Start saving! It doesn't take much to travel through Europe, but yet this
seems to be the biggest worry people have. "How much money did you take?"
is my most frequently asked question. And this is a difficult one to
answer, but I can give you some ideas and general information that may help
you decide what it will take for you to go on the trip of a lifetime! I
believe that anyone can do it and everyone should. So take notes and before
you know it you'll be packing your bag and heading toward one of the
greatest places on earth!
I am by no means rich. I'm a recent college graduate still working in a
restaurant and looking for a "real job". If the job doesn't come soon, then
I know where I will be heading this summer - back to Europe. This time
possibly to get a job and live there for a while. I've been the past two
summers and I don't want to break my streak! Each time I survived and
thoroughly enjoyed my travels without a lot of money. I even brought home
gifts, and that right there could be your first big money saver. It is so
tempting to buy gifts for friends and family. A friend of mine told me
before my second trip, "remember, you are not going to Europe to shop, you
are going to see the sights and meet people, anything you could buy there is
already here or it will be soon, so spend your money on doing things and
don't even go into those stores!" She was right. On my first trip I did
use some of the funds to go shopping, so on my second trip I had a small
budget for gifts. People will love anything you bring them just because
it's the thought that counts. One friend asked me to just bring him a
coaster from a cool bar. Great idea, and it's free! And, send postcards.
I would say as a general rule, about $50 a day would be a very comfortable
trip. This is of course after the airline tickets to get there and your rail
pass or however you plan to get around to each country (Train, Bus, Car).
Each day you will need a place to sleep. If you stay in hostels, these cost
about $10-$25 a night and this usually includes breakfast. There will also
be other cheap sleeps mentioned in your guidebook. Food does not have to be
a big expense. This is where you can save big! Everyone traveling seems to
be carrying around a fresh baguette and some type of cheese, maybe ham if
they splurged! Shop in the markets or grocery stores. You can eat some
healthy food for a cheap price and enjoy the scenery by having a picnic
outside! Only once in a while in each country did I eat an authentic
Moroccan, French or Italian meal. You need to experience it, but not
everyday. More importantly, you are there to see the sights. These can be
expensive, but wouldn't you hate to be in Florence and not have enough money
left in the budget for that day to see Michaelangelo's "David" because you
ate an expensive meal for lunch? Granola bars, yogurt, fruit, sandwiches,
pasta, pizza, bread, cheese and water. Just eat something healthy and
remember that sitting down in a restaurant you will always pay more than if
you stand at the bar to eat and gratuity may be added to the check.
Transportation is another big money eater. After the plane and the train,
there will be taxis, metros, buses, boats, mopeds and myabe even camels!
All the time you are spending money just to get from one place to the next.
It has to be done. There really is no way to avoid this unless you just
walk everywhere, but it is not always possible to see everything this way.
In Portugal, on the Southwestern coast called the Algarve, the only way to
really see the incredible countryside (where people used to think this place
was the end of the world!) was to rent mopeds and ride along the Atlantic.
Each city has it's own mode of transportation, and you may figure out that
you can ride the buses for free in Rome because they never ask to see a
ticket, or that some boats in Venice will take you anywhere for free if it
is a crowded trip. You will figure it out. Read your guidebook and plan on
things costing a little bit more since the prices may have increased since
it was written.
Try to stick to a budget, especially at the beginning of your trip. At the
end, if you have extra money you can treat yourself to a nice hotel or an
expensive meal or a souvenir, or even extend the trip! Before I left, I
spent money on the following items: Passport ($65), International Student
Identity Card ($19)- this is great for discounts on everything from airfare
to museums and gives you traveling insurance, Hosteling International
membership card ($25), a good backpack ($150), guidebook ($20), plane
tickets, Eurail pass, film, travel size toiletries, a pre-paid phone card
(please do this because international calls can cost you a fortune which you
won't realize until you get home), travel journal, more film, small first
aid kit, locks for your luggage, an inflatable pillow for night train rides,
extra batteries for your camera, more film and small packs of tissue (toilet
paper)! Now you know almost all of the essentials to pack for your trip,
too! Can you tell that I am a photographer? After it's all over, your
favorite things will be the photographs you took of all the people you met
and places you visited, and you will show these to everyone! Try to spread
out these purchases.
Of course, not all people want to go on a strict budget. Some people go for
the 5 star hotels and caviar, but for most young people, cheaper is better.
And it can be done so easily. Just save all that you can. Ask for
graduation money or charge up the credit cards if necessary. Your only
regret will be not going. I took $1000 for one month, and I managed just
fine. In fact I can't wait to go back. You have all the freedom to do what
you want with whatever you have.
Another option is to get a job overseas. Work Abroad programs are available
through Council Travel and other student travel organizations. And if I was
still in school, I would look into the Study Abroad programs. That way, you
can get school credit while paying close to what you already pay for school,
housing, and food, and be living in a foreign country! What a deal!!!
I hope I have helped you to understand the question about money a little bit
better. Don't just visit the big cities, get off the beaten path and find
even more value for your money. Then you can write and tell us about all of
your great finds! Many prices are negotiable, so haggle if you do go
shopping and always count your money when making any purchase. Know the
currency. As soon as you exchange money in any country, become familiar
with what each piece is worth so you can do the math! Look for the best
rates of exchange with no commision hopefully. Credit cards will usually
give the best rate, but cost a lot to do a cash advance. Talk to other
travelers and find out the bargains and the rip offs! Keep your money in a
safe place and spend it wisely! Now is the time - start saving! |
