Around Europe on €15 a day? YES WAY.

Written by guest 15 September 2012 6 Comments

Typically, I don’t ‘do’ budget travel. Friends and family are always amazed at my ability to pick the most expensive dress on the rack, meal on the menu or wine on the list.

It’s not that I’ve got loads of cash, it’s more that I’m exceptionally loose fisted with it.

And so I now find myself in a slightly ridiculous situation, where next week I’m setting off on a month long journey around Europe, armed with an Interrailnet.com rail pass, a Brompton bike and only a carry-on backpack.

Sounds like fun, right? Well, yes. But that’s not the only challenge; I’ve got to live on €15 a day, while making my way around 10 countries in 30 days. AND I didn’t even have space in the pack for a pair of heels to guarantee free drinks from cute guys along the way.

Still sounds like fun? Ideal, you’re my kind of reader.

But seriously, how did someone who prefers hotels to hostels end up on a trip that doesn’t provide budget for either?

Well, to be honest, a competitive and curious nature. While browsing on twitter a certain tweet caught my eye challenging backpackers to complete the 30 day journey on a budget of only €15 a day. Not thinking much, I sent in my details and eventually came an email saying I was ‘ the chosen one’ for the mad trip.

First reaction? Elation. I win! Second came excitement, which quickly faded into a cocktail of dread and panic, with a pinch of disbelief and denial that I had actually signed up for this. WTF? €15 won’t cover accommodation (couch surfing, here I come?), let alone food (dear god I love good food) or the expensive binge-drinking habit I picked up at university.

I haven’t thought this through, I have not thought this through….

But through the necessity of a little forward planning, the disbelief and denial gradually slid away. I remembered that some of the best travel memories haven’t been the blow out £150 meals with swanky cocktails to follow.

But instead, I can still taste the ripest cherry tomatoes smothered on the freshest bread, topped with the sweetest basil, eaten whilst watching a sunset after a hill top climb.

Total price? Probably about €2.50 between two. But utterly priceless.

Wait…. Something’s happened here…. I think I just got the excitement stage back. I CAN do this!!! And what’s more, it might even be FUN.

But I’m left wondering one last thing; where am I going to go first!? Help me plan the epic journey by sharing your best budget memories in Europe.

Wish me luck!

Katy Medlock is a guest travelettes blogger and this trip is sponsored by Interrail. She’s open to suggestions and comments, tweet her, mail her at katy_medlock@yahoo.co.nz or comment below.

Tags: 15aday, backpacking, low budget travel, train travel

6 Comments »

Haneesa said:

cool! if you manage this, I might take the challenge for myself too

# 15 September 2012 at 7:12 am

Alex said:

If you do manage to find a hostel within your budget that provides free breakfast.. stealthily sneak two slices of bread and a packet of jam out and make youself a sandwich for lunch! Not the most filling of things (I did pick up a jar of peanut butter in a supermarket to make my sandwiches a bit better), but it will suffice!

# 15 September 2012 at 10:27 am

Alex @ ifs ands & butts said:

AWESOME challenge! I usually tell people to budget 100/day just to be safe.

# 16 September 2012 at 9:49 am

Risa said:

oh man this sounds amazing! If this works out for you I might find myself following in your footsteps since I definitely hear you on not liking to budget particularly when it comes to food. Best of luck!

# 16 September 2012 at 12:34 pm

Jacqui said:

Definitely the hostel with breakfast included is the way to go.

Where ever you find yourself, check on what local festivals are happening. It’s common to be invited by the locals to join in the festival fun, and they often include huge feasts of local cuisine which they are more than willing to share with guests. It’s the best way to get a feel for the culture and cuisine, and you can’t beat the price!

# 19 September 2012 at 5:42 am

Veronika said:

Go to Serbia/Montenegro/Bosnia. Especially the last two. Really cheap and absolutely incredible, I’ve just been there, doing a roadtrip with my boyfriend (wrote about it on my blog if you’re interested). If you need further infos an accomodation (Traveller Home in Sarajevo!) or anything else: Feel free to contact me!

# 20 September 2012 at 9:03 am