Stretching my dollar in Europe

Designgal34 · 06-10-2008, 09:36 AM

I'm leaving for Europe on Sept 1 to travel for as long as I can. At this point, I think I can safely afford three months if I'm careful with my money. I'm planning on staying in hostels, buying cheap airline tickets between countries, walking tons, and buying bread, yogurt, fresh fruit, and beans from grocers instead of eating out a lot.

I'm looking for tips to help my money go farther, because I know that when I convert my cash I'm going to lose 40% of it.

Also, are there tips for what to pack so that while I only have one bag, I don't end up having to buy extra things?

DistilledRose · 06-10-2008, 09:58 AM

I would highly recommend seeing if there are any farms or orchards along your route that look for seasonal or temporary pickers. Years ago some friends of mine managed to work their way across Europe by picking fruit as they went. They were either paid in cash or traded their services for food and lodging.

As far as packing tips, putting everything in your bag into separated big ziplocks that you can squish the air out of will help. It can also help you in a pinch if you get stuck in the rain with your bag!

Designgal34 · 06-10-2008, 10:00 AM

Seasonal jobs sound good. My brother said I should try to get a job working on a vineyard during their harvesting season. But how much red tape is there to doing this?

DistilledRose · 06-10-2008, 10:26 AM

I'm not sure but a bet with a little googling you can find people who have done it!

hermione · 06-10-2008, 12:06 PM

I haven't looked into this in great detail, but you might have a look at a Eurail pass to get from country to country and do some comparisions with airfares. I know there are some cheap airfares for flying within Europe too, but it might depend on which and how many countries you plan to travel to.

http://www.eurail.com/

Also, I recently put together a checklist of things to do to get ready for a trip. In case you're looking for a few tips - there are some that apply to international travel:

Frugal Travel Begins Before the Trip: Vacation Preparation Checklist

Good luck! And bon voyage!

PlantGeek · 06-10-2008, 12:15 PM

You can also become a wwoof'er! Willing Workers On Organic Farms allows people to stay for free on farms in exchange for work. Check out the website:

http://www.wwoof.org/

Designgal34 · 06-10-2008, 06:29 PM

Thanks for the responses! PlantGeek, the WWoof sounds awesome--I'll definitely have to check that out more thoroughly. And hermione, that checklist is exactly what I needed to make sure I have everything covered before I go!

peregrinak · 06-13-2008, 01:22 AM

Try walking the Camino de Santiago across Spain.. I've done it twice and can't recommend it highly enough

DistilledRose · 06-13-2008, 05:14 AM

My that looks incredible! Thats one of those things that you do and remember for life!

Jason830 · 06-13-2008, 06:27 AM

I heard some great things about the Camino de Santiago...Im trying to get to Spain to walk it.

06-10-2008, 09:36 AM	#1
Designgal34 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	Stretching my dollar in Europe I'm leaving for Europe on Sept 1 to travel for as long as I can. At this point, I think I can safely afford three months if I'm careful with my money. I'm planning on staying in hostels, buying cheap airline tickets between countries, walking tons, and buying bread, yogurt, fresh fruit, and beans from grocers instead of eating out a lot. I'm looking for tips to help my money go farther, because I know that when I convert my cash I'm going to lose 40% of it. Also, are there tips for what to pack so that while I only have one bag, I don't end up having to buy extra things?

06-10-2008, 09:58 AM	#2
DistilledRose Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	I would highly recommend seeing if there are any farms or orchards along your route that look for seasonal or temporary pickers. Years ago some friends of mine managed to work their way across Europe by picking fruit as they went. They were either paid in cash or traded their services for food and lodging. As far as packing tips, putting everything in your bag into separated big ziplocks that you can squish the air out of will help. It can also help you in a pinch if you get stuck in the rain with your bag! __________________ Distilled Rose Personal Finance Blog Make Money Online with Cash Crate

06-10-2008, 10:26 AM	#4
DistilledRose Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	I'm not sure but a bet with a little googling you can find people who have done it! __________________ Distilled Rose Personal Finance Blog Make Money Online with Cash Crate

06-10-2008, 12:06 PM	#5
hermione Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: California Posts: 761 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Reputation: (299)	I haven't looked into this in great detail, but you might have a look at a Eurail pass to get from country to country and do some comparisions with airfares. I know there are some cheap airfares for flying within Europe too, but it might depend on which and how many countries you plan to travel to. http://www.eurail.com/ Also, I recently put together a checklist of things to do to get ready for a trip. In case you're looking for a few tips - there are some that apply to international travel: Frugal Travel Begins Before the Trip: Vacation Preparation Checklist Good luck! And bon voyage! __________________ My business: Franga Designs ~ My blog: Pecuniarities ~ My CafePress Shop: Mozartini ~ Follow me on Twitter!

06-10-2008, 06:29 PM	#7
Designgal34 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	Great ideas! Thanks for the responses! PlantGeek, the WWoof sounds awesome--I'll definitely have to check that out more thoroughly. And hermione, that checklist is exactly what I needed to make sure I have everything covered before I go!

06-10-2008, 10:00 AM	#3
Designgal34 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	Seasonal jobs sound good. My brother said I should try to get a job working on a vineyard during their harvesting season. But how much red tape is there to doing this?

06-10-2008, 12:15 PM	#6
PlantGeek Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	You can also become a wwoof'er! Willing Workers On Organic Farms allows people to stay for free on farms in exchange for work. Check out the website: http://www.wwoof.org/

06-13-2008, 01:22 AM	#8
peregrinak Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Try walking the Camino de Santiago across Spain.. I've done it twice and can't recommend it highly enough

06-13-2008, 05:14 AM	#9
DistilledRose Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	My that looks incredible! Thats one of those things that you do and remember for life! __________________ Distilled Rose Personal Finance Blog Make Money Online with Cash Crate

06-13-2008, 06:27 AM	#10
Jason830 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I heard some great things about the Camino de Santiago...Im trying to get to Spain to walk it. __________________ Financial Consultant with a concentration in debt counseling.

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