Backpacking around Europe, hints and tips!

[TW]Fox;22311697 said:
I looked at these today and had to laugh at the pricing. They wanted 50 quid a night for a double room in Vienna.

So I booked a double at a Marriott instead for 7 quid a night more. Whats the point when the savings are so lame :p
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Jongo said:
Its always more expensive to have your own room, we stayed in a dorm with 4 others it was around 20 euros per person iirc. Which was probably the most expensive hostel we stayed at but it was also a very great social place to meet new people etc.
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Going for as cheap as possible, don't mind 32 bed dorms tbh! :)
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Not a student, in a very well paying job for my age, but the fact I have a poor credit rating from being silly when I was younger and the fact i've just handed in my notice will mean I probably won't be able to get one :p
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Ah, sorry. Just went by your profile. Still would like to know what Fox recommends though.

I'm trying to think of some other tips but I'm not coming up with anything to be honest!

A lot of European cities have free days once a week or month where the majority of museums are free. Could be a good way to save some pennies. Paris does theirs on the 1st Sunday of each month.
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Going for as cheap as possible, don't mind 32 bed dorms tbh! :)
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Bring Earplugs! thats one top tip there, you will get a loud snorer at some point guaranteed!

Also look out for free walking tours of cities, they are a great way to see the sites!
 
No worries dude just thought i'd say, job was well paying but boring as hell, decided to jack it in, grow a beard and backpack around Europe instead :p
 
Ahleckz said:
He's a student, so might not be able to get that card. What would you suggest if you were refused?
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The card to have when I went to Australia was the Nationwide Visa. I was a student and got it fine, unless he's got a seriously damaged credit rating he'll probably be fine.

But, if he can't get it, then I guess one of the prepaid mastercards is the next option. You'll get a worse rate, mind.
 
cm1179 said:
be careful. there's 2 of them. make sure you don't waste an hour on tram and foot going to the wrong one (like i did) and be prepared to meet lots of americans.
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Yeah i'm in the Downtown one nearest to the main station :)

And Fox my credit rating is terrible, got a 24 month phone contract when I was 18 then lost my job the month after, can't even get a "topman" store card or similar :(
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Yeah i'm in the Downtown one nearest to the main station :)
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that's the one i was in. even when i knew where i was going (after being directed from the other one) it still took me ages to find it but that was because i lost my bearings when in all actuality it was probably a 10-15min walk from the station.

the dorms are mixed. there is a 'ahem' smoking cushion/area in the front window which was always full of americans who were friendly and a little annoying but it was good and i wasn't even a massive fan of amsterdam.
 
[TW]Fox;22311806 said:
The card to have when I went to Australia was the Nationwide Visa. I was a student and got it fine, unless he's got a seriously damaged credit rating he'll probably be fine.

But, if he can't get it, then I guess one of the prepaid mastercards is the next option. You'll get a worse rate, mind.
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I've been needing a card, as I'm planning on moving abroad this year, so just applied for the Clarity. Processed and the online thing approved me, and I haven't a great rating. So that's good.
 
The night before you leave lay out all your kit ..... throw half of it away and take twice as much money ..... and try to fit in a visit to Luxembourg stunning history, architecture and 2 great yorkshire pubs :D
 
Ahleckz said:
Stay at The Flying Pig downtown in Amsterdam.

Eat the breakfast at hostels, it's not great usually but it's pretty much always free.
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I remember that place, stayed there back in 2003 when I went to Amsterdam on the last leg of my European trip. Awesome place and met some great people there. Had a nice bar if I recall correctly. :)

Mixed sex dorms too ( a couple of fit American chicks in my dorm as well as a stunning Mexican girl, still drop her an email from time to time ) ;)

In terms of fun party cities to go to I would highly recommend Berlin, Amsterdam and Florence ( my personal favourite, has some great night spots and everything stays open until about 3-4 am ).
 
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[TW]Fox;22311855 said:
Doh :(

I'll wave if I see you, I'm off around Europe the week after :p
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Doh indeed :(

Where abouts you headed? Should definitely meet for a beer if we're in the same city, drop me a trust e-mail :)
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Bought a nice Journal a pack of Biros this evening ;)
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Yeah common sense really. But I've frequently been at airports and stuff when forms are handed out to every traveller and I've often been the only person (out of 20-40 people or so) with a pen handy. So I figured it was worth a mention. :p


Speaking of which - (Probably wont apply to the OP but...) Remember to keep one of your pens in your hand luggage if you're travelling by plane...
 
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