First time travelling to Europe: Seeking budget recommendations

[u/SeniorPapiFuego]

Hey everyone, I’m heading to Europe for the summer from Australia. I’ve got around $10k ~ AUD and I’ve never been to Europe so I have no idea what to expect for cost of living. My dream would be to spend 3 months there, and I’m curious if $10k would cover flights to and from, plus all expenses for that time. Also, would I be coming home flat broke or with some money to buffer? I’d rather come home with some money left over while I look for new work to start saving again. I’m very flexible where to go, just super stoked to explore new cultures and places. Generally I like to rock climb, surf, hike and overnight camp, but I also like exploring cities. Eventually cities overwhelmed so I’ll be seeking nature foshoooo. Some countries that are on my dream list include Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Poland and Türkiye. Very happy to explore other countries too and honestly prioritize cheaper destinations. Any and all recommendations very appreciated! Thanks

[u/Consistent-Law2649]

That's a little over 6000€. I don't know what flights run but quick guess is that for 3 months, you'd have no more than 50 euros a day, which is a VERY low budget to include accommodation, food, transportation, and incidental costs. I think the Nomadic Matt site is a good start for low-budget cost estimates, e.g. https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/portugal/#costs

I'd find a way to up your budget or just focus on a shorter but still nice trip.

[u/Individual_Winter_ → u/Consistent-Law2649]

Could work in Romania, there are also most things OP wants to do. Idk about surfing.

[u/EarlyHistory164]

Slightly over €6k for three months in "Europe" including flights? Back to the drawing board OP.

[u/newmvbergen]

Summer means peak season. Not the best plan when you are on a budget also because Europe... Reduce the duration and choose more Eastern part. Less expensive except few places.

[u/Somedude522]

1 month 6k euro is more reasonable

[u/corkbeverly]

OK 10k AUD, lets assume it will cost you 2k for the return flights. (check kayak explore and see where you could fly into in europe cheapest)

That would leave you 8k AUD which is a little less than 6k in euros. For 3 months that would give you 65 euros a day to live on assuming you do not want to work at all. Now can you live on 65 euro a day for 3 months in europe? I wouldn't say it is impossible though it will be hard. Here is what you can do to make it more possible:

- stay only in hostels and carry a small tent with you (so if you can't find a cheap hostel you could camp)

- take buses and plan in advance - last minute will mean higher prices

- stock up on groceries at the cheapest place you can in each destination and don't eat out at all

- don't drink any alcohol as that would eat into your limited $

You could be open to picking up work in some places if you wanted to do that it would give you more flexibility.

But yeah, this is a small budget and while not IMPOSSIBLE it will certainly be a challenge to stick to it. If you are used to living very lean, sleeping in shared spaces, eating a lot of beans and rice, etc. I think you could do it.

Europe is not cheap for tourism but it can be cheap if you avoid the touristy spots and live a very simple life and are willing to camp and eat very simply.

[u/Hurshul]

Maybe if you stay in the Balkans (besides Croatia) sleep in your own tent on campsites most nights, cook your own meals, do regular wild camping to cut costs and move around by hitchhiking and the occasional bus. Otherwise: no.

[u/_YOUR_INSIDE_BEAST_]

$10k AUD for 3 months is possible, but I'd focus on cheaper countries like Poland, Türkiye, Albania, and the Balkans rather than spending most of the summer in Western Europe. You'll have a much better experience if you're not constantly watching your budget. I'd rather do 3 months comfortably than 3 months stressed about money. 

[u/puetirat]

I think it might be difficult. Home exchanging is ver popular in Europe and could help you save money if your trip is still a few months away.

[u/Tenshirage89]

Yeah no that amount is not enough to go backpacking through Europe for 3 months. Maybe a month. But definitely not 3. Especially with the rising fuel costs adding to the price for trains. Maybe if you stuck to central/Eastern Europe - Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia - you would get a little more out of it. The złoty to A or USD exchange rate is pretty good. But to travel more than a month with that small of a budget is probably not possible.

I traveled to Poland last year for a week. The flight alone was 1400. Food was cheap for my USD, and if I had stayed at hostels I could have saved maybe 700. But even deducting the cost of the hotel i think I spent 500usd in one week with museums, train rides and food/coffee. Really the train rides might have cost me more-and that was just going between Krakow, Warsaw and Auschwitz.

So yeah definitely revise your plan, or increase your budget. And look up the costs of trains cause that will likely take up a significant amount of the cost.

[u/oooSiCHooo → u/Tenshirage89]

Croatia, lol. It's more expensive than Italy or Spain. I'm Croatian living in Ireland, currently on holidays in Croatia and we're spending more on food and accommodation than we did in Spain just a couple of months ago. And the season didn't even start yet.

[u/rybnickifull → u/oooSiCHooo]

Slovenia isn't exactly cheap either, comparable with Austria in parts. Not on the scale of Dalmacija but I don't think anywhere is now.

[u/rybnickifull → u/Tenshirage89]

Warsaw to Krakow is 250zl max, Krakow to Oświęcim is about 20, so I'm not sure how you spent US$500 on trains!