best way get around europe?

[laniani]

I've been trying to find the cheapest and most efficient way of getting around europe/ Ireland/ Britain....but its proving really difficult! Any advice from people?
I'm wanting to mainly go to London, Ireland, France, Italy and possibly switzerland, and it will be during winter time for just over a month.
I've found the continuous eurail one month for almost $1000 AUD. but then I still have the ferry between England/ Ireland, Ireland/ France, and the train from paris to London.....which really adds up! I'm planning on flying into London and leaving from London as well....so it seemed the best route was london- ireland- france-italy/switzerland- back to france and back to London.
ANY advice about anything to do with my trip is greatly appreciated! but most importantly the getting around...

[Greg]

The rail is old-school and romantic, but without a doubt its cheaper to fly with RyanAir or other budget airlines....sometimes if you book a month ahead you can fly for US $10 even + taxes.

In nice weather you can hitchhike pretty easily overland as well....or there are nice organized rideshare websites where you split the petrol with someone, I did this in Germany a couple of times and it worked out great.

Good luck!

[BrokeTravelver]

The best way to get around Europe is by train, especially from London to France via the Eurostar.  This is what I did and also used Ryan air from Ireland to London for about $100. USD (This was back in 2001). 

I dont know about Hitchhiking in Europe...I've hitchhiked in Korea but the republic of Korea isn't ruled by imperialist culture but rather influenced by Confucious therefore giving the hitchhiker less of a paranoid thought when thrusting their thumb 

[Scarlett]

I'm not condoning cheating, but you can buy an erasable pen and use it on a 3 or 5 day rail pass...
In the UK and France, they're not that diligent with checking railpasses/tickets.  In Germany, they will check you and date & time stamp each box so it can't be altered.