How can one plan for a backpacking trip to Europe with a budget under $1000?
I've managed to do this for over a month for this budget with the following tips: Biggest cash hoggers in order: Accommodation, transport and food. And, of course, beer and parties. Hacking the first 2 is enough for an excellent 30d adventure in Europe for $1k.Use www.couchsurfing.com and www.globalfreeloaders.com to stay at other like-minded people's homes for free. This will save you literally 1000€+ during a month. It's free accommodation on a pro bono basis. A good profile is a must, and hosting people at home before leaving for your own trip helps. Announce on FB a rough plan and let all your EU friends know you're coming. Chances are, you'll get more couch invites when they know you're coming.Start from the West (France, Spain, Benelux, UK, Germany) with as many pre-scheduled Couch Surfing -hosted free nights as you can. Head towards Southern / Eastern Europe where not having free nights with CS hosts hurts you the least, w/ cheap hostel & camping prices.Hitchhike as much as you can. It's very safe when you're street smart and know what you're doing. This will easily save you $200-$300 per week, or $1k+ a month.Trains are expensive, and the Interrail monthly multi-country pass isn't what it used to be. Check it out, but don't let it eat over half of your budget. Prefer hitchhiking and busses. Interrail: The rail adventure awaits!When possible, overnight on trains and airports rather than hotels. It's cheaper and doesn't cost you time. Check out The Guide to Sleeping in Airports which will save you $50-100 per night.Bring a cheap tent or tarp (max $50) and do (wild) camping as much as you can. I've done this a lot, it's also an excellent way to experience the Spanish and Italian countryside. Wild camping is free and especially legit in Scotland and the Nordics (Norway, Sweden and Finland).Enjoy, and let me know if you're heading up to Finland, I'd be happy to host!
How much is my backpacking through europe trip going to cost me?
Ive been trying to research about how much it is going to cost me and 2 of my friends to go next summer to backpack through europe. We plan on going for around 30 days. I feel like ive done enough research, but any tips would be much appreciated. Also, is 30 days enough to go to all the countries we have listed? We were planning on staying a few days in each country and going around clockwise hitting the countries we want by the unlimited 30day Eurail pass. Starting from Madrid, Spain, and then ending in Madrid. Any helpful suggestions??? also...is this a realistic amount? and how much should we bring for spending money (tours, touristy stuff, ext), Our Trip to Europe Costs: Flight- $905 (kayak.com) Train passes- Most of Europe- $625 Britain (England, Whales, and Scotland)- $199 *4 Day Pass (its$ 159 for a 3 day trip) Paris to London (Both Ways)- $76 Ferry Passes- Britain to Ireland- $39 Ireland to France-$85 *optional trip to Malta- $175 Hostels- About $500 (Estimate high because we will sleep on trains a lot) TOTAL (Without spending/food money)- $2429 (If we go to Malta)- $2604 Food- We will just use spending money to go to a supermarket and get cheap foods/bring some food (Ex. Pop Tarts)/Go out to eat occasionally when we feel like it. -We could survive for a month off a $60 in cheap food. -Then factor how often we can go out to eat, by seeing how much spending money we have. Good Idea to have multiple ways of making transactions: Cash- It’s a quick and easy way to make transactions. We should have a healthy amount of money in cash. Debit/ATM- Should have one to use ATMS, so we do not have excessive amounts of cash on us. Credit Card- We should have one just for emergencies. I can get one, and at least if something comes up I can charge it and have people pay me back. Countries- 1. Spain 2. France 3. England 4. Ireland 5. Italy 6. Greece 7. Germany 8. Netherlands 9. Switzerland 10. Romania If we feel like it- The Others. Malta
When is the best time to go to Europe?
Depends on when and where you travel. Also depends why you travel. If looking to site see and enjoy a pleasant normal holiday definitely summers (May-Sept). It is generally warm and pleasant (around 25 C) and sunny. If you are into winter sports viz. Ice Scatting, Ski, Snowboarding then you have to go of-course in Winters. Here are the specifics by regiona. Western & Central Europe - France (Not including Mediterranean Coast), Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech, Austria, North Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland. => In general Summers (May-Sept). Ski etc then Feb-Apr. Although in ski resorts like Zermatt (Switzerland) it is possible to ski also in summers. If attempting to visit in winters always check weather forecast. Avoid winters in coastal areas like North France, Belgium, Netherlands, its freezing cold and rainy. Autumn and Spring is also ok, but weather sometimes plays the spoil. b. Scandanavia - Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greenland=> Summers. But, if you are visiting here for the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) then of course winters (Jan-March). If attempting to visit in winters always check weather forecast.c. Mediterranean Coast - Spain, Portugal, South France, Italy, Greece, Malta=> Autumn, SpringAs these places get very hot in summers it is generally not very pleasant. Best time to go here is Spring (Mar-May) & Autumn (Sept-Nov). Definately don't go here in winters as it is rainy. d. Eastern Europe - Hungary, Solvakia, Ukraine, Latvia, Bulgaria, Turkey etc. => SummerDon't go here in peak winters other times are all ok.