3 Month Euro Trip

[daveoh]

I traveled around western europe for 15 days with a friend in 2009 and had a great time. We visited Paris, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Amsterdam so we saw a lot but it was quite rushed. I am about to graduate university in December and have about 6,000 CAD saved up that I am willing to spend on a longer solo trip around Europe approx 3 months long, probably from February to May.

I have a 900 dollar credit from Air Canada from a flight I booked for last summer but I had to postpone because of the volcano in Iceland so I can basically leave out the flight cost in my budget. These are the costs that I have worked out


Hostel - 15 x day
Food - 20 x day
Transportation - 5 x day
Activities - 10 x day

Total = 50 / day average
50 x 90 days = 4,500

Rail Pass - 600
Other (Flights, trains) - 200

Total 800


Grand Total
4,500
800

5,300



So this gives me a 5,300 dollar budget with a little bit of breathing room over two months. The first expenses on the list are all daily averages that I have estimated based on what I paid last time, and assuming that I will be spending about 30 days out of 90 staying with friends, in addition to using the Couchsurfing website whenever I can, these seem like reasonable amounts to me. I am really trying to be as cheap as possible on this trip, sleeping on couches of anyone I know in any city I am visiting.

Destinations

Last time I traveled Europe I visited five countries in just over two weeks so things we quite rushed. This time, I plan to take a much slower pace, spend a week here a week there, and since I am doing this trip by myself I can keep my own pace. My last traveling mate was a good friend but we had many clashes over what we were going to do, and I am a pretty independent guy so I think I will fare well on my own. Places I want to visit - UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy. I am really interested in seeing more of the country side on this trip, as last time I was only ever getting the chance to explore in the big cities. So that is seven countries in 3 months, so I should be able to take my time and relax and meet some locals.

The rail pass cost I included is for the 10 day over 2 month pass from Eurail, which I think will be enough as I plan to spend at least 2 weeks in UK which is not included, and probably the final 2 weeks of my trip in Paris where I will be flying home from.

Please let me know if you think this is a good budget or if there is anything major I am leaving out. These are basically the first plans that I have drawn up so I expect a bit of revision and I know everyone will say I am not factoring in enough for hostels but again I am going to be traveling extremely lightly and as cheaply as possible, sleeping on couches at every chance I get. Hostels will only be for back up in case I can't find any place to crash. Hitchiking or pitching in with other drivers headed my way is also something I expect to do. Also Feb March and April are the off season are they not? Thanks

[Eagle]

daveoh,

To begin with, welcome to the Boards!

A few comments on your travel plans.....

I'd suggest preparing at least a "rough" Itinerary, so that you have some idea how long to spend in each location. Be sure to allow for adequate travel times between locations.

One very important point to make, is that with a three-month trip you'll have to be very careful not to exceed that time. Under the terms of the Schengen Treaty, tourists are allowed NO MORE than 90-days in any 180 -day period in the Schengen zone, which includes most of western Europe. Penalties can be severe for those that overstay.

One thing to mention about Railpasses is that these don't include the reservation fees that are compulsory on the "premium" trains, such as the TGV in France (usually this means the "fast" trains). You'll have to pay separately for those.

Hitchiking or pitching in with other drivers headed my way is also something I expect to do

Hitchiking is not something I'd recommend from a safety point-of-view. It may also be illegal in some countries.

Regarding your budget, I'm not sure it's completely realistic. Your budget amount of CAD$6000 is only about €4500 (the exchange rate will be worse in the U.K.). One example is the estimated cost for Hostels. One of the Hostels that I stayed at in Rome this year charges €21 per night for an 8-bed Dorm (off season, about the time you'll be travelling). That's equivalent to about CAD$28 per night.

The amounts quoted for food, transportation and activities also seems a bit "low". Many Hostels will provide breakfast, either in the cost of the room or for a small charge. This may not be the case with Couchsurfing. There's NO WAY I could eat on CAD$20 per day (about €15)! In the case of "Activities", CAD$10 (€7.50) isn't sufficient for admissions to some sights. For example, full admission to the Roman Colosseum is €15.50.

Hopefully the others will have some comments as well, so that you get a variety of opinions.

Good luck with your planning!