Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Connecting Flight via Shanghai Pudong International Airport

I did fly from Finland to Auckland - New Zealand via Shanghai Pudong International Airport. But my luggage didn't go automatically to Auckland Airport.

* When you check-in first time into airplane (I did check in first time in Finland). Check that your luggage's baggage tag shows your final destination, and not just Pudong Airport 'PVG'.

If the baggage tag shows 'PVG'. that means:

* Your luggage doesn't go automatically to final destination. It goes to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and you have to get your luggage from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and then depart again into next airplane.

* In the airplane, they will give you a arrival card, fill it correctly and place "Intended Address in China" as "TRANSIT"



* Clear Chinese customs and immigration, you must hold valid visa (if required) - certain nationalities can transit up to 72 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport without a visa. List of nationalities for 72 hours visa free transit can be found from this link. I live in Finland, European union, I didn't need visa, but you might need.

* Collect your luggage.

* Go and depart your luggage for new flight.

* If your arrival flight and your depart flight are in the same terminal, you will need at least 2 hours between arrival of airport and departing airplane again. If you your planes are in different terminals, then you will need more time, perhaps 3 hours. Clearing the immigration, and getting the luggage took about 45minutes for me (twice).

If your baggage tag shows final destination

Then don't clear the Chinese customs, do not try collect your luggage. Just try go directly to next gate and it will be fine.



Sunday, December 21, 2014

Travelling in Berchtesgaden - City and National Park

Berchtesgaden National Park is truly beautiful place to take little trip for 5-7 days. Berchtesgaden National Park is also very well organized by all means. Here is my little tips for Berchtesgaden National Park.

Berchtesgaden National Park


How to get to Berchtesgaden 

Nearest international Airport is in Munich, use it if possible. 

From Munich Airport to main train station of Munich - München Hauptbahnhof

I would suggest Lufthansa Airport Bus - it's direct connect and very easy, check the time tables and fares from Lufthansa airport bus web page.

NOTE: will probably take 45min - 90min from landing to get luggage and be ready to jump into airport bus - depends are you coming from, inside schengen area or not. Inside schengen area - there is no security checks - but if you are coming from outside the schengen area - you have to check in into Germany - show your passport and check possible VISA and other things that take time.

From Munich main train station to Berchtesgaden

Use train, you can check and even book the schedule of train to Berchtesgaden from Deutsche Bahn web page.

- If you book a ticket from Munich to Berchtesgaden - using Deutsche Bahn web page, just print the ticket in your home and you are ready to jump into train without any check-in in the train station - just make sure it's a correct train.... But if you are not sure when you will get to train station, you can use ticker vending machine at train station or buy ticket from the ticket office.

You need to change one (1) time, you can do it in either:
- Freilassing train station, it's small train station. Easy to change here - railway tracks 2 and 3 are in same railway platform. If your ticket is from Munich to Berchtesgaden - same ticket will work - and it is paid ticket - in both trains, just make sure that trains are correct one.
- Salzburg, you can take "local" bus #840 from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, it will cost additional 4.70euros (pay to bus driver). Salzburg bus station is next to Salzburg main train station. Bus from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden takes about 45minutes.

NOTE: If you book your train ticket from home, and you use VISA/MasterCard pay the bill- make sure you have that VISA/MasterCard card or any ID card with you to make sure - it's really you - they might ask it during the checking the ticket.
- You can also buy a ticket from train station.

Berchtesgaden City

Berchtesgaden city is located about 5km from lake Königssee and Berchtesgaden national park, but it's still worthy to keep hotel near train station because public transport works quite well, and it's free with "Berchtesgaden visitor card".

City of BerchtesgadenSchlossplatz






You can get Berchtesgaden Visitor card from your hotel for 5euros deposit, and remember return your Visitor card when you checkout the hotel - so you get your 5 euros deposit back. (Some hotels may give the visitor card for free, but you still need to return it on checkout).
- Berchtesgaden visitor card allows you to travel freely with public transport

NOTE: If you have to walk from train station to center of city... shortest route is:

  1. Walk outside to train station 
  2. See McDonald's restaurant (and tourist info) 
  3. Near those is gate and stairs up 
  4. Walk stairs up
  5. Then walk on bridge over train platforms to city. 

It's quite uphill walking, but it's still shortest and best way to go up to center of city direction. Walking path on google maps is "Bahnhofweg".

Important Bus numbers in Berchtesgaden

  • #841 or #842 to Jennerbahn and Königssee - beautiful lake in the National Park
  • #838 to Documentation Centre (to get Eagle's nest - Kehlsteinhaus)
  • #846 to Ramsau
  • #840 to Salzburg

Links to bus timetables

Bus line time tables are in German language only, here is short instructions:
  • Go to RVO-Bus Fahrpläne (timetable) web page, choose "Region" as Berchtesgaden and then any bus number to "Liniensuche", such as 841.
  • Press button "Suchen"
  • Choose search result's bus number
  • On bus line's page, choose: "PDF herunterladen" to view and print full timetable for current bus line.


Berchtesgaden National Park


Berchtesgaden national park is mountainous area, but it have various terrain in different parts of the national park.


Hiking trails

Hiking trails from around Berchtesgaden are awesome, I highly recommend it.

All hiking trails are well marked with different levels and estimate time to there. But consider - If you are slow walker and the sign shows "1 hour to königssee" - it may mean 1h 30min for you.

Trail sign can also show the walking path ID number - it's useful if you have a proper map with walking path numbers.




Example sign - this sign is from
Berchtesgaden National Park
Difficult levels:

  • Full black color circle - Dangerous trail - to me - requires some experience.
  • Red color circle - Difficult trail, it doesn't mean dangerous, but can mean just difficult walking. For example: There are just big rocks that are annoying to walk or unmarked track, or narrow path that have wire to help you when walking, or small (1-2m little climbing) - to me - anyone that have normal condition can do it alone as long you are not scared too much high places in mountains - older and very young people might have difficulties with this.
  • Blue color circle - Easy trail - but wheelchair users cannot not pass this.
  • Black border & Yellow Center - Very easy, even wheelchair users can do it.


Jenner - mountain top




Jenner mountain top have lovely views to Königssee and down to Berchtesgaden National Park.

Bus lines #841 and #842 gets you to Jennerbahn - cable car to mountain Jenner.

You can walk to top of Jenner and down for free... or use Jennerbahn Cable Car.

Cost of the Jennerbahn for adults:

  • 21.40 euros to top of mountain and back to down
  • 16.40 euros to top of mountain (and then you have to walk back to down)


There is one possible stop in the cable car, you can leave the cable car in half way if you want. But if you don't want to leave in half way - just stay in the cable car to full way to top.


Mountains near JennerWalking path to down













View my walking route from Jenner to Königssee on alltrails



Obersee - beautiful little lake and waterfall


Obersee
Bus lines #841 and #842 gets you to near Königssee, then you can take a ferry to Salet.

See timetables and prices of ferry in Königssee.

From Salet you can walk to Obersee and waterfalls.

View my walking route in Salet - Obersee - Waterfalls on alltrails.

Obersee is really beautiful place to visit and even wheelchair users can go western side of the lake. Walking to eastern side of the obersee and waterfalls is easy, but wheelchair users cannot make it.

Eiskapelle


Untracked walking pathEiskapelle



Bus lines #841 and #842 gets you to near Königssee, then you can take a ferry to St. Bartholomew.

See timetables and prices of ferry in Königssee.

From St. Bartholomew you can walk to Eiskapelle.

View my from St. Bartholomew to Eiskapelle on alltrails.

First 1.6km (about one mile) is quite walking to uphill, but then it gets easier. Walking path itself is in good condition, except last 15 minutes is untracked walking path with big rocks. untracked walking path marked as "red" but it's not dangerous at all, but bit annoying to walk.

NOTE: Do not enter into Eiskapelle cave, it's dangerous. it may collapse anytime.

Eagle's nest (Kehlsteinhaus)


Des Kehlsteinhaus - Eagle's nest 

Bus lines #838 and goes to Dokumentation Obersalzberg.

From Dokumentation Obersalzberg - you can take a paid bus to elevator of Kehlsteinhaus and elevator ride to up to Kehlsteinhaus or you can walk up to yourself for free,

Kehlsteinhaus is public restaurant nowadays - anyone can go there by walking itself.

If you decide to take paid bus and elevator ride back to Dokumentation Obersalzberg - you have to decide when you will come back to bus station at near elevator.

Web page of Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's nest) in English.

During my visit, the bus and elevator cost:

  • 14.60euros with visitor card - 16.10 without visitor card to up - and need to walk down by yourself.
  • If you want bus and elevator up and down, it's about 22euros.


NOTE: If you decide to walk up (or down) to Kehlsteinhaus, you must walk on walking paths, not bus route to up.

View my walking route from Kehlsteinhaus to Dokumentation Obersalzberg on alltrails.

NOTE: On Dokumentation Obersalzberg - there is great things to visit such as Hitler's bunkers.

Wimbachklamn


Wimbachklamn walking pathRiver at Wimbachklamn




Bus lines #846 from Berchtesgaden train station takes to Wimbachklamn (and to Ramsau). Remember stop from bus at Wimbachbrücke.

View my hiking route at wimbachklamn on alltrails.

NOTE: Try not miss Wimbachklamn Gorge - it's in quite early of Wimbachklamn walking path and cost few euros (adult).


Links


  • Lufthansa airport bus web page.
  • Deutsche Bahn web page
  • RVO-Bus Fahrpläne (timetable) web page - in German language - choose "Region" as Berchtesgaden and then any bus number to "Liniensuche", such as 841. Search and Select the bus line and then choose: "PDF herunterladen" to view and print full timetable for current bus line.
  • Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's nest) web page in English







Sunday, November 2, 2014

Traveling in Füssen and Schwangau

Füssen and especiality Schwangau are perfect places to stay for 4-5 days in Germany. It covers lovely walking places for couple days and famous Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles.
Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles from Alpsee

Difference between Füssen and Schwangau


Füssen:
  • Füssen is town with population around 15.000
  • Füssen have a train station
  • All main public transport is related to Füssen 
  • Hohes Schloss Füssen is localed in Füssen - it's ok castle, nothing fancy, ok to visit
  • Füssen have tiny town centre - it's also ok.

Schwangau:
  • Schwangau is municipality population around 3.100.
  • Schwangau have all those cool places, as tegelberg mountain top, tegelberg cable car to mountain top, nice day hiking route(s) and famous Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles.
  • Schwangau is located next to Füssen - Tegelberg and castles are perhaps 10km far away from Füssen train station. 

It's still good to book hotel in Füssen rather than Schwangau:
  • Train station is in Füssen - you will save a lot hassle if your hotel is near train station
  • City tax of Füssen (now 2.20e/night) in hotels gives you free Füssen card - Füssen card gives you free public transport in Füssen area - including Schwangau - NOTE: you have to return that Füssen card to hotel when you checkout the hotel.

Public transport

  • Public transport - local bus - goes to Schwangau once in hour usually. Bus #78 (and #73) go to Schwangau.
Timetables search:
  • Allgaeu web page - in German - Check: "Fahrplanheft" to view all timetables on region 
  • You can also search time tables from RVO Bus web page (in German) - set "region" as Füssen and "liniensuche" as 78 for example and you get timetable information by search - click the line 78 from search results and then look at "PDF herunterladen" to get proper timetable.  
  • You should also get proper timetable book from hotel as well.


How to get to Füssen 

Nearest international Airport is in Munich, use it if possible.

From Munich Airport to main train station of Munich - München Hauptbahnhof

I would suggest Lufthansa Airport Bus - it's direct connect and very easy, check the time tables and fares from Lufthansa airport bus web page.

NOTE: will probably take 45min - 90min from landing to get luggages and be ready to jump into airport bus - depends are you coming from, inside EU or not. Inside EU - there is no security checks - but if you are coming from outside the EU - you have to check in into Germany - show your passport and check possible VISA and other things that take time.

From Munich main train station to Füssen

Use train, you can check and even book the schedule of train to Füssen from Deutsche Bahn web page.
- If you book a ticket from Deutsche Bahn web page, just print the ticket in your home and you are ready to jump into train without any check-in in the train station - just make sure it's a correct train.
NOTE: If you book from home, and you use VISA/Mastercard pay the bill- make sure you have that VISA/Mastercard card or any ID card with you to make sure - it's really you - they might ask it during the checking the ticket.
- You can also buy a ticket from train station.



City of Füssen 

Füssen have tiny city centre and nice small castle with tiny castle museum (cost only 4 euros), but overall - I noted - Füssen was just place to have a hotel for me.

Street of FüssenHohes Schloss Füssen

Schwangau

Schwangau is tiny municipality with all cool things ....

Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles

Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles are wonderful to view from outside, but little disappointing inside.

Neuschwanstein CastleHohenschwangau Castle



The art wise both wise inside is good, but there is few things I don't like:

  • Only guided tours - I never liked guided tours, and probably never will. I want to spend some own time to look things that are interesting to me, but in guided tours this is not possible. There is always too many people in the same room and then you never see stuff so much as you would see it by yourself.
  • Tight schedule on guided tours, basically, you buy a ticket for guided tour, and guide is on certain time, for example, Hohenschwangau castle at 9:30, and Neuschwanstein castle at 11:55. First you go to first castle gate - wait for your tour to begin, take a tour, then go to another castle gate and wait for your tour to begin....
To me, going inside castle is only worthy in raining days. If you have sunny days around, it's much nicer to walk around by yourself and enjoy the lovely nature at alpsee, or tegelberg or other places.


Museum of the Bavarian Kings

There is nothing much to say about the museum - probably worst museum I ever visited, just few things I don't like:
  • Too much text - I rather read a book
  • Not much items to show
Taking photos is not allowed - not a problem - there was nothing to photograph anyways.



Tegelberg

Tegelberg is mountain top near castles, it is 1,881m height and you can use tegelberg bahn (cable car) to get on the mountain top - and you can also come back with cable car or walking. I highly recommend this.

Walking paths from Tegelberg Landscape from tegelberg bahn













Hiking trails

Hiking trails from Tegelberg to down are just awesome, I highly recommend it too.

All hiking trails are well marked with different levels and estimate time to down. But consider - If you are slow walker and the sign shows "1 hour to hohenschwangau" - it may mean 1h 30min for you.

Trail sign can also show the walking path ID number - it's useful if you have a proper map with walking path numbers.

Difficult levels:

Example sign - this sign is from
Berchtesgaden National Park
(Not Schwangau) - but signs are
similar in Schwangau
  • Full black color circle - Dangerous trail - to me - requires some experience.
  • Red color circle - Difficult trail, it doesn't mean dangerous, but can mean just difficult walking. For example: There are just big rocks that are annoying to walk or unmarked track, or narrow path that have wire to help you when walking, or small (1-2m little climbing) - to me - anyone that have normal condition can do it alone as long you are not scared too much high places in mountains - older and very young people might have difficulties with this.
  • Blue color circle - Easy trail - but wheelchair users cannot not pass this.
  • Black border & Yellow Circle - Very easy, even wheelchair users can do it.

I did do two tracks from Tegelberg to down:

Short track

2-3 hours - Directly from Tegelberg to down Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles - marked as red circle (difficult) - there was only two tiny difficult places:
  • One 1.5-2m climbing down - without wire - not problems for me, I just had to think a bit - because it was easy to take hold from rocks and ground. 
  • One perhaps 10-20m long and very narrow path - that on another side had deep straight downfall, and another side of the path had straight up wall with wire to hold - should not be a problem - as long you don't scare high places too much.
View my short route from Tegelberg to Marienbrucke

On short track - there is some areas that you don't see much - because there is a lot forest around the walking path but when there is no forest - the sights to castles and Alpsee are awesome at some places and cliffs are deeper.


Walking path in short track Landscape in short track



Longer track
3-4 hours to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. Marked as blue circle - Easy path - nothing dangerous nor difficult. Very cool track. Superior sights to mountains - I highly recommend this track.

View my longer hiking route - Tegelberg to Marienbrucke
Some pictures from longer route:
Field near Tegelberg Landscape from near Tegelberg





Lake Alpsee



Lake Alpsee is beautiful lake near castles - there is also easy walking path around it - the walking path is nice, and from opposite direction you can see lovely views the castles.


Both castles and Alpsee Lake Alpsee




Pöllatschlucht

During my visit, Pöllatschlutch was closed - but if it's not - try not miss it. It's quite cool gorge by pictures.

Links


  • Lufthansa airport bus web page.
  • Deutsche Bahn web page
  • Allgaeu web page - in German Check: "Fahrplanheft" to view all timetables on region 
  • RVO Bus timetables in German - set "region" as Füssen and "liniensuche" as 78 for example and you get timetable information by search - click the line 78 from search results and then look at "PDF herunterladen" to get proper timetable.  








Sunday, May 4, 2014

Train travel in Austria

Travelling with train is easy and comfortable in Austria.

Train station of the Bad Ischl, Austria

Luggage with the train


You can take to train all luggages you can carry. Just find the rack for the luggage and that will do.

In modern railjet trains, luggage rack is in the middle of the 2nd class train.


Buying the ticket


  • If you know your departure and destination, you can just buy and print the ticket from ÖBB Route planner web site already.
  • Train stations have also red colored ticket vending machine that you can buy a ticket - vending machine also handle english language.
  • You can also buy ticket from the ticket counter - note, very small train stations as Hallstatt train station have no ticket cashier but they have a vending machine.
  • Or using a mobile ticket using android or iOS phones.


Example ticket 


I bought and printed the ticket from ÖBB Route planner web site and it looks like this:

Valid train ticket - printed in home -  ready to jump into train - click for enlarge


Other notes:


Nobody does seat reservation in Austrian train, nobody, just sit where ever you can find empty seat.

If you can - take a railjet train, railjet is the most modern, fast and comfortable trains in Austria - Railjet trains are moving in every main route.

If you are travelling only in Austria with train, one ticket can have multiple persons "ERWASCHSENE(R)" and only the ticket buyer must provide the ID of himself to train inspector (if they ask ID). But when you are moving to another country with train - you can order multiple person train ticket - and it will ask each person name for train ticket - each person will get own ticket and every person must provide their ID to train inspector.


Boarding into train without the ticket


If - for some reason - you are unable to get a ticket for train - for example - small train station's only vending machine doesn't work. You can still board into train - but you must purchase ticket immediately after the boarding eather at the ticket machine on the train (at one end of the train) or by seeking out the train crew to purchase ticket as soon as you are able to. If you do not pay immediately, the charge is increased by an administration fee of 30 euros. If you do not contact to train crew, an inspection fee is 70euros.



Saturday, March 15, 2014

Travelling in the Salzburg

City of Salzburg is great city to visit in Austria for 4-5 days - much better than Vienna.

City of Salzburg


Get to Salzburg

If you cannot get direct flight to Salzburg - get direct flight to Munich or Vienna, and then travel to Salzburg via train.

Benefits to travel with train
  • Travelling in train is comfortable and easy from both cities
  • You can take all luggage you can carry into train
  • Travelling in cheap with train, cost only 25-40euros/person (one way).
  • Bus from airport to train station cost under 10e/person (one way)
  • You can stay couple nights in Vienna or Munich for fun.
  • Train departures once in hour at day time.
Things to remember with travelling with train
  • You can buy and print a ticket from ÖBB Route planner - compare prices too
  • You need to carry ID card with you - for example, passport
  • Choose railjet train if possible - those are the best and fast trains
  • 2nd class is good
  • Luggage rack can be found from 2nd class's wagon - middle of wagon
From Munich or Vienna?
  • Munich is closer to Salzburg - 1h 30min journey with railjet train
  • Vienna is nicer city to visit than Munich - in case you want to stay couple nights in Vienna too - but 2h 30min journey with railjet train 


Salzburg card is actually useful

Salzburg Card
Salzburg card is good buy, you can buy it from info posts of Salzburg - Salzburg card gives you free ride on local buses, one free ride on Hohensalzburg and it's museums, you can visit Geiereck mountain peak for free, and many museums.

72-hours Salzburg card cost 37euros in winter - and 42 euros in summer for adult.




Best sight seeing in Salzburg

  • Geiereck mountain peak on Untersberg Naturepark - great nature park, there is a walking path and lovely landscape views around. Read more about Geiereck on my blog text about Geiereck
Cable car View from the Geiereck Cross of Geiereck
Hohensalzburg in the night Street in the Hohensalzburg











  • Old town of Salzburg - Streets, Architecture and even shop signs are nice, just don't try eat in the old town restaurants.
Street Old shop sign Statue in old town
  • Views from Kapuzinerberg are nice - remember take a walk there too - it's free.
Hohensalzburg from Kapuzinerberg City of Salzburg from Kapuzinerberg











  • Visit Hallstatt - Hallstatt is not part of the Salzburg but definitely worthy for at least one day trip - It's one of the best and beautiful places I ever seen... Read more from my blog text about Hallstatt
Street Iconic view of Hallstatt Church

No point to do in Salzburg

    Basilica Maria Plain
  • No need to go north side of the train station - unless you go to Basilica Maria Plain
  • Do NOT eat in the middle of old town restaurants - these are expensive with grumpy waiters
  • Skip modern museum - free with Salzburg card - total waste of time
  • Mozart museum - It's free with Salzburg card - Tempting to visit - probably everyone goes there anyways - nothing special to see unless you are true Mozart fan.



Links

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Getting to Geiereck mountain from Salzburg

Salzburg is great city to visit in Austria, but don't miss the 1805m high Geiereck moutain peak in the Naturepark-Untersberg.

Landscape from the Geiereck mountain peak

First things to check:

Cloudy Untersberg
  • Make sure it's sunny day as possible from the weather forecast - this is outdoor things and even heavy clouds are not so cool as sunny day. Clouds can cause lack of visibility to down.
  • Buy a Salzburg card - Salzburg card gives you free bus ride  one free ride on cable car up to mountain and down.
  • On high mountain, there might be very much colder than in ground level, make sure you have proper clothes.

How to get into Geiereck mountain peak


Get to Salzburg Bus no. 25 
  • Bus 25 departures in the Salzburg main train/bus station - Direction to Grödig Untersbergbahn.
  • NOTE: Most of the Bus 25 ends in the Grödig Untersbergbahn, but few Bus 25 ends in the Rif  Ortszentrum thru Grödig Untersbergbahn.
  • Timetable of Bus 25 - Bus 25 moves in every 20-30 minutes, and check the "Fahrplan"

On Grödig Untersbergbahn get into cable car
Untersbergbahn - cable car to Geiereck

Queue might take even 30min, there is only 2 cable cars

Ride will take about 10min to up.

One cable car takes about 50 persons.




Landscape view from the cable car
If you are lucky, you might get perfect window view and see the very beautiful landscapes when raising up in the cable car.

Cable car raises and comes down once in 30min.

NOTE: if you don't have a Salzburg card - you must buy a ticket from the cashier before you can queue to cable car. 





Links