Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[starlagurl]

I really like this little photo-montage of ways to save money in Europe by Concierge.com

http://www.concierge.com/ideas/budgettrave...073&mbid=wb

From visiting publicly funded spas to taking a cruise, instead of doing Europe over-land (because you pay for everything in dollars, ahead of time), there are some really great tips there.

What are some of your European holiday budget tips?

[sianeth]

My main tip would be:

Hang out with students (if you can stand it of course!) - go to their bars, shop where they shop, etc. They have little money and they live in these places.

[starlagurl]

Oh yeah, that's totally a good idea, never occurred to me. They might be hard to find for some people though.

[starlagurl]

Yeah, baguette, cheese tomato and deli meat...don't forget the 2.50 euro wine... that is my follow up tip.

[inasia2008]

May be try and do an accommodation swap, this is quite common in Europe, where you swap flats or whatever and save on hotel/hostel or whatever else fees!

[starlagurl]

Or...wait for it... COUCHSURF!

[travellingjon]

I never used CS, and by reading some of your previous posts on other topics, StarlaGurl, you seem to be very familiar with the concept. What are the ups and downs ?

Also, I plan to go to France and Italy, and maybe Germany, for six weeks. Is it a bad idea to go there in August (since I know the French are all on vacation at that time of year) ? Will I have enough of 4 thousand bucks (canadian) if I don't do much hitch hiking, and do not use CS ? Thanks

(I went to France before, and yeah, a baguette is always a cheap way to eat very well... )

[starlagurl]

Check out this topic: http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6280

$4000 for six weeks... Are you eating cheap like that and staying in hostels? That would cost you at least $50 per day, yes? That's $2800, more than half of your money...

Then add the train pass, I'm not sure how much that costs...

[travellingjon]

Thanks ! Great topic. I guess it's part of the adventure, I should just man up a little and try it

And yeah, until an hour ago, I was planning to stay at youth hostels, and moving by train (or plane, if there's any good deal), like every two or three days. These 4000 $ would be for this trip only (have some more for when I'm back), so I don't care if I spend it all. I'm really not the five-star kind, though. I just don't want to find myself so broke that I can't enjoy the trip anymore. I have not travelled much yet, so it's my way to feel a little more secure

Anyway, thanks for the tips, and if you have more, please tell them !

[starlagurl]

Yeah totally, where do you live in Canada, BTW? There is a big CS camp in BC that will be fun fun fun. If you're in the area, you should go.

[starlagurl]

This made me think of you, Mr. Jon.

http://www.venere.com/blog/east-london-cheap-eats/

London, UK is a world’s top travel destinations. Covent Garden, Soho and Westminster are some of its most popular tourist areas, but if you want to see like the real Londoners live and eat great cheap food away from the tourist crowds the East End of London is really worth a visit.

East London is well known for its many chip shops and curry houses, but if you are looking for a bit of variety (and traveling on a budget) here are a few suggestions of where to start: five cheap and tasty East End eats that aren’t fish and chips or curry!

[travellingjon]

Nope I live in Québec (the other way around so excuse my English, by the way). But I tend to accept CS as an option, the more I get to organize this trip. Guess I should have a first experience, and see for myself.

Though it's late April right now, I still don't know when I'll leave (not before Conf Day, but not after the first days of Sept., six to eight weeks). When I was in France in '06, people there told me everybody was on vacation the whole month of August. I don't want to have to make my way through millions of French tourists at the end of summer, so I'm asking you (if you know a bit about it, of course, or anybody else) : is August a bad time of year to travel to Western Europe ? What are the "good times" over a year to go there (spring was fine, I recall) ?

Thanks again so much !

[starlagurl]

Oh man, couchsurfing is HUGE in Quebec, you should go to some of their parties before you go, and they will be more than happy to hook you up with people they already know, so there's even less risk.

Oh and I was in Europe in June and November, so I can't help you out with August... hmmm.

[travellingjon]

Yeah, UK was (and is still) on my to-do list. Great link, thanks ! The thing I like to do best is to just walk around in streets for hours. These look like tasty places to go !

I'll search for those Couch Surfing Parties (not exactly pajama parties, I guess) in Quebec. Maybe I could try it here, before going for my trip, like a "practice" thing Thanks again for your help ! Much appreciated.

[starlagurl]

Don't we all, friend, don't we all...

My second favourite thing to do, is go to the market/grocery store and make a feast with my couchsurfing host.

[inasia2008]

Starlagurl, East London is my turf! That's where I was born... loving it! Its a fab place to visit Mr Jon btw, if you get a chance! Especially Brick Lane and Roman Road and you will get to mix with people from all cultures etc. and you can try many different dishes! Its very close also to the City of London i.e. Liverpool Street, did you know Liverpool Street Station is built on the site of an old Plague Hospital, and also very close to the stomping ground of Jack the Ripper!
Anyway, couchsurfing sounds like a lot of fun! I have a leather couch so not sure its too comfy, bit cold on the body parts....

[travellingjon]

Initially, my plan was to go to France, Italy and Germany (if time permits)... But ladies, you have me reconsider seriously the United Kingdom ! I'd love to see London, but frankly, I was told that it was a very expensive city, even more than the famed Paris. Tell me I'm wrong, please, and that the place is a must anyway

[inasia2008]

Hi, I posted a Travelogue in the Europe Section called Leg it to London and I also have a Travelogue called Britain on the Cheap! See if they are any good! London can be expensive, but you can really find so much to do without spending loads!
Try www.london-budget.com and www.visitlondon.com for more ideas!
I think the place is a must, and that's without being biased! There are lots of museums, parks, art galleries, famous historic sites (even if you don't go inside them, the photos will be worth it) i.e. Buckingham Palace, Tower of London etc.! But the East End is cool! Also, go to Camden Market and over to Primrose Hill and if you do go in August, you should be able to catch the Carnival in Brixton! Very cool!
London in the Summer can be hit or miss, sometimes its lovely especially in the Parks! But it can hot, stuffy and smelly, on the Underground especially! But what can you do... its a nice time to visit I think!

[starlagurl]

I have a leather couch so not sure its too comfy, bit cold on the body parts....

Couchsurfers don't care, they just want a roof. If they do complain, they shouldn't be couchsurfers.

[travellingjon]

London is definitely on my list now. But since I'm going to cross the Channel, where are the other places I should go too, besides that ? Scotland is a bit far, but I want to spend 7-8 days in the UK, so I guess other places in England (and maybe Wales, you tell me) are "reachable". Thanks again ladies.