Travel Europe as a Budget Backpacker
See the Great European Cities Without Breaking the Bank
Oct 10, 2009
With more than thirty countries nestled in a space smaller than the size of the United States, Europe offers a wondrous opportunity to sample a multitude of cultures, to experience a range of architecture and to learn about some of the world’s oldest historical locations. Backpacking is all about doing it as cheap as possible, while having as much fun as possible; here’s some tips to make it happen.
Planning the Ultimate Journey
The amount of planning and research that goes into a European trip will ultimately dictate the ease and enjoyment of travel. Timing a trip is crucial. Summer is the busiest and most expensive time to visit Europe. Most sights will be choked with tourists and most hostels increase their prices. The months around summer – March, April, May, October and November are quieter and yet the weather is still seasonable. Researching locations can help save money as well; the aim is to avoid busy local festivals, school holidays etc.
Visit Eastern Europe
Spending more time in cheaper countries is a great idea: Eastern Europe is easier to travel around than ever before and these countries are very welcoming to tourists. Countries like Hungary, the Czech Repubilc, Slovenia, Croatia and Poland are becoming increasingly popular with backpackers as they offer much cheaper accommodation, food and drink while still delivering amazing history, culture and scenery. Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic and Bled in Slovenia are two beautiful, historic backpacker favourites.
The Cheapest Ways to Get Around
Depending on the type of travel and length of time intended, there are several cheap options for moving around the continent. For shorter trips with only a few destinations, there are many budget airlines in Europe offering very low rates. For longer trips an ‘all access’ rail pass like InterRail or Eurail is a great idea. A third option is a Short Term Car Lease; all these options are detailed in the article Cheap Ways of Getting Around Europe.
Finding Hostels in Europe
Without a doubt, Hostels are the most popular option for backpackers travelling in Europe. They are very cheap, usually flexible and most of the popular destinations are swarming with them. A good idea is to research the Hostels in each destination on an itinerary before booking. Some can be of very poor quality, while others can be very popular and book out in advance. Popular independent websites like Hostelworld.com, Hostelbookers.com and Travellerspoint.com offer information on a huge range of Hostels and include independent reviews and a percentage rating from visitors. The best tip for staying in hostels in Europe is this: to get a place in the hostel you want, book well in advance, especially in summer.
Alternatives to Hostel Accommodation
There are many other accommodation options that are both cheap and will enhance the travel experience in Europe.
- Try a cheap hotel deal. There are a few good alternatives to staying in a hostel. The website lastminute.com will advertise last-minute deals on all sorts of things, and cheap hotels are one of their specialties; this option will usually still be more expensive than a hostel though.
- Consider staying in a campsite. In some places, campsites welcome the backpacker trade: especially in Italy. It’s possible to get a very cheap cabin or tent on-site, while still having the security of a place to lock your bag, have a shower and to feel safe – many campsites cater to backpackers and can be found on sites like Hostelworld.com.
- Probably the cheapest option is couch surfing. This is where people advertise their couch or spare bed on an online site like couchsurfing.com. Travellers can contact the person and request to sleep on their couch for couple of days: this option usually requires some quid-pro-quo, though. Users need to join the site themselves and its not uncommon to let the host provide a personal tour of their city. As this option is purely a contract between two individuals, the practice is not necessarily regulated, although a bad review online for a couch surfer could be disastrous.
Seeing the Sights Cheaply
Many major cities have free walking tours on offer. Sandeman’s New Europe Walking Tours run in many cities including London, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris and Berlin and these energetic and fun walking tours are free. The tour guides work for tips, which are not compulsory, but almost always deserved. Otherwise, try a city-based discount card. Many cities in Europe offer discount passes for visitors intending to see multiple tourist sites. For example, the London Pass costs £52 for two days and offers free entry into around 50 of the city’s major tourist sites. While the initial outlay for these passes may seem expensive, when the entry fee into many of the major sites is taken into consideration, the passes are often very reasonable.
Eating on a Budget
While eating out is part of the fun when travelling, it’s rarely cheap and will quickly drain the funds. Purchasing food from supermarkets is one good option to save money. Throughout Europe, the ‘Aldi’ supermarket brand is found in most countries and is a budget brand supermarket. Alternatively, the Co-op supermarket is also quite cheap and common. Otherwise, bakeries are usually cheap in Europe, and local food markets, such as La Boqueria in Barcelona offer cheap local food.
Travelling in Pairs
Finally, a great money saving tip for Europe is; take a friend. Twin rooms in Hostels are often cheaper than dorm beds, as is food when the expenses are shared. Travelling with a friend is also safer, and having two or more travellers in a group means less work for the individual in terms of navigating and problem solving. Plus, travelling is something best shared and appreciated with others – having a friend around can be more motivating and stave off the loneliness.
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