Backpacking trip in Europe.

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Hi all. Once I finish college, I want to take some time and travel. I'm thinking of something of a backpacking trip through various European countries. I'm just at a loss for how to actually get started. How much money am I gonna need ( I assume the plane ticket will be my biggest expense), where to start, how to travel, where to stay etc. The only place I absolutly want to visit right now is Vienna, where I've been on a number of occasions and is my absolute favorite place in the world. The rest of the destinations are undecided at this point.

I'm sure there must be some people on BF who have done something like this, please chime in with you're experiances and advice.

-Cheers

 

[m_calingo]

First, get your passport ready, if you haven't already done so. Either apply online through the Department of State or get forms from your local post office. For new applications it can take more than a few weeks, so get going on this.

Go to a travel agent, or hit Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity or similar websites to get the best fares. Keep in mind that some tickets are non-refundable, so be sure of your travel dates before you commit to purchasing your tickets. Figure in travel costs (rail, bus, whatever) to different areas in Europe. Once upon a time, it used to be common to hitch rides around the continent, but that may no longer be a viable, or safe option.

Then, you might want to check into youth hostels, in this case http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/europe.

Honestly, I've never been to one myself, but hostels have been around pretty much forever. The impression I get is that they're more like dorms (you should be used to dorms) than hotels, but the prices reflect that as well. Do you have any family or friends in Europe? Anyone you might be close to probably wouldn't mind having you over for a few days.

Check out the various "Europe on a Budget/$20/$10/50 cents/a day" sites to get an idea of to expect as far as day to day costs.

Add in some extra change for souveneirs, side trips, the occasional pricey restaurant.

Then multiply that times how many days you're actually going to be there. This should give you an idea of your total outlay for the trip.

Piece of cake!

 

[m_calingo]

Oh, BTW, be wary the occasional lowlife you might run across in your travels.

I must confess I've been hooked on National Geographic's Locked Up Abroad series, and it amazes me how time after time, a normally sensible person falls for a scam to transport something across state borders they really shouldn't.

Just sayin'...