Reader Question: How Much Money Do I Need?

Ferris Wheel in London
[Photo courtesy of Amy Richards]

While writing my blog, I found the most common question asked by readers was "How much money do I need to travel through Europe?" Like everything on your trip, this will depend on your personal preferences on how you want to spend your money and what's important to you. For example, some people will think it's worth it to spend the extra money to get an authentic taste of the local cuisine, while others would rather travel around with a peanut butter sandwich so they can spend money on tours and local attractions. Because of these individual variations, I broke down a budget and offered variations, ranging from scraping by to splurging.

Your basic budget, not counting travel is 45 - 60€/day. Add your travel on top of that (averaged in) and you'll probably end up spending a total of 80€/day, multiplied by 30 days is 2400€ total. Here's how I got that number:

• Hostels cost anywhere from 15 - 20€/day. Earlier in the year I wrote a blog about hostels and how you can save money when booking your hostel, so make sure to check that out if you need some extra tips.
• Food will cost you anywhere from 10 - 20€/day. Your 10€/day budget will consist of sandwiches and pastries, and while it's doable, it probably won't fill you up. 20€ is a better budget if you want to stay full and try some of the street food in the area. 
• Your mode of transportation will be the biggest factor determining your budget. Some places you visit, you will be able to walk everywhere, others you will have to take a bus (about 3€ round trip depending on the the place you're visiting. Traveling from country to country depends on whether or not you fly or take the Eurail, as the prices will differ greatly depending on how many countries you plan to visit. For tips on the best mode of transportation to use, you can look at my blogs about rail systems within a country, the Eurail, and plane travel in Europe. 
• Lastly, you have to take into account that it will cost money to do some touristy things. For example in Scotland Edinburgh Castle is 14£ and a bike tour in Amsterdam is 20€. Experiences like these are often worth the money, so make sure you include this in your budget. Also keep in mind that you might encounter more than one tourist opportunity in one day, or you may want to buy a souvenir from your travels.

Edinburgh Castle
[Courtesy of Amy Richards]

There are items outside your budget that are important to consider too, like bank fees (see my blog about money in Europe) or what to do if you find you've been pick-pocketed.

Have any questions of your own that I could answer? Feel free to e-mail me at europeforstudents@ymail.com or post a comment below. Click the "Follow" button on the top left hand corner of the blog to keep updated on trips for traveling through Europe.

Happy Travels!


Julie

Using the Rail System within a Country

The rail system is also useful when travelling within a country. Rail systems are more expensive than coaches, but you will also get to your destination faster, making up to a two hour difference depending on how large the country is. Some rail routes are straight through – meaning there will be stops along the way, but you do not have to get off the train. In order to get to other destinations, you might have to switch trains and even train companies.

A good website to check out for the best prices travelling by rail within the UK is raileasy.co.uk. A WORD OF WARNING: There WILL be a booking fee if you choose to book with this website. I would suggest rather you search rates with different train companies on the website and then book directly through the train site. Make sure to book your train ticket at least two weeks beforehand as train prices rise rapidly as the date of departure approaches.

[Credit: Laura Ekstrom]

Once again, it is suggested that you buy a railcard if you plan on travelling to more than three places within the country. Buying a railcard is valid no matter the train company you use. Although it is an upfront fee of 25 pounds, this will give you major discounts on your travel. One money saving tip is to bring your own passport size photo. If you choose get a passport photo at the rail station, there is a machine where you can take your picture for 5 pounds.

Once you purchase your train ticket, it is of utmost importance that you both write down your reference number, bring the credit card you booked the train ticket with you to the train station, and arrive at the station with enough time to spare. After purchasing your ticket online, you will need to pick your ticket up from the station you’ll be departing from or have it mailed to you. If you decide to pick up your ticket from the train station, you will see a ticket machine of which you will enter your reference number and the card you used to pay for the ticket to print out your ticket.

[Credit: Laura Ekstrom]

After you get your ticket, you’ll need to look at the screens to see which platform your train is departing from, much like an airport. The trains will not board more than 20 minutes before they depart, however it is still wise to get there at least 30 minutes early due to the multitude of factors that can go wrong, such as missing the bus to go to the train station or a long line at the ticket collecting machine. Note: The ticket machine lines will vary based on the time of day and the day of the week you go to the station, so prepare for the worst, but expect the best. You will usually be allowed to get onto the train about 10 minutes before departure, and then you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

Check back next week for all about hostels! In the meantime, click the "Follow" button at the top left corner of the page to stay updated with tips on how to make the most of your trip abroad.

Happy Travels!


Julie

All About the Eurail

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Another easy way to travel from country to country is the Eurail. Eurail is a company that sells passes for rail systems all across Europe. This is most useful and cost efficient if you plan on travelling in more than two countries for more than one month. The Eurail pass does not work as well for most inner city transportation, such as busses or inner city trains.

The Eurorail has four passes to choose from. The first option is a one country pass for three to ten days. The second option is a two country pass for four to ten days. The third option is to get a select pass for three, four, or five countries and can be used from five to fifteen days. Lastly, for the most bang for your buck, choose the global pass for 22 countries and is good for fifteen days to three months. When you sign up for your Eurail pass, it will come with a free booklet that lists all the different train times, which is incredibly convenient, even time schedules will change occasionally.

The Eurail provides great flexibility when choosing your trains and is great for “on a whim” sort of travel, however, it is important to note that not all trains are free with the pass. Overnight trains still cost, although with the Eurail pass you can get up to a 75% discount. You can even get free upgrades to a cabin with a bed, but you will have to ask.

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Lastly, it’s very important to protect your Eurail pass. Insurance for your pass can be purchased for a small amount, especially considering how common pick pocketing in Europe is. The Eurail pass, in addition, is not very durable, so it is suggested that you protect it by either keeping it in a waterproof bag or wrapping it with tape. More information can be found out about the Eurail at http://www.eurail.com/home.

Remember if you have any questions, feel free to email me at europeforstudents@ymail.com and follow my blog to keep up with helpful hints on how to travel through Europe.

Happy Travels!


Julie