I just got back from a little over a month. Don't forget about the exchange rate. Count on 2 euros ($3 USD) for a coke/bottle of water/etc from a market.
What's the best way to see Europe cheap?
- Thread starter papajohn56
- Start date
Google Earth!!
Seriously, Europe if far from cheap. If you're planning to hop around by plane, I'd go with Easyjet - you can pick up some seriously cheap fares. Other then that, I can only echo previous advice and stay East, out of the Eurozone. I used to live in Prague, so let me know if you decide to head there if you need a few pointers.
:R:
Seriously, Europe if far from cheap. If you're planning to hop around by plane, I'd go with Easyjet - you can pick up some seriously cheap fares. Other then that, I can only echo previous advice and stay East, out of the Eurozone. I used to live in Prague, so let me know if you decide to head there if you need a few pointers.
:R:
How about hiring or buying/selling a camper/motorhome? Gives you shit loads of flexibility, cheaper than hotels but more comfortable than camping or backpacking.
I wouldn't bother with VWs unless you value style over practicality, and you'll have all sorts of probs if you go too big.
For say £2-5k you could buy a professionally converted (or decent self-build) panel van and with good ebay skills have no problem selling it for what you buy it for. Insurance shouldn't be more than a few hundred. I'd recommend either a Mercedes sprinter or mk6 or 7 LWB transit. (As an owner of an older self-build transit I might be biased but a new tranny or sprinter is what I'm looking at next).
Hiring, you might struggle to find alternatives to VWs and the big motorhomes/RVs, and it would undoutably cost more but might be a lot less hassle.
I wouldn't bother with VWs unless you value style over practicality, and you'll have all sorts of probs if you go too big.
For say £2-5k you could buy a professionally converted (or decent self-build) panel van and with good ebay skills have no problem selling it for what you buy it for. Insurance shouldn't be more than a few hundred. I'd recommend either a Mercedes sprinter or mk6 or 7 LWB transit. (As an owner of an older self-build transit I might be biased but a new tranny or sprinter is what I'm looking at next).
Hiring, you might struggle to find alternatives to VWs and the big motorhomes/RVs, and it would undoutably cost more but might be a lot less hassle.
$1900 = €1400
Knowing both locations like the back of my hand... I can already tell you that the gross majority of EU travelers themselves, do not run up €1400 to visit AMS+PAR... more like ~€500 all in all.
I do suppose a €1400 plan will include better management, and possibly leave a greater experience
Agreed (unless you're talking about total cost with flights, not per person). If the OP has flights from the USA/CAN included, it'll cost a lots more and you can justify the higher price.
I'm a lot closer to these locations, and would think that €1400 is a lot for AMS +PAR unless you were staying in some slick hotel rooms.
I went to PAR and stayed in La Defense. Little cheaper but kinda far from the centre, had to take the Metro in to town (20 mins). And it was all business district so it was really dead around there on the weekend I was there. And in Jan, Paris is foookin freezing.
In AMS, I stayed right near Rembrandt Square. Wicked place to stay - right near loads of bars and clubs, and the people were cools. Ice bar there was awesome.
Hope that helps.
I went all around the UK twice using Britrail passes that were specially priced for those under 28. It was fast, fun and cheap. Here's the site for info on Eurail, which may have a low priced ticket for your demographic:
Map of Europe and European Travel Guide from Rail Europe
Don't bother renting anything you have to gas up. When I was in Germany last Nov. the price of petrol was $6 a gallon.
Map of Europe and European Travel Guide from Rail Europe
Don't bother renting anything you have to gas up. When I was in Germany last Nov. the price of petrol was $6 a gallon.
Forgot to say that while in Berlin there were lots of Turkish-run restaurant/cafes, and the food was abundant, wholesome and cheap. Ditto food available in the train stations - really high quality. "Doner" is the word for their big sandwiches, and they have excellent Greek salads.
Food bought in France on the street was also very high quality, and I never got sick eating from a food cart in France.
Food bought in France on the street was also very high quality, and I never got sick eating from a food cart in France.
One thing you haven't mentioned OP is how long you want to go for? Can you give us some more idea on an itinerary?
In 92 my girlfriend spent 3 months traveling mainland Europe with a friend, and after their Eurail and youth hostel passes they budgeted a very modest $50 each Canadian a day which wasn't always doable if they took in extra sites or ate or drank particularly well. It's now 18 years later and things are quite a bit more expensive. The Euro now exists and is quite strong on the dollar.
You can expect parity for the most part on costs. If something is $2 in the US you can expect it will be €2 here. Some things will be even more depending on what country you're in.
To be honest, I rather like Lazy's plan the most as far as keeping costs to a minimum go. Biggest downside from what I can see will be security. If your van gets broken into while you're enjoying the sites you're fucked. Youth hostels aren't the most comfortable or secure environments either, and you need to clear out on a daily basis, ie. do the backpacking thing that you say you're not so sure about.
I might consider a rental car(s) and small boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. Decent 3 star hotels can be found in the €50-€70 euro a night range. You could either drive the whole route that you want to take, or hop between airports on (ugh) EasyJet, and then pick up a car to see the local area before you make your next hop. Cost of both these options, the long drive vs short hops, will be comparable taking fuel costs into account.
Try looking at lastminute.com: hotels, holidays, flights, travel and entertainment at the last minute. for some ideas too.
I agree with the others though, steer absolutely clear of canned tours. I can't think of a much worse way to see Europe.
In 92 my girlfriend spent 3 months traveling mainland Europe with a friend, and after their Eurail and youth hostel passes they budgeted a very modest $50 each Canadian a day which wasn't always doable if they took in extra sites or ate or drank particularly well. It's now 18 years later and things are quite a bit more expensive. The Euro now exists and is quite strong on the dollar.
You can expect parity for the most part on costs. If something is $2 in the US you can expect it will be €2 here. Some things will be even more depending on what country you're in.
To be honest, I rather like Lazy's plan the most as far as keeping costs to a minimum go. Biggest downside from what I can see will be security. If your van gets broken into while you're enjoying the sites you're fucked. Youth hostels aren't the most comfortable or secure environments either, and you need to clear out on a daily basis, ie. do the backpacking thing that you say you're not so sure about.
I might consider a rental car(s) and small boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. Decent 3 star hotels can be found in the €50-€70 euro a night range. You could either drive the whole route that you want to take, or hop between airports on (ugh) EasyJet, and then pick up a car to see the local area before you make your next hop. Cost of both these options, the long drive vs short hops, will be comparable taking fuel costs into account.
Try looking at lastminute.com: hotels, holidays, flights, travel and entertainment at the last minute. for some ideas too.
I agree with the others though, steer absolutely clear of canned tours. I can't think of a much worse way to see Europe.
Sarah_Jayne_UK
I hustle for Hustler
No joke! We were there last year and it was seriously beautiful and we want to go back but it is also seriously expensive. I used to think people were just joking about how costly a place it was but, as an example, in Bergen, we had a small pizza, two drinks and nachos that came to about 60 USD.
This.
You can stay on the couch I am currently sitting on in Madrid for free, and can show you around... and don't worry. I won't kill you.
lol. USD in Europe
. You must be crazy...but yea, unless its italy, spain, greece or Portugal... don't expect to have a wonderful meal for less than 20€ per person in Europe.
If you like partying, don't miss out on the Streetparade in Zurich. Its not as gay when compared to the one in Berlin and you'll experience the craziest party morning, afternoon and night of your life.
When are you looking to go?
BTW: I'd rather chill in trains rather than having to deal with easyjet, aer lingus, or ryanair...