Wow, that sounds like quite a trip!

The first thing you need to remember is that unless you and your friends have EU passports, you won’t be able to stay in the Schengen Agreement countries for more than 90 days within an 180-day period. That’s total. You can’t cheat by exiting and re-entering either.

That’s not to say that you can’t do a 7-month trip; you just have to plan for 4 of those months outside the Schengen zone.

The Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Now, a bit of other advice:

For the train tickets, if you’re staying in places for a while, consider flexipasses instead of unlimited passes. Try a tool like Railsaver to calculate what the best pass for you would be, and supplement with point-to-point tickets where needed.

Your finances seem generous, considering. I’m assuming the 22,000 figure is for both of you combined. The big expense might be the plane ticket, as tickets with that length of travel can run more expensive. If you’re a student or under 26, consider a student or youth ticket from an agency like STA, which is generally fairly flexible and valid up to a year. Or try a consolidator (e.g. www.travelteam.com) for better deals. Countries like the UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandanavia, Switzerland, etc. are much more expensive, so if you want to make your funds go further, plan to spend more time in Southern and Eastern Europe.

One more thing: stay flexible. In that length of time, even the best of travel buddies are bound to get sick and tired of one another. Ahead of time, you’d be best to make a deal that will allow you to split up and do your own thing for a while at times and then meet up later, if the situation calls for it. Be flexible and be prepared to change your plans or itinerary if things come up, and stay open to experience.

Happy trails. I’m jealous.

Thanks Segacs for all of that great information. I had no clue about the Schengen countries and their requirements. That will probably change our itinerary a great deal. I am also glad to hear that you feel that the foreseen budget will work out. As far as flexibility, we have already conversed about having days if not a couple where we go our own and way and do our own thing. It is understandable that even best of friends need some time apart during that lengthy and stress invoking kind of a vacation. Thanks again.

$50 per person per day isn’t that much nowdays in Europe but you can fit your trip into it staying part of it in Eastern Europe.

I think their was a small misunderstanding. I meant 22,000 for EACH OF US. Meaning 90 -100 American dollars/ day for EACH my friend AND I.

Our plan is to take 200 days and divide them up between the roughly 20 countries we want to visit based on importance and its interest to us.

$22K each should be more than plenty if you plan to live like a traveler on a backpacker budget—hostels, supermarkets, value transport, etc.

You’re on the right track…
o less time in expensive Scandinavia, London, Paris, CH, etc.
o more time time in less-expensive locales
o get your itin sorted with Schengen rules! US citz allowed 6 months to play tourist in the UK, 3 months Schengen as segacs pointed out to you

Consider Renault or Peugeout short-term lease programmes. For rentals longer than 3 weeks, they can be very cost-effective—you get a brand-new car for cheaper than regular rental rates, and it’s even better deal when split between 2 people. Minimum age is 21 (possibly 18?). Budget fuel at $4-$6 per gallon, and consider tolls. Maybe do this for Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and use rail for the rest (to avoid driving on the "other" side in UK and Ireland; to avoid hefty toll stamps at CH border; to avoid crazy driving in Italy; and to avoid potential high insurance surcharges for eastern countries). Checksee if your current car insurance will cover you in Europe. Otherwise, compare rates offered through the lease programmes, and if your US coverage won’t extend to a eurolease or rental, see if you can suspend your US car cover account for 6 months and use what you’d normally pay in US premiums for Euro coverage instead.

For short ventures out of city centres, also consider www.easycar.com and similar very-cheap car hire agencies. The main drawback to these is only 100km per day allowed free. Also consider busses on some routes. For example www.megabus.com or www.busabout.com or www.eurolines.com

If you are students, consider getting an ISIC card which carries very basic health insurance and can get you an occasional discount on museums, sights, and transport.

With that sort of budget per person just go and don’t worry

A question in reference to the Schengen Agreement countries. If we are constantly moving and not staying in a single country for more than 2 weeks or so, how much hassle are the authorities going to give us? Is it possible that they will leave us alone as long as we are entering new countries quite frequently? If this is not the case, (without getting too confusing) if we exit a Schengen country and stay for a month outside and then re enter for a month and then exit for a month again, does this count as 2 months outside the Schengen countries during that 180 day period? (If you dont understand that, i dont blame you, i barely do as i reread it)

Segacs, please help me!

Schengen essentially acts as one common border. There are (theoretically) no passport checks once you enter "Schengen-land", and the 90 day clock starts ticking until you can show proof of travel out of the entire area. You can’t go to Germany for 90 days then Italy or Belgium or Norway for 90 days each—because all of them are part of Schengen. You have 90 days total to play tourist without a visa in Schengen-land. BTW, UK are not part of Schengen.

One’s stay in the Schengen zone is cumulative for the entire region not individual country beginning date of entry. Therefore, it matters not whether you travel frequently between countries or even leave then reenter the region – you still have but up to ninety days from day of entry. Even though the examination of papers is somewhat more casual than once since ongoing European unification, and many do indeed evade legal visa restrictions, it is really not advisable, and there is always the possibility of deportation. Two legal strategies for lengthening your stay: Ninety days in the Schengen region, ninety days UK (incidentally, the UK permits up to a six month stay for US citizens), return to the Schengen zone; or arranging for extended stay visas or temporary residence permits for countries of interest after the ninety day limit expires (visas need be secured before entry). Following are Foreign Entry Requirements from the State Dept.: http://travel.state….

Also, make sure you leave plenty of time to get your Schengen country visa, especially if you’re going to get through a country like France or Spain. I’ve just finished going through the rather nerve-wracking process of getting a student visa (6 months) for Spain. Apparently visa demand (especially for Spain) is at a historical high at the moment and you might possibly need to have an appointment to even turn in your paperwork for your visa. Also, be aware that because of the American restrictions on foreigners coming into the country, many foreign consulates in America are also heigtening their restrictions in response. Some country’s consulates require that you come to apply for your visa (and pick it up) in person at the consulate in whose district you are located. In my case, the Chicago consulate covered 10 states, so make sure to look into your governing consulate for the country that you’re planning to get your visa from to avoid unneeded headaches.

your trip is very possible. your budget of 44K or roughly 33,000 Euro total (…OUCH) over 6-7 months should be enough , but you guys have to plan plan plan !! Did you estimate for an emergency?? If not tack on about $300 . Given the extent of your trip you may want to look into travel insurance

As far as the Schengen Agreement is concerned , the info provided to you by fellow travellers is correct . As an American your only allowed a total stay of 90 days. After your 90 days are up you would have to go to a non-Schengen country for atleast 90 days . At which point your allowed another 90 day stay in Schengen land . No more than 6 months total in one calendar year !! Now its possible for a small overstay to go unnoticed , but you would be running the risk of being hassled, fined and deported bringing your trip to a quick and bitter end

Consider cutting a few weeks off your trip bringing it to an even 6 months. Buy sometime, and save some money by starting and ending the trip in a non-Schengen country. Use ATMs, and credit cards for the best exchange rates . As students hostels , rooms for rent , and budget hotels are your best options for affordable sleeping quarters .The rail systems sound like your best bet , but consider buses, and good old fashion foot power when practical . Communicate w/ other travellers along the way . Word of mouth goes along way in finding deals , and avoiding traps. I guess rental cars may also be option in your situation . Pack appropriately but for the love of G-d dont over pack!!!
Good luck guys..

rick steves type travel isnt exactly backpacking. rick likes bed and breakfasts, moderate priced hotels, etc. you have it made 90 a day is more than enough.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that contributed to this post. I shed a lot of light on something that I had not clue about (although somewhat depressing). This might seem very closed minded to some of you, but their just aren’t many countries outside of the schengen countries that I would be interested in visiting for a 90 day period (also because they seem like more expensive countries). Has anyone made a trip of this length that can offer a sample itinerary to give me some ideas?

Does anyone have any experience in getting a visa for the schengen countries for a strictly travel purpose and not educational? Was it difficult and how long did it take?

Please enlighten me!!!

Why $22,000? My friend vacationed through England, Austria, Germany, and a couple of other countries individually for just $8000-$8800 CDN (6,661.3161 USD-7,328.16 USD) over a 3-month period. Apparently Eurail is the ideal salvation for your moolah. Hope this helps buddy.

And with all this visa talk goin’ about, does it mean I’d have to pay for that as well if I’m only flying into Germany and flying back home after 2 weeks?

If I had that dosh, I would buy a Round the World ticket.

There are plenty of great areas in the non-Schengen countries. Consider starting your trip with three months in Ireland, Scotland, and England, all worth quite a bit of time on their own. Then catch a cheap flight (EasyJet, RyanAir, etc.) to Tallinn, Estonia. From there, head south: Latvia, Lithuania, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Budapest, Slovenia, the Croat coastline. East Central Europe is beautiful, interesting, and inexpensive. Krakow, Warsaw, Prague, and Budapest knock the socks off of many Western European cities. The beer in Prague and the food in Budapest alone make them worth a trip. Once you’ve made it to Dubrovnik, hop a ferry to Italy and start your Schengen march.

I’m really envious. I don’t know how in the world you’re able to take this kind of time off work, but well done! Be sure to take some time to get off the beaten path. Check out small towns or lesser known places. Good luck!

Cheers!

As far as suggesting an itinerary for what you could do to avoid Schengen problems, here’s my idea. Start in France and work counter clockwise as you mentioned for 3 months. (You’ll miss St. Patty’s day in Ireland, but I don’t know that its celebrated as much as American’s think it is)

After 3 months you’ll probably be somewhere south, IE Italy or Greece, at which time you could take a CHEAP flight into a smaller London airport and spend as much time as you want in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. You could very easily spend 3 months just in this area, but I think you’ll probably want some variety and even though you have an extensive budget it would be nice to spend some time somewhere cheaper. So I would recommend taking another flight into Central Europe: IE Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia. I think after spending a fair amount of time in the UK that this will provide a good balance for you, and even though they may not initially sound like the "Romantic European" countries to travel through, they will definitely be worth it and save you a ton of money.

Once you have been out of the Schengen area for 3 or more months, come back in somewhere near Austria or Germany and continue with the second leg of your railpass as you were. I think that this would make sense; if I had the resources, this is the route that I would take, unfortunately I’ll be limited to 3 months starting in April of this year.

Happy Travels

Eastern Europe is the place to be . Lots to see , relatively cheap, good food , and drink, etc… Don’t overlook it, you wont regret visiting countries like the Chec republic, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. All very rich in history and culture

The time frame for obtaining a Schengen Visa differs from country to country but I would say nomore than 6 weeks
Heres a link to the official website . Plenty of info there .You can even print the application form
http://www.eurovisa….

Hey from Italy.
A friend of mine from Portland ( who does not have UE passport) stayed in my house for nine months. He has never had any problems whatsoever. We have also travelled around Europe by car.
I think they are not very strict with US citezens. So if you just travel around it should be fine. I know for certain that in country such as England they would check your passport more carefully.
But Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, that is fine.
I think that amount of money is more than enough.
Try to take advantage of your six months and do not go just to touristic places. You could have something alternative that I am sure you will enjoy a lot. Check out www.italyfarmstay.co…, just out of curiousity that could be an alternative.

I’ll second the recommendations on Eastern Europe. I’ve been to Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic on one of my trips and they was some of the most interesting and beautiful areas that I’ve seen in all my travels. Plus, since their currencies are a bit weaker against the dollar so your money goes a longer way. Plus, the culture in some of the Easter European countries is much more interesting compared to your standard France-Italy-Spain route (not that I have anything against any of these places!! ) It would be a good way to fill your non-Schengen time…

if your interested in staying in places besides hostels, check out www.couchsurfing.com!

I’m on there as well, (Erica from barcelona) =)