Backpacking through Europe was one of the best experiences of my life. It was everything I had imagined and a life changing adventure, but it didn’t necessarily come cheaply. If you’re like me and dreamt about travelling Europe in style, then a month-long trip during peak European travel season might seem impossible. However, if you tone down the luxury a little, and plan it out a bit, than you can have just as much fun without spending the money.
While the flight might cost you, the rooms don’t have to. It’s all a matter of knowing where to look. There are great websites out there that will provide you with information on what different hostels, budget hotels and bed and breakfasts have to offer. Make sure you pay attention to location, cost and if they offer complimentary breakfast - bonus, one less meal you’ll have to pay for.
If you plan to see more than one country, make sure to consider all your options when travelling from place to place. While taking the Eurorail is a great way to see the landscape and, in my opinion, the best way to travel when seeing multiple countries, if you're only going between two or three, flying just might be cheaper. Make sure you pay attention to baggage costs and airport locations.
The best thing about Europe is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to fall in love with it. The landscape, the architecture, the history and the culture are things that money just can’t buy. So just enjoy being there. It's the best budget tip I can give you, and it's worth a lot more than anything you could purchase.
