The “Grand Tour” of Europe is a bucket list item for many. But figuring out how to get from London to Paris to Rome to Athens can feel like solving a calculus problem. Here is how to simplify the puzzle.
The “Open Jaw” Ticket Secret
The biggest mistake beginners make is booking a round-trip ticket to and from the same city (e.g., into London and out of London). This forces you to waste a day backtracking at the end of your trip.
Instead, choose the “Multi-City” option on Expedia. Book your flight into London and out of Rome. This is called an “Open Jaw” ticket. It’s rarely much more expensive than a round trip, and it saves you the cost and time of that return train or flight to your starting point.
Geographical Logic
Look at a map. Really look at it. Plan your route in a line or a loop. Don’t ping-pong across a continent. London -> Paris -> Amsterdam -> Berlin is a smooth train line. London -> Rome -> Paris -> Madrid is a zigzag that wastes time in airports.
Trains vs. Planes
In Europe and parts of Asia, high-speed trains are almost always better than flying for distances under 5 hours. You go city-center to city-center. No security lines, no liquid restrictions, and more legroom.
However, for longer hops (like Paris to Rome), a budget flight might be faster. Use a comparison tool to weigh time vs. cost.
Managing Transition Days
Moving between cities takes energy. Don’t plan a museum visit on a travel day. Treat the travel day as the activity itself. Enjoy the train ride, read a book, and settle into your new hotel. Rushing to a landmark immediately after a 4-hour train ride is a recipe for crankiness.
Complexity Made Simple
Multi-city trips are rewarding because of the contrast they offer. Seeing the culture shift from Germany to Italy in a few hours is magical. Plan logically, book open-jaw, and enjoy the ride.
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