Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

continent, but Eurolines is the largest company running international coach services (www.eurolines.com). Inquire about 15- or 30-day passes when you book. For a higher price tag, Busabout offers numerous hop-on-hop-off bus circuits covering 29 of Europe’s best bus hubs (www.busabout.com).

      With that in mind, it is highly advised that you avoid travel at night via bus at all costs. It is much safer to book an early morning trip than it is to leave in the dead of the night, as drivers can be exhausted and many roads are narrow and unsafe to navigate in the dark. Let’s Go has a policy with our Researcher-Writers in which we do not allow them to travel via bus at night.

       PLACES TO STAY

      For the budget traveler, accommodations options are limited, as expensive hotels are out of price range. That means hostels will be your best friend. All of the hostels in Let’s Go Europe 2019 have been visited by a Researcher-Writer and are therefore verified by this guide.

      You should, at least for the first few nights of your stay, book a hostel before departing, that way you do not land without a place to stay. We recommend using HostelWorld (www.hostelworld.com), Homestay (www.homestay.com), or Booking.com (www.booking.com) to make reservations.

      There are a few red flags to look out for before deciding to stay at a hostel, even if you have already made a reservation online. We advise looking at the area or neighborhood surrounding the hostel to see if it feels and looks safe. If it does not, we recommend finding another hostel in a more suitable area. Many a time there are hostels with little lighting in front of the establishment, which is a signal that it is not completely safe. Many hostels have 24hr security and lockout times, which can be reassuring. In addition, you should avoid hostels where you see pests, bedbugs, or signs of rampant uncleanliness. If you feel uncomfortable talking to staff members or if staff members make sexual advances, this is also a concern and you should find another place to spend the night.

       SAFETY AND HEALTH

      In any crisis, the most important thing to do is keep calm. In every chapter, we have included the address of the nearest US embassy or consulate so that you can seek help in an emergency; your country’s embassy is your best resource in precarious situations. The following government offices can also provide travel information and advisories.

      • Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ([phone]; www.smartraveller.gov.au)

      • Canada: Global Affairs of Canada ([phone]; www.international.gc.ca)

      • New Zealand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ([phone]; www.safetravel.govt.nz)

      • UK: Foreign and Commonwealth Office ([phone]; www.fco.gov.uk)

      • US: Department of State ([phone] from the US, [phone] from abroad; www.travel.state.gov)

      PRE-DEPARTURE HEALTH

      Matching a prescription to a foreign drug equivalent is not always safe, easy, or even possible. Remember to take prescription drugs with you and carry up-to-date prescriptions or a statement from your doctor stating the medication’s trade names, manufacturers, chemical names, and dosages. Be sure to keep all your medication in your carry-on luggage.

       Immunizations and Precautions

      Travelers over two years of age should make sure that the following vaccinations are up to date:

      • MMR (for measles, mumps, and rubella)

      • DTaP or Td (for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis)

      • IPV (for polio)

      • Hib (for Hemophilus influenzae B)

      • HepB (for Hepatitis B)

      For recommendations on other immunizations and prophylaxis, check with a doctor and consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US (800 232 4636; www.cdc.gov/travel) or the equivalent in your home country.

       KEEPING IN TOUCH

      BY EMAIL AND INTERNET

      Wireless hot spots (Wi-Fi) make internet access possible in public and remote places. Unfortunately, they can also pose security risks. Hot spots are public, open networks that use unencrypted, unsecured connections. They are susceptible to hacks and “packet sniffing”—the theft of passwords and other private information. To prevent problems, disable “ad hoc” mode, turn off file sharing and network discover, encrypt your email, turn on your firewall, beware of phony networks, and watch for over-the-shoulder creeps. Data roaming lets you use mobile data abroad, but it can be pricey. If you refuse to “later ’gram” and hyperventilate at the idea of losing access to Google, first consider that you are many hours ahead of the United States and can post when you return to your hostel and remember that Google Maps is available offline. If that doesn’t placate you, though, you should get an international travel plan with your carrier or consider getting a local phone.

      BY TELEPHONE

      If you have internet access, your best (i.e. cheapest, most convenient, and most tech-savvy) means of calling home are probably Skype, FaceTime, or whatever calling app you prefer. Prepaid phone cards are common and a relatively inexpensive means of calling abroad. Each one comes with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and a toll-free access number. Call the access number and follow the subsequent directions for dialing your PIN. To purchase prepaid phone cards, check online for the best rates (www.callingcard.com).

      Another option is a calling card, linked to a major national telecommunications service in your home country. Calls are billed collect or to your account. Cards generally come with instructions for dialing both domestically and internationally. Placing a collect call through an international operator can be expensive but may be necessary in case of an emergency. You can frequently call collect without even possessing a company’s calling card just by calling its access number and following the instructions.

       How to Make a Call

      1. Dial the international dialing prefix,

      • Australia: 0011

      • Canada or the US: 011

      • Ireland, New Zealand, and most of Europe: 00

      2. Then the country code of the country you want to call,

      • Australia: 61

      • Austria: 43

      • Belgium: 32

      • Canada: 1

      • Croatia: 385

      • Czech Republic: 420

      • Denmark: 45

      • France: 33

      • Germany: 49

      • Greece: 30

      • Hungary: 36

      • Ireland: 353

      • Italy: 39

      • The Netherlands: 31

      • Norway: 47

      • New Zealand: 64