Really need some help. - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

rwm5236 · 02-21-2011, 05:22 PM

Ok, I really want to see the world and I finally have an opportunity to do so, but I really need some questions answered.
I'm currently a Psych major at Penn State and will be graduating in 2 years. Instead of getting into a doctoral program immediately I'm going to use this lag time of no responsibility and try to travel. Ideally I would like to fly to somewhere in Europe, anywhere really, and attempt to backpack my way around for as close to a full year as I can, as cheap as I can. I have heard of people making their way across Europe for close to nothing using websites like couchsurfing.org. But I guess what I'm asking for here is advice, just any advice at all that can help me get close to my goal. I have never done anything like this before so any info you can give will be helpful, thanks.

**expatben** · 02-22-2011, 06:29 AM

1 peice of advice is to get a eurail pass as thats travel pretty well covered. Also sometimes on longer journeys you can sleep on the train instead of getting a hostel.

Zima · 02-22-2011, 06:56 AM

You will have to have SOME money, since you'll need:

plane ticket
insurance
eurail pass, if you're doing europe
money for food, hostels, drinks, etc.
a backpack

There are 2 ways i know to get a free place to stay, aside from sleeping on the train -

WWOOFing - there's sites like wwoof and helpx for that. It's networks of organic farms, and other things such as homes and hostels, that let people stay for a while and feed them in exchange for some work around the place.

Couchsurfing - basically, you crash on people's couches.

Also, southeast asia is a popular destination where everything is EXTREMELY cheap, so that might be something to look into as well. I'll be going there this summer myself.

**Canadian Bacon** · 02-22-2011, 06:57 AM

First off.... WELCOME TO THE BOARDS rwm5236!!!

Wow they let you go directly into a doctoral program from your undergrad in the US?

Sorry off topic... Anyways you have 2 years before what sounds like an epic trip. I have never travelled for that long, but I would suggest that sometime this year, you take a one month to backpack as cheaply as possible to see if the travel lifestyle is for you.

The cost of your year-long trip will depend on where you go. if you stick to western europe, especially the northern part, you funds may run out fast. Southern europe is cheaper and so is eastern europe (so i hear). But you got a year, why limit yourself to europe? The middle east, south asia and SE asia can all be reached in your year and are LOADS cheaper.

I mean you spend at little as $20 a day in Goa for example (I was just there recently) living on a 600 rupee shack on the beach, drinking 20 rupee beers and eating 40 rupee fish curries.

**simply_angelic** · 02-22-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Bacon

Wow they let you go directly into a doctoral program from your undergrad in the US?

.

You can do this in Canada as well CB! It's just slightly more difficult to get in.

As for RWM, I'd say you're going to get bored if you try to travel around europe for the full year not to mention it's one of the most expensive places to travel in the world simply because western europe has one of the strongest currencies... I'd try to branch out to asia at the very least since it's so close (geographically) and easy to get to. Also, I'd probably bring camping gear if you can because camping is always the cheapest route if possible

**marc873** · 02-22-2011, 01:21 PM

Latin America guys!!!! You can live/travel longterm here for nothing!!!! Im proof!!!!! Its very different from Europe, poor like SEA, but also rich in culture and adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!

louise92 · 03-01-2011, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zima

Also, southeast asia is a popular destination where everything is EXTREMELY cheap, so that might be something to look into as well. I'll be going there this summer myself.

Yes, I'd recommend exploring the idea of other places like southeast asia.

Europe is in general, a very expensive place for general costs, and although I'm sure you could do it very cheaply, there are other places where backpacking on a budget would be an easier task.

**expatben** · 03-01-2011, 07:36 AM

hmmm personally, I think I could spend a year in Europe has I never been there but its all subjective. One thing I will say is Europe is a pretty expensive place to travel. Eastern Europe is pretty cheap mind you but not as cheap as other places mentioned.

ankydas · 06-08-2011, 12:06 AM

I think your travel must be very costly.

PhilBill · 10-01-2011, 07:02 AM

Look up the average annual income of each country you visit to get an approximate idea of what your living / traveling costs will be. I'm at the end of my 7th month, U$600 / month Sri Lanka, U$700+ / month India / Nepal, U$750+/ Armenia / Georgia U$40 to U$50 / day Turkey and Turkish Cyprus. Europe even if you stay at homes of the members of couch surfers or hospitality club.com members is expensive so needs the most budget planning and you'll be lucky to travel on U$50 / day but it's possible and soon enough you can learn budget tips from other travelers.

If you stay weeks or one month in one location your travel costs will be go down and be easier to negotiate rental discounts and sometimes even partime work. There is so much you will learn about people, life and your own private self I doubt if you will ever regret choosing to travel for a year. And if you are open minded enough even your previous educational and career plans could evolve or change into a lifestyle you'd never considered like me.