Dealing with transport strikes in Europe

This post has been inspired by the recent one-day transport strike in Nice, France, which my fellow backpackers and I were stuck trying to deal with. Anyone who has travelled in Europe (France in particular) will know that this is a fairly common occurance. Strikes and protests are a European way of life. However, in the spirit of chillaxing and just dealing-with-it, I thought I'd try and offer some tips.

Getting around, rescheduling plans and navigating foreign destinations automatically become trickier when a strike happens, but you can still make the most of it and work around it. If you know one is coming in advance, it may be worth rearranging your travel to fall on the day before or after, especially if it's just a small local trip. If this isn't possible, there are a few things you can do. 

Upon arriving at the train station/bus depot: find the staff member near the entrance who has been given the hellish job of advising travellers of the strike. Have pity on this poor soul. Usually there's an alternate timetable for the day and this person should be able to advise you of which services will still run. Typically I've found they keep about a third of services going. 

Ticket machines will usually still let you book tickets for trains that aren't actually running so find out what the "strike timetable" is first. If you've accidentally booked a ticket for a train/bus that's been cancelled, go to the counter. Usually they will exchange it free of charge for one of the alternately scheduled trains. If there aren't any, you can usually get a refund but only by being polite. They will not give you your money back if you're rude or angry but instead will just be rude back. They're having a bad day, too. 

Be prepared for long waits and crowds. With limited services it means there will be a large number of travellers, all trying to get on at the same time. Be ready for this. Once you've sat around for an hour waiting for your train, get ready to be at the front of the crowd so you can rush onto the train first. It truly sucks to be one of the few left behind on the platform when it's full.

Finally, I can only advise patience. Be prepared for a wait, have a bottle of water at hand and accept that this isn't going to be the relaxed day you thought it would. Things will almost certainly work themselves out in the end. 

See Paris - Itineraries for 1, 2 and 4 days

Good gracious, another trip to Paris. This makes three for me! A quick survey of native Parisians with my appallingly limited French has revealed that no, this does not make me "as good as a local" and I should know better than to suggest it. Ah, the shame. But anyway, here are three suggested itineraries for one, two and four day visits.

One day

Paris in a day! Are you mad? What kind of foolish traveller gives themselves only a day in the city of lights? You idiot. But here, to make it easier for your poor, stupid self: an itinerary that will help you hit all the basics.

Start at Notre Dame in the morning before the crowd arrives. It's free to enter but you do have to pay to go up the tower. You don't have time, though, so this will be a cheap stop-off. Take Metro Line 4 south: you're off to the catacombs next! Tour the catacombs and enjoy the slightly macabre remains of 6 million Parisians (tip: it's half price if you're under 26 but pay the extra for an audio-guide as the only English signs in the ossuary are quite boring and uninformative). Once you exit, grab a snack on your way back to the station.

Take the train back the way you came but this time get off at Saint Germain. This is Paris' famous Latin District and is filled with Paris' most well-to-do and trendy citizens. Wander through the streets in any order you like so long as you're walking in the general direction of the Seine. Provided you haven't gotten too lost you should come out somewhere opposite the Louvre. You can cross the river to take a picture in front of the pyramid if you like but you're not going in. No time for that, my friend! 

Continue east along the river, taking in the sites or take the metro if it's rainy. You will come past the Musee D'Orsay, the Louvre's smaller but equally amazing little sister. This you do have time for, should you choose. Don't give yourself more than 2 hours, though. Once finished, continue east and you'll eventually come to the Eiffel Tower. If you've timed everything well, you may be lucky enough to have arrived in time for sunset (note: it still takes time to queue and get up). Head on up the Eiffel Tower and take in the views. Your feet will be aching but this is your last stop so relax. Your time in Paris is done.

Two days

Ah, slightly better than our foolish friend. You, my dear, will have time to relax and take in the joys of Paris. But only a little bit!

Your first day starts the same. Head to Notre Dame and take in the wonder. You do have time to go up the tower if you so choose, but it's optional. Take the metro to the catacombs and take your time wandering through them. On the way back, stop at Saint Germain. Here you will find the famous Le Deux Magots, a street-side cafe/bar. Nab a table facing the road and purchase a tea or coffee. This isn't going to be your cheapest stop-off as the cheapest drinks are at least €5 but the people-watching and atmosphere are worth it. Should you choose and if you have the budget, head on into Saint Germain's many designer boutiques and get yourself something special. Go on, my treat.

Jump back on the train and head north towards Montmartre and the famous Sacré-Coeur await. The view of Paris from here cannot be matched even by the Eiffel Tower so it's well worth the climb. Settle in and watch the sunset. If you head back into town you can find plenty of restaurants and shouldn't struggle. If you can afford it and it's your sort of thing it may be worth reserving this evening to see a cabaret show at Moulin Rouge. They run at 9pm and 11pm but cost over €100 and require advanced booking. I've never had the money to do this, so I've no comment on whether it's worth it.

Day two starts with art. You, unlike our foolish friend above, do have time to go to the Louvre today. The other options are Musee D'orsay (for classics) or the Pompidou (modern art). If fine art's not your thing, it may be worth heading towards Moulin Rouge instead and taking a cheeky trip through the Sex Museum. Fair warning, it gets kinkier/weirder on each floor as you go up. Make your choice wisely and make your way there. Once you're out, if you've not eaten already, find one of Paris' many crepe/ice cream or coffee stands and grab yourself a snack. A late lunch may be in order and in this case I'd recommend seeking out a sandwich or some other takeaway and eating in one of the nearby parks. Should you choose, you can make your way to the Arc du Triumph and buy an ice cream there while you snap your photos.

Your last stop is the Eiffel Tower. Head on up and, as we modern folks all do, check yourself in on Facebook. Expect many likes. If you didn't choose the cabaret show yesterday you may have budget for the restaurant at the top of the tower but this again needs to be booked well in advance and may cost you a whole bundle of cash. Either way, so ends your trip to Paris.

Four Days

Ah, bien fait! You've made a wise choice, my traveller chum. Life for you will be sweet. Four days is just about right for Paris and will give you enough time to see everything without feeling rushed.

Have a relaxed start on day one before heading out towards Paris' big hitter, the Eiffel Tower. Have a wander around the Champ de Mars first, taking in the amazing views down the park and looking up at the tower. Once bored, go join the queue for the tower lifts or, if you're feeling very fit, try walking up the tower. Take your time at the top and absorb the views. Jump on the metro to the Latin Quarter (St Germain) and take in some lunch in any of the dozens of cafes. Make your way to the beautiful Eglise Saint Sulpice (the pretty church) and take some time to absorb before walking back towards the Seine to see Notre Dame.

Day two is your “indoor” day so if you know it's going to rain on one of your days in Paris, maybe reschedule to fit this around it. Start at the Catacombs as early as possible (10am opening) to avoid the queue. Make sure you know what you're looking for as the building isn't well sign posted and without the usually huge queue it's a little tricky to spot. Finish at the catacombs and head to the Louvre. Make sure you grab a snack before you go as food inside is expensive. The Louvre really will take up the rest of your day, even if you're not a major art fan. If it's not your thing, it might be best to pick up one of the activities from another day and slot that in here instead.

On the third day, head out to Versailles and enjoy a day out of the city. The train gets you there for only €3.30 and if you're lucky enough to be an EU citizen or long-term EU resident (anything more than 6 months, but bring evidence – my two year visa for the UK was good enough) you get free entry! Wonderful! Tour the palace first, then head out to the gardens and wander about. Top tip: bring a snack as you won't find anything cheap. If it's a warm day it'll be worth splurging for a can of drink or an ice cream.

On your final day, start your day with more art and pick either the Musée D'Orsay or the Pompidou. Follow this with a river cruise on the Seine for a wonderfully relaxing break in your day and a chance to glimpse any attractions you've missed. If you've got the time, wander down to the Luxembourg Gardens before finishing up by taking the metro up to Montmartre and climbing your way up. Sacré-Coeur is your final visit and the views should give you a spectacular end to your time in Paris. Enjoy the ambiance and thank me later. 

Packing tips for backpackers- top five things to remember

Now I may be wrong (and correct me if I am) but I think it may have been a little while since I last posted. The truth is I've been a bit domesticated. One of those young layabouts who keeps a steady job, a consistent social life and knows the current plot arcs on all the popular tv shows. Shameful, I know.

But I'm back! And travelling again! Life will have meaning once more! With my UK visa expiring shortly, I'll be doing the long trip back to Australia soon but before I go, I just have to take some time to run off 'round Europe. Who knows when the chance will come again?

So that's September's plan, a jaunt around the continent, skipping across boarders and navigating the train system like a freaking boss. My interrail ticket has arrived, I've stocked up on toiletries and there are about twelve different "useful lists" floating around my living room. Over the next month I should have lots of updates, hopefully some helpful and mildly witty ones. But since I'm currently killing time in St Pancras awaiting my train to gay Paris, I thought I'd try and offer some packing advise. 

The general rule of thumb for packing (that every experienced backpacker everywhere will repeat to you) is to lay out everything you want to take, then halve it. This always holds true but there are always some items you'd never want to do without. 

St Pancras International

And so, triumphantly, I present to you my top five list of things I'd never want to do without on a trip! Enjoy!

1. Moisturizer and deodorant- you'd think these would be things you could pick up anywhere if you left them behind but a lot of deodorants and skincare products you'll purchase overseas include irritants you won't be used to and  offer "whitening" properties. i.e Bleach. So unless a patchy white face and underarms is the look you're going for, best to take your favorite brands from home.

2. An extra padlock- if you don't bring one Murphy's Law says you'll almost certainly will lose yours or acquire a second bag or encounter a locker that your first one doesn't fit on. Particularly useful if you're taking long bus or train trips in slightly dodgy company where you may nod off at some point. You can lock your daypack to the seat or you belt buckle or whatever else. Not going to stop a determined thief but it will stop an opportunist.

3. Posh clothes - unless you're on an actual trek or climbing Everest or some such malarkey, you're almost certainly going to want to go out to bars or a nice dinner or show or even just wander through a city centre. And you're not going to want to do that in your skeezy sneakers and a souvenir beer vest. I'm not saying take your old prom dress or a suit but a nice shirt or cute dress and clean shoes will be invaluable.

Bonus general clothes rule: if you'd be embarrassed to walk down the high street in it back home, you're not going to feel comfortable in it overseas.

4. Umbrella or rain jacket- as a general guide, if you'll be spending most of your time in cities go with the umbrella. If you're more likely to be roughing it, go with the rain jacket. Or both! Easily purchased overseas but the first time you realize you need one (i.e it's chucking it down) they'll either be exorbitantly overpriced or nowhere to be found.

5. A smartphone- hands down the number one thing you don't want to do without. Yes they're expensive, yes it would totally suck to lose it but get some insurance and bring it anyway. It's an all in one phone, train timetable, trashy novel, guidebook, room/ticket booker and translator! If you're spending more than a week in any country where you don't speak the language I highly recommend getting the relevant "lingopal" app, which is a translator tool. The "light" versions don't cost a penny and the full versions are less than a quid. These bad boys have saved my life on multiple occasions. My new favourite app in the world is Tripit, which lets me directly import itineraries, booking numbers, confirmation emails, etc into one easy to manage location. Not only that, it also creates maps to the various locations I have to go and can give me weather updates. Absolutely fab. 

(Note: if you do follow my advise and end up relying on your phone to manage all this, don't forget the charger. You'll look mighty stupid)

Other things to check out: 

• If you're looking for specific advise on packing lists for a "hardcore" backpacker trip, Travel Independent is always a good place to start and this page in particular will help.
• If you're "flashpacking" and are looking for suggestions that are more fashion minded I thought this article was great. 
• If you're starting a student exchange, this site would be a good place to start. 

(Dear people from the future - if any of these links stop functioning, let me know and I'll replace/delete them)