Europe on a Shoestring

HostelIing International Austin

Europe on a Shoestring 2

Agenda

Hostelling International

Before You Go

Accommodations

Travel and Getting Around

Activities

Money Saving Tips

Europe on a Shoestring 3

About Hostelling International

Travel

Hostels

Programs

Volunteers

HI-USA Mission: “To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.”

Europe on a Shoestring 4

Before You Go

Research and Planning

Documents

Packing

Budgeting and Money

Safety

Cultural Considerations

Europe on a Shoestring 5

Documents

HI Card

Passport & Visas

International Driver’s Permit

Insurance ID

ISIC Card/Student ID

Electronic Copies

Europe on a Shoestring 6

Packing

Pack lightly!

Multiple uses

Many things available abroad

Save room for souvenirs

Consider the facilities

Europe on a Shoestring 7

BudgetingPre-departure

Passport : $ 75-100

HI membership: $ 18-28

ISIC card: $ 22

Backpack: $ 150-500

Money belt: $ 10-25

Airfare: $ 500-1,500

Rail passes: $ 140-1,700

Total $ 915 - 3,825

Daily Budget

Lodging: $18-80 Hostels $18-50Camping $10-30Pensions $20-80

Meals: $10-60Getting around: $0-15Misc: $5-50Total $33-205

Europe on a Shoestring 8

Money

Cash

ATM/Credit

Traveler’s Checks

Eurozone (€)

Currency Converter: www.xe.com/ucc

Europe on a Shoestring 9

Safety

Street smarts

Securing your stuff

Reassuring others

Safe arrangements

Health

Europe on a Shoestring 10

Cultural Considerations

Language

Customs

Food

Openness

Formality

Europe on a Shoestring 11

Accommodations

Hostels!

Pensions and B&Bs

Hotels

Homestays

Camping

Europe on a Shoestring 12

Travel and Getting Around

Car

Bus/Subway

Eurail

Air Travel

Europe on a Shoestring 13

Eurail

Easiest way to get around

Variety of pass options by location and travel schedule

Valid in 20 European countries

Sleepers/couchettes, high speed trains and reservations for a small fee

www.raileurope.com/Eurail

Europe on a Shoestring 14

Air Travel

Discount airlines

Ryanair

Easy Jet

Germanwings

National Airlines

www.kayak.com

www.skyscanner.net

Europe on a Shoestring 15

Activities

Guidebooks

Local newspapers and publications

Friends’ recommendations

Ask the locals!

Go to lesser known places

Local celebrations and festivals

Europe on a Shoestring 16

(Usually) Free things to do

Museums and cultural attractions

Hiking

Local music

Churches and cathedrals

Breweries

Beaches

Festivals

Europe on a Shoestring 17

Money Saving Tips

Grocery stores

Haggle

Group tickets

Day/weekend passes

City Bikes

Stay flexible

Europe on a Shoestring 18

Other things to Consider…

Work for stay opportunities

Volunteering

Travel during off-season

Cell phones

Europe on a Shoestring 19

Good Luck and Safe Travels!

Come back to see us and share your travel tales!