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-   -   budget spending and travel light (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/budget-spending-and-travel-light-995097/)

kuan Oct 15th, 2013 05:56 AM

budget spending and travel light
 
kindly advise how to spend wisely and to travel light.

wanttogo Oct 15th, 2013 06:40 AM

Travel light-Take only one carry-on; purchase tiny packets of
Woolite and rinse out underwear and socks in bathroom; pack children's plastic hangers (2) with clips to hang underwear/shirts etc. in bathroom.; tear out relevant pages of purchased guidebooks and put light 3-ring folder; probably take a kindle if you are a reader (I haven't done this yet).

oedipamaas Oct 15th, 2013 07:02 AM

It might help a little if you describe your trip (anywhere particular in Germany). Also, I take it you already know of the basics of budget travel: hostels, self-catering and minimizing transportation costs?

Gary_Mc Oct 15th, 2013 07:06 AM

I skimp on weight as well. I used a soft sided sling bag for the last 5 years but my shoulder was injured. I have gone to an 18" soft-sided roller.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Family/...%2823%29-M.jpg

We travel in winter a lot, so running apparel, smart wool, silk underwear and poly fleece are important to our light weight layering and packing.

As we like train travel, it is nice to be able to whisk our luggage on and off.

Regards, Gary

ribeirasacra Oct 15th, 2013 07:07 AM

LP has a great article covering budgets
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=2153476

kuan Oct 15th, 2013 07:09 AM

dear oedipmaas,actually i will travelling from 23rd october till 2nd november,in 6 places including,paris,london,germany,belgium,armsterdam and switzerland.would appreciate too if you and others forumers can advise on what to wear and is it will be winter.
thanks

Gary_Mc Oct 15th, 2013 07:10 AM

I will add that I take a Kindle for reading and have loaded travel books on it. We also buy international service for my wife's tablet and my smart phone. We can look up restaurants in advance and bookmark them. No print travel books.

thursdaysd Oct 15th, 2013 07:29 AM

Six places in eleven days (maybe nine if you're including travel to/from Europe) and you want to do it on a budget. You're joking, right?

nytraveler Oct 15th, 2013 07:36 AM

Um- you're going in fall - not winter. Winter clothing would be overkill - but you will need a light/medium weight jacket, a ouple of sweaters, a sturdy folding umbrella and 2 pair of waterproof walking shoes.

As for 6 countries in 11 days - that's simply silly. In your limitd time you can see a few places in one country or possibly one major place each in 2 countries. And the more you move from one place to another the more it will cost you - especially since you have waited until the last minute to make arrangements.

As for budget I would forget Switz - VERY expensive for anything - and focus on places likely to be less expensive like Germany and Belgium.

For us to give you specific budget advice you need to provide more info:

What IS your budget?
What are your interests?
Do you already have plane tickets - and if so where into and out of?

bigtyke Oct 15th, 2013 07:54 AM

For Germany, stay in private zimmers, small b&b's, apartments (ferienwohnung). Use local, second class trains if possible, if in a group (more than 1), get the day group ticket. Get food at grocery stores for lunch, there are plenty of inexpensive places to eat, especially if you like bratwurst, pizza, kebap (gyros).

My recent 17 day trip with my wife was $94 per day per person total - room, board, travel, and activities. [not including travel over - that was FF miles and $293 in tax]

janisj Oct 15th, 2013 08:29 AM

Three huge cities and three 'countries' in 10 days . . . ain't going to happen budget or no budget.

You will have on average 8 or 9 hours per place so why bother?

If this is a guided tour -- you won't see much but at least you'll save money because you won't have time to spend.

Gretchen Oct 15th, 2013 09:27 AM

Just wear what you have on and sleep in it also for that schedule!!

kuan Oct 16th, 2013 08:14 AM

Actually I will be follow tour~~ but yet still wish to travel light~ thanks all for response

Pegontheroad Oct 16th, 2013 08:23 AM

Too many destinations. You'll spend too much of your time checking out of one hotel, getting on the train or plane, and checking in to the next hotel.

We are experienced travelers, and we know whereof we speak. I'd advise you to cut your destinations way down.

Pegontheroad Oct 16th, 2013 08:37 AM

Ribeirasacra's link from LP explains it all. The clearest and most complete explanation of traveling money matters I've ever seen.

janisj Oct 16th, 2013 08:38 AM

Peg - >>You'll spend too much of your time checking out of one hotel, getting on the train or plane, and checking in to the next hotel.<<

it is a tour so at least he won't be doing any of that by himself . . .

But still it sounds like a REALLY hectic, unfortunate itinerary.

kuan: tell us which tour it is and maybe we can give you some ideas/suggestions how to make the most of it. Most likely you will be spending almost every day on a bus. And you won't be handling your own luggage so pack light if you wish but that is not entirely necessary.

suze Oct 16th, 2013 08:45 AM

This person is on a TOUR, so the number of destinations will be taken care of for them.

It's easy to travel light in cooler weather. Just wear your outer layers over and over again. You only need fresh clothes for what is against your skin. Good walking shoes or boots. Hat, scarf, gloves.

kuan Oct 17th, 2013 02:22 AM

Hi all.i just wonder the clothes that i got to bring due to weather,so it wont be heavy as i will be keep changing hotel and taking transport for different destination.

looking forward for the reply,thanks all


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