Backpacking Through Europe

My roommate and I are seriously considering doing so next summer. That's if we don't end up doing the internships over in South Africa. I'm not 100% sure if I want to do the internship anyway but would still love to backpack regardless.I think I'd much rather do that actually.We're thinking about traveling for about a month or so.My main question right now is, how much money do you think I'd need to save up to survive a whole month?I have my sister and some family in Rotterdam and a cousin in Italy I'd be able to stay with to make the cost cheaper.I also know some countries have hostels for travelers and such?This would all be happening around Late July/Beginning of August since I'm taking Summer classes. I'm completely new to this so all the advice I could get would be much appreciated.

 

Well to start with, how cheap do you want to be? If you just want to travel through and not see many sites while staying in hostels you can do it pretty cheap.

Flight = 800 - 1200
Rail pass = 300-500
Hostels 10-15 a night x 20 nights = 200-300
Food = 10-20 a day x 30 = 300-600
Misc =200-800

Again it really depends on how much you want to do, drink, how nice of places you want to stay at. If you eat at markets instead of restaurants. Honestly for a month I would budget between 2,500 to 5,000.

Great ways to save money is getting a membership card like Hosteling International which give you great deals on hostels and doing research on each country you plan to spend time in. Also look around before getting your plane ticket. "student travel.com/ Travelocity.com ect" are good places to start.

Another thing to budget for is gear. Do you have a good backpack? something around 40-65 liters should be good. IF you cant fit everything for a month in there your taking to much.

http://www.travelindependent.info/

http://www.jagbags.co.nz/products.htm

http://www.hostelworld.com/

http://www.isic.org/student-discounts/online-discounts/NorthAmerica/Canada.aspx

http://www.eurotrip.com/trip-planner

There are some links to get you started. Hope those help. Good luck