Travel
International Airfare
Airfares to Europe can vary greatly depending on several variables. Students are encouraged to make their plans early to take advantage of advance purchase options. This applies to purchasing seats on the high speed trains in Europe as well. Generally students not yet 26 years of age qualify for travel discounts in Europe.
Participants should consult a good travel agent and/or reputable Web sites that sell discounted airfares or auction airfares. Among others, STA Travel, which has offices at many universities, offers attractively discounted airfares to students. Inquire at www.statravel.com. United Airlines offers a direct flight between Geneva and Washington DC (IAD).
Airport of Arrival:
Brussels, Belgium: arrival date no later than June 2, 2010.
Airport of Departure:
Geneva, Switzerland; departure date June 30, 2010.
Travel within Europe
Travel within Europe and within the cities visited will be by train, metro, and other public transportation. Discounted week-long metro bus passes can be purchased in London, Paris, and Geneva. Passport-size pictures are needed for this in Paris and Geneva.
For the purposes of the program, there will be three train trips on different dates: Brussels-London (Eurostar), London-Paris (Eurostar) and Paris-Geneva (TGV). A Eurailpass is not recommended or required. There are discounts when two or more people purchase a ticket and travel together and for people not yet 26 years of age. Please explore your options with your travel agent and/or check Web sites tgv.com, eurostar.com, raileurope.com, railpass.com. European students may consider purchasing an Interrail pass. For more information, visit www.interrail.net. Please note that students under 26 years old can purchase discounted individual or group train fares in Europe.
Should students prefer to not travel with the group between program cities, they may of course travel on their own as long as they arrive in time for the next class. If planning to use discount airlines, take into account travel time and cost to and from the airport, security checks, baggage weight limitations, and all fees.
All the trains to be used for the program require a seat reservation. It is the student's responsibility to have both a train ticket and a seat reservation. Students with a Eurailpass still need to reserve a seat. Reservations can be made online, through a travel agent, or in person as soon as you arrive in Brussels, London or Paris.
It is strongly suggested that train tickets and reservations be made early in order to find seats available and to qualify for lower fares.