Certainly doable on 750 euros EXCLUSIVE of airfare and train transportation. Would be very tight if you need to include budget airline or rail tickets in the 750 euros.

Did you try plugging your itinerary into railsaver.com to get an idea of what it will cost?

Using the itinerary you mentioned it looks like the price of train travel between cities would be approximately $300-$350 per person depending on what option you buy. They recommend a Germany-Benelux youth flexipass, though it may be too late for you to purchase one.

You might save a little bit of money and time by flying some of these routes on budget airlines, but remember to factor in transportation time and money to and from the airports, which tend to be fairly far out of the major cities.

Yes sorry that’s excluding airfare as well I have the first two nights in London paid for outside the 750 I will have on me.

So you would be saying its safe to bet 350 of my euros should be set on transportation? Leaving 400 euros for hostels, food and attractions? Now I must ask again, is that now doable? Is there a price difference large enough between trains and buses to save myself some money? Again I’m not picky on length of trip which is probably the norm. I had figured flying would be more expensive than the above mentioned but if I’m wrong are there any airlines in particular I should focus on?

I thank you Segacs for your reply.

Sorry, that’s probably about $350 Canadian for rail (closer to 200-225 euros).

Your budget is very tight if you’re including inter-city transportation. Buses can be cheaper (check out Eurolines) but trains go to more places and run more often. Budget airlines are all over the place; see the "cheap flights" forum for more.

But you can take a bus for long distances, and then continue by local train. I’d highly recommend Eurolines if you want to save some money. In general the cost of a seat on a Eurolines bus is about 50% of a seat on a train.

Your trip sounds very rushed to me. And the more you rush, the more it’ll cost.

quote:
Your trip sounds very rushed to me. And the more you rush, the more it’ll cost.

Yes, plus you might not enjoy yourself as much if you’re rushing like you are. It can be very tiring, and towards the end you’re not going to appreciate things as much as you would otherwise.

Yes I understand where you two are coming from and I’ve seen that comment after many listed itineraries on this site. Unfortunately I cannot afford the time nor the money for a longer trip or two separate trips. For a mature couple I understand the value of taking your time. For a young adult the more you see, the more countries you visit, the more stories you get is ultimately the goal I’m aiming for. And yes it will be rushed, but I’m sure a blast nonetheless.

I continue to appreciate your advice and make certain it has been very useful.

K.

quote:For a young adult the more you see, the more countries you visit, the more stories you get is ultimately the goal I’m aiming for.

Actually, the more countries you visit, the less stories you get usually. Stories happen while experiencing things. And sitting on a train or bus staring out the window isn’t much experience.

Think about it: if you spend 15% of your time on a train versus 30% of your time on a train, then you have an extra 15% of your time to experience things and see things and get stories to tell.

I agree with the other posters: if you pick cities and stops that are closer together and spend less time and money in transit, you’ll experience more and probably have more fun.

I agree with segacs. Also, you’re more likely to have something that’s worthy of a story afterwards happen off the beaten path.

This topic really is at the heart of the two &quothilosophies" of visiting Europe. The first is to try to see a bit of everything across Europe, with the other being to focus on one area and take your time. I subscribe to the latter. I think you are more relaxed and in the end aren’t stressing about getting places.

Plenty of people do the trip of seeing a little bit of everything, but most of the people I see traveling who are doing that, always seem tired and worn out. I’m sure you’ll have a great time. However, sometimes it’s nice having the luxury of sleeping in late instead of worrying about getting up early to catch a train or see a sight before needing to moving on.

Yes that’s so true – even at times when I’ve stayed in basically one city for a trip, by the end I’ve been very worn out. And I’m young and in good shape, as I’m sure are most posters on here who say they’ve gotten tired at the end of trips, Keaner.

Plus, the best times I’ve had have come through just the totally random interactions I’ve had with people when I was just casually strolling around or hanging around a city. Like the Spanish guy I’m referring to in another thread – I met him when we just happened to take the elevator in our hotel at the same time.
Staying in one place can be great, because then you TRULY get a feel for the place.

I’m afraid this has turned into a debate that really will have no affect on me what so ever anymore. Being the trip is in two days you can understand my mind set is pretty much made up. I appreciate your point of view on what you would consider a better time but I have to insist the more countries I do visit the better time I will have. If that means 15% more of my trip is spend on a bus then so be it.

My topic again asks if this doable on say 750 euros and what tips on transit can be given because it appears most my money will be spent on that given my determination to "see so many countries".

I appreciate the concern but right now only the latter can help me.

Many thanks.

I think 750 Euros is going to be pretty tight if you are including inter-city transport. The throwaround figure for a a per day budget not including moving between cities is about 50 Euros/day. That can be more in bigger western cities (like London) and less in Eastern European towns.

Buy food from grocery stores, not visit as many sites (to cut out admission fees), walk were you can, not spend a lot out (or anything) at bars, when you travel between cities go by bus, and you’ll be helping yourself. But I still think you’ll be cuting a lot out to try to stay on budget.

Thanks ricecloudnine, very good advice.

K.

Hey…

To save money on accomodation, how about trying a site like www.couchsurfing.com?

I’ve travelled to Belgium, Germany, and Sweden(staying the entire time with couchsurfers) and it helps a lot.