Post: #1

Hello, Everyone,

I'm planing a trip where I ring the North Atlantic. There will be a conference in Copenhagen. From there, I want to hit Northern Germany, Poland, that piece of Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, then Stockholm. Then, finally, back to Copenhagen.

I'm looking for advice from the community on how best to execute. Eurorail pass? Do I spend the bulk of my time in former Soviet/Communist block countries because they will be cheaper? How hard do I work to fit in Belarus, Norway? 1-2 weeks?

'baller

Post: #2

(11-26-2018 08:41 AM)lowbudgetballer Wrote:  Hello, Everyone,

I'm planing a trip where I ring the North Atlantic. There will be a conference in Copenhagen. From there, I want to hit Northern Germany, Poland, that piece of Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, then Stockholm. Then, finally, back to Copenhagen.

I'm looking for advice from the community on how best to execute. Eurorail pass? Do I spend the bulk of my time in former Soviet/Communist block countries because they will be cheaper? How hard do I work to fit in Belarus, Norway? 1-2 weeks?

'baller

So the idea is no flying? You can do Copenhagen - Hamburg - Berlin - Warsaw using trains no problem, after that things get a bit trickier. I have not been, but I do not think Kaliningrad (assume that is what you mean by "that piece of Russia") is worth it given that you probably need to get a visa.

You can do buses from Warsaw to Vilnius (or maybe Kaunas). You can probably book all buses using goeuro.com. Vilnius is not far away from Minsk, and I assume there are plenty of buses, however I do think there are some special rules regarding Visas on arrival (pretty sure they can only be issued at airport?). If you skip Minsk you can take a bus from Vilnius to Riga. Bus from Riga to Tallin and ferry to Helsinki. From either Riga, Tallin or Helsinki you also have the options to do a boat cruise to Stockholm. Some of them will be "party cruises" so might want to check it out. Flights will also be cheap.

From Stockholm the train to Copenhagen takes around 5h.

Cannot comment on where you should spend the bulk of your time since it depends on budget, preferences etc.

Post: #3

The plane and main hotel in Aarhus are booked. Back to Copenhagen, then Stockholm (visit seafood restaurants from last trip, nightclub, any advice?) Planning the travel afterwards. Considering Bang Ferry to Tallin then Eurorail and sweeping through Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. Ending in Amsterdam with some mushrooms. Then back to Copenhagen. Buses, planes are options.

Any advice? And,one specific question: what currency do I take?

'baller

PS, thx to scengja

Post: #4

LUX express has buses to and from all the capitals in the Baltics as well as Belarus and Poland.

I took them from Tallinn to Riga for about 20 to 25 euros in January and from Riga to VIlnius for around the same. You can buy tickets right at the central bus station like I did or in advance online. I believe it's cheaper online.

They seem to run every hour or so to the capitals making stops at some of the smaller cities on the way (i.e. Parnu from Tallinn to Riga or Panevezys on the way from Riga to Vilnius.) They have wifi in the buses and it's fairly reliable as well.