Germany-UK by sustainable transport on World Environment Day

Nina Osswald Start Date: May 30, 2018 - End Date: Jun 15, 2018
  • Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Den Haag, Netherlands
  • Harwich, United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom

My Travel Story

by: Nina Osswald Start Date: May 30, 2018 - End Date: Jun 15, 2018
Hi Friends!

I've been an enthusiastic cyclist every since I was a kid. I'm equally passionate about making a minimum impact on the planet (as well as budget, haha)! So this World Environment Day - June 5th - I want to show you how to get from the south of Germany to London for just over 100€ and in an environmentally friendly and fun way!

The fastest way to the UK is of course the Eurostar train. While it can be fun, too, if you don't have much luggage, it's either expensive or involves awkward departure times and train changes at night. Plus it would be very difficult to take my bicycle along, and then how would I get around once in the UK?
Flying is out of the question for me within Europe, as the resources consumed and carbon dioxide emitted would be disproportionate to the distance.

Therefore the itinerary I pieced together for my journey is as follows:

June 5th
1. Cycle to the train station in my home town Bietigheim-Bissingen
2. By train with Deutsche Bahn for 14,90 to Frankfurt Central Station. That includes a discount with a BahnCard 25, and a free bicycle ticket worth 6 € which I got as a reward for collecting Bahn Bonus points.
3. By Flixbus from Frankfurt Central Station to Den Haag Central Station.
4. Spend the night with my hosts from warmshowers.org who actually wrote a bike-travel guide themselves! Can't wait to meet them!

June 6th
1. Cycle from Den Haag to the Hook van Holland through the beautiful coastal dunes
2. Ferry from Hook van Holland to Harwich
3. Train from Harwich International to London Stratford
4. Cycle the last few miles to my host's house in East London

As and when internet connections permit, I will update you all here as to how the journey is progressing. Once I reached London, I'll put up an article about my experiences and travel tips for the places I passed through on my blog ninasgreenkitchen.wordpress.org
Everyone who donates will of course get a personal perk as well!

I'll also donate 5% of funds raised here to Sustrans, the UK cycling network and charity that promotes better cycling infrastructure on the island:
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/

In case I end up raising donations in excess of the fare to London, I will spend the rest on a return journey of similar style (at some point), and on a long-desired upgrade for my bike to make it more touring-compatible so the next trip will be even more comfortable!

My budget for the entire journey:
€ 15 Deutsche Bahn train ticket Bietigheim - Frankfurt
€ 35 Flixbus coach Frankfurt - Den Haag
€ 50 Stenaline Rail & Sail ticket for ferry to Harwich and train to London
€ 20 miscellaneous including food and drink, and presents (organic & fairtrade chocolate) for my hosts in Den Haar & London
________
€ 120

5% of donations are charged by fundmytravel as a transaction fee.

My goal with this trip is to show how much fun affordable and environmentally responsible travel within Europe can be! Will you support me?
  • Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Den Haag, Netherlands
  • Harwich, United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • Tubus lowrider rack Duo

    € 55

  • 2 Ortlieb Sport-Roller Plus bl

    € 120

  • Hub dynamo SON28

    € 200

  • Phone charger for dynamo

    € 100

  • Tubus Logo rack back

    € 75

  • Ortlieb Frame Pack

    € 100

  • Kinesis fork

    € 100