The Costs of Backpacking in Europe
You must be careful to budget your
European backpacking trip. The last thing you want to do is run
out of money while you are away. If you're from a European
Union country it is not as bad as you can legally work in most
countries of Europe. But if instead you are a traveler who is
an American, Canadian or from down under running out of money
could become a much bigger issue for you. So, before you
go on your backpacking adventure you need to know how much
money you need to equip yourself and how much you need to
travel and enjoy your adventure.
To begin with equipping yourself with everything you think
you need for your trip may wind up costing more than you
expect. You can either do this by saving as much money as you
can and then going out and buying everything you need or as you
earn money start buying what you require over time. It may seem
slower to you but also may show you more what kind of money you
need for your big adventure.
The two most important purchases are your backpack and your
walking footwear. You can expect to spend anywhere from ninety
to a hundred and ninety dollars on a good backpack. Don't buy
based on price but based on comfort, durability and a good
weight support system. A good pair of walking shoes may cost
you in the same range. Make sure they have rubber soles, metal
grommets to lace through, and are waterproof. Above all they
must be comfortable to walk in.
Your basic travel essentials can cost you up to another two
or three hundred dollars. These include a lightweight fast
drying micro fiber towel, guidebooks, toiletries holder, first
aid kit, sunglasses, sleep sheet or sleeping bag, flashlight,
and utility knife. You will spend another one to two hundred
dollars to get your passport. This is essential since you
cannot travel without one.
You have now spent nearly nine hundred dollars. Add in the
little things you want to take or a few pieces of clothing you
want to buy and you have spent a thousand dollars. Your next
big expense is the airfare to get to Europe. Booking in advance
will help to lower this cost, but the thing that really makes
the difference in airfares is that time of year you travel.
Once in Europe you'll have to sleep somewhere nightly. This
can cost anywhere from twenty to fifty dollars depending on if
its peak or off peak season and if you stay in a hotel or
hostel. Eating can cost you fifteen to fifty dollars a day
depending on what you eat and how often you want to eat out in
style. Then there are the entrance fees for attractions you
want to see. As well, there are the train and bus
fares. This means that if you backpack for sixty
days you can expect to spend another forty eight hundred
dollars.
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