Europe
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offroadchef
Adventurer
With the exchange rate the way it is, you really need to do some math. I know that in Germany the food in the stores are cheaper, well when grandma pays it is always the cheapest. But when my wife compares prices they do have better prices I think, but everthing else is $$$. Gas, Hotels things like that. I have not checked in campgrounds. I did hear that in the eastern country's things are cheaper but not as safe.....
Markus
Markus
cruiser guy
Explorer
For places to stay in the summer google places like Eurocamp. There are three or four others but we stayed and booked with Eurocamp.
What it is is typical European camping where you have a pre-setup tent or trailer (your choice) complete with EVERYTHING. All you need is to roll out your sleeping bag and get out your grocery sack if you want to cook on your own.
These are generally located close to tourist spots and are significantly less expensive than hotel/motel rates.
The parent company of Motel 6 (Accor) has several European chains as well that are relatively less expensive than your typical European Hotel. Remember that shared bathrooms is not uncommon in low priced European hotels.
What it is is typical European camping where you have a pre-setup tent or trailer (your choice) complete with EVERYTHING. All you need is to roll out your sleeping bag and get out your grocery sack if you want to cook on your own.
These are generally located close to tourist spots and are significantly less expensive than hotel/motel rates.
The parent company of Motel 6 (Accor) has several European chains as well that are relatively less expensive than your typical European Hotel. Remember that shared bathrooms is not uncommon in low priced European hotels.
Scott Brady
Founder
Europe is quite expensive now with the falling dollar.
How about Eastern Europe? I would love to tour Romania, Poland, etc.
Much less expensive.
How about Eastern Europe? I would love to tour Romania, Poland, etc.
Much less expensive.
viter
Adventurer
eastern europe is definitely much cheaper (except Moscow, huh-huh), BUT it is considerably more dangerous, especially if you don't speak the language (like russian) or have a good friend who speaks it to tag along. a lot of people, including cops, will try to rip you off the moment they hear english.
not to discourage people from traveling there, but just to give you guys an idea of what you might have to deal with. still, lots and lots of people there are friendly to any foreigners.
and then, Hungary and other more western countries in eastrern europe should be somewhat safer than more eastern countries like russia, belorussia, ukraine, etc., I think.
just do your research first...
this coming from a Ukrainian who grew up there and just visited the country this past summer
not to discourage people from traveling there, but just to give you guys an idea of what you might have to deal with. still, lots and lots of people there are friendly to any foreigners.
and then, Hungary and other more western countries in eastrern europe should be somewhat safer than more eastern countries like russia, belorussia, ukraine, etc., I think.
just do your research first...
this coming from a Ukrainian who grew up there and just visited the country this past summer
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
After school (U of Glasgow) I spent some time working and travelling through parts of eastern Europe, that was over 7 years ago however. Anyway the Czech Republic and Hungary weren't bad price wise and are both very nice. Slovenia is beautiful if you want to do the Alps but don't want to spend the money you would in Italy or Austria. The thing with Europe is the hostels are much nicer then anything you'll find here in North America so if cost is a concern don't be affraid to stay in hostels. If you are not averse to hostels then I would recommend Scotland. The country is awsome and if you like history it's tough to beat, Edinburgh being better then Glasgow, at least for architecture and historic sights. My 2 cents.
blupaddler
Conspirator
Like some others have said, the falling dollar is not helping anything currently.
But...We were in the Czech Republic this fall. The prices there are not "cheap." But it is still a better bargain than most of Europe. My suggestion...If you want to stay on the cheap-er, find countries who are not yet on the Euro. This is especially true b/c of the current dollar situation.
I haven't been to Slovenia, but the pictures look amazing. Same with Croatia.
However, regarding countries on the Euro. I have heard Portugal was a better value for your Euro dollar.
Good luck.
Let us know what and where your decision ends...
But...We were in the Czech Republic this fall. The prices there are not "cheap." But it is still a better bargain than most of Europe. My suggestion...If you want to stay on the cheap-er, find countries who are not yet on the Euro. This is especially true b/c of the current dollar situation.
I haven't been to Slovenia, but the pictures look amazing. Same with Croatia.
However, regarding countries on the Euro. I have heard Portugal was a better value for your Euro dollar.
Good luck.
Let us know what and where your decision ends...
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
We were in Germany this past Februar und März. My sister was living in Berlin (on Saarbrückerstrasse, near the Senefelderplatz U2 station, a block from the Getränketroll). Food at the grocery and most certainly beer are cheaper in Germany, but otherwise we didn't find it exactly inexpensive.offroadchef said:
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
I've always wanted to take a month off of work and do a backpacking/train trip in europe...
Anyone have any good informational links/sites for researching these kinds of expeditions?
Anyone have any good informational links/sites for researching these kinds of expeditions?
blupaddler
Conspirator
No links, just a bunch of suggestions...
Lonely Planet makes a book called "Europe on a Shoestring" that should help.
Also, Rick Steve's makes pretty good guide books, and you can get one for all of Europe in general. His books are really cheesy, but have good information.
Fly into a place like London, Zurich, Berlin, Rome, or...which ever is cheapest. Then make a big loop from there.
Travelling by rail is pretty easy. Do a night train, make sure you get sleeper car! (ask me how I know) We actually met guy who was backpacking through and was only taking night trains. Thus saving money on lodging.
You can also find REALLY CHEAP flights around Europe. Try:
www.easyjet.com
www.ryanair.com
If you go on ryan air daily you can often find free flights, where all you have to pay are taxes. My wife and I flew from London to Venice for $35 per person. But the flights are at out-of-the-way airports. It would be like flying into Carlsbad versus San Diego.
Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? Churches, castles, everything...Personally I like to try and spend at least 2-3 days in each town. That way you can settle down and experience life.
Places to go:
London (expensive, but everyone's got to see it at least once)
Paris (mmmmm, food)
French Riviere (Nice, Monaco, Canne, St. Tropez)
Venice (ooo love!)
Tuscany (I have a great recommendation for a wonderful villa!)
Florence
Rome (what else can you say, it's rome)
Capri (blue grotto)
Prague (Europe as in your mind's eye)
Vienna (we only spent 24hrs, NOT enough)
We still haven't been to Portugal. I hear that place is still cheap(er), and very nice. I also wan't to go and surf Biarittz. Oh, and the Alps, pretty much anywhere. I also want to go back to Sardena, Italy. A definite must if you have time. Also go to the Cinque Terra, in the northern coast of Italy.
Oh yeah, lodging. You can hostel it or find decent "pensions" which are essentially a very basic motel. After all, you just need a place to rest your head at night.
If you ever want to talk more about it, just let me know. I don't need that much of an excuse to venture north. :costumed-smiley-007
Lonely Planet makes a book called "Europe on a Shoestring" that should help.
Also, Rick Steve's makes pretty good guide books, and you can get one for all of Europe in general. His books are really cheesy, but have good information.
Fly into a place like London, Zurich, Berlin, Rome, or...which ever is cheapest. Then make a big loop from there.
Travelling by rail is pretty easy. Do a night train, make sure you get sleeper car! (ask me how I know) We actually met guy who was backpacking through and was only taking night trains. Thus saving money on lodging.
You can also find REALLY CHEAP flights around Europe. Try:
www.easyjet.com
www.ryanair.com
If you go on ryan air daily you can often find free flights, where all you have to pay are taxes. My wife and I flew from London to Venice for $35 per person. But the flights are at out-of-the-way airports. It would be like flying into Carlsbad versus San Diego.
Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? Churches, castles, everything...Personally I like to try and spend at least 2-3 days in each town. That way you can settle down and experience life.
Places to go:
London (expensive, but everyone's got to see it at least once)
Paris (mmmmm, food)
French Riviere (Nice, Monaco, Canne, St. Tropez)
Venice (ooo love!)
Tuscany (I have a great recommendation for a wonderful villa!)
Florence
Rome (what else can you say, it's rome)
Capri (blue grotto)
Prague (Europe as in your mind's eye)
Vienna (we only spent 24hrs, NOT enough)
We still haven't been to Portugal. I hear that place is still cheap(er), and very nice. I also wan't to go and surf Biarittz. Oh, and the Alps, pretty much anywhere. I also want to go back to Sardena, Italy. A definite must if you have time. Also go to the Cinque Terra, in the northern coast of Italy.
Oh yeah, lodging. You can hostel it or find decent "pensions" which are essentially a very basic motel. After all, you just need a place to rest your head at night.
If you ever want to talk more about it, just let me know. I don't need that much of an excuse to venture north. :costumed-smiley-007
cruiser guy
Explorer
Here is a cheaper place to stay than any European hotels and commonly relatively near the touristy areas. It's handy if you have your own transportation (rental car or??). There are others like this but we have used these guys and have been happy.
http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/
http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/
offroadchef
Adventurer
flying over to germany on thurday for my grandmothers funeral, any info that you might want me to look for. I will be back on Sunday. Books or things like that.
send a message before 3am on thursday, migt be able to check the board while i am over there, but not sure
Markus
send a message before 3am on thursday, migt be able to check the board while i am over there, but not sure
Markus
ducktapeguy
Adventurer
TACODOC said:
Try http://www.backpackeurope.com. I haven't checked it in a while, so I dunno how current the info is, but it's good for general information.
I did the exact same thing a few years ago around Western Europe and Prague, I can't even describe how great it was. I'm hoping to do it again in the next year or two.