What are some ways to cut costs on a trip to Europe and still have fun?

Question

My friend and I are going next summer to to Europe to visit as many countries as possible, however we are on a cheap budget. We still want to get as much sight-seeing and food tasting done as possible while still having enough money to afford everything else.
Also, we are from the US, so do we need to get any vaccinations or buy any medicine before we go?? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

This is gonna be a long response, but the best thing I can tell you is: RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. Everything you'll need to know can be found on the internet, if you're willing to look a bit. I found http://www.backpackeurope.com to be the most helpful. Everything you need to know is there, vaccines, women travellers, travel trips, discounts, what to pack. But I'm sure there's many more out there. I speak from experience- I spent a month backpacking Europe with three 20-year-old girlfriends last summer....


1. Get international student cards (you'll save several Euros everytime you use it.... especially in museums.) http://www.isiccard.com/

2. If you're going between the UK and the rest of Europe, book flights with Ryan Air (you can get no-frills flights at around 25-50$). http://www.ryanair.com

3. In conjunction to #2, find out if you can get reduced train prices if you're catching a train to an airport (ie- in Glasgow, Scotland, if you're catching a train to Prestwick Airport it will cost you 2.50 Pounds vs. the regular fare of 11.50 Pounds. (That's 5$ vs. 23$ US)).

4. Buy a Eurail Flexipass for train travel. You can tailor it to how many days you need to use it and how many countries you plan to travel through. Also try to catch overnight trains... couchettes (sleeper trains) will cost you less than a hostel room and you'll arrive at your destination after a long sleep. So you save time AND money. http://www.eurail.com

5. Hostels are the best way to go. They're cheaper than a hotel- but you get breakfast, you meet people, they're friendlier and they will direct you to the best and cheapest the area has to offer. Just be sure to check them out beforehand, they can range from amazing to nightmareish (also book ahead, it's nearly impossible to find a room in a hostel last-minute in the summer) http://www.hostels.net and http://tripadvisor.com have reviews written by people who have stayed in each hostel, so they're all unbiased first-hand accounts.

6. Buy your food from grocery stores etc... and do picnic lunches. Also don't buy food from vendors in close proximity to tourist attractions (My friends bought ice cream next to the Coloseum in Rome... it cost them 5 Euros, each... I waited to buy mine 2-3 blocks from the Coloseum and paid 2 Euros for the same amount). Same thing goes for train food (which is gross, BTW). In Paris, we managed a bottle of wine, 2 baguettes, a jar of olives, a chunk of brie, some coldcuts, apples and pate for a total of 12 Euros... split between 4 girls (do the math) for a VERY filling lunch. We usually did this for lunch, but went out for dinner most nights.

7. Mooch off people you know in Europe. Think of it this way- everytime you sleep somewhere for free, you save about 25 Euros EACH per night.

8. Be creative, there's always a way to cut costs WITHOUT sacrificing fun.

*If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

They have Eurail there. The trains are much faster , cleaner and less expensive than what we have in the U.S. You can get a pass unlimited for a week and go to the different countries. You can sleep overnight on them and arrive in the morning and save a night hotel here and there. Lots of people go on a budget and have an awesome time. It's just like home, you can live as frugally or lavishly as you want. You need to make sure you get your passport application in, if you have not done so / or update yours if you aren't current. Don't wait till last minute. You can call CIBT , Center for International Business Travel, or use their website and you can find out what the requirments are for each country you might be planning to visit to learn if a visa is needed or there are any shots. Your own physician should also be able to advise you what you need. Most of all Europe is fine for water and you do not have to worry about eating. Again check the country . In general whenever I am overseas I tend to always get bottled water and eat fruit with a skin / nothing cut with a knife , and well cooked vegies and meats. Europe is not a third world country so this isn't necessary and you'll miss a lot of treats , but I 've been so sick it's so hard to relax. Have a great time.

Oh ... one thing I forget to tell you is the Croissants / France. You can live on them. In England, the fish/chips. Both cheap and awesome delights.

Answer 3

The other answers do cover most of the questions you have, but here is a little more.

Buy a good guidebook, Lonely Planet has very good ones, telling you what each of the listed things cost and the opening times, and will list hotels, hostels, restaurants, markets and supermarket info, museums and sights, shopping and places to go out for drinking and partying.
They will mention the cheapest alternatives and give quality warnings when needed.

Europe gets cheaper once you get into the former Communist countries.
So stay short or not in the expensive countries in the west and longer in the east.
Scandinavia and the UK are about as expensive as you can get, Paris and London are more expensive than the rest of the country.

Each town has free or cheap alternatives for expensive sights.
In London a few of the big museums are free entry, so get your culture in them.
In Paris go to Sacre Cour, and see the town from its terraces, rather than going up in the Eiffel tower.

Eat your main meal at lunchtime, cheaper than dinner and more cheap places are open.
For dinner you can buy bread and toppings and make your own sandwiches.

For most of Europe vaccinations are not needed now, but check a few months before traveling, specially if you travel to the south-east of Europe and might go to Turkey too.
Over the counter medicines might be different brands, but pain killers and so on are readily available.
If you have any precriptions, bring enough to cover your whole trip, but also bring the presciption in case something goes wrong.

If you are really tight for money, search websites for free staying or homestays were you do not pay more than token money.

Train passes are great, but bus passes are still cheaper:
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_index.htm
http://www.nationalexpress.com/eurolines/save/eurolines_pass.cfm

Answer 4

No you don't need any vaccinations. Try staying in hostels or budget class hotels. Travel using public transportation and buy day passes to cut down costs. Do some research before hand, most museums have free or discount days. Also buy snacks and food to eat for breakfast so you spend less on meals. When dining out try prix fix menus, better value for your dollar.

Answer 5

First, I heard if you are traveling on cheap budget I understand Hostel International is a good way to go. Have for all ages, too. Also, yes, you have to get vaccinations. Best to check the website for the United States State Department. Or google passports it will take you to the website. They list requirements and suggestions for travel to foreign countries. And it is good idea to take your own medicines, prescription or otherwise with you. Like allergy medications or simple things like antacids.

Answer 6

Accommodation is a REAL money killer....if you REALLY want ot save money then be prepared to stay in multibed dorms at hostels/ backpackers...they are the cheapest....you can also have a twin share ( it will be cheaper than travelling alone trust me!) in hostels too.....You can easily spend 50% + on accommodation, so if you save there, you can spend more on other things. Even think about camping!@!!

If you are going for a specific time period then I hear a eurorail pass is worth it...as you sound like you want to see as much as you can it may be worth it....BUT I would like to point out that seeing lots of places in a short time period ( you don;t say how long you are going to be travelling for) it really can wear you out, so plan plan plan. Have days/ half days put aside for rest and contingency plans ( i e you love a place so much you want to stay more)
Also just to point out the further north and west you go the more expensive it will be, so think about where you want to spend your money ( my sister went on a Contikiand spent most of her money in the first week ( out of 6! ) as they went to France etc first where its more expesive.

If you want some cheap options of great places to stay then try the Czech Republic...Prague is stunning and reasonably priced, while little towns like Cesky Krumulov are great too.
Croatia and Slovenia...particularly the former is GREAT! Cheap food, accommodation and STUNNING scenery!!! I recommend Zargreb, Dubrovnik and Split ( Zadar is also nice) In Slovenia Ljublijana and Lake Bled are nice.
You may find you want a cheap place to chill out and Croatia woulds be it!@
Have fun

Answer 7

Travel by train, stay in hostels or private rooms, eat street foods and visit markets to get fresh foods for picnic style meals. Rick Steves can be a good resource. He's kind of a dork but has really good ideas.