I date myself by admitting I remember Europe on $5 a Day, but I wonder which of the many books available today would be the modern equivalent. I.e., a good guide to low cost travel in Europe. I know how to do it upscale. I'm looking for realistic guidance for how to do it closer to the other end of the spectrum. I'm a LONG way from being a student but I have no objection to traveling like one (e.g., hostels, low cost point to point transportation, cheap eats, etc) if the young people I'd meet wouldn't object too much to having an old ---- in their midst!

Let's Go, Lonely Planet, sometimes Rough Guide, and several Internet forums.

Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, and Let's Go for guidebooks. Rick Steves guidebooks & website is more mid-range but less than 'upscale'.

The Thorn Tree's Western Europe forum at www.lonelyplanet.com

I like Rough (my favorite) and Lonely Planet. Footprints can be good too. Rick Steves is good in that he ahd great transportation tips and often inexpensive places to eat and stay.

I like Rick Steves. I always bring his book and a Frommers. I like Fodors to prepare for the trip beforehand because it has good pictures.

By the way, Rick Steves "Europe through the Back Door" has lots of ways to cut down on expenses.

Lonely Planet do a Europe on a Shoestring, which is all about travelling on a budget. It is mainly aimed at students, but it also contains all the main sites to visit in each country. It is a good read and i still refer to it, although i love lonely planet guides in general

Pauline Frommer's guides are subtitled "spend less, see more". I get them when I can, slong with Rick Steves.