Category: Uncategorized

A collection of websites, apps and tips. Suggestions welcome, send them to hendrik [at] modestine.org.

Learn about your destination

Wikitravel
The wikipedia for and by travelers. 3000+ destinations. Sometimes extended with a lot of practical information. Sometimes it pays to switch to a different language. If it’s a language you’re not familiar with, well, there’s always Google Translate to help you out.
Wikitravel in English
Wikitravel in German
Wikitravel in French
Wikitravel in Dutch

How to get there

Overland and by ferry
The Train Line offers timetables and prices from 200 train and bus companies throughout Europe. Buy tickets with credit card or online payment method. Price forecasts and price comparisons. Info about airport transfers. In some cases one ticket for train and ferry.
Trainline in English
Trainline in German
Trainline in French
Trainline in Dutch
And also …
Flixbus: more than 2000 bus connections, select your language at the top right
Omio (formerly GoEuro): tickets for buses, trains and flights, select your language at the top right
Aferry: many ferry connections in Europe, 1000 worldwide, online booking in dozens of languages
BlaBlaCar (link to .fr site, select your language at the bottom right): car sharing in dozens countries

Find flights
Skyscanner: select your language at the very bottom; have alerts mailed t you about flights that interest you
And also …
Google Flights: select your language below; have alerts mailed to you

Understand the local language
Google Translate: web service and app for Android and iOS. Dozens of languages. With the app you take a photo (for example from a menu) and you will see the translation. Interestingly, you can use the app offline; this works with dozens of languages.

Exchange rates
Oanda: all currencies, 9 languages, web, Android and iOS

When you’re ready to go
Scan important documents and mail them to yourself. In the event of loss or theft, that can make a big difference.