made up of over 5000 islandsthe the Caribbean ,and
reefs, and cays, each with its own unique attractions and price ranges
In recent years, even very secluded islands have been transformed into some of the world’s most exclusive vacationing destinations. There is a misconception that a trip to the islands will be extremely expensive and not a viable destination for budget travelers. While accommodation can be expensive, costs of food and activities can vary greatly island to island. With so many places to choose from in this guide, you’ll find a corner of the Caribbean suitable to your budget.
EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDE
DestinationsTypical
CostsBudget
TipsActivities
Posts German river from above picture taking while backpacking around Europe One of the great rites of passage is the summer backpacking trip through Europe. For young people, especially college-aged Americans, the summer trip is one of the most memorable experiences people have in their life. From beautiful Paris, to smoke filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, to Oktoberfest, to the beaches of Greece, there’s so much to see on the continent I couldn’t name it all even if I tried. But even if you aren’t about to backpack around Europe, the continent holds wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and wonderful people. Every country is incredibly different than the next. I’ve visited the continent every summer and always find something new that blows my mind. This extensive backpacking travel guide will help you visit the continent on a budget. Typical Costs Note: The individual country guides have more specific information but below are some general costs. Accommodation – Hostel dormitory rooms cost between 18-40 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 15 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 32 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris will cost on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens will cost on the lower end. Campsites cost between 9-15 EUR per night per person for a tented space. In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 6-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 27-55 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two. Most hostels offer free linens, free WiFi, and a lot offer free breakfast but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities. Rooms that sleep two start at 27 EUR per night in a 2-star hotel. These hotels come with amenities like breakfast, private bathrooms, and WiFi. Airbnb is also available throughout Europe. You can find shared rooms starting around 10 EUR per night and entire homes (including studio apartments) starting around 24 EUR. Food – Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops where you can get sandwiches, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 4-7 EUR. You find these shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas. These small sandwich shops offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on between 9-15 EUR per day. Restaurant meals cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west. Even if you are eating out for all your meals, you still get by on as little as 9 EUR per day. You can cook your own food for around 65 EUR per week. Save money by shopping for food at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market. See country information for more specific food costs. Transportation – Transportation around most European cities by local tram, subway, or bus is typically under 2 EUR for a one-way ticket. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country and depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train. A high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 190 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 95 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona is about 150 EUR. Non-high speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short trains rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR. Buses are cheaper than trains. The main bus service is called Eurolines and it reaches throughout the continent. Every country has its own national bus service but for international long distances, Eurolines is a great option. In the east, the major international bus company is also Ecolines, which primarily serves central Europe, the Baltics, and other Eastern European countries except for the Balkans. Flixbus is another budget-friendly option. They have routes in 20 different countries with prices starting at 5 EUR. They come with (semi-reliable) wif-fi, electrical outlets, and decent enough sites for overnight and long haul bus journeys. They are one of the best and newest ways to get around the continent. Additionally, hitchhiking is also a popular method of travel in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Uber, the alternative taxi service, is available in most countries in Europe. Activities: Wine tours will be your priciest activity at around 90 EUR per day. Going up the Eiffel Tower will cost between 7-17 EUR and visiting the Versailles Palace and Gardens will cost 25 EUR. The Tower of London is about 25 GBP.Bike tours and river cruises can cost 24-40 EUR. Most museums and tours start at around 14 EUR (it’s cheaper of course in the east). Full day tours cost between 35-100 EUR. Prices vary drastically per country so it’s hard to give a good general cost. See country information for more details. Suggested daily budget – 40-70 EUR / $42-75 USD
