What do an art freak, a party animal, and a hopeless romantic have in common? If asked where they would love to go on vacation, their response would probably be “Europe.” Why Europe? The answer is that Europe is probably the most versatile continent in the world, containing a vast variety of peoples, cultures, and climates in a breadth of territory smaller than the United States. 
 

Prague, Czech RepublicOf course, budget is always an important constraint when considering European travel. Ticket prices ranging from $700 to $1500, and the thought of paying for everything in euros can discourage anyone. But do not despair. Thanks to the fact that budget traveling to Europe for young people has become such a big business, there are tools to aid you in your quest to experience the Old Continent. 
 
How Not to Spend Most of Your Budget on Airfare: 
Decided you want to pay a visit to the Mother Country? Good for you. The first step is, obviously, getting there. Airfare is usually the most expensive part of any trip, but with the appropriate timing, you can score incredibly low fares. 
 
Most airlines have sales during the winter, when travel is not as popular. A good number of these fares will allow you to travel well into the month of March, an excellent time to visit, as there are barely any crowds, nice weather has started to become the rule instead of the exception, and hostels offer great rates. 

The first step of your Eurotrip should be scouting Web sites such as Travelzoo and Sherman’s Travel for any mention of sales. Be careful in noticing whether the price advertised is round trip or one-way, and if it includes taxes. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Continental, and Iberia will have amazing sales on tickets to European destinations, so be sure to check out those Web sites as well. It should not be difficult to find that $450 Boston–Rome ticket you need to start your adventure.  
 
Sidney Levy, a twenty-two-year-old from Brooklyn, found a round-trip $350 ticket from Newark to Cologne, Germany, on Travelzoo. “I still can’t believe I found this ticket,” he said. “My friend that went to Europe last year spent $400 on her New York–Paris one, and I couldn't believe it.”   
 
Do not forget that you might need a visa to enter the European Union. Check the visa and passport requirements according to your nationality at www.projectvisa.com and plan ahead to make the necessary arrangements. 
 
Moving Around: 
Once you buy your ticket to Europe, you need to establish an itinerary. For trips shorter than a month, traveling by air is the best option. Budget airlines such as GermanWings from Germany and EasyJet from the UK offer fares all over Europe, sometimes for less than twenty euros, making it much more affordable than traveling by train.

I never thought traveling within Europe by plane would be this convenient,” said David Daniels, 23, from Mexico. “Inside the European Union there’s no need to show your passport, and most trips take less than four hours, giving you extra time in the cities that you’re visiting.” 
 
Once you have a list of the places you want to visit, look for the cheapest fares. www.attitudetravel.com has a fairly comprehensive list of low-cost European airlines that includes a map showing where each of them travels and the links to the airlines’ Web sites where you can make your reservations.

Airports are easily accessible through public transportation, and most trips should not take you more than forty-five minutes or cost you more than eight euros. However, be sure to plan ahead. “When I went to Amsterdam, I was planning to take the train to the airport, but I was late and had to take a cab,” said Levy, not without chagrin. “I had to pay thirty euros instead of four, and barely made it.” 
 
As for transportation within the city you are visiting, the cheapest way to move around is, obviously, walking. Maps are available anywhere and are easy to follow. “Walking is definitely the best way of getting around and actually experiencing a city,” said Dana Richardson, a twenty-four-year-old from Melbourne, Australia. “Walking allowed me to truly discover Rome. In fact, I found the best places completely by accident, such as the Arab place I found a couple of blocks from the Colosseum where I had the most delicious pizza.”    
 
Nourishment: 
Speaking of pizza, food is another of the budget traveler’s worries. But, it is possible to eat cheap in Europe if you know where to look. The first thing you have to know is to completely avoid all the tourist spots and their immediate vicinities. 
 
Richardson was appalled at the food prices near St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, but after walking away from the tourist hordes, she was able to find a decent place. “The prices near the square were just plain offensive,” she said. “But after walking for a while we discovered a small place where we ate amazingly well for four euros.”

Backpackers staying at your hostel, rather than the hostel’s employees, will give you the best advice as to where the most affordable places are. Daniels learned that lesson the hard way, after having to pay twenty euros to eat at a sit-down restaurant recommended by hostel receptionist.  
 
Another smart option is purchasing food at the local supermarket, where prices are considerably cheaper. “Food in Amsterdam was significantly more expensive than what I had budgeted [for],” said Marta Castrosín, a twenty-year-old from Madrid. “I bought all my food at the supermarket, but at least I had the chance to try the local delicacies.”

Have pizza and gelato in Rome, tapas and Spanish tortilla in Madrid, fresh-baked bread and crêpes in Paris, all local favorites that you can find for cheaper prices on the street. If you are on a very tight budget, consider booking hostels that include breakfast to have at least one meal taken care of. Do not expect more than a croissant and a cup of coffee or a bowl of cornflakes, though.  
 
Getting a Good (Clean and Cheap) Night’s Sleep: 
With the help of Web sites such as www.hostels.com, is it very easy to find and book good hostels all around the globe. The two most important aspects to keep in mind, aside from the price, are location and cleanliness. Browse through the reviews other backpackers have left and go for the highest rated. “Reviews are really helpful for looking for hostels,” said Richardson. “Most of the ones I read were fairly accurate, and gave me an idea of what I would be getting.”

Go for the hostels near the central train or a subway station to avoid having to walk too far carrying your backpack, and make your reservations early to score the four- or six-person rooms.  
 
Usually, you will be charged a 10 percent deposit on your credit card and will have to pay the rest upon check in, typically in cash.

Do not forget to check out in time to avoid being charged for an extra night. If you are staying in the city for the day after checkout, there is normally a storage room where you can leave your backpack for the day. 
 
Stuff To Do: 
Do some research before leaving in order to avoid an unnecessary waste of time planning what to do. Landmarks and monuments are marked on maps and are usually accessible through public transportation or on foot. Look for tours on-site, which are usually cheaper, or do it on your own. “The best tour I took was definitely the one for the Colosseum, the Palatine, and the Forum in Rome,” said Richardson. “For twenty euros we skipped the lines and had three tours with an amazing guide.”

For the art maniacs, museums are a must. Set aside at least three hours to enjoy a thorough visit. Have your student ID card ready to get the discount, although some museums, such as the Van Gogh and Rembrandt in Amsterdam, do not offer student rates. Get an audio guide if you’d like, but as most museums are flooded with students, sticking with a group will allow you to get the same information for free. “I saw most of the museums I visited in one day,” said Levy. “But if you visit Paris, set aside at least two days to visit the Louvre.”

Nightlife in Europe also goes according to taste, but your budget’s best bet is probably a pub crawl. In Amsterdam, twenty euros can get you one free drink and admission to at least ten bars and clubs. In Madrid and Florence this cover charge can include dinner as well. Otherwise, do some research before traveling to know the location of the hottest clubs, and expect to pay around ten to fifteen euros for admission.  
 
Alcohol is expensive at the clubs, so do as the locals do and buy some booze at a liquor store to get your engines going before getting in. “In Madrid, we would go to Plaza de Oriente with a bottle of Spanish Rum to start the night,” Daniels remembers, a mischievous grin on his face. “That would leave us ready for the next part of the party at the club.” 
 
Practical Matters: 
It is recommended that, before leaving, you change the amount of money you will need to pay at the hostel, and some extra for transportation and any unforeseen expenses. Afterward, look for exchange booths that do not charge commission and take your ATM card with you for emergencies.

Pack as light as possible, but be sure to include a pair of walking shoes, a coat in case the temperature goes down, flip-flops for the shower, a towel, your own lock so you will not have to rent one, and a money belt to keep your valuables secure. Buying travel-sized toiletries at home is also a good idea.  
 
One Last Thing: 
Don’t forget to have fun!

By Myriam Camhi