Thursdaysd, thank you for the clarification.

Hitchhiking? I wouldn't recommend it. This isn't the 70s anymore.
Even then it wasn't fun and especially if you only have 3 weeks.

In about 4,000 KM of driving in Europe the last couple of years I never saw one hitchhiker.

I see hitchikers around here (SW France) in the summer, standing forlornly by autoroute entrances. Not nearly the numbers there used to be. Aside from the practical aspects I already mentioned, it can be dangerous, of course.

Certainly in Germany, hitch-hiking is being superseded by car-share websites like Mitfahrgelegenhiet, where people post their journey details and others can link up to offer rides for a share of the fuel cost.

Nowadays it is very rare to see hitchers in Europe.

That should be http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/

Everyone keeps saying Italy is more expensive than other countries - I just have NOT found that to be true. Can be, doesn't have to be. I do agree Switzerland is considerably more expensive but other than that - Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Croatia - they can all be done for roughly the same per day. If seeing Switzerland is important to you fly in there but only spend a few days, otherwise skip it.

My number one money saving suggestion is one you may not like - PLAN ahead. Yes, it restricts you in some ways, you can't be as spontaneous BUT - you get the cheapest (and best value for the money) lodgings and the cheapest transportation when you reserve in advance.

The cheap flights can be dirt cheap if you book them when they first become available - usually about 6 months ahead. But they rise considerably as the travel date gets closer.

Trains and buses can usually be booked just a few days ahead when you are already over there. In most countries, definitely Italy, there are numerous trains between the same destinations but they take different amounts of time and are different prices. For example you can take a train from Naples to Rome that takes one hour or a train that takes two hours, and the two hour train will be about half the price. So when you get to each city look at the schedules and pick (and book) the train that is the best price to your next destination. Buses can be even cheaper, but not necessarily, and do somewhat different routes. You just need to check both. You can get an idea of schedules and prices on line but not usually worth booking ahead. Trains and buses in Europe are amazing compared to the US. They go absolutely everywhere and are affordable. Within cities walk or take the metro or city bus. Taxis eat up a lot of money (usually).

For lodging look at guest houses, pensiones, B&Bs, and especially 1 and 2 star hotels. They are usually not at all sketchy and can be as cheap, or cheaper, than youth hostals. You can find good value lodging but it does take time. You just need to spend time on line looking and checking reviews on trip advisor. In cities consider location, you might spend a few euro more for a city center hotel but will save on the cost of the metro if you can walk everywhere. The good value places fill up months in advance for high season so waiting till you get to a city to find lodging means you will spend more (not to mention wasting time).

Travel light - carry on size bag/backpack. You really don't need sleeping bags, etc and if you bring that kind of stuff you'll pay baggage fees if you fly, and they are a pain on trains/buses.

Buy food at grocery stores (well they call them grocery stores/supermarkets, but they are, at least in cities, much smaller than you are used to in America)and eat picnics. This is my number one money saver. Sit down restaurants with table service is what most people want on vacation but it adds up fast. There are 'cafeteria' style restaurants all over Italy that have very good food and are much cheaper for when you do want a restaurant meal (vs a picnic). Refill your water bottle from the tap (or public fountains in some cities - Rome for example). Don't buy soda -it costs more than wine.

Wow! Great responses everyone!
Thursday..I just began looking at Budapest so thank you for the tip. P.S. great to know about the tap-water..that will be a nice change from LA.

Cookie,
Thank you for all of your advice. By what everyone has said, I am considering just dropping Switzerland all together. besides Chateau de Chillon I dont really care about going there and that is extremely West as is. I was already planning on going to supermarkets but your hiking tips and Rick Steves are great tips and I will look at them today!

MJDH,
Thanks for the website, that is quite interesting (and smart) that people are starting to coordinate that. From what everyone on here says though is that it is a waste of time to hitch-hike and I would be better off just buying a rail pass especially if there is 2-4 people.

Isabel,
Thanks for your tip on Switzerland, like I said above this is the kind of information I was hoping for when I sent out the post, so thank you! I had already considered the overnight trains, but I am happy to hear that buses are another reliable form of transportation! I love picnicking so that sounds perfect and I am more of a wine guy, than soda haha so I should fit in quite well

Thanks everyone!

Any place Rick Steves recommends immediately becomes the beaten path, trampled by hordes of Steves-ites. Example: the Cinque Terre. I like his philosphy of travel, and he's very good for practical information like the location of laundromats, but he's just too popular now.

I loved Croatia and vote for any itinerary that includes it. Though there's plenty to see in the way of museums, ruins, etc., it's a relaxed, enjoy-the-scenery-and-the-beach place to travel.

Very good advice from isabel and Cookie (mostly). Do look at the Thorn Tree on Lonely Planet's web site. It's more for your style of travel.

I have been looking at Rick Steves for nearly 45 minutes now and am loving every minute of it. This looks like a phenomenal website! I will continue looking through it! I think Croatia looks like a gem in Eastern Europe, that is one place I would love to go!

for folks your age and travel style I would highly rrecommend taking a copy of Let's Go Europe along with you - a wealth of info aimed at young folk with objective coverage - tells the warts and all - like on nightlife and especially budget accommodation like hostels, youth hotels, pensions, B&Bs etc - in any large bookstore or Amazon.com, etc. The coverage of hostels and youth hotels is especially awesome! Use the internet addresses and or phone number to call ahead and book your next low-budget accommodation rather than arriving in a city to find hostels full and only expensive hotels as an alternative.

Also Europe's myriad of overnight trains can save on a night's hotel costs and relocate you over long distances whilst you snore.