Frequently Asked Questions about the Eurotrips happening in June 2019
Straight answers to your important questions.
- What’s the best way to get to Munich?
- Do I have to rent a bike?
- What if I want to stay longer?
- How much should I budget for the trip?
- Is there a chase van to carry our luggage?
- How do we pay for things in Europe?
- Do I need a Passport?
- I’ve never traveled to Europe. Is it safe?
- Will I be able to go inside the castles?
- What do I need to rent a motorcycle in Europe?
- Can I bring my helmet and gear to Europe?
- What’s the weather going to be?
- OK, I’m going. I signed up, What do I do next?
Answers to your questions…
1. What’s the best way to get to Munich?
While there are many direct flights to Munich from US cities, they tend to be quite costly. Flying around in Europe is like flying around in the USA. Flights within the EU are considered ‘domestic’ and are quite inexpensive.
I advise travelers to fly from their closest major airport to Paris, France. It’s probably the least expensive city to fly in and out of, easily.
Spend a couple of days in Paris while you readjust your body clock from Jetlag and enjoy this magnificent city. Then book a flight on Air France or Lufthansa from CDG (Paris Charles de Gaulle) to MUC (Munich). Make your flight round trip from Paris and simply book your domestic flights to and from Munich.
It’s super easy and can all be done from your home. Please email Jim Foreman for more details and specific arrangements.
2. Do I have to rent a bike?
No. If you have a bike in Europe or have a friend in Europe willing to loan you theirs with insurance coverage, you’re totally fine. Transporting your bike from the USA to Europe only begins to make sense if you plan to spend over three weeks riding in Europe.
BIKE & TRAVEL SERVICE is a top-rated motorcycle rental agency that is based at the Factory Owned BMW Motorrad Zentrum München. They only rent new or nearly new motorcycles in top shape. They also provide excellent customer support should you experience any problems. Fortunately, they are not that expensive.
3. What if I want to stay longer?
Great! By all means! You’re in some beautiful areas of the world. You can continue your motorcycle rental or rent a car and continue your exciting trip.
We’re happy to provide advice on other enchanting places to roam and visit.
4. How much should I budget for the trip?
This really depends on you.
One week trip with Authentic Moto Travels is $1000 USD. Both weeks is $1700USD. This covers staff, planning, and making sure you have one of the best trips you’ve ever taken.
Round-trip airfare will range from $700-$1400 depending on how you book it. Please contact Jim Foreman for money saving suggestions.
Motorcycle rental varies from €800/wk to €1200/wk depending on the model you choose. Smaller bikes tend to do much better in Europe, but if you need to have a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, it’s available for you. If you want, you can bring your moto luggage and GPS from your personal bike and use them on a matching rental. Please contact Jim Foreman for details and advice.
Factor a high of $200USD per day for hotels, food, drinks, etc. This is a super high estimate, and your reality will probably be closer to $110USD-$140USD per day. At $200USD/day, you’ll come in well under budget and have plenty of extra money left over.
5. Is there a chase van to carry our luggage?
Nope. This is not a geriatric adventure. You will travel on your bike as you would back home. You will be expected to carry your luggage on your bike. Bike & Travel Service can arrange to keep extra baggage at their facility while you are traveling.
6. How do we pay for things in Europe?
In Europe and Switzerland*, you can pay with cash (Euros) or your credit card. If you have a credit card that doesn’t charge you ‘Foreign Transaction Fees” or additional ‘Conversion Fees,’ feel free to use them. Several banks including Charles Schwab, Capital One, and Barclay’s Bank issue cards that don’t tack on these fees. You can always use your ATM/Debit card at a bank ATM to withdraw €Euros up to your daily limit. Just make sure to put in a travel notice with your bank(s) ahead of time.
(*Switzerland doesn’t officially accept Euros. Their currency is the Swiss Franc. Any restaurant, hotel, or bar will accept Euros at a fair exchange rate.)
Don’t bother getting Euros in the USA. You’ll get ripped off from your bank.
7. Do I need a Passport?
Yes! You have plenty of time to download the form from the US State Department and go to the post office to get one. Fortunately, there is no visa requirement for Europe. Just show up, and you automatically get a 90-day tourist visa.
8. I’ve never traveled to Europe. Is it safe?
If you’re asking this, you probably watch way WAY too much news. Europe is perfectly safe. While some cities like London have dangerous areas, we’re not going to any of them. Consider though your behavior and personal perspectives. Travelers get the same response they project. If they think everyone is out to rip them off, they’ll get ripped off. If they believe that most people are good and take the same precautions you do in your hometown, you’ll be just fine.
9. Will I be able to go inside the castles?
Most of them, Yes!
You’ll also be able to hand a pair of half coconuts to a friend you temporarily call, ‘Patsy.’ Then while clapping them together to make hoofbeat sounds, you can go around stating you are “Arthur, King of the Britain!” Furthermore, you can ask valiant knights to join you on your quest for the Holy Grail.
10. What do I need to rent a motorcycle in Europe?
You will need your US State Drivers License with a Motorcycle Endorsement. You will also need your passport (which you should have if you got this far).
An International Drivers License is highly recommended and is available for a small fee from your local AAA office, even if you’re not a member.
You’ll need to leave an insurance deductible deposit of €500 or €1000 on your credit card to guarantee the bike is returned in the condition you receive it. All bikes rented from Bike Travel Service include insurance coverage.
11. Can I bring my helmet and gear to Europe?
Yes, absolutely. Consider wearing your moto jacket and boots as you board the plane. Make sure to bring your helmet as carry-on. You can take off the moto jacket and boots on the plane until you land keeping your luggage under the maximum weight and compact.
12. What’s the weather going to be?
This is the very best time of the year for weather in Europe. Keep in mind that we’ll be, at times, in high elevation regions. A good 3 season jacket, gloves, and pants should suit you fine. Bring one long-sleeve cold weather undershirt and underpants to use, just in case.
14. OK, I’m going. I signed up, What do I do next?
Great! You’ve signed up here for the trip. You need to take care of the bike rental and airfare. The Bike Rental is most important. Airfare can wait a few months.
Motorcycle Rental
Go to Bike-Travel-Service website using a special link provided to you. It will include a discount. Then you are all set for the rental.
Booking Airfare
For airfare, It’s best to do it in two steps. Step one is the international flight. Use a site like Expedia, Vayama, or Booking Buddy to book a flight from your closest major city to Paris (or Munich if you like to typically pay much higher prices.) Plan to arrive a couple of days early so you can acclimate yourself to the time change.
If you booked the flight to Paris or another Major European hub, go to Expedia or directly to Air France, or Lufthansa and book a flight from Paris (or that city) to Munich arriving at least a full day before the trip.
Hotels Before and After the Trip
As far as pre or post-trip hotels, don’t worry about it now. We have plenty of time. In Paris, I recommend a hotel near the airport such as the Millenium Hotel using Booking.com. There is a Free Shuttle to CDG Airport where there is a Metro station. With the Metro, you can easily get to the center and all the cool places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Champs Elysees.
In Munich, I do recommend a hotel near the BMW Motorrad Zentrum like the Hotel Königstein across the street.
Once you book the trip with Authentic Moto Travels, we’ll work individually with you to get you all set up and booked with ease.
If you have any more questions, please contact Jim Foreman.