Planning a Safe and Purse-Friendly European Vacation

February 28, 2009 5:00 pm     Posted in Reality  Alana- Boston University g+ page

496px-urban_backpacking.jpgTrying to plan a spring break trip to Europe that won’t leave you broke? Good luck; those things are expensive! When you add up airfare, hotels, daily transportation, meals and alcohol, you could be spending close to $1500!


By Alana

What’s a girl to do?

A few years ago, I backpacked through Greece with a close friend. We spent eight days traveling throughout the country, taking ferries, visiting the islands, lounging on the beach and shopping. It was a fabulous vacation and we both managed to spend under $1000! How did we save so much money? We didn’t eat huge meals, took transportation during off-peak hours and stayed in hostels.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: hostels are gross! And to tell you the truth, they are. But, if you’re traveling in Europe and want to save a few bucks, you’re going to have to stay in them. Keeping that in mind, here are a few tips for hostel survival and general vacation budgeting from someone who’s been there:

1) Never travel alone- It’s always best to have a buddy with you, especially if you’re staying in large communal rooms. Although I traveled with a girl friend, having a boy around definitely couldn’t hurt.

2) Book ahead for your first night- Even if you’re planning on winging it and staying wherever your feet (or that strange European train) take you, you’re going to want to have a guaranteed bed your first night, so figure out where you’re staying before you leave the country. For the remainder of the trip you can use the hostel’s computer or go to a local Internet cafe to book your stays the day of. By booking last minute, you can choose your next destination based on the price of a room…

3) Think about going suitcase-less- If they’re making me pay $15 a bag just to fly from Boston to Baltimore, I can only imagine how much they’ll charge to bring my suitcase all the way to Europe. Instead, try to consolidate your clothing, toiletries, etc into something you can carry on the plane. Think about it this way: you’ll not only save money but also have less stuff to schlep around from place to place.

4) Bring shower shoes- Even if you’re packing light, you can re-wear them on the beach. Communal showers are disgusting. End of story.

5) Take the top bunk- My second night in the hostel in Athens, I found myself tossing and turning and unable to sleep. I kept having this dream that the guy in the bed next to me was watching me. Well, it wasn’t a dream. When I opened my eyes, the creepy guy was staring at me. Plus, his feet were in my bed. Now, I realize that creepy guys can still watch you sleep when you’re in the top bunk bed, but they’ll definitely be less likely to try to climb in bed with you. Another option would be to ask ahead and see if they have an all female room. Yeah, you could run into some crazy ladies, but they’re a lot less threatening than creepy stalker men!

6) Skip the communal room and “splurge” on a private one- If the above story or that awful movie Hostel (which I refuse to see) freak you out, you should definitely get a private room. The night after the incident, my friend and I opted for a hotel. But honestly, you don’t really have to do that; the price of private rooms is not all that much higher than staying in a communal room, especially if you’re traveling in a big group.

7) Take advantage of the hostel’s knowledgeable staff- Want to find the hottest beach or the best place to get a cheep beer? The people working at the hostel are your best bet. Sometimes they can even give you restaurant coupons; I know we scored 10% off our first Greek meal simply by asking for restaurant recommendations!

8 ) Don’t go to Starbucks- It’s not like you don’t have 5 of them on your campus already. Why spend money on an already overpriced drink at a boring American location, when you can discover a little cafe unique to your destination?

What are your money saving vacation tips?

7 Comments on "Planning a Safe and Purse-Friendly European Vacation"

  1. LKO says:
    Sat, 28th Feb 20095:17 pm 

    Most out of the country flights still do not charge for luggage. But if you're staying in hostels, it isn't like a huge bag would fit anyway!

    Definitely check out the local 'piazzas' where people are selling fresh fruit, bread, donuts, etc. These are the best places to get delicious 'organic' food, for a great price!

  2. sophie says:
    Sat, 28th Feb 20099:21 pm 

    yes, girls please be careful of creepy men! I just watched the movie Taken and it kind of creeped me out!

  3. Maggie says:
    Sun, 1st Mar 200912:45 am 

    Hey,

    I just spent a semester in Hungary, and did some traveling around central Europe while there. A few tips, not only for saving money, but for maximizing your fun.

    1- Not all hostels are gross. I stayed at hostels that, while modest, obviously, were immaculately clean. Go to hostelworld.com, and check out reviews. Good hostels frequently have brochures of sister hostels in surrounding cities which are very reliable and helpful in planning your next trip. Hostel world lists rates so you can book and plan your budget accordingly.

    I recommend the Wombats chain of hostels- I stayed at the Wombats lounge in Vienna. They have their own bars and a breakfast for 3 euro. I met some great people here. There are Wombats in Munich, Berlin, and Vienna.

    The Hostel Blues is a great place in Slovakia, and the Boomerang and Aboriginal Hostels are good in Budapest.

    2- Many hostels offer all-female dormitories that you can book in advance- definitely nice if you’re a lone female traveler, like I was for a week. Also, some hostels divide co-ed rooms into two sides- one for men, one for women. They’re the same price, too, and you may feel more comfortable.

    3- If you’re with a friend and want privacy, look into hostels that rent out apartments nearby. It’s even better and much cheaper than getting a hotel room. My friend and I stayed in a darling 1- bedroom apartment in Budapest with TV/DVD player, spotless bathroom, and fully functional kitchen for $50 per night- $25 per night individually. This was rented out by the Boomerang in Budapest.

    4- I learned this the hard way: don’t drink the hard liquor. You will go broke. Stick to beer and wine if you can.

    5- Consider Central and Eastern Europe. Incredibly beautiful and interesting at a fraction of the price of Western Europe. A bit further off the beaten track, and you should invest in guidebooks and phrasebooks. But well worth it.

  4. Danielle says:
    Sun, 1st Mar 20095:13 am 

    Hostels can certainly be creepy, but I stayed in some nice ones in Central Europe. You just have to be safe…and you really shouldn't be spending that much time inside. Always look for ones that include a free breakfast…it helps cut down spending. The Meininger chain is fabulous; they are located in germany, austria and england.

    Also, a great way to cut back on spending is to travel to countries that haven't switched over the the euro yet. In Budapest (which is a GORGEOUS city) I was able to have some of the best meals of my life for barely anything. And I agree with that other post…stick to the beer; it's cheap and good!

    One thing I have learned through my travels, in terms of staying safe, is to never look too 'touristy.' Try to avoid looking at maps and looking lost as these are the tell tale signs of tourists. Plans your day at your hostel and if you must look at a map, sit at a park bench or stop in a cafe. Safe Travels!

  5. Steve says:
    Sun, 1st Mar 20095:39 am 

    Actually, those large camping backpacks make you stick out like a tourist. Depended on how you're traveling, you may want to consider other luggage if it's around. In some places, it may not be much of an issue, but other times you're guaranteed to get 'tourist prices' on cabs and in shops. Also makes you a larger target for pickpockets, thief, and no good-nicks.

  6. K says:
    Sun, 1st Mar 20097:28 am 

    I definitely agree about the big traveling backpacks… not such an issue for men, but girls do not even go there because it makes you vulnerable. I has a small rolling suitcase and had no issues. Also I'm surprised no one mentioned it but if you aren't on continental Europe (I studied abroad in Ireland) fly Ryanair… You can get flights for anywhere between 50-100 euros EVERYWHERE. Don't pay the insurance or early boarding fees, pay to check a bag though because if you're bag is too big they will make you pay right then and there. People joke about it being crappy but my first flight ever was the one to Ireland (on Delta) and I had no problems with Ryanair flights. Just know that they fly to the middle of no-where sometimes. When I went to Barcelona, the "airport" was a landing strip or two and the hub haha. They have buses arranged to take you into the city right after flights for usually between 10-15 euro. Never buy a full-priced ryanair flight either, they always have deals going on where the flight itself costs like 2 euro and all you pay for is the 20 or so euros tax both directions.

  7. Jenna says:
    Sun, 1st Mar 20097:41 pm 

    Don't just be wary of creepy guys, though. Sometimes the hot, charming ones can be dangerous.

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