Affording Europe?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 2:13pm

I am making this thread because I have always had an interest to travel to Europe, especially Italy (but would love to visit a lot of other countries such as Spain, Greece, Germany, England, etc.). I am about to enter my senior year in college, and it seems a lot of people have traveled to Europe. Heck, I've only been on a plane once - to Chicago (which was a lovely trip). I know I am young and have the rest of my life, but I want to experience it now before I get thrown into the real world and am tied down with a career (although I know I can take vacations once I am settled down).

Currently, study abroad is out of the question for me. Not because of grades, but some other issues.

I would love to go to Europe after I graduate, even if it is for a week in Italy; however, I go to a private university that loves to burn holes in your pockets, and I will have an enormous debt hanging over my head come graduation. How do people do it? I know that there has to be people like me who don't come from super rich families, yet somehow manage to do it. I will have some income this coming school year, as I will have a couple of jobs, but I don't know if I'd have enough to go, who knows, because I have to buy other necessities too and need some cash for emergencies.

Besides staying in hostels, how do you make a trip to Europe affordable, especially with airfare being jacked up so much due to the bad state of the economy? Any experiences are greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Updated On: 8/19/08 at 02:13 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 2:28pm

Back in the day before terrorism, you used to be able to get cheap airfares by being a courier.

You might want to check some of the Lonely Planet books for suggestions. One of their goals is to see how cheap they can travel.

You might want to check some of the tour groups such as Globus. Travelling with 50 people over the age of 85 may not be fun to you, but tours keep the cost down due to buying in bulk.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 2:31pm

I was able to go to Berlin from L.A. for $384 round trip, and only $150 for lodging for 6 nights.
my Boyfriend is constantly on the internet looking for deals and when we find it we book it immidiatly before the deal goes away or gets sold out.
Then for our lodging we went onto craigslist and found someone who was renting out thier Flat. We had 5 people in our group so we ended up getting a beautiful 2 bdrm flat right downtown.
I would say the key is to always be looking for deals online. They come every once in a while and when they do you gotta book it right away! Once you have booked and payed for the ticket then its much easier to focus on money that you will need while you are there....(Dont focus on the entire cost of the trip.... take it piece by piece)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 2:38pm

Thanks, guys!

Any other feedback still appreciated.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 2:48pm

I will suggest the website Couchsurfing. It's not as bad or scary as you think. I have been very fortunate in being able to stay with friends when I travel abroad. It really gives you a different perspective on the culture and the people that live there.

You should also consider visiting less popular destinations. Europe is great but what I would consider expensive. While there is no substitute for the places you mention other countries offer unique and worthwhile experiences.
Couch Surfing

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 3:46pm

If you travel after Labor Day you'll find that the airfares are much cheaper. I just booked a flight to Toulouse, France for next month and didn't get his with any surcharges or baggage fees.

Hopefully when you graduate, the dollar will be stronger in Europe and you'll be able to have a good time. Even if the dollar wi weak, you can cut costs by staying in youth hostels and not buying tourist merchandise. Heck, I had a great day in London a few years ago and only spent money on food. Many of the museums there are free.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 3:53pm

I think there are student tickets available from some travel agencies. Also try to find out when peak tourist season is and avoid it by going in the off season.

[Taryn]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 5:21pm

http://www.studentuniverse.com/ might be helpful.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 5:49pm

I studied abroad in Switzerland, which was a great experience, but then stayed after for a few weeks and traveled Europe with a friend. It was pretty expensive, but so, SO worth it. It's tougher now that the dollar is so weak, but probably still doable. Even if you're not taking a class, some of the same tips apply.

- Federal (and most other, I would think) loans give you the six-month period before you start repayment, so my advice would be to (if possible) move home the summer after graduation and find a job -- any job -- immediately and start saving money. Save all of your graduation gift money and apply it to your trip, too. When you have enough to afford the plane tickets, go ahead and book in advance (earlier is better). If you start saving in the summer, by fall you should probably have enough to spend a few weeks traveling if you can travel on a budget.

- It helps, for a lot of reasons, to find a friend who wants to go with you. Anything from sharing meals to splitting the price of hotels/hostels can make a difference. Plus, well, safer.

- As you mentioned, hostels. You'll meet a lot of interesting people, and a lot of times places listed on "hostel" websites are actually nice hotels with private rooms that just have shared bathrooms. We stayed in a GREAT place in Florence that was that way. Or if you're on the more adventurous side, there are the cheaper, traditional shared bunk hostels.

- If (and only if) you can do it, take overnight trains and sleep between destinations. You'll save time and money on accommodations.

- Lots and lots of research. Know what you want to see and have an idea of the prices, and try to have a basic itinerary for each destination. Look into less touristy areas for meals. Walk around and soak everything up...walking from Roma Termini to Vatican City and taking detours for the sights along the way was exhausting, but one of my favorite memories.

- Maybe I'm the only one who had to learn this from experience, but NEVER use traveler's checks. It's just not worth it. Nowhere will accept them. ATM fees aren't so exorbitant that you'll lose that much money, and traveler's checks aren't worth the hassle. Also, keep a backup credit card or other source of funds in a safe place in case you're pickpocketed.

- Don't travel in August, especially in Italy. Many places will be closed because the Italians are vacationing.

Also, and maybe most importantly, be flexible. You're on a budget, but set money aside to splurge on things you really want and will remember.

Hopefully some of that helps. I know people get so caught up in "I have to find a job in my field ASAP!" right after college graduation, but consider the experience of traveling abroad an extension of your education. There should still be time to find a real job when you get home.
Updated On: 8/20/08 at 05:49 PM

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 6:03pm

Very cool ... this is what I recommend everyone should do after they graduate either high school or college. Never again will you have the opportunity to experience a foreign land this way. I did that a couple of times, and when I was 24 went with my bf at the time, knowing that the idea of "roughing" it would not make it to my thirties.

I don't what it's like anymore (my last trip was early 90s) but we did several things:
• got a first class Eurail Pass, and made sure to travel between cities at night-we got to sleep on the train and save a hotel night
• we arranged for a place to stay once we got to the train station - there are always people at the station with rentals (we were traveling in early May). The best was Prague, where we go a 1 bedroom apt to ourselves for $7/night.
• like someone else mentioned, sign up for couchsurfing.com. I'm a member, and it's a great community.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 6:51pm

well, forget the $7 for Prague....while some places there are still inexpensive, the cheap Prague days are long gone. Poland can be pretty cheap, but anywhere you go these days is expensive....the dollar plain sucks.

Train travel in Europe is nowhere as cheap as it used to be, but you can still get some deals. If only going to Italy, get a single country 2nd class pass, in most European countries second class is just as nice as first (ironically in Hungary both trips I did 8 years apart, 2nd class was actually nicer).

Hostels are a good idea...especially for the young. You'll meet interesting people.

There are travel bureaus at every train station that can help you find cheap lodgings. I have to disagree with Day, do avoid people who walk up when you step off a train offering a room. It can be disasterous.

Heck, don't travel in July OR August......having been in Rome in the heat, and having been in Budapest for the hottest day ever recorded, I can say IT AIN'T FUN. Plus, it's way too touristy then.

Definately NO traveler's checks....a major rip-off, and sometimes just finding the American Express office can be a pain. ATM's are the ONLY way to go. You get your best rate (or also using credit cards) and some even have agreements. In England, and Spain I believe if we used our B of A ATM, there was no charge.
Your ATM must have a 4 digit code to work in Europe. I brought almost all my US cash back that I took, as I used ATM's.....much easier then paying to change into local currency.

Many places have a breakfest included in the price of staying there. For lunch visi local markets, etc, but a roll, meat, cheese, fruit etc, and have a picnic.....great way to save money.

Do NOT drink coca-cola or other American soft drinks, as they are very expensive there. Drink local pop, beer, wine, or bottled water...cheaper.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 6:52pm

Going to venice next weekend

Should be able to tell you a week later how bad it is money wise.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 7:28pm

why wait?....it's BAD......The dollar has come back a bit since we were there in April, but it's really, REALLY bad.....

have a good time anyway! Beautiful city!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 7:41pm

Have a good time, Mr. Roxy...and thanks guys!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 7:47pm

It is our 10 th anniversary. On our honeymoon , we went to Rome/Florence & Venice. Mrs R thought Venice would be nice for our 10 th & we are staying at the Danelli. It is the Venice film festival so we may ask George Clooney or Woody to have a drink with us.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 8:47pm

wow, it'll be crowded....but fun

[ExceedinglyPeculiar2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:45am

www.xe.com

This was a godsend when I lived in Italy for a few months. It doesn't just give you the dollar to euro ratio, you can enter a specific amount and it'll convert it for you both ways.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:56am

About traveller's Cheques:

Yes, ATM or debit cards are the easiest way to convert money, but two years ago my pocket was picked in Monaco and that left me virtually penniless. Luckily a friend here in the States was able to wire me money for the rest of my trip.

Let me suggest that you put half your money in traveller's cheques (and keep a record of their numbers hidden somewhere in your luggage). Use your debit card as people here have sugggested, but know that you have those traveller's cheques in case of an emergency.

Also, travel with your passport debit cards, etc in a pouch around your neck and under your shirt. Do everything you can to protect yourself.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:21am

Hate to disagree but traveler’s checks have been (at least on my travels) increasingly useless. I would suggest taking a debit card and two major credit cards (keep them separate). I have even been to several developing nations that have credit cards everywhere but traveler checks are just a huge inconvenience. Whenever it is offered use the credit card instead of cash.

Most places accept plastic now and credit cards can save you so much money because it is all done in the ether and you get the best exchange rate. AND when you get home or to an internet cafe you can track these purchases.

The debit card should ONLY be used to getting cash at banks. You will incur fees from your bank for these transactions usually around $5.00 per withdrawal. Watch the conversion here because you can get in a fix. When I was in Peru last I didn’t realize that I was withdrawing a little more than $5.00 (everything was very cheap then) and the fee was just not worth it. Try to use it sparingly and just try to make sure you pay very close attention to your wallet and cash.

I'm not really up-to-speed on the value of the "us dollar" or exchange rates abroad but I've never encountered any significant differences. In Europe I just expect everything to be as expensive as New York City. It has been my experience. I think the real savings you will see is in visiting in the off-season and hitting non-tourists destinations.

Oh yea I just remembered a company I used before called G.A.P . They offer VERY inexpensive tours all over the world. It's cool if you are interested in traveling with a group of strangers. You will likely have to share a room and they pride themselves on their ability to economize. I'm not a huge fan of the backpacking set but it can be a great savings for you.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:37am

Yeah, I still firmly disagree about traveler's checks -- and this is coming from someone who was pickpocketed and had to go to the trouble of canceling credit cards and getting a temporary passport to get back into the States. Honestly, they are SO MUCH more trouble than they're ever worth. It's next to impossible to find anyone willing to accept them. As mejusthavingfun said, just have backup credit cards (and maybe a few Euros) and keep them separate. Also, keep photocopies of your passport, license and any credit cards in a safe place...they can help immensely if you lose or have anything stolen. Updated On: 8/20/08 at 11:37 AM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 3:48pm

a waste.....travellers checks are a waste, and not worth the expense.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 4:06pm

Being a dual citizen I travel in Europe... well, I sorta live there. Yes, a debit card is better than traveller's checks. The later are a relic of the pre-digital age. Just don't lose your debit card(s).

Bicycle is a good way to travel Europe cheaply. You have a tent, bed and stove in your saddle bags so you can wild-camp when you get to a suitable site. It's best to go with someone, though I have known many male bicyclers who have successfully travelled all over Europe alone. You need to research and enquire on the road where good wild-camping places are. In some places it's forbidden. I know a few die-hards who have bicycled all over Europe even in dead winter! Brrr

If you want to try that, get a simply constructed but durable bike that can be serviced and repaired anywhere, that's easy to break down and put on a plane or train. Get something with about 20 gears, lightweight, but able to carry a full complement of bags.

Food is cheap. (How expensive is a can of corn or beans, anyway?)

..... mmmm.... I guess I should mention that there is a whole network of "warm houses" in Europe. Places owned or occupied by other bicyclists who provide a place to sleep and a warm shower or bath (especially important for women) at a very small charge, if any charge at all. It's always best to at least offer to pay something, if only € 10. but often they'll refuse. It's an informal club. Like-minded travellers, so to speak.

Updated On: 8/20/08 at 04:06 PM