Taking a minibus to the EJC/FDC 22nd July - 8th August (pending FDC dates)

[looby]

Hey all,

I've investigated the cost of renting a minibus for two and a half weeks to cover the EJC and FDC (if the dates end up being the 3rd-6th August).

Ideally we'd need 3-4 drivers to share the journey and I've got a quote for 2 types of bus.

Firstly a 9 seater would cost £753 and a 15 seater would end up being £850. 

It should seem evident that a 15 seater would cost far far less than a 9 seater so ideally we would take the latter.

I haven't looked in to flights yet but I hear on the grapevine that flying to Finland is pricey.

If you're serious about going for the entire 2 and a half weeks then put your name down in this thread and we'll see what happens (would be good if you could mention if you're a driver over 21).

Cheers all

[Ben.]

Obviously I can't drive but I'd be in on the road trip nonetheless.
Will have to check the dates though.

36 hours though!!

[Alex!]

Can't drive, but i'd be up for it. Check whether you need a specific minibus license to drive it as well, sometimes you do

[Crackers]

I'm in. Dunno yet if I'll be able to drive.

[Hathaway]

I'm a driver and will be over 21 come that time next year.

Thinking about it Looby, are we allowed to take it abroad? Some rental places don't allow or charge extra... It would be cracking Ben, Looby I'd say ideally 6-7 drivers, that way we can do shorter 2 hour shifts but still have lots of time off not driveing...

[Ken]

Thanks for looking into it Looby; it's nice having some figures to work with and such.

Providing I can get the money, I'd certainly be up for it. I'd also be 21 by those dates, although I'm still working towards getting my driver's license.

[JC]

think this a good idea, are there any ideas where this road trip will start?

[Diabolo Dodson]

Providing i manage to get a job in the next few months, then count me in!! This sounds awesome. I cant drive and im only 18

[looby]

Cheapest flight I could find was £360 and that would be booking today!!! This does not bode well.

At the end of the day, it's looking like driving will be the only way I can go to this.  Let's make it happen.

JC, if you go to google maps and search for directions from london to joensuu, that will be the route we'd take

Even if a minibus doesn't work out, I'd be keen on taking a 3 car convoy, saves even more money that way and could be even more of an epic road trip, Hath, BMC?

[Hathaway]

Yeah I'm up for it maybe... A minibus I'm definatley up for! Means less driving . Can we call it the gumball 3.000?

[Matyz]

Lucky you "old" people that are over 18. I am not sure my mom would let my take the trash out if its over 23 at night lets not eaven talk about a roud trip. Still have fun!

[Jussi]

Cheapest flight I could find was £360 and that would be booking today!!! This does not bode well.

With Ryanair London(Stansted)-Tampere and back is about 60 GBP.

[Marko]

Yea, the flights from Standsted to here where me and Jussi live (Tampere) are about the cheapest ones you can get. If you book early enough you'll basically travel for free. 30 pounds per flight doesn't sound bad at all.

The trip from Tampere to Joensuu even costs more (by train 52euros, adultprice) than to flight from Standsted. I recon we could try to arrange some kind of car convoy/minibus from here to Joensuu pretty easily for all of us.

[Hathaway]

Now that offer sounds very tempting! Less driving + More drinking = Better time!

[Mark BMC]

And you need a special licence to drive a minibus. If your over a certain age you get it automatically. Easyest was to get the D1 bit on your licence is to do it through a uni club [I think this is applicable to this journey, certainly is for me driving one at work to ferry kids about].

I'm really hoping to be at this one but we shall see. Marko are you saying that I can get a cheap flight to where you live and then tag along with you guys?

[Hathaway]

I'm really hoping to be at this one but we shall see. Marko are you saying that I can get a cheap flight to where you live and then tag along with you guys?

What a surprise, BMC looking out for him self, dont worry that this whole thread is just trying to help others, you just make sure you are ok!

[Marko]

...Marko are you saying that I can get a cheap flight to where you live and then tag along with you guys?

Yup, that's what i'm saying. Well i'm in the organization of EJC so i will need to be there early enough to get everything going on. There are many jugglers going to EJC from Tampere so tag along and you'll get the cheapest and easiest way to travel there.

[Mark BMC]

Like I always say there is no I in team but there is a ME.

Ace thanks marko [good name btw] I reckon this seems like the best option at the moe for us .ca people.

looby? hath? anybody else what do you think? would be loads more fun all to get the same flight out. as usual I don't mind picking people up on route to the airport. at the moe I have three spaces.

Later gator's

[Hathaway]

Yeah count me in BMC

[Alex!]

I'll go for whatever's cheapest

[samuli]

For those who are near RYANAIR, it's propably cheapest to fly to Tampere, check connections from Blue Fin... or to take train or bus from there. That's good and the FDC is quite close to Tampere anyway (if we don't change it, it's been at same locations for every year now.)

[Jussi]

There is some other "discount airlines" like easyjet (London (Gatwick) -> Helsinki) which is as cheap as Ryanair. If you want to take domestic flight to Joensuu, then Helsinki is your choise.

[William]

I am seriously considering coming to EJC/FDC. I will probably have the money. Will have more news soon.

[Alex!]

I've heard that one before