WHAT TO SAVE AND HOW:
-> Please check out the FAQ SECTION , and read the question: How much will it cost me?
TRAVEL:
1. The first thing to worry about is your plane ticket. Always
make the
reservation WAY in advance. Most people have a AT&T
mastercard/phonecard
and you should get (or can get via phone) some coupons on
international
travel. The one that I have save $100 on a >$600 ticket.
2. EURORAIL/CAR RENTAL.
The Eurorail is AWESOME. It is the most convenient
way to travel ever. You can use one pass for 24 hrs. Use this
wisely.
Car rental.. My friends and I rented a car for $100 in Germany
for 3 days.
LIVING:
Obviously you want to stay in Bed and Breakfasts, or Youth
Hostels.
Youth Hostels are usually $15-25 a night. Make reservations if
you can.
ALSO - Don't forget, If you are traveling in Europe, and and you
decide to Eurorail it,
You can take an OVERNIGHT train, or one that travels late, and
sleep
on the train. (we did it from Italy to France.) Saves money some
times.
FOOD:
- I think that a good way to save money is not eating out
too much. I mean, You should DEFINITELY tasted the
different
cultural food of each country, but don't splurge too much. And
DEFINITELY
go to McDonalds as LEAST as possible. There are always grocery
stores around
the corner. Bread, Meat, Cheeze, and soda is cheap at a corner
store.
As someone (Mike) suggests, "Food, eating, and mealtimes are
a significant
part of the different cultures. So make sure you don't miss out
when you
are visiting different countries." I totally agree, but if
you are
watching your money, don't splurge too much :) be wise about it!
TRAVEL IN GROUPS:
Along with it being much safer, traveling in groups is cheaper
too.
You can split things w/ your friends and/or people that you meet
wherever
you are. Just because you are alone, doesn't mean that there
aren't those
that are wanting to go or do what you are. Split the cost. There
are
so many nice people out there that are just as willing as you.
Don't buy too many souvenirs. - You wont have room for them
anyway.
A few days before you go on your trip, you might want to check on the exchange rates of ALL money for
each one of the countries that you are going to visit.
Yahoo! Finance: Exchange Rates
Exchange Rates - features conversion calculator for exchange rates and graphs of last days values using data from the Federal Reserve Bank.