Europe trip

[Jimmy]

Hi all i'am planning on takeing a 2 - 3 week trip around europe in august with a friend. We are thinking about getting one of those rail passes. We are both from the UK. Any ideas on places to visit and how much money to alot per day, we are on a very tight budget.

Thanks.

Jimmy

[Kim]

If you are on a tight budget, you will want to avoid Switzerland, Scandinavia, maybe even Italy and Germany..

Budget friendly places are Eastern Europe, Greece, Spain, Portugal.

If your rail pass is paid for, you are probably look at about $25-$35 pounds a day for Western Europe. Costs will be dorm bed, food, daily transportation (such as the bus to somewhere), sightseeing costs, entertainment costs (if you like to go out and have a drink).

Keep in mind, it's good to have a few extra dollars in case the unexpected comes up or things like laundry etc.

Ways to keep the costs down:

• Buy food at the grocery store and make a lunch to bring with you.
  
  
• Take advantage of any hostel that has a kitchen to cook in. Make this one of your top priorities when choosing a hostel-it will save huge money.
  
  
• The larger the dorm, (generally) the cheaper the price.
  
  
• Walk as much as possible over using public transportation.
  
  
• Never buy food on the train. Bring food and drinks with you. A 3 in 1 cutlery set is so handy.
  
  
• If you sit down in a cafe in places like Italy, the price is way more than eating/drinking standing at the bar.
  
  
• If you have a student card, bring it. Always ask if there is a student price. If you are asked if you are a student and you're not, say yes-it's worth a shot. Many times they won't ask for the card.
  
  
• Sunscreen country wide is expensive in Europe. (This is more for the Americans/Canadians 'cause one of the bad places to buy it is the UK! ) Bring some with you.
  Same goes for contact solution. (Also pricey in the UK)
  
  

If I think of anything else, I will post again.

Kim

[Jimmy]

Thanks for the info.