Backpacking Europe

L.R. · Sep 16, 2009

After not being able to do it last summer, Im getting things in order to do it next time. Anyone have any tips for fun or cost saving? Im hoping that even though Im currently in school I'll save up enough to go for 2-3 months

Benzito · Sep 16, 2009

Cost saving? Don't go until the Euro to USD rate drops. Two months is a looooooong time.

Seriously, I would start with one of the standard college student handbooks and try to plot your course to take most advantage of your travel pass (Eurail, for example). Nothing wastes money like buying a 21 day pass and only using 10 days or spreading out your travel and having to buy tickets after your pass expired because you didn't budget properly.

HEWSINATOR · Sep 17, 2009

Let's Go books are a good start. The MTV book is good too, I think, believe it or not. I did this and thought I could get all the info online, but suprisingly did not find a good comprehensive place.

bootsnall is a forum about this. Also travelpunk

Random suggestions:

-Do not try to do too much. It will seem like you did nothing for trying to do everything.
-If this applies to you, get out of your comfort zone. Do new things and meet new people.
-I feel like I focused on sights too much instead of doing things.
-Look at what you think you want to take, and half it.

Cost saving:
-Street food and hostel dorms.
-Grocery store booze.
-Student ID for student discounts at sights.

JohnnyLaw · Sep 17, 2009

Originally Posted by HEWSINATOR

-Do not try to do too much. It will seem like you did nothing for trying to do everything. -Look at what you think you want to take, and half it.
Good advice here. Take your time. If you try to fit too much stuff in, you'll just be exhausted and it all becomes a blur. Fight the temptation to bring stuff "just in case". When in doubt, leave it at home. You can always buy it once you're there, if you realize you left out something important.

emptym · Sep 17, 2009

Walk instead of taking the bus, take the bus instead of the train, and the train instead of a plane -- generally.

Buy food from grocery stores and eat it in the park. You can make some great meals w/ local bread, meat, cheese, muesli, yogurt, fruit and vegetables. Enjoy the peace of the park, watch locals go by, enjoy sunsets outdoors.

Carry a waterbottle with you everywhere. Platypus makes great collapsable ones. Buy a big one for long train/bus rides and a small one for daily use. If you don't want them to grow mold, only fill them with clean water, not juice, etc.

If you're going to do it for 2 months, you might try working at hostels. I never did that, but I met a lot of Australians who did. Australians seem to have a lot of tips for doing it cheaply since so many of them spend like a year traveling abroad.

MetroStyles · Sep 17, 2009

cooooooooooouuuuuuuuuucccccccccchhhhhhhhhssssssssuuuuuuuurrrrrrrffffffffiiiiiinnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Pennglock · Sep 17, 2009

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

cooooooooooouuuuuuuuuucccccccccchhhhhhhhhssssssssuuuuuuuurrrrrrrffffffffiiiiiinnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Fuckin a. Between friends and Facebook, I got all over that continent in college on the cheap.

LabelKing · Sep 17, 2009

I believe it's called The Four Seasons.

MetroStyles · Sep 17, 2009

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I believe it's called The Four Seasons.

Sometimes you are just a parody of yourself...if that's possible.

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Backpacking Europe

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