Ever puzzled the way it feels to discover Europe hassle-free? Imagine waking up in Paris and having fun with a sluggish morning with croissants. Then hop on a practice to spend a few days in Rome, tasting actual pizza. Later, make your solution to Munich for a relaxed night with a chilly beer. Sounds like a dream, proper? But right here’s a doable solution to see Europe even if you happen to’re touring on a Philippine passport. Is Eurail Pass value it?
It’s additionally an ideal probability to be taught a brand new language. You can rework your practice seat right into a DIY cellular workplace. Train journey provides you area and time to be productive, curious, and linked. All whereas crossing borders with ease.
If you’re simply beginning out or inquisitive about changing into a full-time distant traveler, try my eBook “The A-Z on Becoming a Digital Nomad“. It’s filled with ideas, instruments, and actual recommendation from my years of journey!
Let me present you how you can journey throughout Europe for 30 days by native trains utilizing the Eurail Global Pass, it’s really value your time and cash! You’ll additionally learn to apply for a Schengen visa by way of the French Embassy. There’s a route that features France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. There are additionally facet journeys to Romania, Bosnia, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, and Belgium.
Step 1: Start with the Schengen Visa — Apply by way of the French Embassy
Planning to start your journey in Paris? Then, apply to your Schengen visa by means of the French Embassy. This visa is a should for touring inside most of Europe. Getting it early will prevent stress.
Prepare your passport. It should be legitimate for not less than three months past your journey. You additionally want round-trip flight tickets, lodge bookings, and a journey itinerary. Don’t overlook to get journey insurance coverage. It ought to have not less than €30,000 in protection. SecurityWing is a superb possibility for digital nomads. You may look into different journey medical health insurance suppliers for longer stays.
You’ll additionally want proof of funds. This may very well be your financial institution statements, payslips, or screenshots of your on-line revenue. Make certain to clarify the whole lot clearly. Your cowl letter ought to state that you simply’re working remotely whereas touring. You should additionally present ties to the Philippines. Examples embrace enterprise permits, property titles, or an employment contract.
Book your visa appointment by means of France-Visas. Submit your paperwork by way of VFS Global. Apply not less than one month earlier than your journey. If you freelance or personal a enterprise, show your enterprise permits and up to date consumer work. You may embrace PayPal or SwitchWise data. For lodging, go for refundable choices like these on Booking.com.
The visa charge is round €80 or PHP 4,800. Processing takes 15 to 30 days. In your cowl letter, clarify that France is your “main destination.” Say it’s the place you’ll enter, exit, or spend most of your time.
Step 2: Buy the Eurail Global Pass (30 Days)
After you safe your visa, purchase your Eurail Global Pass. It provides you entry to trains in 33 international locations for 30 straight days. This is good if you happen to love freedom and spontaneity. You gained’t want separate practice tickets. Just hop on and go.
Some high-speed and scenic trains just like the Bernina Express require seat reservations. Reservation charges can vary from €10 to €35. The Eurail app makes reserving straightforward.
You’ll want to decide on between a 1st class go or 2nd class. A first-class go prices extra however provides you wider seats, fewer individuals, and extra quiet time. A second class go is cheaper and nonetheless very snug. Either possibility permits you to journey most regional trains, particular trains, and even some trams.
The 30-day steady go is greatest for Filipinos visiting a number of international locations. You may think about the Interrail Pass if you’re an EU resident or the One Country Pass if you happen to’re solely visiting one nation.
Buy your go at www.eurail.com. Activate it digitally with the app. The app helps you discover practice instances and e book seats. It additionally tracks your journey days. Bring small comforts like a moveable neck fan to remain cool and relaxed whereas touring.
Watch for point-to-point ticket costs if you happen to’re solely using just a few instances. Sometimes, it may be cheaper than the rail go. But if you happen to plan to journey usually and spontaneously, the go gives higher worth.
Sample 30-Day Europe by Train Itinerary for Filipinos
Here’s a pattern route I used. It blends fast-paced metropolis visits with sluggish journey. You’ll cowl France, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Spain.
Day 1–5: Paris, France
Arrive in Paris and activate your Eurail go. Visit the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Louvre. Take a Seine river cruise. Try coworking at Anticafé or Hubsy Arts et Métiers. Budget stays price round €40–60 an evening. Coworking passes are about €5–10.
Day 6–9: Milan & Venice, Italy
Take the high-speed practice from Paris to Milan. The journey takes about 7 hours. Spend 1–2 days in Milan. Then take a 2.5-hour practice to Venice. The canals are picture-perfect. Reserve seats on high-speed trains (€10–15). Stay in Venice Mestre for cheaper lodging.
Day 10–13: Vienna & Salzburg, Austria
Ride from Venice to Vienna. It takes about 7 hours. Vienna is stuffed with tradition, espresso, and calm. Visit Salzburg for a day or in a single day. It’s Mozart’s hometown and the setting of The Sound of Music. Try coworking at Impact Hub Vienna or Das Packhaus.
Day 14–17: Munich & Berlin, Germany
Go from Vienna to Munich in 4 hours. Then journey one other 4 hours to Berlin. Munich has beer gardens and old-world appeal. Berlin feels extra trendy and tech-friendly. Most ICE trains don’t want seat reservations. For work, try Betahaus or Mindspace.
Day 18–21: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Take the practice to Amsterdam. It takes about 6 hours from Berlin. Amsterdam is easygoing and enjoyable. You may keep close by in Utrecht or Haarlem. That helps you save on lodges. Use Yesim (Code: KATRIN8414) to remain on-line as you progress.
Day 22–23: Luxembourg
Travel from Amsterdam to Luxembourg in about 5 hours. It’s a small however beautiful place to discover in two days. Public transport is free nationwide.
Day 24–28: Barcelona & Madrid, Spain
Take a protracted journey from Luxembourg to Barcelona, with a cease in Paris. The complete journey is about 10 hours. Spain is inexpensive and stuffed with taste. After Barcelona, head to Madrid. Flamenco, tapas, and museums await. Reserve seats on Spanish trains (€10–20). Try coworking at La Vaca or Impact Hub.
Day 29–30: Return to Paris, France
Take the direct practice to Paris. The journey is about 9 hours. Enjoy your final moments with a museum go to or picnic close to the Eiffel Tower.
If you continue to have time, think about a facet journey to Prague, Budapest, and even Bulgaria. These cities are train-accessible and wealthy in tradition.
Practical Tips for Filipino Digital Nomads
- Pack gentle. Bring a carry-on and a small day bag.
- Coworking hubs are in all places. They supply day passes and a great place to work.
- Use the Eurail app. It exhibits schedules and allows you to handle seat bookings.
- Create content material alongside the way in which. Blog, vlog, or submit to doc your journey.
- Watch your belongings. Stick to daytime trains when you’ll be able to.
- Don’t overlook to greet or ask assist from a conductor if you happen to’re confused about platforms or particular trains.
Why Train Travel Works for Filipino Digital Nomads
Trains drop you in metropolis facilities. You skip airports and lengthy strains. Trains are additionally eco-friendly. They allow you to get pleasure from Europe’s views whereas transferring. Missed a practice? No worries. Just catch the subsequent one.
Exploring Europe on a Philippine passport is feasible. It’s additionally thrilling and liberating. The Eurail Global Pass makes it easy. No have to e book every journey. Just go the place you need, once you need. If you’re nonetheless questioning Is Eurail Pass Worth it, this freedom and adaptability make it a giant sure.
So pack your baggage. Get your visa. Buy your Eurail go. Your European practice journey is ready. And bear in mind to carry your journey medical health insurance. It retains you lined for the surprising.
Follow extra of my adventures on Instagram @kach.umandap.
FAQ
Yes, Filipinos should buy and use the Eurail Global Pass. It is legitimate for non-European residents.
If you propose to go to a number of international locations inside a short while, sure. It saves money and time in comparison with shopping for particular person tickets.
Yes! Many trains have Wi-Fi and energy retailers. You can flip your seat right into a DIY cellular workplace.