backpacking , tips and budget advice?

Question

I would like to go backpacking and visit France (Paris and Marseille) Netherlands (Amsterdam) also Thailand and Australia (working holiday for the latter)

because of my meagre budget capabilities theres no way I will be doing this in one trip so it will be two trips with a lot of saving and working back at home in between.

I would like to know some advice for saving money and what is the lowest budget people have manged to do some decent travelling on?

Answer 1

Stay out of HOSTEL environments.

Answer 2

Well, your place to sleep is the biggest expense for sure, so do a lot of networking and try to scare up some friends of friends to stay with (but don't be too cheap. Buy them a beer or something.)
Buy the guidebooks from Let's Go and Lonely Planet.
Great budget listings. Also The
Rough Guides are great.
Here's a low budget for Amsterdam, for example:
Bed in a hostel (dorm style) 20,e. (Lock up valuables and papers!!!)
Coffee and bread for breakfast 2, e.
Groceries for the day to eat & drink 10 e.
Add to that any party supplies you require, so about 32 eu. a day plus drinks and smokes if you must. And this doesn't include admissions to museums and clubs. But the city itself and wandering the streets as you read about the history and look for bootie are all you need really. Just don't let all the goofballs from the hostel tag along if you're hot, they'll cramp your style and lower your chances of falling in love and getting invited somewhere.
Thailand should be cheap if you stay out of tourist traps.
Paris will be the most expensive, so try to find a friend to stay with.
Have fun.

Answer 3

Check couchsurfing.com and globalfreeloaders.com for opportunities to stay with other people in the cities you're visiting for free. Of course, you have to not be an axe murderer for them to invite you to their house

In Thailand, you will have plenty of opportunities to live frugally - it all depends on what you want. Bangkok and Phuket are the most expensive places to be, but you still can get by in Bangkok on $30 a day easily, and that includeas all food and accommodation. I wrote it up here
http://travelhappy.info/thailand/bangkok-on-30-dollars-a-day/

Australia is really expensive for English people at the moment - it's about 2.2. Aussie dollars to the pound and while there is lots of cheap backpacker hostels etc (around 10 to 20 aussie a night for dorm bed) general costs of living and travelling around are expensive - esp travel because it's such a huge country. Working there is a good idea.

Answer 4

Make sure you have enough money. Also try to bring all types of weather clothes. Bring umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses. Anything you need! Also make sure you know at least a little Italiin.