Getting to Assembly from the UK this year
category: general [glöplog]
What with volcanos sporadically spitting ash death clouds that ground every plane in nothern Europe and British Airways gearing up for another summer of strikes, I'm not sure how to get to Asm this year.
I guess Iceland may well have stopped exporting ash by then, and BA may well get their shit together.. but both, at the same time? Possible, but I would like to consider other options.
What are the alternatives then? EasyJet fly from Gatwick to Helsinki, but only one flight a day at a silly time. And no flights on Thursday. Finnair share the route with BA, so booking with them is the same as booking with BA. They fly from Heathrow anyway, an airport that seems to have an almost annual baggage handling strike in August. Anyone else fly out there? And what about boats and trains? They take aaaages, don't they?
Anyone else from the UK having the same dilemma?
Paging Gasman and his enclyopedic knowledge of European travel routes... though didn't you travel by ferry/train last year and it took aaaages?
PS: Here is an offering of some kittens in return for your collective knowledge outpouring:
I guess Iceland may well have stopped exporting ash by then, and BA may well get their shit together.. but both, at the same time? Possible, but I would like to consider other options.
What are the alternatives then? EasyJet fly from Gatwick to Helsinki, but only one flight a day at a silly time. And no flights on Thursday. Finnair share the route with BA, so booking with them is the same as booking with BA. They fly from Heathrow anyway, an airport that seems to have an almost annual baggage handling strike in August. Anyone else fly out there? And what about boats and trains? They take aaaages, don't they?
Anyone else from the UK having the same dilemma?
Paging Gasman and his enclyopedic knowledge of European travel routes... though didn't you travel by ferry/train last year and it took aaaages?
PS: Here is an offering of some kittens in return for your collective knowledge outpouring:
just watch the stream
Tada! http://www.seat61.com/Finland.htm
No no no, what you need to do is buy a VW camper van older than you are, spend thousands on having it welded and getting it generally drivable. Book eurotunnel, ferries, etc. for the route. Set off, and then HAVE THE ENGINE CRACK not 10 miles after you left Leeds. Then pay full whack for flights anyway because you're booking at the last minute. That's the way to do it.
hot air balloon!
UK->Denmark->Sweden->Finland - it'll take a pretty long time, have several ferries (a bit fewer if you use the bridges in DK and to Sweden), and probably not be that cheap (unless you're a bunch going together) :)
roadtrip!
seat61.com FTW.
Yes, it does take aaaages (the most straightforward route involving one night on the Cologne -> Copenhagen sleeper and another on the Stockholm -> Helsinki or Turku ferry) and costs a crapload (be prepared for something in the 300-400 quid range - although it varies considerably depending on your preference of first/second class and whether you'd be happy in a shared couchette on the sleeper instead of being flashy with a private cabin like I did).
Putting my eco-hippy-nutjob persona aside, I'd only really recommend it if you were in a position to make a proper holiday of it and stop off for a couple of days in Copenhagen, Stockholm or wherever takes your fancy... in which case I *would* recommend it, immensely. Last year I combined the trip with Evoke, but looking at demoparty.net there don't seem to be any other parties on the weekend before/after Asm this year. If you do consider it, be sure to look at the option of getting an Interrail pass, although for most of the trains on that route you'll be paying a supplement anyhow.
On a separate note, the Stockholm-Helsinki ferry is *awesome*, so if by any chance flying to Stockholm works out better, that's well worth a go.
Yes, it does take aaaages (the most straightforward route involving one night on the Cologne -> Copenhagen sleeper and another on the Stockholm -> Helsinki or Turku ferry) and costs a crapload (be prepared for something in the 300-400 quid range - although it varies considerably depending on your preference of first/second class and whether you'd be happy in a shared couchette on the sleeper instead of being flashy with a private cabin like I did).
Putting my eco-hippy-nutjob persona aside, I'd only really recommend it if you were in a position to make a proper holiday of it and stop off for a couple of days in Copenhagen, Stockholm or wherever takes your fancy... in which case I *would* recommend it, immensely. Last year I combined the trip with Evoke, but looking at demoparty.net there don't seem to be any other parties on the weekend before/after Asm this year. If you do consider it, be sure to look at the option of getting an Interrail pass, although for most of the trains on that route you'll be paying a supplement anyhow.
On a separate note, the Stockholm-Helsinki ferry is *awesome*, so if by any chance flying to Stockholm works out better, that's well worth a go.
I know a really great way to get there, but those "kittens" look a bit old so I'm going to withhold it. :)
I'm not going this year, but good luck getting there and have an adventure Paul! Can we expect an ate bit release?
I'm not going this year, but good luck getting there and have an adventure Paul! Can we expect an ate bit release?
just don't jinx it god damn it
Sea turtles
