Europe on a budget

Stevenj214

any money saving tips for travelling in Europe for 6 months? taking in all the main sites/citys/places and actually 'doing' stuff in the different locations (ie skiing on the alps)

Also what would you expect the minimum budget to be all in? Travelling a mixture of planes/trains/coaches and staying in a mixture of tents/hostels/b+bs

Cheeky_Wee_Lassie

I'm sure it'll be a fabulous trip. However, it won't be cheap. I wouldn't dare to estimate a budget, but travel in Europe is relatively expensive.
I recently travelled between seven different countries in six weeks, staying only in hostels or cheap b&bs, and travelling on budget airlines, and I think the trip cost around £1000 (my bank manager would have a better idea!)
Perhaps your best bet would be to look in to the various bus and train passes that are available. These usually have to be purchased before you arrive but would probably save you quite a bit. You can get various lengths of time and varying degrees of flexibility.
Failing that, budget airline websites like Whichbudget.com will give you a clue on which airlines fly between which countries. Eurolines is a Europe-wide coach company that will get you between countries for a bargain price. Trains are usually pretty expensive both in-country, and between countries.
It depends which countries you are visiting with regards to accommodation. Here in England for example most campsites will shut down in October when it gets cold. Hostels are obviously the cheapest, but can be tiring after a while. You should build into your budget a probable need for a quiet private room every now and again.
I've found the Tourist Information offices at each new city to be the best first point of contact for finding somewhere to stay and activities. I've stopped wasting hours trawling the internet now, and I just give the Tourist Office a call or a visit.
Good luck in planning your trip.