Guides for Each Country
The Ultimate European Tip Guide
Price of Services
Accommodation – Hostel dorm rooms cost will range from 5-40€ ($6-60USD) per night, depending on the amount of beds in each room, what day of the week, what time of the year and if there is an event going on in the city. Each city is completely different in terms of pricing for each hostel. I have spent 5€ ($6USD) for a 8 dorm hostel in Bucharest, Romania. That same dorm room would have cost me 23€ ($25.50USD) in London, England. A room in Bucharest will be on the lower spectrum of pricing and a room in London will be on the higher spectrum. If a hostel isn't your thing, try camping out in the many national parks in Western Europe for around 7€ ($8USD). Eastern Europe will be much cheaper at 3-5€ ($4-6USD). If you are tired of hostel living, take a break in a hotel. I wouldn't recommend a hotel in Western Europe due to the overpriced accommodations. Stick to Eastern Europe's hotels due to price, quality of food and rooms and overall enjoyment for the price of 14€-20€ ($15-22USD). Hotels in Eastern Europe come with free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, large beds and more often than not, a free breakfast. There's another option that is the most affordable; sleeping in your tent on the outskirts of town for free. I would only do this if I was out of money and with friends I could trust. Sleeping out in the open can be a vulnerable and unsafe feeling.
Food – When it comes to eating on the cheap end, Europe is the place to be. Depending on which Western European country you are in, the price of cheap quality food will run you anywhere from 2-5€ ($3-6USD) for items such as pizza slices, sausages, small sandwiches, bread and cheese, and pre-made meals at the supermarket. These types of cheap foods can be found in supermarkets, small shops in subways, train stations and bus stations and food carts around each city. If your hostel has a kitchen, I recommend cooking your meals. This can save a ton of money, especially in Western Europe. My go to snack or dinner is a fresh loaf of bread, artisan cheese and salami. This combo is never more than 3€ ($3.50USD) everywhere I've been. For groceries, 35€ a week will suffice. The less you eat per meal, the more money you save. I wouldn't recommend starving yourself. But, I would recommend taking in less food than you're used to. It is possible to eat three meals a day at a cost of 8€ ($10USD). These meals won't be gourmet or Top Chef material, but it will fill you up.
Transportation – Transportation in the form of trams, buses and trains in the inter-city will usually cost around 2€ ($2.50USD) for a one-way ticket. In some cities like Amsterdam, a ticket will cost 2€ for one-hour of unlimited trips. Inter-city high-speed and slow-speed trains will vary in price. I would recommend staying away from a high-speed train due to cost. A high-speed train from Rome to Paris will cost around 120€ ($135USD). Using EuroRail is a great idea if you are traveling a lot within 15 days. If time is against your side, I'd use EuroRail. However, money is the ultimate factor for myself. I go with the cheapest transportation possible. In Eastern Europe, slow-speed trains are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 70-80% the price of high speed trains. A ticket from Odessa, Ukraine to Lviv, Ukraine (12-hours) will run you 5€ ($6USD). Eastern Europe inter-country trains will cost between 10-20€ when the ticket is booked last second. Short trains rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 5-10€ ($6-12USD). From Brasov, Romania to Bucharest, Romania, a 3-hour train will cost you 6€ ($7USD). Buses are cheaper than trains in most European countries. The three main bus services are called Lux Express, Simple Express and Eurolines. I find that Lux Express and Simple Express only run between Germany, down to Hunagry and all the up to Estonia. Eurolines is a continental bus service. I wouldn't recommend Eurolines due to their overpricing unless you need to go from Amsterdam to Kiev, Ukraine. Each country has regional buses that 40-60% cheaper than Eurolines. If buses and trains are to expensive, try hitchhiking. Hitchhiking is a popular way of travel in Eastern Europe, the Baltics and Scandinavia. You'll have a tough time finding a free ride in Western Europe.
Activities - Most museums and paid tours start at around 10€ ($12USD). The farther east you go, the cheaper the museums. Many museums are free in in Europe. Auschwitz Concentration camp is free after 4pm and Auschwitz-Birkneau is free all day long. Take advantage of free walking tours in each city. Walking tours have fun-filled guides who know more about the city than any website would. The best way to find out pricing in each country is to scan the web. Each museum will have its own pricing online.
Food – When it comes to eating on the cheap end, Europe is the place to be. Depending on which Western European country you are in, the price of cheap quality food will run you anywhere from 2-5€ ($3-6USD) for items such as pizza slices, sausages, small sandwiches, bread and cheese, and pre-made meals at the supermarket. These types of cheap foods can be found in supermarkets, small shops in subways, train stations and bus stations and food carts around each city. If your hostel has a kitchen, I recommend cooking your meals. This can save a ton of money, especially in Western Europe. My go to snack or dinner is a fresh loaf of bread, artisan cheese and salami. This combo is never more than 3€ ($3.50USD) everywhere I've been. For groceries, 35€ a week will suffice. The less you eat per meal, the more money you save. I wouldn't recommend starving yourself. But, I would recommend taking in less food than you're used to. It is possible to eat three meals a day at a cost of 8€ ($10USD). These meals won't be gourmet or Top Chef material, but it will fill you up.
Transportation – Transportation in the form of trams, buses and trains in the inter-city will usually cost around 2€ ($2.50USD) for a one-way ticket. In some cities like Amsterdam, a ticket will cost 2€ for one-hour of unlimited trips. Inter-city high-speed and slow-speed trains will vary in price. I would recommend staying away from a high-speed train due to cost. A high-speed train from Rome to Paris will cost around 120€ ($135USD). Using EuroRail is a great idea if you are traveling a lot within 15 days. If time is against your side, I'd use EuroRail. However, money is the ultimate factor for myself. I go with the cheapest transportation possible. In Eastern Europe, slow-speed trains are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 70-80% the price of high speed trains. A ticket from Odessa, Ukraine to Lviv, Ukraine (12-hours) will run you 5€ ($6USD). Eastern Europe inter-country trains will cost between 10-20€ when the ticket is booked last second. Short trains rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 5-10€ ($6-12USD). From Brasov, Romania to Bucharest, Romania, a 3-hour train will cost you 6€ ($7USD). Buses are cheaper than trains in most European countries. The three main bus services are called Lux Express, Simple Express and Eurolines. I find that Lux Express and Simple Express only run between Germany, down to Hunagry and all the up to Estonia. Eurolines is a continental bus service. I wouldn't recommend Eurolines due to their overpricing unless you need to go from Amsterdam to Kiev, Ukraine. Each country has regional buses that 40-60% cheaper than Eurolines. If buses and trains are to expensive, try hitchhiking. Hitchhiking is a popular way of travel in Eastern Europe, the Baltics and Scandinavia. You'll have a tough time finding a free ride in Western Europe.
Activities - Most museums and paid tours start at around 10€ ($12USD). The farther east you go, the cheaper the museums. Many museums are free in in Europe. Auschwitz Concentration camp is free after 4pm and Auschwitz-Birkneau is free all day long. Take advantage of free walking tours in each city. Walking tours have fun-filled guides who know more about the city than any website would. The best way to find out pricing in each country is to scan the web. Each museum will have its own pricing online.
Best Ways to Save Money
Eat local and cheap – The best way to eat cheaply is to find local small mom and pop shops that have sandwiches, pizza slices, salads, etc. There are plenty of street carts, small shops in train and bus stations, underground walkthroughs and every corner of every major European city. Avoid sit-down restaurants at all costs, especially in the city centers. These restaurants will more than likely be a tourist trap. Stick to local food joints that have quick service. Kebabs are one of my favorite types of cheap eats. Every European city has a Kebab shop. A kebab style wrap is the best and cheapest "fast food" you can find in Europe. Another favorite cheap meal of mine is a baguette, cheese and salami. This meal can be had at under 2€ ($3USD) in every country of Europe. Eating this way will save you a ton of money in the long run. It's also a fun way to try local cuisines at a fraction of the cost.
Stop drinking – This is an unpopular opinion of mine. I love to drink, but some times I need to cut back for my own health and expenses. Drinking in Western Europe and Scandinavia can cost a fortune. Eastern Europe is a different story, however. One liter of beer in Prague is .75€ ($1USD)... Drinking in Eastern Europe isn't the problem. Western Europe and Scandinavia are the ones you need to watch out for.
Transportation – I've been told that EuroRail is the best way to travel through Europe. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE with this. The major flaw in the system is the cost. For 5 days of travel within a 10 day period costs 297€...! That's insanely expensive and outright stupid. The prices get more outrageous the longer you travel. If time isn't a factor, traveling by bus and regional train is the best way to save money. Stick to the "right way" to travel. Don't believe everything you hear about transportation in Europe. A lot of sites want you to travel via EuroRail or RailEurope because they get commission on each sale. Traveling costs money, and money isn't always plentiful. Use your brain and calculate the cost and effect of your travels. Other ways to cut transportation costs is to travel through a country once, travel in a straight line and never back track. The more you circle around, the more money you'll spend. My last suggestion is to make a transportation budget. If you exceed the budget for the day, look to hitchhike the rest of the way.
Fly cheaply in off-peak season – Flying in Europe can be expensive during the peak season. You won't be able to find a flight from one end of Europe the other for less than 200€. During the off-peak season, check out these budget airlines for sweet deals: Transavia, Easyjet, Wizz, and Ryanair. These airlines have tickets for less than 5€ ($6USD) if your bag is a carry on. Watch out for fees! That's how these airlines makes their money. If you have a large pack, I wouldn't recommend flying unless it's absolutely necessary.
Couchsurfing – Like transportation, hostel/hotels will start eating away at your budget. Couchsurfing is a great way to meet new people in each city you hit. The concept of this site is to stay with locals for free as you explore their city. Make sure you aren't mooching off of those who share their home with you. Be sure to return the favor in the future.
Garden Camping – I've personally never tried this as I don't travel with a tent most of the time. I heard about this website, Camp in My Garden, through a friend I met in Estonia. This site is perfect for those who love to camp. This site allows backpackers to camp in local's yards for a free or for a small price. It's the perfect way to save cash on the go.
Take Advantage of Free Tours - Make sure to use the free tours in each city to get a better understanding of the culture and history. This is a no brainer in my book. Who doesn't like free stuff?!
Stop drinking – This is an unpopular opinion of mine. I love to drink, but some times I need to cut back for my own health and expenses. Drinking in Western Europe and Scandinavia can cost a fortune. Eastern Europe is a different story, however. One liter of beer in Prague is .75€ ($1USD)... Drinking in Eastern Europe isn't the problem. Western Europe and Scandinavia are the ones you need to watch out for.
Transportation – I've been told that EuroRail is the best way to travel through Europe. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE with this. The major flaw in the system is the cost. For 5 days of travel within a 10 day period costs 297€...! That's insanely expensive and outright stupid. The prices get more outrageous the longer you travel. If time isn't a factor, traveling by bus and regional train is the best way to save money. Stick to the "right way" to travel. Don't believe everything you hear about transportation in Europe. A lot of sites want you to travel via EuroRail or RailEurope because they get commission on each sale. Traveling costs money, and money isn't always plentiful. Use your brain and calculate the cost and effect of your travels. Other ways to cut transportation costs is to travel through a country once, travel in a straight line and never back track. The more you circle around, the more money you'll spend. My last suggestion is to make a transportation budget. If you exceed the budget for the day, look to hitchhike the rest of the way.
Fly cheaply in off-peak season – Flying in Europe can be expensive during the peak season. You won't be able to find a flight from one end of Europe the other for less than 200€. During the off-peak season, check out these budget airlines for sweet deals: Transavia, Easyjet, Wizz, and Ryanair. These airlines have tickets for less than 5€ ($6USD) if your bag is a carry on. Watch out for fees! That's how these airlines makes their money. If you have a large pack, I wouldn't recommend flying unless it's absolutely necessary.
Couchsurfing – Like transportation, hostel/hotels will start eating away at your budget. Couchsurfing is a great way to meet new people in each city you hit. The concept of this site is to stay with locals for free as you explore their city. Make sure you aren't mooching off of those who share their home with you. Be sure to return the favor in the future.
Garden Camping – I've personally never tried this as I don't travel with a tent most of the time. I heard about this website, Camp in My Garden, through a friend I met in Estonia. This site is perfect for those who love to camp. This site allows backpackers to camp in local's yards for a free or for a small price. It's the perfect way to save cash on the go.
Take Advantage of Free Tours - Make sure to use the free tours in each city to get a better understanding of the culture and history. This is a no brainer in my book. Who doesn't like free stuff?!
Top Things To Do In Europe
There's thousands of things to do in Europe. It'd be a long page of favorites if I were to list them all. Below are my Top Favorite Adventures in Europe. As I travel more in the next few years, this list will increase.
Krakow, Poland - Krakow is one of the more beautiful sceneries in Europe due to its fantastic main square, the Jewish Quarter and the many historical museums that outline this great city. Take a walk through the Farmers' Market on a warm clear summers day. Enjoy a homemade pretzel or a Polish vodka shot right in the middle of the square. This city has a lot to offer.
Amsterdam – Amsterdam is one crazy/fun city. Take a seat at a coffee shop as you order marijuana laced edibles, joints and coffee. Make sure to walk around the controversial neighborhood, the Red Light District. Here, you will see women standing in red windows as they work as legal prostitutes. There is, however, more to Amsterdam than sex and drugs. The many beautiful canals and walkways make this city quite unique. Don't miss out on seeing two of the most famous painters ever in Van Gogh and Rembrandt. The culture is thriving in the city.
Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona is one of the more lively cities in Europe due to its party and beach scenes. There's no end in sight when it comes to this vibrant and laid-back metropolis. Barcelona has the best Paella in the world. Hands down. It also has wonderful beaches, quirky, yet, elegant architecture and a history that includes Roman influences. A must see in Western Europe.
Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany – Oktoberfest is one of the best events anyone can go to in Europe. I would say it's a must do on anyone's European bucket list. The party begins with great food, 1 liter steins that are never ending, beautiful women all over the place, international travelers like yourself partying all night and a lot drinking! The nights get rowdy and entertaining. Watching thousands of international travelers and Germans sing along together is a treat. There's nothing better than to make new friends over a liter of beer.
Prague, Czech Republic – Prague, in my opinion, is the most beautiful city in the world. Nothing compares to its one thousand years of history, buildings and tall tales. The architecture is a must see. Make sure to bring an extra camera battery for this city. I find myself getting a little camera crazy in this elegant metropolis.
The Home of Count Dracula, Rasnov, Romania – There's nothing better than a cheap country with medieval castles on every major hill, gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea and tall tales lasting hundreds of years. Romania isn't a heavily traveled tourist area for reasons unbeknownst. Romania is one of my favorite countries due to the dark tales of Count Dracula and his lair, Bran Castle. With its cheap food prices, easy hitchiking spots and affordable hostels, Romania is the perfect place for a backpacker on a strict budget.
Ruin bars in Budapest, Hungary – Budapest is one of the best party cities I've ever been to. What makes Budapest so great is the Ruin Bars that line the bar scene. These abandoned buildings turned bars are extremely popular for tourists and locals alike. I won't forget to mention that alcohol in Budapest is reasonable priced at 1.50€ ($2USD) for a pint of beer or a shot of cheap spirits. Sign up for a pub crawl that takes you around to all the famous ruin bars. This activity is a great way to meet new drinking buddies. If you end up missing out on these ruin bars, you have missed out on a huge part of this vibrant city.
Krakow, Poland - Krakow is one of the more beautiful sceneries in Europe due to its fantastic main square, the Jewish Quarter and the many historical museums that outline this great city. Take a walk through the Farmers' Market on a warm clear summers day. Enjoy a homemade pretzel or a Polish vodka shot right in the middle of the square. This city has a lot to offer.
Amsterdam – Amsterdam is one crazy/fun city. Take a seat at a coffee shop as you order marijuana laced edibles, joints and coffee. Make sure to walk around the controversial neighborhood, the Red Light District. Here, you will see women standing in red windows as they work as legal prostitutes. There is, however, more to Amsterdam than sex and drugs. The many beautiful canals and walkways make this city quite unique. Don't miss out on seeing two of the most famous painters ever in Van Gogh and Rembrandt. The culture is thriving in the city.
Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona is one of the more lively cities in Europe due to its party and beach scenes. There's no end in sight when it comes to this vibrant and laid-back metropolis. Barcelona has the best Paella in the world. Hands down. It also has wonderful beaches, quirky, yet, elegant architecture and a history that includes Roman influences. A must see in Western Europe.
Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany – Oktoberfest is one of the best events anyone can go to in Europe. I would say it's a must do on anyone's European bucket list. The party begins with great food, 1 liter steins that are never ending, beautiful women all over the place, international travelers like yourself partying all night and a lot drinking! The nights get rowdy and entertaining. Watching thousands of international travelers and Germans sing along together is a treat. There's nothing better than to make new friends over a liter of beer.
Prague, Czech Republic – Prague, in my opinion, is the most beautiful city in the world. Nothing compares to its one thousand years of history, buildings and tall tales. The architecture is a must see. Make sure to bring an extra camera battery for this city. I find myself getting a little camera crazy in this elegant metropolis.
The Home of Count Dracula, Rasnov, Romania – There's nothing better than a cheap country with medieval castles on every major hill, gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea and tall tales lasting hundreds of years. Romania isn't a heavily traveled tourist area for reasons unbeknownst. Romania is one of my favorite countries due to the dark tales of Count Dracula and his lair, Bran Castle. With its cheap food prices, easy hitchiking spots and affordable hostels, Romania is the perfect place for a backpacker on a strict budget.
Ruin bars in Budapest, Hungary – Budapest is one of the best party cities I've ever been to. What makes Budapest so great is the Ruin Bars that line the bar scene. These abandoned buildings turned bars are extremely popular for tourists and locals alike. I won't forget to mention that alcohol in Budapest is reasonable priced at 1.50€ ($2USD) for a pint of beer or a shot of cheap spirits. Sign up for a pub crawl that takes you around to all the famous ruin bars. This activity is a great way to meet new drinking buddies. If you end up missing out on these ruin bars, you have missed out on a huge part of this vibrant city.
