Travelling to Europe?

Question

I'll be travelling to Europe for the first time in June.I need to know the cheapest hotels/B&B in Athens,Rome,Milan,Vienna,Barcelona,Madrid,Paris and London,the cheapest way to travel within each city and the interesting places to visit.Thanks a bunch...

Answer 1

In Europe we've got something fab: the hostel.

Not to be confused with a hotel, in a hostel you usually buy a stay in a bed and not a room. The cheapest beds usually are in large dorms with bunk beds, but if you are lucky you might end up in a two-bed room for the same price.

Some hostels have same-sex rooms, some have mixed dorm. So always bring non-revealing pyjamas.

A famous hostel in London is the Generator, because it has a great location and is fairly large. The prices are good too.

http://www.generatorhostels.com/london/

My favourite site to book hostel beds is

http://www.hostelworld.com

I have used them many times without any problems. But searching for "hostel (name of the city)" on google usually brings up lot of options too.

If you want hotel or private rooms instead, I have seen http://www.crosspollinate.com recommended for cheap hotel rooms in Italy.

Cheap ways of travelling: You got the option of

- budget flights http://www.skyscanner.net
- train http://www.eurail.com,
(also see http://ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm for a guide to European rail passes and for comparison of costs)
- buses http://www.eurolines.com

Forking over the money for decent guidebook like Lonely Planet, Let's Go or Rough Guide is truly worth it.

Answer 2

I did Europe entirely on my own when I was twenty. I look back as an older adult, now, and I think MY God! What was my mother thinking that whole time!? I wrote to my parents frecuently, but never called, that would have taken too much time, and this was WAY before internet, so, I wonder how much my mom worried about me. I think of all the things I did where I might have gotten into real danger, had certain situations occured slightly differently, and yet, I was lucky, and a bit savvy, and managed not to get into any trouble (no stranger-danger too much to handle, etc.) and I had the time of my life! I think travelling with a good friend or your cousin sounds terrific!!! How old are you? Are you both mature enough to handle things if they DO get a little rough? can you avoid sticky situations, or get out of them if you get into them? I would say, if you are under twenty, you should be extremely mature to go alone, or wait a couple of years for that. Whatever you do, don't do the one night in every city thing. Concentrate on a couple of cities if your time is too short to do everything well. It is important to really get a feel for each city/country you are in, and not to just be able to say you were in each major city. Be sure to build in some down time, nature and such. And be flexible. I found my down time was planned just a week too late, and I wound up blowing one major city, because I was already burnt out. After spending a few days in the mountains, I was much refreshed, and started with a new spirit. (for me, it was about two and a half, maybe three weeks of really intense city/museum stuff that ruined the fourth week). What you should watch out for is, first, be aware of any terrorist activity, and try to avoid places that look iffy...I was in Belfast the day one of the hunger strikers had died, and there were riots. I managed to get out pretty quickly, but had I stayed in the Youth Hostel, would have been pretty sticky. Watch out for pickpockets, they can ruin your trip. Keep more than one source of money, two or more credit cards are a good idea, just try to get the kind that don't charge too much for the exchange. They run from 1 - 3%. The actual exchange rate is the best using a card. ATM cards should have 4-digit PINs. 5-digit ones don't work in a lot of European machines. They, too, are a great way to avoid carrying too much cash, and traveller's checques aren't accepted much anymore. Men. be aware of strange men. Don't go anywhere you're not sure about with some strange native. you just never know. Stay in public places. and use taxis at night. Just, generally use good common sense. get your youth hostel card, and if you are a student, an international student ID card, and a train pass (research the options, there are several, so you can decide which is best for you), before you leave the US. And have fun! if you decide to do it the backpack way.

Answer 3

you need the following:
Let's Go Europe books--buy them (you will find cheap lodging that way)
Rick Steeves guide books--borrow from the library and write down the info you need to take with you (you will know exactly how to get around each city and what to see)
www.whichbudget.com to find cheap flights within europe
www.kayak.com for a cheap flight to europe
By the way, Milan isn't worth visiting-crowded, polluted and expensive and not that interesting. All the rest are okay, but instead of Vienna (not that great) go to Salzburg. Don't stay in youth hostels in London, they're so expensive, but you can try youth hostels in other places-there are some really good ones.

Answer 4

Get the 2007 edition of "Let's Go Europe" It is geared towards student/budget travelers and has info on the lowest priced accommodations and restaurants. The cheapest way to travel in any city is by public transportation - bus, subway, trolley and, of course, on foot! Get going on the internet and find the websites for the cities you're traveling to get information on the main attractions and links to their mass transit systems.

Answer 5

http://www.rentalinrome.com/trastevereapartments.htm

Answer 6

www.travelocity.com