes to mid.
I hope this helps.

Yolanta

www.sightsandsoul.com