backpack camping in england image
Alycia
Hi! I'm taking a gap year before college. My goals are to live in France, Italy, and England for a good two weeks each.
Since I'm not too keen on pre-packaged programs, I would prefer to organize my own itinerary. Problem is... I have no idea where to start. What to do, where to stay, etc.
Would anyone mind helping out? Thank you! I genuinely appreciate your time!
Answer
Prices depend on exactly where you're starting from, when you go (prices vary a lot), how long you stay, where you go in Europe, how you get around, the kind of places you stay in and what you see/do/eat. People who backpack generally can get by for $100 per day staying in cheap hostels and carefully watching their budget (not including airfare). However, if you stay in hotels, it will cost you more. I usually spend 100 to 150 euro a night for a hotel just for myself. You won't need to worry about the airfares.
Here are some resources that can help you plan and check options and current prices for your trip (expect prices in the future to rise):
http://www.kayak.com/ - airfares & hotels; the explore function is useful for finding the less expensive places to fly into from your starting point.
http://www.skyscanner.it/ - particularly good for budget flights within Europe, but you can also use everywhere as a destination to do something like the explore option on Kayak. You may not need the airfares, but you can compare to the cost of the trains to get around. this one may be more useful for you.
http://www.seat61.com/ - a great train site with details about railpasses. It can be cheaper to buy individual tickets than passes. This site will tell you how to determine whether you're better off with a railpass or individual tickets or some combination for your trip. It also details how to use the pass and what to avoid to get the best use out of a pass. Most high speed, international and night trains require reservations and will require you to pay a supplement when you use a railpass. You need to be aware that a railpass is almost always more expensive for trains here in some places like Italy and Spain.
.
http://www.venere.com/ - hotels/B&Bs - prices for the same hotel can vary hugely depending on the season and what local events are going on.
http://www.hostelbookers.com/ - hostels.
http://www.monasterystays.com/ - monasteries & convents that offer accommodations
You can also look into camping or couch surfing as cheaper alternatives for accommodations.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.ht... - festivals, exhibitions and events
http://www.backpackeurope.com/ - information & advice
For sightseeing prices: check the websites for entrance fees for the museums & galleries you're interested in. I spend anywhere between nothing and 40 euro a day depending on exactly what I go to see when out exploring. For food, I spend around 25 to 50 euro for a meal, but you can eat for less. A pizza is 8 to 13 euro and a panino or wrap is around 3 to 6.50 euro in many places. You can often get food at festivals at a relatively low price. You can also shop in the markets and put some meals together for yourselves.When I travel, I like to try the local specialties and the good restaurants.
Prices depend on exactly where you're starting from, when you go (prices vary a lot), how long you stay, where you go in Europe, how you get around, the kind of places you stay in and what you see/do/eat. People who backpack generally can get by for $100 per day staying in cheap hostels and carefully watching their budget (not including airfare). However, if you stay in hotels, it will cost you more. I usually spend 100 to 150 euro a night for a hotel just for myself. You won't need to worry about the airfares.
Here are some resources that can help you plan and check options and current prices for your trip (expect prices in the future to rise):
http://www.kayak.com/ - airfares & hotels; the explore function is useful for finding the less expensive places to fly into from your starting point.
http://www.skyscanner.it/ - particularly good for budget flights within Europe, but you can also use everywhere as a destination to do something like the explore option on Kayak. You may not need the airfares, but you can compare to the cost of the trains to get around. this one may be more useful for you.
http://www.seat61.com/ - a great train site with details about railpasses. It can be cheaper to buy individual tickets than passes. This site will tell you how to determine whether you're better off with a railpass or individual tickets or some combination for your trip. It also details how to use the pass and what to avoid to get the best use out of a pass. Most high speed, international and night trains require reservations and will require you to pay a supplement when you use a railpass. You need to be aware that a railpass is almost always more expensive for trains here in some places like Italy and Spain.
.
http://www.venere.com/ - hotels/B&Bs - prices for the same hotel can vary hugely depending on the season and what local events are going on.
http://www.hostelbookers.com/ - hostels.
http://www.monasterystays.com/ - monasteries & convents that offer accommodations
You can also look into camping or couch surfing as cheaper alternatives for accommodations.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.ht... - festivals, exhibitions and events
http://www.backpackeurope.com/ - information & advice
For sightseeing prices: check the websites for entrance fees for the museums & galleries you're interested in. I spend anywhere between nothing and 40 euro a day depending on exactly what I go to see when out exploring. For food, I spend around 25 to 50 euro for a meal, but you can eat for less. A pizza is 8 to 13 euro and a panino or wrap is around 3 to 6.50 euro in many places. You can often get food at festivals at a relatively low price. You can also shop in the markets and put some meals together for yourselves.When I travel, I like to try the local specialties and the good restaurants.
Hey I want to know somethings about backpacking around europe and hoe much it is going to cost?
Lala
i am planning to take a month/ month 1/2 to backpack through europe before I go to college, my 18th birthday. I am currently 16 going on 17. I just want to know some things to take into account and maybe howmuch it will cost so I can start saving up. I plan to go to England for a week and then start from Portugal to where ever I end up. Any info or maybe one of your own expirence that you would like to share I will truely appreciate. Thank you.
Answer
Been packpacking first time in 1976 and visited just about all the European countries. The cost depends very much on where you travel. My son has traveled on 10 dollars a day in eastern Europe sleeping in hostels.
Travelling is not that expensive and easy to plan eurailpass for youth costs currently $634.00 for one moth travel in Austria 3, Belgium 3, Denmark 3 , Finland 3, France 2, Germany, 3 Greece 2, Holland 2, Hungary 1, Italy 2, Luxembourg 3, Norway 4, Portugal 1, Republic of Ireland 3, Romania 0 , Spain 2, Sweden 3 and Switzerland 4.
You can also extend your trip to Czeck 1 and Slovakia 0 you have to buy the train tickets, but prices of them are very reasonable and would certainly recommend Prague (old city and center price level 3 all other 1). Other Cities definately worth seeing are: Porto (take a tour in port cellar) and Barcelona maybe also Paris, Cologne, Amsterdam, Delft (Holland), Annecy (France), Berlin, Copenhagen.
I have number behind each giving idea of price level there this correspons the price level on regular towns not historic city centers etc...
4 - much higher than states
3 - somewhat higher than states
2 - states level
1 - below states
0 - way below
The main thing determining your budget is accommodation: hotel, hostel with private room annd shower, hostel without neither, camping. If you travel in the summer its a good idea to have sleeping bag and a light tent with you gives you freedom. A good way to cut cost is to take night trains you cover a lot a ground while sleeping (sleeping bag handy).
Travelling alone is not a problem in Europe even for a lady. You might get some whistles in Italy but thats about all. Having companion is also nice and cuts a bit on your budjet if you prefer private rooms (double room usually costs about the same as single). Especially in the summer you can also find companion in the trains with thousands of backpackers just like yourself and then maybe spend a week in some companion and then split. The girl from my neighbuor (19 y) did that.
Have fun and realize your dream.
Been packpacking first time in 1976 and visited just about all the European countries. The cost depends very much on where you travel. My son has traveled on 10 dollars a day in eastern Europe sleeping in hostels.
Travelling is not that expensive and easy to plan eurailpass for youth costs currently $634.00 for one moth travel in Austria 3, Belgium 3, Denmark 3 , Finland 3, France 2, Germany, 3 Greece 2, Holland 2, Hungary 1, Italy 2, Luxembourg 3, Norway 4, Portugal 1, Republic of Ireland 3, Romania 0 , Spain 2, Sweden 3 and Switzerland 4.
You can also extend your trip to Czeck 1 and Slovakia 0 you have to buy the train tickets, but prices of them are very reasonable and would certainly recommend Prague (old city and center price level 3 all other 1). Other Cities definately worth seeing are: Porto (take a tour in port cellar) and Barcelona maybe also Paris, Cologne, Amsterdam, Delft (Holland), Annecy (France), Berlin, Copenhagen.
I have number behind each giving idea of price level there this correspons the price level on regular towns not historic city centers etc...
4 - much higher than states
3 - somewhat higher than states
2 - states level
1 - below states
0 - way below
The main thing determining your budget is accommodation: hotel, hostel with private room annd shower, hostel without neither, camping. If you travel in the summer its a good idea to have sleeping bag and a light tent with you gives you freedom. A good way to cut cost is to take night trains you cover a lot a ground while sleeping (sleeping bag handy).
Travelling alone is not a problem in Europe even for a lady. You might get some whistles in Italy but thats about all. Having companion is also nice and cuts a bit on your budjet if you prefer private rooms (double room usually costs about the same as single). Especially in the summer you can also find companion in the trains with thousands of backpackers just like yourself and then maybe spend a week in some companion and then split. The girl from my neighbuor (19 y) did that.
Have fun and realize your dream.
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Title Post: How to start planning an independent gap year trip to Europe?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
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Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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