Europe on a shoestring

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Europe map courtesy of Susan Hornbeck

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The best way to travel around Europe is by rail, visit our Eurail page for a comprehensive list of railpasses available including Senior rail passes and Youth rail passes


I am always amazed at elderly Americans when they say they have "done" Europe in two or three weeks, hell I could not "do" my small hometown in 2 or 3 weeks. Europe is a vast mixing pot of different cultures, there is so much to see a lifetime is hardly suffice.

Where you head for obviously depends on your tastes and the kind of vacation you want: you can sample mountain air and winter sports in the Alps of Switzerland, Austria or France, lie on a beach in the resorts of the south of France, Italy, The Balearic Islands, or any of the numerous Greek Islands,You can view architecture and works of art in the great cities of London, Venice, Florence, Paris or Amsterdam. There is a superb rail network throughout the whole of Europe most countries offer good-value rail passes which cover most of the European countries. (This is where students with cards will save a lot of money) Although you may want to make a trip or two by air, going by rail is really the way to see the continent, highlighting the diversity of the place when you travel in a few hours from the cool temperatures of northern Europe to the rich and sultry climes of the Mediterranean. This is possibly the most exiting continent to travel on due to the vast diversity of its population, climate, and landscapes. The boundaries of Europe stretch from the Ural Mountains in the east, the Atlantic Coast in the north and west, and the Mediterranean in the south. However, within these parameters Europe is very diverse. The environment changes radically within very short distances, with bleak mountain ranges never far from broad, fertile plains, and deep, ancient forests close to scattered lake systems or river gorges.

Youth Hostels
YouTrek through our new partnership with HostelWorld can now offer pre-booking at many hostels worldwide YouTrek Hostel Booking form

We are also able offer you adventure activities and tours. Choose from a selection of over 500 worldwide.
YouTrek Adventure activities and tours.

The cheapest and best way for young people to travel around Europe is by using the extensive network of youth hostels that cover most of the the continent. Some of these are private places, run on a one-off basis in the major cities and resorts, but by far the majority are official hostels, members of Hostelling International (HI), which incorporates the national youth hostel associations of each country in the world. Most are clean, well-run places, always offering dormitory accommodation, some offer a range of private single and double rooms, or rooms with four to six beds. Many hostels also either have self-catering facilities or provide low-cost first class meals. Many of the larger ones have a range of other facilities, swimming pool, games room, common room, etc. There is no age limit (except in Bavaria here if you are over 27 you have to be accompanying children to use them), but where there is limited space priority is given to those under 27 years of age. Many users enjoyed them so much when they were younger they still use them now they are Senior citizens. Strictly speaking, to use an HI hostel you have to be a member, although if there is room you can stay at most hostels by simply paying extra, and you can often join the HI on the spot. If you do intend to do a lot of hostelling, however, it is certainly worth joining, which you can do by becoming a member of your home country's hostelling association. Annual membership costs are low everywhere. We've detailed the hostelling situation in each country in the text, as well as giving the name and address of the relevant national hostelling organization if you want further information. The HI booklet, Guide to Budget Accommodation, is a good investment, too, detailing every hostel in Europe and the Mediterranean. It's available from bookstores or your national hostelling association.

For a really good comprehensive listing of European hostels many with prices and other information, try this link
backpackingineurope.com
If you are visiting Prague, this is a very helpful site.
Prague hotels guide

A great site from a fellow Vancouver Islander is
Kim's European Adventure-A Guide to Europe on a Budget
She spent 7 months backpacking through 17 countries, lots of good info here.