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Down and out in EUROPE
At least admiring the architecture in Barcelona, Spain is free.
Travel abroad is possible for the penniless
Special to the Kansan
When Todd Johnson, Hutchinson senior, visited England in December he was
By Kimberly Erb
December he was shocked at the amount of money he spent.
"London made even New York City look like a relatively inexpensive town," he said.
Johnson said that although he tried to remain conscious of the exchange rate — $1.6 to the pound—it was easy to overspend.
"I tried to cut down," he said. "It was hard to keep it under $100 a day."
Numbers like these can scare students from planning a trip to Europe. However, some people have discovered ways to cut costs without sacrificing the value of European experience.
Gil White, traveling lecturer and writer on European travel, said that meeting people should be the
key reason to go abroad.
White, author of
Sam Iga takes advantage of cheap drink night with friends in France.
Contributed photos
"Europe on 84 Cents a Day," will give travel tips to University students Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Kansas Union's Woodruff Auditorium. Much of his advice stems from his own travels. In 1980, he journeyed to 30 countries in four months, spending less than $1,000. White has returned to Europe several times since.
Iga could've saved money on postcards by using photos instead.
Organization and research prove most effective when searching for cost-cutting strategies, White said. Get airfare in advance,and take advantage of student rate programs. International Student Identification Cards offer discounts for museums, theaters and lodging.
"That's part of traveling," he said. "You learn about yourself while learning about others."
White said he preferred countries least like the United States, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, because they offered a more diverse cultural experience.
"You're supposed to look at traveling as an adventure," he said, "Once you get over that shyness, it'll be incredible."
Students who have recently traveled through Europe agreed that resourcefulness was their greatest asset.
"Do your own research ahead of time," said Angela Kopp, Lenexa senior.
Kopp and three of her friends spent June 1998 voyaging abroad. In just a month, the four toured Austria, France, Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic.
She said that although the trek between countries could be costly, the Eurail pass offered an economical and rewarding option.
This pass provides unlimited, consecutive-day rail travel in 17 countries. The discount prices are only valid for second-class accommodations. Its rates list at from $338 for 15 days to $1,089 for three months. Eurail also offers limited passes to specific destinations and Flexipasses, which allow varying amounts of travel in a two-month period.
In addition to adult tickets, Eurail offers Youth Passes for travelers age 25 or younger.
"Specific area passes are a lot cheaper if there are specific areas you want to go," she said.
Kopp was able to travel firstclass to six countries for $375 because she used a site-specific Eurail pass.
Kopp said that although hitch hiking and cycling were also popular travel options, they were not suitable for all tourists. Hitchhiking can be dangerous, especially for women, and cycling is not always practical, she said. Kopp said that even lodging could be inexpensive if one knows where to look.
In some countries,such as Britain, host families will open their homes to travelers just for the opportunity to spend time with them, she said.
Kopp said that in Munich, Germany, a woman who had recognized that she and her friends were looking for accommodations offered to let them stay in her home for a small fee.
It was safe, she was helpful and they could come and go as they pleased, Kopp said. "It was like having our own personal tour guide," she said.
The group was also able to cut expenses by taking advantage of Europe's hostels, Kopp said. Hostels are supervised, inexpensive lodging accommodations for young people.
For More Information
Traveling to Europe takes planning and research. Here are some organizations that provide information on resources, prices and travel advice:
Britain on a Budget offers information on travel, study and work in the United Kingdom. www.budgetbritain.com
Council Travel promises to provide a range of services from hotel bookings to travel gear and even more. www.counciltravel.com
- Use the Eurail pass Web site to find the up-to-date listings on each kind of pass and the rates, www.railpass.com
For general information on travel all over the world, the Let's Go! Web site gives sites-specific information and links to other travel sites. www.letsgo.com
Also try the Lonely Planet Web site for more information on travel to all over the world. www.lonelyplanet.com
"Plan ahead," Kopp said. "Call hostels the day before you get there so you'll get to stay there."
White said that although student housing and hostels were great ways to meet other foreigners, the only way to really get a feel for the culture was by living with the natives. Asking residents for room and board in exchange for a few dollars or chores facilitates priceless learning experiences. White said.
Iga spent eight months in France last year. After living with a native family for a few days, he moved into student housing.
"Staying with a family, it's good for a short period of time, but after that the freedom factor outweighs it," he said. "And you meet a lot of people in student housing."
Sam Iga, Plano, Texas senior advised exercising caution when thinking about staying with strangers.
"That's not always a good idea," he said. "You just have to know who dealing with. I myself, I don't think I'd do it."
White recommended purchasing food at farmers' markets, grocery stores or public cafeterias rather than restaurants.
Susan Vander May, Fairfield Conn., senior, traveled to Spain France, Italy and Switzerland between the summers of '97 and 98. She purchased bread, meat and cheese at grocery stores and carried a refillable water bottle to save money.
When she did eat out, Vander May avoided tourist stops and American cuisine, she said.
"Why go to a different country just to eat American food and be surrounded by Americans?" she asked.
Vander May also said that the power of alcohol could affect a person's cash flow.
"People would come back after drinking a lot, and in the morning they'd find that they'd spent a lot more than they meant to," she said.
Gunther Mueller, a guide for Europa Now Reise in Germany, a student travel agency, said that students often made the mistake of eating at American restaurants, such as McDonald's.
He said it was important to explore the entire city, not just the tourist attractions.
"Being adventuresome will not only broaden your horizons, it will save you money," he said.