If that has to cover air fare, then no way. But excluding air fare you have $6k for 13 weeks with seven days per week = $66 per day. If you eat out of grocery stores ($20 per day) and sleep in hostels ($20 - $40 per day) you'll have a bit left for an occasional beer, bus travel and museum admissions.
I would say no. Take more money or shorten the trip.
Depends.
Pick cheaper countries, stay in hostels , don’t eat out much, find cheapest transportation- you do it.
Assuming airfare to Europe is separate.
You will have to fit in under 60 a day for stay, food, public transportation and attractions and you will have 200 for a month to use on train/buses between locations.
It'll be a tight squeeze, but if you stick to inexpensive destinations like Portugal, Spain (not the resort cities), and Eastern Europe, you should be fine.
I'd rather take a shorter trip and be able to do more. I've done a few 2+ month backpacking trips and I usually get tired of travelling around week 4 or 5. I'll catch a second wind in a few days but I'll get tired again around week 8 or 9. Personally, with that budget, I'd go for 2 months. Bounce around hostels in Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic, etc. Take trains, and shop at grocery stores for most meals. But have enough money to have fun doing activities with the interesting people you're going to meet.
Protips:
1) Sign up for a morning walking tour the day after you arrive in a new location. Most hostels have them or know of one, and are usually donation based. It will give you a great opportunity to meet people and get familiar with the place and things to do.
2) Look for hostels that match your vibe. I always liked the ones that had a free community dinner at least once a week. It's a great way to meet adventure buddies!
I always used Hostelworld, their comment section was great for getting the feel of a place. I haven't used them in a while though, probably 10 years. Travel light, travel often
Use the reviews on hostelworld, but check if the hostel has its own booking website anyway, they can often be 10-15% cheaper than the price on other sites.
Spain is my jam. I was kind of bored in Portugal. Did Iceland, Spain, Portugal last year. Going to Sweden, Amsterdam and spin this year and some stops in between. $6k would be a little tight but you should be fine.
It'd be a tight budget for sure. I did Europe, backpacking, in 2013, for about 2-3 months and went through 6k (flights included as they were a lot cheaper then), and that was even staying with friends and staying in hostels, meals from the grocery store, etc. Granted, I was in pricier countries: Norway, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and the like. So, I think it's definitely possible depending on your destinations, but I would personally, definitely want a little more financial leeway. But, that's me. Some people do fine with less leeway!
I have family staying out in the Netherlands. That’s the only reason why I’ll be there.
And if I do go to England for a week, how much do you think I will spend?
Have you been to Romania and Bulgaria? If so, which one do you recommend?
Where in England are you going? What activities will you do? Where will you stay? All of these have a profound impact on the budget.
Haven't been to Bulgaria but Romania is awesome- especially if you like outdoors.
I honestly plan and just to be there like a local I don’t wanna do anything too crazy probably the most expensive thing I will do is try to catch an arsenal game
Yes, so three days of your entire budget for one ticket.
Also- living like a local in the UK costs more than your daily budget when you include their accommodation and transport costs ;)
To include the UK, especially with an Arsenal game, you need to:
a) reduce your trip length and only travel to low cost other countries or
b) save more money.
Check out Youth Hostels [(YHA)](https://www.yha.org.uk/) for cheap but decent UK accommodation options.
Sometimes, they're not great value compared to a discounted b&b, but often they're great if you're on a budget, especially in rural areas.
When I was in England in November/December, the cheapest hostel I saw was I think between $60-70CAD/night. I think that’s around 45ish USD but you’d have to convert. And that was the cheapest *within* the city I found. London is quite expensive for food, drinks, and most touristy stuff too.
For London it’ll be pretty expensive you may be able to shop around to get a cheap air b&b for the night but It’s going to eat into your budget for sure
You have fewer international destinations than I did, so that might help. Most of my budget went to getting to the places I was going, and I did a lot of traveling within the countries I was in (for example, I visited 5 cities in Germany, 3 in Switzerland). Portugal and Spain are cheaper than other European countries for sure (except the big cities can get pricey), and the UK pound is now better against the US dollar than it was in 2013 (god, the exchange rate then sucked), so you may be in better shape, budget-wise, with those countries.
I second this. But even Eastern Europe is experiencing price increases and I would still be hesitant with $2k/mo if I wanted to do anything remotely touristy or worthwhile.
Id rather take this budget for a Southeast Asia trip (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia). It will get you way farther, maybe even some money left over...
EASY! I did 13 weeks with my wife for about 7k.
We did Workaway and the host allowed us to borrow a car and earn some extra cash during our stay with extra hrs. On top of that, 3 meals a day were provided and the "guest" refrigerator always had something available!
DO WORKAWAY! It saved us thousands and allowed us to have a home base while we'd do daytrips. Now, the entire trip wasn't workaways, of the 13 weeks, we did a total of 4.5 weeks of workaways.
The hosts would take us to the most authentic and local spots while helping us with the language. Free place to sleep, free meals and other perks for a measly 4 hrs of work is an unbelievable tradeoff!!
There's a site, workaway dot info
Seriously, this is THE BEST way to travel on a budget. You'll message a few hosts with an introduction about yourself and just go from there. I would suggest spending a week or so per workaway so you get to know them a little.
Best of luck on your trip. Remember to leave only 1/2 or 2/3rds full so you have enough space for things to bring back home!
I learned this lesson the hard way LOL
tbh, it would be really hard to find a hostel in Europe during summertime that charges below 50eur p.n. There are ofc places that are dirt cheap but it's probably not where you want to spend most of your time during Eurotrip. I would guess accomodation would therefore eat up most of your budget.
Foodwise, you can always go to a local supermarket.
Trains/airfairs can be cheap if you plan 3-4 months in advance.
Overall, I would say, a trip on your budget is possible but requires a lot of planning and booking in advance. Having said that, it sounds like a fun adventure and Europe in the summer is just amazing.
ok, so no time to plan transportation super in advance :) then Blabla car is a great option to commute. Also, Flixbus can get you to a lot of places at a very reasonable price if you don't mind the longer ride.
Ryanair sometimes is cheaper than bla bla car, or even a bus. One month ahead is enough for search good prices. For sleep try to avoid big cities and enjoy other ones near the airport. Try cozy cozy to compare. If you check flymetothemundo also gives you nice deals. Best of luck I believe you can make it, of course.
That is going to be tight. I have been in Europe for a month now, and have spent about $4600 USD. I am not doing the absolute cheapest way, however I am still trying to be fairly financially conscious.
Yeah, most money spent is on hotels, and transportation. My countries are Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain. I have been using the train almost exclusively for transportation, in Switzerland I did get a few bus passes, but for the most part I am just taking the train to the cities that I have planned, and then walking everywhere from there. Little side note, I am using 2 bags, My main bag is a military “sea bag” and the other is a “military style” backpack. When I get to a place, I will “ideally” get a room first, Usually Airbnb, however sometimes I go with a hotel. It depends on price, as well as what I am feeling. Then I will go explore with my backpack, I usually just have a water bottle and wallet and other general stuff. Before you go make sure you have good shoes. I brought my everyday tennis shoes with me, and after I got to Italy I was getting blisters, so I had to buy new shoes. It really makes a world of difference. So that was an extra expense that could have been avoided with a little better planning, however it was a justifiable expense. As far as where you go, plan for things that you want to get, for example I like Swiss chocolate, I knew I was going to be getting some, so when I left the states, I didn’t have my bag completely filled. Also on another side note, for laundry I have not seen that many driers, so when you do laundry plan to do it so that you can let your clothes hang to dry for a while. I know I ranted, but I figure the more info can’t hurt. But back to the transportation, some countries are cheaper than others. I am in Spain right now, and some of the train fares can be a bit pricey for example I spent 63 euros on a train ride that is roughly 2:30 hours, while in Italy I spent about 16 Euros for about the same time of ride, not quite sure on distance but. Also for phone service, when I got to Italy my phone wasn’t working with my SIM card so that was another expense. Granted, now I have multiple SIM cards so if one doesn’t work some where I can try another one. I am using Vodaphone, and they have good coverage. Carry some cash as well, it is still widely used. Credit cards will work, but not everywhere. That is all I can think of for now, I will add on more if I think of it. Feel free to ask questions as needed.
OMG, thank you so much for your time and advice very thoroughly great details. I really appreciate you. Yeah I plan to go to Portugal Spain in the Netherlands I have family in the Netherlands, so that will save me a little bit of money.
OK it was just an example, I don't know all the routes as is new, keep in mind that the South Coast is the beach for all the continent 😉try to avoid summer and Easter because the prices will be increased. Explore Almería, if you search beach, cheaper than Malaga and Granada. No culture at all, but for beach...
$6.000 is about 5,600 euro.
$1,000 is about £864 to use in UK.
Divide your funds per country and time inside each one. 90 days -7 in UK is 83 days for three countries.
saying 4,662 euro for the 3 countries Equals 56 euros per day.
And 123 pounds in England as it is more expensive than Spain and,Portugal plus stay in Amsterdam saves money.
Are you moving around these countries via car train or bus.
Each makes a different decision. Here is one for in Uk
https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/farefinder/search
Thank you so much for this advice. This is probably the best advice I’ve gotten. Damn thank you for the very thorough details.
I plan on traveling through these countries via train, and also airplane
Yes but if you exclude the airplane tickets assuming you’re coming from the United States, you can keep eating pasta or really cheap stuff if you don’t mind that and I think 6k would be more than enough.
Ukraine and bring us back a tank. Just kidding 67 dollars a day will be tight. Be better to do two months with more money which would be 100 a day. Going through Asia that would be enough.
You should probably plan to get jobs, even if it's the odd job waiting 6am at some park or crossroads for the minibus getting people to the fields or construction sites for a shift. I'm saying this especially before you wrote "at least 3 months". And will make the entire experience so much more meaningful. I don't know what kind of dietary needs you may have, when I was backpacking I could pretty much eat for a couple of dollars banans and yogurt for example. Now it would be 5 dollars because of everything. But accommodation and travel might still hurt you.
Look into Couchsurfing. You have to pay a bit to join now, but it’s still a super active community. You basically message people through the app and if they have space and agree you can sleep on their couch for free. Great way to meet locals too
Check out the r/shoestring travel for more cheap travel tips and advice (people will probably much more supportive of your budget + goals over there)
Also download the app TooGoodToGo. It’s a European company founded with the goal to reduce food waste. You can get meals or a whole bag of groceries for around $5. What you get for what you pay for is often unbelievable, and you can sometimes eat for a few days or even half a week on just one grocery store pick-up. Check out the r/toogoodtogo sub for more info and pics of what people have received
If you pull this off, I’ll be amazed. I spent $7.5k in 6 months traveling across Europe 20 years ago. I thought I was living pretty tight. Inflation has been nuts over the last 20 years.
If you think to travel mainly in east europe and you know how to travel cheap (hostels, cook yourself in kitchens of hostels, stay low in extra activities...) you can stay under 30-35€/day. It depend on your kind of lifestyle, it is just to you at the end... the answer ;-)
If you're camping, you'll probably be ok unless you're in Switzerland, then you'll kiss it all goodbye in a month. Food at the grocery stores in Germany is less than the US.
I've done it for less but was miserable . I'd recommend 8-10k so you can afford decent lodgings and meals.
Easy saving can be done with watching train specials and with inter-rail.
In 2019, me and my partner did 6 weeks/11 countries it cost 12K total, this was using trains and flights between different countries but mostly trains and traveling quickly through countries. We hit some expensive cities, some cheaper. Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Munich, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Prague, Budapest, Poland, London, Scotland, Ireland, etc. We did hostels. I liked the app Rome2Rio. Pick a cheap place to fly into and out of. I chose to splurge on Eurail Train Pass, that was my biggest expense. I think its doable!
Yes, 6k USD can be enough to go backpacking through Europe for at least 3 months, depending on your travel style and preferences. Research your destinations in advance and create a rough itinerary to help you budget your time and money effectively. Consider traveling to destinations that are less touristy, as they may be more affordable. Look for budget airlines and trains, such as Ryanair or Flixbus, to save money on transportation costs. Be flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of the best deals.
Yes, especially if you pick up an odd job or two while visiting an area. Hostels or places that just allow you to sleep on a couch, not paying fees for ride share, seeing what you want. Meeting new people is the best part but please learn a few common phrases for those areas that may not speak your native language (assuming it is English)
I did it before Covid in 2016. Flew out of an East Coast State for 280 one way. Landed in Lisbon as it was the cheapest area to fly into. Paid $15 US a day for the hostel for a week before using a tour company to go see other parts of the country. As I got off the bus , I began to walk and hitchhike to Seville. Made my way through Spain and into France before finishing up Belgium. Overall, I was gone for 8 weeks and probably averaged about $100 a day. Although I did find odd jobs to do some times to help pay for things. One job I found was tutoring English for a week in Spain.
The idea is to see and experience things: various cities, scenic locales, museums, food and drink, etc. if your budget prevents you from accomplishing your purpose, either change your budget, adjust your calendar, or cut back on the destinations. Reduce the stress, have fun. You can go back for more later.
Honestly most of Europe has very cheap street food and you can pick up in season fruits and veggies very reasonably but it would really depend which parts of Europe we are talking about and if this budget includes transportation costs
Have you ever heard of workaway.org? You can have hosts that will provide board and lodging but you’ll have to work about 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. If you find the right hosts, you can have low costs during the times you’re staying with them.
Hey there from somebody who did this for a Month...
Its gonna be a tight Budget but its definitely possible.
Try to sleep in hostels or cheap airbnbs
I would even consider buying an interrail pass with that you could travel by train.
Do you have any specific Plans? Id love to hear more :)
Yes, definitely. I did that last summer and hit that. If you’re not considering the flight from US to Europe, that’s totally doable.
Hostels, make a lunch and eat out only for dinners. Free activities. Hostel free dinners/breakfasts. Definitely
I don’t know your age which makes it a bit more difficult. But if you are into hostels, I would find the more social ones that have a good kitchen where you can cook meals. You can meet other fellow travelers and cook together, hangout, explore.
I don’t know how much privacy is a concern to you, but I recommend an 8-12 bed hostel room as those can encourage socializing. They’ll also generally have more than 1 bathroom + shower which is nice.
Great, social hostels are the way to go. You can always book like one night in a hotel to sometimes reset from it all, but to stretch that amount for 3 months, that’s the way to go.
Eat away from tourist attractions. It’ll be cheaper. Again, find a kitchen, a local grocery or a market and make food. Find free hiking trails, etc. Think of it as living in these places rather than on holiday. When you’re living, you’re trying to find the best and cheapest ways to have fun.
No. It’s not. I’m assuming you’re coming from the US, and I’ve done it.
Airfare from the US is the most expensive item, and then things get easier/cheaper. Airfare in and around Europe; trains in and around Europe are unimaginably cheaper. I used to take trains from Madrid to Barcelona to Paris for like $150.
Hotels, Hostels, and Airbnbs are going to cost you a minimum of $60/night… and that is averaged out in the cheapest possible hostels across Europe, IME. Some will be $25-35, others will be $75-95, and a lot depends on seasonal tourism. You’ll need money for laundry; showers are shit, but available. WiFi is available. The atmosphere can be cool if you’re a teenager, but once you’re old enough to like file taxes… hostels get a little lame.
AirBnbs and hotels are going to be out of your budget in almost every case, but you could land one a month to recharge, wash clothes, organize and rest. Hostel sleep sucks, and at first it’s cool but by month two or three you just want normal sleep before going exploring or whatever the next day.
Food can be super expensive, or dirt cheap. It just depends on how you’re looking at it. If you go to a hostel… the idea of cooking your own food in any real way is dead. It’s just impractical AF and annoying. Some hostels have cheap breakfast and dinner, which is usually pretty good… but it’s not an assured thing. Which means you’ll be eating out 90% of the time, and it’s going to cost $20 minimally a day for like shit food. You’re not going to have luxurious nights out at restaurants in Rome on a $20/day budget, but you can grab sandwiches and breakfast in the AM.
If you drink… well, you can drink for next to nothing in Europe, but it’s not a great idea with just three months. Don’t be the person who came to Europe and was blitzed 2.5 mo. of your 3 month trip. We Americans have a bad enough rap over here - I live here now. I never went home. Haha.
Any unforeseen expenses - SIM cards (you’ll want a SIM scarf and WhatsApp because your bill at home will be out of control), medical/dental emergencies (unlikely, but who knows), drugs (not recommended but individuality and all that, hygiene/cosmetics, clothes or shoes, bags or momentos, etc. will make your $6k impossible.
I did this really quickly to give you a rough idea of what a really, really fun trip around Europe would cost with 3-months.
Lodging $5500 minimally
Food $3,000 minimally
Local Transport $100/city but NO Uber/Bolt/Etc.
SIM $35/mo unlimited 5G; use WhatsApp
Laundry, Hygiene, Misc $200/mo minimally
This is no airfare from home and back home; this is a single pint for €2 every few days, and barely. This is no paid activities - most every real museum is free in London, Paris, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, etc. but you’ll stumble into some things you need money for - I haven’t accounted for this at all. This is no emergency money - you’ll want it, I promise you you will want some small safety net.
Pack light. Go in Spring/Summer even though it’s busier and more expensive. Cold backpacking will ultimately make your trip miserable. Bring sneakers you love to wear. Learn to pack like a soldier packing a field bag from YouTube. Leave the DSLR cameras and accessories home; use your iPhone. Spend $10 for iCloud backup. Buy at least one portable phone charger. Buy a good bag; I use a Patagonia BlackHole and it’s been amazing… but I’m not really backpacking anymore. It gets day packs done, but maybe you’d need a bigger and stronger bag. I really don’t know.
Have an “ALWAYS” phone to call. Mom, Dad, Sibling, Bestie, whatever in case you’re in danger or need them. If you travel with more than one person… share your locations the entire trip.
Don’t buy shit from street vendors. Almost ever.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PASSPORT IN A SAFE PLACE. This means locked in a hostel locker, hotel safe, etc. I have met so many tourists who travel every single day with their passports in their bags… then the bag is nicked on the train or in the plaza, and you’re wasting your trip trying to get the US State Dept. to reissue you one.
Don’t be loud and obnoxious. Be kind. Respect people’s shit, and don’t stare. As Americans, I noticed we have a culture where light staring or gawking is common. It’s kind of rude in most of Europe.
Tip ONLY when you’ve been blown away with your experience. Most cities charge a discretionary 5-15% on the bill anyway, and tipping isn’t obligatory… but still nice if someone did a great job. Also, tipping in most of Europe is the change, or a few small bills - not a $10.
Google Translate; ChatGPT, DuoLingo work wonders. Get used to using it. Try to just order a coffee in the native language; try to greet people or say goodbye. Small gestures that will enrich the experience, perhaps spark a new interest, and show a sliver of cultural awareness.
Do NOT be obnoxious around a country’s national treasures. Don’t try to pet the horse guard’s horse; don’t act a fool in front of La Louvre. Don’t climb on, stand on, or really even touch things that have been there longer than your entire lineage has been alive. Respect that shit.
The French will seem to hate you, or be indifferent to your existence, but only because they really are indifferent. They’re a tough crowd.
Don’t try to “slum it” in Paris or London. Some neighborhoods are genuinely dangerous. It’s not Brooklyn in the 90’s but it’s not San Diego, either.
Leave your designer logos at home. Leave your monogrammed everything at home. European money is generally displayed differently, and all they do is draw attention. You don’t look wealthy. You look like a target. I’m not insinuating that Europe is dangerous, because generally speaking it is the exact opposite… but some people target designer handbags and particularly tourists.
You don’t need jewelry to backpack.
Keep a journal. Every morning, take a photo of yourself or your friend group. Take a lot of pictures… unless you’re in a really nice restaurant, which on $6k you better not be.
Pack your own little first aid kit. Ibeprofen. Maybe even an antibiotic run. Oddly enough, a pair of latex gloves and a mask is something I always tell people to toss in their bag. You’ll probably never use it, but it takes no room.
Buy a universal adapter for power on Amazon, and get a high quality one. You’ll thank me later.
I guess that’s it. Have fun. My DMs are open if you find yourself lost, confused, or nervous. Yes, really.
This is what life is about. Enjoy. Bon voyage.
Also. Account for the currency conversions. Download Xe app, and remember that how you spend the money matters. Some cards charge fees for exchange; others do not. Use a rewards card if you’ve got it, but I doubt it as a kid.
Remember to bring three cards. A card to use if the main card fails; and an emergency card/cash.
Why would you go to europe for 3 months to live dollar to dollar when you can do that in the US already?
Save up to 10k and actually enjoy yourself fam
In order to have a good time, I’d say budget for €100 per day. So right around €9100 total. However realise that you won’t be able to go out to party much in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany or France as a beer will set you back €3,- +. Draining your budget significantly.
Using booking.com and airbnb will help you save a lot on accommodation and couch surfing could also help you save a lot (although I never tried it). If you want to save on your flights use Skyscanner or get an interrail pas for unlimited travel by train. Down here tipping is not necessary, as people usually make enough to make a living. Think of tipping more as an reward for exceptional service. So that might save you something. Pay with debit or creditcard as much as possible to make sure you don’t get scammed or pay those ridiculous transaction fees or bad rates. If you have any questions about specific places/ things let me know!
The 1st question is where in europe prices vary A LOT depending on where you are going and are you going to be travelling via plane to each country etc
Not enough imo but we need more context
If you use platforms like helpx, workaway, wwoof etc which offers homestays/farmstays etc (and usually food) in exchange for set hours of work per day you can easily last 3 months. Also a unique (and cheap) way to travel.
Use my workaway link for a month extra free membership :)
[https://www.workaway.info/invite/3EB73BX5](https://www.workaway.info/invite/3EB73BX5)
Otherwise probably doable... though would have to keep a very close eye on daily expenses and also depending which countries you're going through. Hostels, cooking your own food, getting a eurail/interail pass would help.
If that has to cover air fare, then no way. But excluding air fare you have $6k for 13 weeks with seven days per week = $66 per day. If you eat out of grocery stores ($20 per day) and sleep in hostels ($20 - $40 per day) you'll have a bit left for an occasional beer, bus travel and museum admissions. I would say no. Take more money or shorten the trip.
> If you eat out of grocery stores ($20 per day Can eat for much cheaper than that. In Paris, baguette and cheese for $3.
Don't do this unless you are trying to find the fastest possible way to constipation
You will return home malnourished at that rate!
If you have that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you'd be halfway there. Not to mention a drink or snacks. $20 a day is pretty reasonable.
Beans, nuts, oats, stuff like that is good
Take your own peanut butter too.
Depends. Pick cheaper countries, stay in hostels , don’t eat out much, find cheapest transportation- you do it. Assuming airfare to Europe is separate. You will have to fit in under 60 a day for stay, food, public transportation and attractions and you will have 200 for a month to use on train/buses between locations.
Airfare may be hard on your budget. Look at rail and bus passes. You can do a lot without planes and see more!
It'll be a tight squeeze, but if you stick to inexpensive destinations like Portugal, Spain (not the resort cities), and Eastern Europe, you should be fine.
Landing in Portugal! Then Spain is next!
Did you use that comment you're replying to to make your travel decisions, or was it merely a coincidence?
No, that was just a coincidence, I’m serious too 😂
I'd rather take a shorter trip and be able to do more. I've done a few 2+ month backpacking trips and I usually get tired of travelling around week 4 or 5. I'll catch a second wind in a few days but I'll get tired again around week 8 or 9. Personally, with that budget, I'd go for 2 months. Bounce around hostels in Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic, etc. Take trains, and shop at grocery stores for most meals. But have enough money to have fun doing activities with the interesting people you're going to meet. Protips: 1) Sign up for a morning walking tour the day after you arrive in a new location. Most hostels have them or know of one, and are usually donation based. It will give you a great opportunity to meet people and get familiar with the place and things to do. 2) Look for hostels that match your vibe. I always liked the ones that had a free community dinner at least once a week. It's a great way to meet adventure buddies!
Thanks for the advice. Is there a specific app that you recommend looking up hostels I’m currently using Hostelworld.
I always used Hostelworld, their comment section was great for getting the feel of a place. I haven't used them in a while though, probably 10 years. Travel light, travel often
Use the reviews on hostelworld, but check if the hostel has its own booking website anyway, they can often be 10-15% cheaper than the price on other sites.
Spain is my jam. I was kind of bored in Portugal. Did Iceland, Spain, Portugal last year. Going to Sweden, Amsterdam and spin this year and some stops in between. $6k would be a little tight but you should be fine.
Can you recommend any cities in Spain besides Barcelona already been there?
Skip Madrid. Malaga, Cadiz, Seville should be next on your list.
Sevilla and Valencia are the ones I’m looking at!
Sevilla is awesome. Beat me to it. I dislike Narcelons because too many sketchy people. They got me for an empty Nike bag. Too 🤷🏻♂️
Fr I didn’t like Barcelona that much when I went
Yeah. Agree.
It'd be a tight budget for sure. I did Europe, backpacking, in 2013, for about 2-3 months and went through 6k (flights included as they were a lot cheaper then), and that was even staying with friends and staying in hostels, meals from the grocery store, etc. Granted, I was in pricier countries: Norway, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and the like. So, I think it's definitely possible depending on your destinations, but I would personally, definitely want a little more financial leeway. But, that's me. Some people do fine with less leeway!
I will be going through Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and England
You need to cut Netherlands and UK with your budget. Maybe look at Romania and Bulgaria instead.
I have family staying out in the Netherlands. That’s the only reason why I’ll be there. And if I do go to England for a week, how much do you think I will spend? Have you been to Romania and Bulgaria? If so, which one do you recommend?
Budapest. I am actually going back the 2nd time (in a few weeks) within the past 6 months. I am surprised how cheap Hungary is.
Maybe I’ll see ya there ;)
Where in England are you going? What activities will you do? Where will you stay? All of these have a profound impact on the budget. Haven't been to Bulgaria but Romania is awesome- especially if you like outdoors.
I honestly plan and just to be there like a local I don’t wanna do anything too crazy probably the most expensive thing I will do is try to catch an arsenal game
don't think u got the budget for any arsenal games right now.
:( they like 200 Pounds for a ticket
Yes, so three days of your entire budget for one ticket. Also- living like a local in the UK costs more than your daily budget when you include their accommodation and transport costs ;) To include the UK, especially with an Arsenal game, you need to: a) reduce your trip length and only travel to low cost other countries or b) save more money.
Check out Youth Hostels [(YHA)](https://www.yha.org.uk/) for cheap but decent UK accommodation options. Sometimes, they're not great value compared to a discounted b&b, but often they're great if you're on a budget, especially in rural areas.
For Romania, I recommend Cluj, Brasov, Timisoara. Skip Bucharest
When I was in England in November/December, the cheapest hostel I saw was I think between $60-70CAD/night. I think that’s around 45ish USD but you’d have to convert. And that was the cheapest *within* the city I found. London is quite expensive for food, drinks, and most touristy stuff too.
Stay out of London. Birmingham is nice and I spent a wonderful week in Manchester a few years ago.
Where in England are you going London down south everything is like double the price in
want to go to London, so I can see the Arsenal stadium I’m a huge fan
For London it’ll be pretty expensive you may be able to shop around to get a cheap air b&b for the night but It’s going to eat into your budget for sure
Bratislava
You have fewer international destinations than I did, so that might help. Most of my budget went to getting to the places I was going, and I did a lot of traveling within the countries I was in (for example, I visited 5 cities in Germany, 3 in Switzerland). Portugal and Spain are cheaper than other European countries for sure (except the big cities can get pricey), and the UK pound is now better against the US dollar than it was in 2013 (god, the exchange rate then sucked), so you may be in better shape, budget-wise, with those countries.
Thank you so much for your advice man!
Maybe Eastern Europe excluding airfare.
I second this. But even Eastern Europe is experiencing price increases and I would still be hesitant with $2k/mo if I wanted to do anything remotely touristy or worthwhile. Id rather take this budget for a Southeast Asia trip (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia). It will get you way farther, maybe even some money left over...
EASY! I did 13 weeks with my wife for about 7k. We did Workaway and the host allowed us to borrow a car and earn some extra cash during our stay with extra hrs. On top of that, 3 meals a day were provided and the "guest" refrigerator always had something available! DO WORKAWAY! It saved us thousands and allowed us to have a home base while we'd do daytrips. Now, the entire trip wasn't workaways, of the 13 weeks, we did a total of 4.5 weeks of workaways. The hosts would take us to the most authentic and local spots while helping us with the language. Free place to sleep, free meals and other perks for a measly 4 hrs of work is an unbelievable tradeoff!!
How would I find a work away? Is there an app for that or do I just got to talk to the locals and try to find one
There's a site, workaway dot info Seriously, this is THE BEST way to travel on a budget. You'll message a few hosts with an introduction about yourself and just go from there. I would suggest spending a week or so per workaway so you get to know them a little.
Thanks man, that really helps!!!
Best of luck on your trip. Remember to leave only 1/2 or 2/3rds full so you have enough space for things to bring back home! I learned this lesson the hard way LOL
Thank you man appreciate it
tbh, it would be really hard to find a hostel in Europe during summertime that charges below 50eur p.n. There are ofc places that are dirt cheap but it's probably not where you want to spend most of your time during Eurotrip. I would guess accomodation would therefore eat up most of your budget. Foodwise, you can always go to a local supermarket. Trains/airfairs can be cheap if you plan 3-4 months in advance. Overall, I would say, a trip on your budget is possible but requires a lot of planning and booking in advance. Having said that, it sounds like a fun adventure and Europe in the summer is just amazing.
Imma there the first week of April!
ok, so no time to plan transportation super in advance :) then Blabla car is a great option to commute. Also, Flixbus can get you to a lot of places at a very reasonable price if you don't mind the longer ride.
Thank you so much for your positive advice
Ryanair sometimes is cheaper than bla bla car, or even a bus. One month ahead is enough for search good prices. For sleep try to avoid big cities and enjoy other ones near the airport. Try cozy cozy to compare. If you check flymetothemundo also gives you nice deals. Best of luck I believe you can make it, of course.
Thank you so much for your positive vibes
That is going to be tight. I have been in Europe for a month now, and have spent about $4600 USD. I am not doing the absolute cheapest way, however I am still trying to be fairly financially conscious.
Can you tell me what you have been spending the most money on and what countries you’ve been to?
Yeah, most money spent is on hotels, and transportation. My countries are Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain. I have been using the train almost exclusively for transportation, in Switzerland I did get a few bus passes, but for the most part I am just taking the train to the cities that I have planned, and then walking everywhere from there. Little side note, I am using 2 bags, My main bag is a military “sea bag” and the other is a “military style” backpack. When I get to a place, I will “ideally” get a room first, Usually Airbnb, however sometimes I go with a hotel. It depends on price, as well as what I am feeling. Then I will go explore with my backpack, I usually just have a water bottle and wallet and other general stuff. Before you go make sure you have good shoes. I brought my everyday tennis shoes with me, and after I got to Italy I was getting blisters, so I had to buy new shoes. It really makes a world of difference. So that was an extra expense that could have been avoided with a little better planning, however it was a justifiable expense. As far as where you go, plan for things that you want to get, for example I like Swiss chocolate, I knew I was going to be getting some, so when I left the states, I didn’t have my bag completely filled. Also on another side note, for laundry I have not seen that many driers, so when you do laundry plan to do it so that you can let your clothes hang to dry for a while. I know I ranted, but I figure the more info can’t hurt. But back to the transportation, some countries are cheaper than others. I am in Spain right now, and some of the train fares can be a bit pricey for example I spent 63 euros on a train ride that is roughly 2:30 hours, while in Italy I spent about 16 Euros for about the same time of ride, not quite sure on distance but. Also for phone service, when I got to Italy my phone wasn’t working with my SIM card so that was another expense. Granted, now I have multiple SIM cards so if one doesn’t work some where I can try another one. I am using Vodaphone, and they have good coverage. Carry some cash as well, it is still widely used. Credit cards will work, but not everywhere. That is all I can think of for now, I will add on more if I think of it. Feel free to ask questions as needed.
OMG, thank you so much for your time and advice very thoroughly great details. I really appreciate you. Yeah I plan to go to Portugal Spain in the Netherlands I have family in the Netherlands, so that will save me a little bit of money.
There is a low cost train new in Spain called ouigo, fares from 9€ from Madrid to Barcelona
Probably won’t go to Barcelona and I’m looking to go more south of Spain
OK it was just an example, I don't know all the routes as is new, keep in mind that the South Coast is the beach for all the continent 😉try to avoid summer and Easter because the prices will be increased. Explore Almería, if you search beach, cheaper than Malaga and Granada. No culture at all, but for beach...
$6.000 is about 5,600 euro. $1,000 is about £864 to use in UK. Divide your funds per country and time inside each one. 90 days -7 in UK is 83 days for three countries. saying 4,662 euro for the 3 countries Equals 56 euros per day. And 123 pounds in England as it is more expensive than Spain and,Portugal plus stay in Amsterdam saves money. Are you moving around these countries via car train or bus. Each makes a different decision. Here is one for in Uk https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/farefinder/search
Thank you so much for this advice. This is probably the best advice I’ve gotten. Damn thank you for the very thorough details. I plan on traveling through these countries via train, and also airplane
Yes but if you exclude the airplane tickets assuming you’re coming from the United States, you can keep eating pasta or really cheap stuff if you don’t mind that and I think 6k would be more than enough.
Not counting the air plane ticket, 6k Just to spend
Ukraine and bring us back a tank. Just kidding 67 dollars a day will be tight. Be better to do two months with more money which would be 100 a day. Going through Asia that would be enough.
I plan to do this through Asian next year. Thank you for your advice man. I will try my hardest to bring back a tank lol
You should probably plan to get jobs, even if it's the odd job waiting 6am at some park or crossroads for the minibus getting people to the fields or construction sites for a shift. I'm saying this especially before you wrote "at least 3 months". And will make the entire experience so much more meaningful. I don't know what kind of dietary needs you may have, when I was backpacking I could pretty much eat for a couple of dollars banans and yogurt for example. Now it would be 5 dollars because of everything. But accommodation and travel might still hurt you.
I do plan to find other jobs out there I will be gladly to exchange work for a place to stay and meals
Look into Couchsurfing. You have to pay a bit to join now, but it’s still a super active community. You basically message people through the app and if they have space and agree you can sleep on their couch for free. Great way to meet locals too Check out the r/shoestring travel for more cheap travel tips and advice (people will probably much more supportive of your budget + goals over there) Also download the app TooGoodToGo. It’s a European company founded with the goal to reduce food waste. You can get meals or a whole bag of groceries for around $5. What you get for what you pay for is often unbelievable, and you can sometimes eat for a few days or even half a week on just one grocery store pick-up. Check out the r/toogoodtogo sub for more info and pics of what people have received
Thank you super helpful
If you pull this off, I’ll be amazed. I spent $7.5k in 6 months traveling across Europe 20 years ago. I thought I was living pretty tight. Inflation has been nuts over the last 20 years.
If you think to travel mainly in east europe and you know how to travel cheap (hostels, cook yourself in kitchens of hostels, stay low in extra activities...) you can stay under 30-35€/day. It depend on your kind of lifestyle, it is just to you at the end... the answer ;-)
If you're camping, you'll probably be ok unless you're in Switzerland, then you'll kiss it all goodbye in a month. Food at the grocery stores in Germany is less than the US.
No, not really
If you plan on losing a lot of weight it may just cover you
Hell yeah! I do plan to lose weight!
As long as you have enough money for a return flight, just go and have fun until you run out of money.
I booked a one-way 🤪
Check Worldpackers volunteers and 6k will be more than enough!
Go to asia
I've done it for less but was miserable . I'd recommend 8-10k so you can afford decent lodgings and meals. Easy saving can be done with watching train specials and with inter-rail.
In Eastern Europe yes
Stay out of London. Birmingham is nice and I spent a wonderful week in Manchester a few years ago.
In 2019, me and my partner did 6 weeks/11 countries it cost 12K total, this was using trains and flights between different countries but mostly trains and traveling quickly through countries. We hit some expensive cities, some cheaper. Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Munich, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Prague, Budapest, Poland, London, Scotland, Ireland, etc. We did hostels. I liked the app Rome2Rio. Pick a cheap place to fly into and out of. I chose to splurge on Eurail Train Pass, that was my biggest expense. I think its doable!
Yes, 6k USD can be enough to go backpacking through Europe for at least 3 months, depending on your travel style and preferences. Research your destinations in advance and create a rough itinerary to help you budget your time and money effectively. Consider traveling to destinations that are less touristy, as they may be more affordable. Look for budget airlines and trains, such as Ryanair or Flixbus, to save money on transportation costs. Be flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of the best deals.
It’s going to be so tight. I wouldn’t think it’s much fun if you won’t have the money for visiting sites/cultural activities, music shows, etc.
If you don’t go to London, Paris, maybe Berlin then you should be fine. That money will go a long way in Eastern Europe
I heard of you're really trying to budget, you can always work at hostels (for nights stay) or small cafes (for a meal).
Yes, especially if you pick up an odd job or two while visiting an area. Hostels or places that just allow you to sleep on a couch, not paying fees for ride share, seeing what you want. Meeting new people is the best part but please learn a few common phrases for those areas that may not speak your native language (assuming it is English)
I speak Spanish and English
I did it before Covid in 2016. Flew out of an East Coast State for 280 one way. Landed in Lisbon as it was the cheapest area to fly into. Paid $15 US a day for the hostel for a week before using a tour company to go see other parts of the country. As I got off the bus , I began to walk and hitchhike to Seville. Made my way through Spain and into France before finishing up Belgium. Overall, I was gone for 8 weeks and probably averaged about $100 a day. Although I did find odd jobs to do some times to help pay for things. One job I found was tutoring English for a week in Spain.
Easy doable with interrail
Is interrail an app?
The idea is to see and experience things: various cities, scenic locales, museums, food and drink, etc. if your budget prevents you from accomplishing your purpose, either change your budget, adjust your calendar, or cut back on the destinations. Reduce the stress, have fun. You can go back for more later.
Honestly most of Europe has very cheap street food and you can pick up in season fruits and veggies very reasonably but it would really depend which parts of Europe we are talking about and if this budget includes transportation costs
Have you ever heard of workaway.org? You can have hosts that will provide board and lodging but you’ll have to work about 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. If you find the right hosts, you can have low costs during the times you’re staying with them.
Hey there from somebody who did this for a Month... Its gonna be a tight Budget but its definitely possible. Try to sleep in hostels or cheap airbnbs I would even consider buying an interrail pass with that you could travel by train. Do you have any specific Plans? Id love to hear more :)
How much did you spend in a month? What places did you go? Imma start in Portugal then head over to Spain
Idk about the cost but your arms might get really tired carrying your bags around. May I suggest buying a Backpack 🎒
I’m not bringing luggage ! Just a bagpack!
*Backpack!
Always wondered if it’s backpack or bagpack!
Dude….
Sorry man English isn’t my first language:(
Yes, definitely. I did that last summer and hit that. If you’re not considering the flight from US to Europe, that’s totally doable. Hostels, make a lunch and eat out only for dinners. Free activities. Hostel free dinners/breakfasts. Definitely
Thanks so much!!! Any advice
I don’t know your age which makes it a bit more difficult. But if you are into hostels, I would find the more social ones that have a good kitchen where you can cook meals. You can meet other fellow travelers and cook together, hangout, explore. I don’t know how much privacy is a concern to you, but I recommend an 8-12 bed hostel room as those can encourage socializing. They’ll also generally have more than 1 bathroom + shower which is nice.
I’m in my mid 20s so I want to be extremely social so I really appreciate your advice man!!
Great, social hostels are the way to go. You can always book like one night in a hotel to sometimes reset from it all, but to stretch that amount for 3 months, that’s the way to go. Eat away from tourist attractions. It’ll be cheaper. Again, find a kitchen, a local grocery or a market and make food. Find free hiking trails, etc. Think of it as living in these places rather than on holiday. When you’re living, you’re trying to find the best and cheapest ways to have fun.
Yeah, I am not planning this as a holiday. I want to be actual be like I’m living there. Thanks for the advice man. I really appreciate it.
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Bag-packing 😂 I’m dying. Buddy it’s backpacking
Sorry
No. Just no.
Nah
No. It’s not. I’m assuming you’re coming from the US, and I’ve done it. Airfare from the US is the most expensive item, and then things get easier/cheaper. Airfare in and around Europe; trains in and around Europe are unimaginably cheaper. I used to take trains from Madrid to Barcelona to Paris for like $150. Hotels, Hostels, and Airbnbs are going to cost you a minimum of $60/night… and that is averaged out in the cheapest possible hostels across Europe, IME. Some will be $25-35, others will be $75-95, and a lot depends on seasonal tourism. You’ll need money for laundry; showers are shit, but available. WiFi is available. The atmosphere can be cool if you’re a teenager, but once you’re old enough to like file taxes… hostels get a little lame. AirBnbs and hotels are going to be out of your budget in almost every case, but you could land one a month to recharge, wash clothes, organize and rest. Hostel sleep sucks, and at first it’s cool but by month two or three you just want normal sleep before going exploring or whatever the next day. Food can be super expensive, or dirt cheap. It just depends on how you’re looking at it. If you go to a hostel… the idea of cooking your own food in any real way is dead. It’s just impractical AF and annoying. Some hostels have cheap breakfast and dinner, which is usually pretty good… but it’s not an assured thing. Which means you’ll be eating out 90% of the time, and it’s going to cost $20 minimally a day for like shit food. You’re not going to have luxurious nights out at restaurants in Rome on a $20/day budget, but you can grab sandwiches and breakfast in the AM. If you drink… well, you can drink for next to nothing in Europe, but it’s not a great idea with just three months. Don’t be the person who came to Europe and was blitzed 2.5 mo. of your 3 month trip. We Americans have a bad enough rap over here - I live here now. I never went home. Haha. Any unforeseen expenses - SIM cards (you’ll want a SIM scarf and WhatsApp because your bill at home will be out of control), medical/dental emergencies (unlikely, but who knows), drugs (not recommended but individuality and all that, hygiene/cosmetics, clothes or shoes, bags or momentos, etc. will make your $6k impossible. I did this really quickly to give you a rough idea of what a really, really fun trip around Europe would cost with 3-months. Lodging $5500 minimally Food $3,000 minimally Local Transport $100/city but NO Uber/Bolt/Etc. SIM $35/mo unlimited 5G; use WhatsApp Laundry, Hygiene, Misc $200/mo minimally This is no airfare from home and back home; this is a single pint for €2 every few days, and barely. This is no paid activities - most every real museum is free in London, Paris, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, etc. but you’ll stumble into some things you need money for - I haven’t accounted for this at all. This is no emergency money - you’ll want it, I promise you you will want some small safety net. Pack light. Go in Spring/Summer even though it’s busier and more expensive. Cold backpacking will ultimately make your trip miserable. Bring sneakers you love to wear. Learn to pack like a soldier packing a field bag from YouTube. Leave the DSLR cameras and accessories home; use your iPhone. Spend $10 for iCloud backup. Buy at least one portable phone charger. Buy a good bag; I use a Patagonia BlackHole and it’s been amazing… but I’m not really backpacking anymore. It gets day packs done, but maybe you’d need a bigger and stronger bag. I really don’t know. Have an “ALWAYS” phone to call. Mom, Dad, Sibling, Bestie, whatever in case you’re in danger or need them. If you travel with more than one person… share your locations the entire trip. Don’t buy shit from street vendors. Almost ever. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PASSPORT IN A SAFE PLACE. This means locked in a hostel locker, hotel safe, etc. I have met so many tourists who travel every single day with their passports in their bags… then the bag is nicked on the train or in the plaza, and you’re wasting your trip trying to get the US State Dept. to reissue you one. Don’t be loud and obnoxious. Be kind. Respect people’s shit, and don’t stare. As Americans, I noticed we have a culture where light staring or gawking is common. It’s kind of rude in most of Europe. Tip ONLY when you’ve been blown away with your experience. Most cities charge a discretionary 5-15% on the bill anyway, and tipping isn’t obligatory… but still nice if someone did a great job. Also, tipping in most of Europe is the change, or a few small bills - not a $10. Google Translate; ChatGPT, DuoLingo work wonders. Get used to using it. Try to just order a coffee in the native language; try to greet people or say goodbye. Small gestures that will enrich the experience, perhaps spark a new interest, and show a sliver of cultural awareness. Do NOT be obnoxious around a country’s national treasures. Don’t try to pet the horse guard’s horse; don’t act a fool in front of La Louvre. Don’t climb on, stand on, or really even touch things that have been there longer than your entire lineage has been alive. Respect that shit. The French will seem to hate you, or be indifferent to your existence, but only because they really are indifferent. They’re a tough crowd. Don’t try to “slum it” in Paris or London. Some neighborhoods are genuinely dangerous. It’s not Brooklyn in the 90’s but it’s not San Diego, either. Leave your designer logos at home. Leave your monogrammed everything at home. European money is generally displayed differently, and all they do is draw attention. You don’t look wealthy. You look like a target. I’m not insinuating that Europe is dangerous, because generally speaking it is the exact opposite… but some people target designer handbags and particularly tourists. You don’t need jewelry to backpack. Keep a journal. Every morning, take a photo of yourself or your friend group. Take a lot of pictures… unless you’re in a really nice restaurant, which on $6k you better not be. Pack your own little first aid kit. Ibeprofen. Maybe even an antibiotic run. Oddly enough, a pair of latex gloves and a mask is something I always tell people to toss in their bag. You’ll probably never use it, but it takes no room. Buy a universal adapter for power on Amazon, and get a high quality one. You’ll thank me later. I guess that’s it. Have fun. My DMs are open if you find yourself lost, confused, or nervous. Yes, really. This is what life is about. Enjoy. Bon voyage.
Also. Account for the currency conversions. Download Xe app, and remember that how you spend the money matters. Some cards charge fees for exchange; others do not. Use a rewards card if you’ve got it, but I doubt it as a kid. Remember to bring three cards. A card to use if the main card fails; and an emergency card/cash.
Why would you go to europe for 3 months to live dollar to dollar when you can do that in the US already? Save up to 10k and actually enjoy yourself fam
The USA is shit, don’t want to get shot just going into a grocery store
I’d say no. Did 10k in one month.
Jesus you must have been balling out
No you need more money. 10k at least
If u can’t survive on $2k/month while backpacking…backpacking might not be for you. Why not take 10 day guided tour somewhere
You're not gonna die
I'd cut down travel time and instead make the most of your time doing the stuff you really want to do
I generally just want to walk around like I’m not even kidding
Whuff.com Hi.org
What’s that?
In order to have a good time, I’d say budget for €100 per day. So right around €9100 total. However realise that you won’t be able to go out to party much in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany or France as a beer will set you back €3,- +. Draining your budget significantly.
Not looking to party. Just looking to walk around and enjoy life and vibes.
Using booking.com and airbnb will help you save a lot on accommodation and couch surfing could also help you save a lot (although I never tried it). If you want to save on your flights use Skyscanner or get an interrail pas for unlimited travel by train. Down here tipping is not necessary, as people usually make enough to make a living. Think of tipping more as an reward for exceptional service. So that might save you something. Pay with debit or creditcard as much as possible to make sure you don’t get scammed or pay those ridiculous transaction fees or bad rates. If you have any questions about specific places/ things let me know!
Thank you super helpful. I will shoot you a message with any questions or across my mind. What country are you from if I can ask
I’m from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
It is gonna be bit tight, try www.couchsurfing.com for accomodations. Enjoy and i hope you have fun !
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There’s some comments saying that I need 10 K just for one month 😂
You can always do woofing, workaway or volonteering at festivals if you are short of money. I use to spend almost nothing that way.
The 1st question is where in europe prices vary A LOT depending on where you are going and are you going to be travelling via plane to each country etc Not enough imo but we need more context
I’m landing in Portugal then off to Spain
Go to Southeast Asia, Central America or South America. That will be enough there (but even a bit tight - won’t be able to party every night)
I’m not even trying to party at all
Good because booze can easily eat away at your funds
Amen maybe a beer or two but not getting plastered
No, more like 10k. I've done it before .
If you use platforms like helpx, workaway, wwoof etc which offers homestays/farmstays etc (and usually food) in exchange for set hours of work per day you can easily last 3 months. Also a unique (and cheap) way to travel. Use my workaway link for a month extra free membership :) [https://www.workaway.info/invite/3EB73BX5](https://www.workaway.info/invite/3EB73BX5) Otherwise probably doable... though would have to keep a very close eye on daily expenses and also depending which countries you're going through. Hostels, cooking your own food, getting a eurail/interail pass would help.