5 Weeks in Europe

[faxman75]

Greetings all! Me and my roommate have booked out tickets to Dublin on June 24th. Very excited. We are flying from Phoenix, AZ and plan on doing about 5 week flying back to Chicago on July 30th. So far I only purchased a one way ticket to Dublin. I found a $700 fair flying to chicago then from Chicago to Phoenix about a week later. I may snatch that up though not a great deal by any means. My question is, how much do you think we should budget for the trip minus the airfare I just mentioned? It looks like we plan on doing Dublin, Amsterdam, Prague, Italy and Spain then of course fly back out of Dublin. I'm getting really REALLY nervous as I don't think i'll have much more than 2 thousand dollars for all of this. Can this be done on 2K? What are the cheapest and most convenient ways to travel between countries? Where can we save the most?

Tips and budget estimates would be greatly appreciated.

peace
Mark

[Elizabeth]

I would take more money or cut some time. The dollar is already weak and I heard its going to fall more. 2k/35 days = $57 = 35 euro (at present exchange rate). Maybe, maybe you could do it, but you would be cutting it close and you will have to think abut every cent you spend which is not enjoyable. In Dublin, for example, a decent bed will easily run you 15 to 20 euro. A night at the Flying Pig (famous A-dam hostel) I just learned from hostelworld will cost you a whopping 42 dollars a night in the 32 bed dorm! A bed at Kabul Backpackers (famous BCN hostel) will run ya $35! If I was going to visit Western Europe I would bring maybe 50 euro or 75 dollars a day. If you've really got your heart set on visiting for 5 weeks do Central and Eastern Europe. Thats just beds, you've got to think food and entrance fees to museums and such, plus maybe a few beers at night. And transport costs.

[faxman75]

Should I have a seperate budget for transport? What do you think transport would cost between them all if those are indeed the countries. I think we are fairly set on the locations we are visiting. I hate cutting things close. What would you say should be my total budget for this minus the airfare to and from Dublin since that is paid for?

Thank you so much for answering my questions as well......... I'm very excited.

[offhegoes03]

$2000 would be cutting it a little close, but you might be able to do it if you take advantage of couchsurfers.com. With 2 people in the group, this might be a little difficult, but it would free up your money for transportation between countries and food. With the way the US dollar is right now (and assuming it gets a little worse before the summer) it might be tough, but I'm sure you can find a way. If possible, save up some more money before you go. I'm planning on doing 4 weeks and I'm budgeting about $4000-4500 for airfare, eurail, accomodations, food, and fun stuff (booze, paying for attractions). Good luck, I'm sure the trip will be a blast!

[faxman75]

Thank you, thank you. I will take any other advice as well. I don't think we will be spending a great deal on attractions so hopefully that helps a bit. I think my main concern now is the cost of transport between countries and sights. Hopefully I can save up to at least 3K before then.

[Elizabeth]

Check out Ryanair. They have hubs in most of the countries you are visiting. Check out the other low cost carriers as well. Between Dublin A-dam and Prague I'd probably wanna try to fly but once in Italy and Spain train it or bus it. You can also look at RickSteves.com as he lays out all the train pass options. There is an Italy-Spain pass you may be interested in but I can't recommend it as I've never been to Spain or Italy.