11 replies to this topic

[DelawareT5M]

Hey everybody, I may give up buying a Volvo for the trip of a lifetime.

my friend and I are thinking about backpacking through Europe for a month this summer but I have no idea what I'm doing. Has anybody done this before? Where should I go? Might be up for some international VS visits if I do go. Also my friend and I are in college so we do have a budget. How far would $2,000 USD get us, after we convert to euro's?

suggestions and experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[Jaxx]

think about picking up a eurorail pass. I know people who just bought that, traveled all over and slept on the train.

But you're looking at a pretty expensive trip right off the bat -- basic meals can range from $10 - $15 in many cities. A friend of mine said she paid 8 euros just for a sandwich in paris.

Look at hostels, also couch surfing -- which isn't just staying on someone's couch, it's about getting to know a person and doing something for them as well.


I know you used to be able to get a good deal doing 'standby' with airlines, but I haven't researched it lately.


do you speak any other languages?

[Pops Racer]

Hike to Amsterdam. Thats all you'll need to do.

[ryan850-t5]

There are websites where you actually CAN sleep on people couches. I think it's affiliated through some kind of college program.

I had some friends go for 6 weeks and they said $3k would be good for spending money besides airfare.

I would def get a eurorail pass.

Also look into RyanAir. They are a very cheap airlines (like $20 flights sometimes) you just have to check whats available because sometimes they go on strike.

GL and my vote is for the trip

[matt b]

Are you looking for spots to hit ? Look into Turin for a cheap taste of Italy, and since you're there, hit up the French Alps, it's just 2 hours away. Turin has Fiat and some cool car museums. Food is cheap too, especially for Italy.

Look into youth hostels like someone mentioned, and maybe even campgrounds. When are you looking at going, the weather could be a deciding factor on where you go.

[nari]

Wich parts of Europe are you interested in?
I suggest you to stay in the western countries..

Altough I've never tried, nor planned anything like this, but your budget seem a little bit low for me.
Anyways if You're coming to Hungary, let me know, I'll try to find you a place to stay.

[ErikS]

Do some real research if you are serious. Eurail and Eurpasses are the best way to get around.

I would say at least $5000 if you are trying to be cheap, and thats eating light ($25 a day), sleeping at hostels, and pretty much walking everwhere in the cities.

IF you search "what is the cheapest way to back pack thorugh Europe", you'll probably get some good resources.

[Austin H]

Good luck with 2k.    

[flyfishing3]

Delaware96R, on 20 November 2009 - 12:09 AM, said:

suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

be sure to pick one of these up.

Jaxx, on 20 November 2009 - 03:32 AM, said:

also couch surfing --

[brick-a-brac]

I did something just like this in 1993, loooong before the Euro, so expenses varied as we crossed into countries with a more favorable exchange rate.

The first thing is to get yourself a Eurail pass. When I went, one could not get the more affordable 2nd class pass if one was over 26, but having first class access to trains wound up working to my advantage after I learned the secret to these passes: the travel day begins after 8 pm THE PREVIOUS DAY. This will allow you to use the trains as rolling hotels, and being in first class means you will have a compartment pretty much to yourself.

Write up a loose itinerary and see how much travel you would need to get to all these locales. I was able to do a month of travel with a 10-day pass: beginning in Amsterdam, with a short stay in Geneva, Switzerland, then on to Greece for 10 days, then on to Paris, Madrid, and ending in Lisbon.

Enjoy!

[rodrigo]

also keep in mind that the Euro vs Dollar may fluctuate a little.

easyjet offers cheap flights to major cities in Europe.

[TorqueSteer]

I went backpacking in western Europe for a month during summer 2008. I tried to spend as little money as possible, barely ate and stayed in hostels. The trip still ended up costing $5,000 USD. Buy the Eurail pass, choose which cities you want to visit and book hostels at least 3 days in advance.