European Backpacking: Money Saving Ideas!

We all know Europe is an expensive getaway but there are a lot of ways to cut cost and extend your budget in Europe. I made up these tips based on my recent 2-week trip.

These ideas may not work on people who have a different take on their travels. In my case, it’s a shoestring backpacking trip. Hence, cheapest possible or the value for money.

1.    Book your tickets in advance / Schedule your transfers

Aside from accommodation, plane tickets and train transfers are the biggest part of a trip. I suggest you decide on your route and how long you plan to stay in a city or country then book your airplane or train tickets in advance. Also, decide whether to take the plane or train. In my case, I decided on my country transfers even if I didn’t have my detailed itinerary per city yet. Yes, there may be instances that I wish I could’ve stayed longer or shorter but marking these dates is very important to get the cheapest ticket possible. I tell you, you can save a lot! You can even save time not queuing up for tickets! Just make sure you are not left by your train.

I regularly check tickets online to see if the flight tickets already changed. In my case, I got the cheapest deal for Lisbon – Paris (Beauvais) ticket from Ryanair. I booked my Ryanair ticket more than 2months in advance and it was worth it. I only paid 55Euros (Php 3,135) per person included the 20kg baggage allowance. Had I book it just a month earlier, I’m sure I would have paid more!

I got the best deals on our train rides. Since train fares are like plane tickets already, the earlier you book the flight, the cheaper you can get it. I booked all our trains online on the first day it was available online. Haha! I made sure to be the on the queue. Lol.

Just to give you an example, normally the bus ride from Madrid – Lisbon is cheaper than the overnight-sleeper train but since I booked it early, I got a cheaper ticket on the train. And yes, we were able to lie down on a full-flat bed. Yay!

In Italy, I got our Frecciarossa high-speed train tickets for only 29Euros (Php 1,653) per person for our Milano – Firenze and Firenze – Roma trip. By the way, it was business class! Haha! Had I gotten the ordinary seats, it would have just cost me 19Euros (Php 1,102). Like I said, I book it early. If I got my tickets on the travel day itself, the tickets were already 43Euros for ordinary and 63Euros  for the business class. I saved a lot! Now, you see what I mean for the value for money -- I paid 29Eu for business class rather than buying it on the spot for 43Euros and it’s just the ordinary seat.

2.    Get good hotel deals / Airbnb / Couchsurf / Overnight trains

The other major expense in a trip – a place to stay. It would be a big saving if you have a good friend to stay or find a couch. But if none, better plan this as well before your trip because it’s a big consideration.  Try checking out Airbnb or hotel website for good deals. Consider taking an overnight train as well to save on hotel costs, sleep on the train and once you arrive, you are already in a new country. Yay!

Backpacking: By the Numbers

34 DAYS. 7 COUNTRIES. 14 CITIES. 4.8KG BACKPACK. 6 BORDER CROSSING. 16 IMMIGRATION STAMPS. 2 AIRPLANES.  5 OVERNIGHT TRAINS. 3 BORDER BUSES. 109 TRANSIT HOURS. 13 GUESTHOUSES/FRIEND's PAD. 8 CURRENCIES.

BACKPACKING. For many Filipinos, backpacking is not in their vocabulary.  It seems like this 'thing' is not within their reach. They think that people doing it are crazy or stupid or rich. But I would say, not all.

It was once not in my vocabulary as well to do a backpacking trip. Not after one of my lady friends (yes, you read it right, a lady) have done it in SouthEastAsia. She traveled for 27days in 5countries. As an adventurer, I was inspired by her trip and thought of doing it myself too. Since I have 2months break from school, might as well do it during that time, while I'm still a student. Take note: It's a VERY shoe-string budget.

And so I made the biggest move! Reserve a plane ticket. And the next steps are: Bahala na si Batman! And so I booked a Manila - Ho Chi Minh ticket last January 20, 2012 for a flight on July 25, 2012 and Singapore - Manila on August 27, 2012. Yes, the travel dates were still far but needless to say, it's a promo ticket.  By the way, my parents knew about my idea after I booked the ticket. So they can't do anything anymore.

MY ROUTE? Philippines - Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand - Laos - Thailand - Malaysia - Singapore - Philippines. You might wonder why I visited Laos and go back again. Well.. A very good Lao friends of mine invited me to visit their country, and so I went there. And I would say I made the right decision. I really enjoyed my trip there and they totally welcomed me with open arms.

My backpacking route

MY EXPENSES?  Believe it or not, I only spent US$813 dollars or Php 35,000  for the entire trip (YES! it's not a typo error). And it includes my round trip ticket, the very expensive travel tax and terminal fee, border crossing fares, my accommodations and food, some souvenirs and some necessities during the trip (Yes, like I bought additional shirts for me in the middle). Although, it doesn't include some biscuits for my own consumption and dried mangoes as tokens to my friends, hosts or the people I met in the road (I bought it in the Philippines. haha). Indeed, it's a SHOE-STRING trip!

MY BACKPACK? You might be wondering how I fit all my things in a 4.8kg backpack. But I have clothes good for a week, long pants for my Sunday Masses (Yes, I still attend Mass every Sunday, it's a must), tokens to my friends as I've said earlier, some survival food, toiletries of course, and the most important travel things, my PASSPORT and money (I didn't have credit card, by the way).

My 4.8kg backpack

MY LIFESTYLE? I lived like a local, learned and understand their culture. I ate their food, took public transportation, walked for miles everyday. I didn't have any fancy meals (except when my friend treated me) and the souvenirs I bought was just for my dearest who allowed me to embark on this trip. HAHA!

MY COMPANION?  I was alone. Not that I'm a loner, but I can be very flexible if I travel by myself. I can follow my own pace and I don't have to worry about the others. But I met my ASEAN friends in all the countries I visited. In fact, it was one of my purpose, to meet my old friends in their homelands. And I met new people in the middle of the road. Aside from the locals, I also met people from Australians to Europeans: Italian, Germans, French, Austrian, Polish, Americans to Latin Americans, and fellow Asians like Japanese, Koreans and Chinese, to name a few.  And each of them has their own backpacking stories -- it ranges from a one week holiday to a real RTW (round the world) backpacking that lasts for months or even years (Hopefully, I can tell some of their stories next time).

Indeed, the trip was worthwhile! It definitely widened my horizon and not just think within the four corners of the classroom. It's a must try before you get your job (some even quit their job to do this; but I'm not saying you do it) or get married or with your partner, or at least before you kick the bucket. Yes, you should include it in your bucket list!  As for me, a European backpacking trip. But might do Indo-China first, it's more attainable short term ;]

Now, what do you think? It's not a leisure trip at all.