Hello,

I'm beginning my first backpacking trip to Europe in mid-September, lasting through November. This is my route thus far (this is just a guide - I plan to stay very flexible):

London w/ day trips to the Cotswolds
Bath
Scotland
Back to London
Amsterdam, w/ day trips to Brugge, Delft, Rotterdam
Berlin
Prague
Cesky Krumlov
Vienna
Munich
Lucerne
Bern
Montreux
Venice
Rome
Florence
Aix en Provence
Beaucaire
Barcelona
Valencia
Madrid
Paris

I've yet to decide on which Eastern European destinations to include. Anyway, my question relates to transportation. Based on my research, mixing bus travel with rail travel will help decrease costs. I'm going to be on a very tight budget($3,000-4,000 in 2 1/2 months), so I will be couch surfing as much as possible. I was thinking about purchasing a rail pass that covers the Switzerland/Germany region, given the high rail costs there. For the rest of my itinerary, bus travel seems beneficial. However, I noticed on the Eurolines website that travel must be between countries, not internally. The rates for the passes are great (319Eu for 30 days in mid season); however, I can't find much specific information. For instance, are the 30 days consecutive or can I use them in a certain time period? Busabout is another option; however, I don't see much difference in that and a rail pass.

Any suggestions?

Thanks much.

Before anyone even addresses what is possible itinerary/transport-wise -- what does your $3000-$4000 budget include?

Airfare to Europe?
Transport w/i Europe?
Accomodations?
Food/drink?
sightseeing?

I'll assume - from the way you worded your question you are just asking about your land costs w/i Europe. $4000 is about $52/€40/£27 a day and $3000 = $39/€30/£20 per day.

Even if you can "couch surf" 1/2 of your nights this will be VERY difficult.

My budget includes day-to-day things, excluding airfare and rail costs.

Any suggestions for the passes (not my budget)?

Here's something to consider: http://www.busabout.com/

Our then-20 year old son used Busabout on his first solo trip to Europe and loved it.

I vaguely remember reading about a scheme in eastern europe particularly where mostly young people put up others on their couches for free on the basis they wil ldo the same another time. I think it may have been in the easyjet magazine. Might be what you're after?

You might try posting your questions on one or more of the Europe branches of Lonely Planet's Thorntree: www.thorntree.lonelyplanet.com. Lots of backpackers and budget travelers frequent those boards.

In additiona - suggest you run a budget on this. for instance - pick out a couple of sights that are must sees and find out what the entrance fees are. Double check the cost of local (in-city) and do check on the cost of a decent hostel. (In NYC a single bed in a group room is about $35 per night - which would be most of your budget.)

I know it's possible to travel on a budget - but you don;t want to find yourself, broke, hungry with weeks to go before your return flight and having to find someone at home to wite you money to rescue you.

Betsy, the Busabout Flexipass ($405) covers 6 stops, which comes to 67.50 per stop ($45 each additional stop). That seems similar to a rail pass.

Ann, couchsurfing.com and hospitality club are my couch resources.

Any suggestions on the bus passes rather than my budget and itinerary? I've already done a lot of research in that department.

Thank you, Tim