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[starlagurl]

That's so nice of him, wow! That's like $100 isn't it? You should take him out for dinner or leave him some expensive wine for when he comes back home.

[travellingjon]

That's so nice of him, wow! That's like $100 isn't it? You should take him out for dinner or leave him some expensive wine for when he comes back home.

Yeah, we certainly will, it's like having your own little appartment in Paris for 4 days. It's quite something that's for sure... But we still don't know what to buy him. Since he's a Quebecer and he's in France for a while now, we thought of bringing him something from here

[starlagurl]

I think that's the best idea. It's even easier for you, since it's your first stop.

You know what I'm thinking you bring him? CARIBOU! Can you get it when it's not Carnavale time?

[travellingjon]

You know what I'm thinking you bring him? CARIBOU! Can you get it when it's not Carnavale time?

No, I don't think Caribou can be purchased other than while the Carnaval takes place in February. But then again, I never tasted it, and wouldn't know where to buy it... Anyway, we bought him something from Italy instead he asked for that.

[starlagurl]

Oh man, I want some now...Carnaval is just around the corner!

[travellingjon]

OK, got back from Europe, sorted it out.
Hope this can help a traveller on this Earth.

My 52 days long trip cost me 2975.81€ precisely. As of today's exchange rate (Nov. 5), it's 4491 $CAN, or 3869 $US.
This includes everything (hostels, meals, water, train tickets, beer, souvenirs, tram / metro / bus tickets in every town, bike location, etc.) except for the plane ticket and the insurance I took before leaving.

I spent 44 days in hostels, 8 days on CouchSurfing and such (includind the Paris apartment). I didn't go much to museums and such though (went to the Louvre on a free entrance Sunday), and rarely paid more than 15-20€ a day for meals, which I would frequently prepare myself, or buy on the run.

I didn't have any train pass of any kind before leaving ; as a way to preserve some improvisation, I bought everything on the spot, therefore I never benefitted from a reduction (such as early reservation tickets) for all the trip. And so I went through eight European countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco), and even took a return flight Karlsruhe-Baden (Gmy) to Roma (It) on one occasion, for the sum of 852.50€. That's 18 train trips and one flight, full price (unfortunately, I'm older that 26).

So I spent an average of 57.23€ per day (86.38 $CAN). I never refrained my sometimes abundant alcohol consumption, went to all the places I wanted to go before leaving (and when I didn't, it's because I lacked time), ate and slept quite well, and had the time of my life.

Ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case...

[starlagurl]

That....is an incredible budget tour of Europe. Good show! I want to hear all about it next time I'm in Montreal...

[travellingjon]

Sure thing !
Moving there in a week.

[charlotte850505]

Switzerland was the most expensive mainland European country. The rest of the west is pretty similar，not cheap, but not massively overpriced. For food, depends how cheap you wanna go... 5 euros a meal is do-able.

[starlagurl]

Sure thing !
Moving there in a week.

OK, Nov. 29, me you, skylab and his girlfriend, Dieu du Ciel, be there!

[travellingjon]

Sure thing !
Moving there in a week.

OK, Nov. 29, me you, skylab and his girlfriend, Dieu du Ciel, be there!

Yup ! I'll try to bring along that travel buddy Pierre-Luc, which you met last summer...

[starlagurl]

Oh cool, that will be quadruple the fun!

[travellingjon]

Switzerland was the most expensive mainland European country. The rest of the west is pretty similar，not cheap, but not massively overpriced. For food, depends how cheap you wanna go... 5 euros a meal is do-able.

Yeah, like you said, 5 euros is do-able... except in Switzerland, Cost me 13.30 FS ($12.90 CAN) for a Big Mac trio in Buchs... That's way over 10 US dollars btw.

[rekhagoyal]

I plan to do 50% CouchSurfing, 30% hostels, 20% cheap hotels in France, Italy, Germany, and maybe Spain. Without a pre-purchased train pass.

The pre-purchased train passes are not cost-effective from what I've seen. In Italy, we simply bought tickets a day or two before our journey (in the month of September, there's a mad rush) and in Switzerland we purchased a 3- day pass. They have plenty of options- best is to enquire right there at the train station and see which one is the most economical depending on your travel plans.

In Italy, if you are going to Venice as well, we stayed at this really nice budget place- Caterine's Guest House. Very clean, not expensive, kitchen facilities, supermarket nearby. It didn't let Venice burn a hole in my pocket.