How much $ should I save?
 

Hi, I haven't done much travelling myself and was wondering how much money I should save if I want to spend 2-3 months backpacking around Europe? I'm not high maintenance at all, and won't be going clubbing or buying much, but I'll want to see the historic sights. Also, it's possible I'll be able to spend a bit of the time living with friends. I'm planning on going this December so I have all this year to save. Thanks in advance

You'd probably find it more useful to go to the Thorntree on www.lonelyplanet.com

But at a rough guess - at least $3000 excluding flights & travel within Europe

BUT until you have some idea on where you are going no-one can give more than very rough costings

some countries/cities cost a lot more than others. Some cities w/i the same country cost a lot more than others.

So it is really hard to give advice w/o knowing which places you want to visit. alanRow's suggestion of thorntree will be one of your best resources.

I'm planning on backpacking myself, without the frills and all, for a few weeks this May. Along with this forum, another godsend that I have found is http://backpackeurope.com.

Kaaryn, the owner, provides awesome tips and info for the more backpack budget inclined. There's also a good forum there that I frequent, which I found to be a lot more close knit than ThornTree (though it is another invaluable resource as well).

From what I've read and from what others who have done it themselves has said in those forums, it seems that 50 to 60 Euros per day (outside of your int'l flight and railpass) seems to be the consensus. Granted, this is only applicable if you intend to stay in hostels and self-cater most of your meals by buying things like sandwiches from grocery stores. Also, make sure you get an ISIC card or an ISE card if you are a student to avail of a LOT of discounts.

I've been doing some rough budgeting for my own trip, and the average expenditures per day (hostel, food, sights with concession discounts, transport) really does seem to be averaging around that mark.

Granted, I'm not planning on backpacking in places like London, Paris, or Rome, which probably can rise up the costs significantly.

Hi K,

Another suggestion for the Thorn Tree Forum.

((I))

I'd also say you should have a minimum of 50-70 euro per day, outside of your plane ticket and a railpass, if you want one.

I'd budget 50 euro per day minimum, and that is if you are willing to stay in hostels and have a plane ticket and rail pass already paid for.

Rough Guides and Lonely Planet guidebooks would be helpful. Rick Steves Europe thru the Backdoor. The Thorn Tree at Lonely Planet's website is an excellent forum.

Thanks everyone who replied. I'm looking at 60 euros ($100 Au) a day minus railpass and of course, flight tickets. That should do well. I made a rough itinerary and a lot of my countries are in Eastern Europe, so hopefully the prices will be a bit lower there.

About the railpass - how do I go about getting one? How long does it last and can I use it in all countries?

The Rail Europe Australia (I'm assuming your from Australia, here :D) http://www.raileurope.com.au/australia/index.htm, provides ample information on the various railpasses available.

Depending on your itinerary, you can either get consecutive passes, which allows you unlimited travel anywhere from 15 days to 3 months.

There's also flexipasses available that gives you 10 or 15 days of "travel" within 2 months.

Right now, these are the countries currently covered by the Eurail passes: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

As for which pass to get, it really all depends on your itinerary, of course. To get an idea of which pass to get, I suggest that you plug in a rough itinerary here http://www.railsaver.com/railsaver.asp and click on "If railpasses provide the best combination of convenience and price." It'll show you which pass to get (if required) and also show you if you're better off with some point-to-point tickets.

Hope that helps!

Bootsnall is another good source for you.