I’m turning 30 this year, and I thought it would be fun to go on a big trip this year. I have a friend who is probably going with me, and she’s a teacher so her vacation time is limited to the summer.
I’d like to go somewhere in Europe that’s relatively cheap- I’ve heard that Istanbul, Amsterdam, and places in Eastern Europe are somewhat cheaper places to go. I’ve been to Europe before (to London, Paris, Rome, Florence, and Venice), but those trips were with my family several years ago, so I didn’t do any of the planning or buying tickets or any of that stuff.
So I thought I’d start this thread to see if anyone has any good travel advice. Especially for the following things:
[ul]
[li]Where to go to (or where to definitely avoid)[/li][li]When to buy tickets (3 months before the trip? 6 weeks?)[/li][li]What website to use to look for deals (there are so many travel websites, I wasn’t sure what’s good or not)[/li][li]What do to for using our cell phones without it costing crazy amounts of money (I’m not going to be calling or texting people back home constantly, but I want to be able to call or text my friend who’s traveling with me if I need to, or to call the hotel or restaurant or wherever)[/li][li]What to use to carry my passport and wallet without being pickpocketed (and also without looking too much like a dorky American tourist)[/li][li]Any other international traveling advice[/li][/ul]
In terms of what city (or cities) to go to, here’s what I’m looking for:
[ul]
[li]Someplace relatively cheap (or at least not crazy expensive)[/li][li]Some museums, art, other cultural stuff[/li][li]Good food and drink is nice, but not the absolute highest priority. (I’d probably rather spend time going to an out-of-the-way museum or historical site, than an out-of-the-way recommended restaurant.)[/li][li]A place where two single 29-year-old women would feel fairly safe walking around by themselves[/li][li]A large number of English speakers are not necessary; I think I’ll be able to learn the basics for communicating and carry a guide book and do pointing as needed.[/li][/ul]
If anyone has an advice for a hopeful traveler, I’d appreciate it!
Istanbul is a beautiful city and has the added attraction of the Grand Bazaar, which is the largest covered market in the world. And you can bargain. It’s modern enough that you can find decent accommodations without taking out a loan. I remember renting a simple room that had a view of the Blue Mosque for very little, but can’t speak to prices today. Budapest is another city to consider, as it has a lot to offer.
Oh, I know I’m going to look like an American tourist, there’s no way around that. But I’m aiming towards looking just somewhat dorky, instead of hugely embarrasingly dorky.
Glad to hear from you and **JohnT **that Istanbul is good. It looks like there are some flight deals there on Turkish Airlines from Houston.
I hadn’t looked into Budapest, I’ll consider that too.
Just don’t wear a fanny pack, (or call it that in England), and you’ll be fine. Jeans and a t-shirt
ot too loud sweater is fine.
Oh, and don’t wear safari gear, I’m sure you wouldn’t, but I met a US tourist wearing it 15 years ago, and I’ve not stopped sniggering yet.
Eastern Europe is cheap to travel in, just be patient with the trains and buses. They’ll likely get there in the end I enjoyed Poland, though it’s not a very common destination for tourists except Germans.
Other things to avoid to blend in better: white sneakers with socks pulled up, American flags on ANYTHING, Bermuda shorts, Hawaiian shirts. If you don’t know where you’re going, don’t pull out a map and stand in the middle of the footpath consulting it - move aside, sit down. Modulate your voice - some people, not just Americans, are loud talkers. (OK, it’s mostly Americans.)
When my (American) husband and his parents are confused about something, like where to go, or the ordering system in a restaurant, they do this slow-motion loopy wander, which reminds me of moths transfixed by a lamp. It drives me batty, and, when this takes place while travelling, tells everyone within eyesight that they’re clueless tourists, and possibly an easy mark for malevolence. ACT like you fit in.
Where to go? Austria - not the cheapest, but bite-sized, like Europe in microcosm. Beautiful castles, soaring vistas, friendly people, cafes!
Istanbul and Budapest were the first two cities I thought of as well. Both are fantastic. Budapest might be slightly better for you…I always felt perfectly safe in Istanbul, but I’m a 6’4" guy and I don’t know if two women would have a different experience. The street vendors and carpet sellers are insanely pushy in Istanbul, which may make you uncomfortable.
Wear real shoes- not obvious sport sandals or white/bright sneakers. Don’t wear shorts, which are little kid clothes outside the US. Think comfortable business casual and you’ll fit in fine. Keep your bag tasteful and neutral and unobtrusive. No flashy watches or jewelry.
My favorite place for my passport and valuables is a pocket sewn into a slip. But a waist money belt works- don’t use a neck one. Silk is most comfortable. Read up on local scams- lonely planet guides have a good rundown- so you know what to look out for. I’m a fan of PAC Safe purses, but I’m paranoid. At cafés, public transit, etc. keep you bag in eyesight and looped around something immobile. If you sleep somewhere shady or leave your bag in a sketchy hotel, use a cable lock.
I like to tear pages out of guidebooks. It’s easier to bring with you and less obtrusive to consult.
What are your standards for accommodations? The good values in Europe often have shared bathrooms and are on the quaint-but-shabby side. Hostels with private rooms can also be a lot of fun and a good value, though I’m guessing Euro hostels skew young.
I don’t know if it’s been updated, but Rick Steves is a go-to for cheap travel in Europe.
My advice for blending in: wear clothes that fit. I recognise Americans because their clothes don’t fit, and yes, usually there wearing shorts and trainers.
Where to keep your money is up to you, but remember that locals just keep it in their pockets too! I think of it like this: I’m not going to get too stressed out about it, just sensible and I keep spares in my bag, eg money, different credit card, passport (and walk around with a photocopy).
I think Istanbul and Budapest are great! For Budapest, check if you’re there for the Sziget festival, you might want to either see something there or rather avoid it: it’s an enormous music festival. Amsterdam would not be very cheap, esp in summer, but if that’s where you want to go I’ll help think of budget things.
You might want to consider some other places in Eastern Europe? Sarajevo is stunning, with a great vibe, rich history, and good on a budget. Bosnia is really beautiful. Croatia is also lovely. Slovenia is gorgeous, and also a miniature Europe: a rocky coast, tiny quirky capital, vineyards and sloping hills and then Alps and dramatic castles.
Cheap airlines to get through Europe:
EasyJet
Ryanair
Wizz Air (eastern Europe)
Book 3 months in advance for the best deals. Ryan air can be ridiculously cheap, like £6, but they’ll usually take you to an airport further out.
Ha, definitely not going to wear a fanny pack. Jeans and solid colored shirts are probably what I’ll be wearing, maybe a dress. I do need to get some new good walking shoes, definitely not bright white sneakers/trainers.
The idea of safari gear in Europe is funny, I wonder what that tourist’s rationale was.
I had thought about Poland too. One of my friends did a study abroad there a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
Ha, don’t worry, I don’t even own any clothes with American flags, Bermuda shorts, or Hawaiian shirts. I do own sneakers, but they aren’t bright white, and I don’t wear them for walking around.
I’m pretty good and getting off to the side and out of people’s way if I need to stop and look at my phone or a map for a second. I don’t want to be in people’s way and I don’t want to make myself a target.
But speaking of looking at my phone, does anyone know more about using phones overseas? I have an AT&T plan, will I get crazy charges if I get on my phone and use the data to look at Google Maps? The last time I was overseas was before I had a smart phone, so that wasn’t an issue.
Austria would be nice to visit. A microcosm of Europe would be convenient.
Ooh I’m glad to see you respond, I know you’ve traveled a lot. Most of my clothes and bags are fairly neutral and unobtrusive, so I think I’m good there. I do usually wear my Texas A&M ring, which is kinda big and shiny gold. It can be a benefit in Texas, especially as an engineer, but maybe not so much while being a foreign tourist, maybe I’ll leave that at home. I will look into waist money belts and PAC Safe purses.
I’ve never stayed at a hostel. Since I’ve only traveled to Europe with my parents, they would always get hotel rooms for us- never fancy, but decent. I would consider a hostel with private rooms. I’m definitely not expecting to stay at any place fancy or luxurious- I know that a lot of accommodations are smaller with less amenities that in American hotels.
I have read Rick Steves before, I’ll look what he has and how current he is.
Well the pushiness might make me uncomfortable, but I can deal with that I think.
You’re right, it’s good to be conscious of money but not too stressed out about it.
I’d never heard of the Sziget festival, that looks cool! I would definitely consider stopping by that for a day.
Good to know about the three months in advance for booking. I can sometimes get impatient when making plans, but I’ll know to hold off and wait a little to see if deals get better.
Regarding the budget airlines, how reliable are they regarding times? It’d be nice to save money, but not if I have to spend a day or two of my vacation time waiting for my plane to take off.
Keep in mind if you’re going multiple places Ryanair’s fares don’t cover any baggage. Carryon is an extra fee, if you don’t have your boarding pass printed before you get to the airport - extra fee, all of that is pretty challenging when you’re country hopping and not necessarily staying in hotels with business centres for printing.
Trains in Europe are awesome for getting around but you probably don’t want a europass. Careful shopping will get you good fares for the trips you need and unless you’re there for a long time and moving around a lot it will be cheaper.
Croatia is another interesting country to consider, particularly if you’re looking for some beach time. It’s right on the Adriatic and not yet expensive toursity.
Careful in whatever city you choose. There’s unrest in a lot of eurpoean countries right now, my BIL (who has accepted his status as an idiot) was in Istanbul last week and when they were having dinner a group of protestors stormed past the restaurant chased by riot police. When they finished eating instead of going to his hotel they went the other way and followed the “parade” He turned a corner on the twisty street and walked right into a cloud of tear gas and a group of running protestors. He and his boss ran back to the restaurant and the owner let them in and then locked the door behind them.
So in short, don’t embrace your inner idiot when there is a protest going on. You can watch it on youtube later. If you avoid them the vast majority of most cities are just as safe as they’ve ever been. Even in Kiev all the danger was confined to small, easily avoided sections of the city. Be smart and be safe.
We’ve travelled far and wide in Europe over many years and Austria is the one we come back to again and again. Compared to the other major European destinations it actually is very good value for money.
The hotels and guest houses are brilliant, the food and drink is great quality, big portions and cheap. Compared to the alpine regions of Italy, France and Switzerland you get a load of bang for your buck.
I’d highly recommend Salzburg and the mountains of the Hohe Tauern park are superb as well (the Grossglockner Road is a particular treat) and the all-in guest cards get you access to pools, spas, cable cars and museums for very little (59 Euros for a 6-day adult pass) Salzburgerland card Hohe Tauern card
Depending how long you’ve got I’d certainly recommend London, Paris and Rome (All the classics) plus Barcelona, Amsterdam and Munich or Berlin. Istanbul is great as well but unless you get lucky with flights it can be a little more expensive to get to.
When my daughter did a year abroad in Germany she and her friends (not all American) went all over.
First, think trains not planes. In the US trains service is mostly awful, but it is far, far better in Europe. Check out the deals. Germany had something where you could buy group passes. When we went a long time ago you could get a Eurrail pass only from the US, check that out.
Big advantage - you can see things.
Second, most cities have multi-day tourist passes which lets you ride public transportation as long as you want. It was great in Berlin. Copenhagen had a multi-day pass which covered the subway and lots of museums and attractions, including Tivoli Gardens.
Think about hostels. They are not fancy, but private rooms are available and some are a lot closer to the city center than hotels - and tons cheaper. The one we stayed at in Berlin (next door to the North Korean embassy) was great - near the S-Bahn and only a few blocks from Checkpoint Charlie. They do skew a bit young, but we were comfortable there. It is not like you are going to be hanging around in the lobby.
Many cities have free walking tours in English (you tip the guide.) They are a good way to orient yourself. I’ve made copies of interesting pages in guide books, especially walking tours. Search for hints before you leave. For instance, I found that the Coliseum and Forum in Rome were on the same ticket, but the lines at the Forum were much shorter. Saved us about an hour.
It might be worth it to get a cheap phone once you get there. They work everywhere in Europe.
Same here. I get the idea of not being an easy target for pickpockets. But the notion that one should try as hard as possible to look European, forget it. If I’m hot, I’m wearing shorts, sorry if you don’t like it.
It’s not like I’m ashamed of being American. And I’ve had no problems on previous trips being American. I just don’t want to stand out or be obnoxious.
I had wondered about this. I’d seen Kiev listed as a cheaper place in Europe to go, but definitely thought that now would not be a good time for it. But I guess it doesn’t take up the whole city. But don’t worry about me, I will definitely walk away from any protests, not get closer to have an adventure.
Awesome, thanks for the tips!
It’s funny you say that about Istanbul, from what I’ve seen so far it seems the cheapest place to fly to. I think Turkish Airlines recently started flying from Houston, so maybe that explains it. Some of the cheaper flights I’ve seen to other cities are actually on Turkish airlines with layovers in Istanbul.
Thanks for the link! I also looked up Rick Steves, he has some advice on this, and lots of other things about traveling.
Thanks for all the tips! I’ll definitely check out multi-day transportation passes, hostels, and walking tours. Is there any recommended way to go about finding good hostels, or just google hostels in whatever specific city?
I was talking more about getting to Istanbul from within Europe but hey, sounds like going there direct would be a great option for you and a fabulous way to kick off a vacation I think.
If you could fly direct from Houston to Istanbul, grab an extended layover there for a few days then on to a more central European base from which to explore, that could work very nicely indeed.
I’d expect Turkish airlines to connect pretty easily and cheaply to Berlin or Munich and both of those have excellent train connections to the rest of Europe.
Another vote for Budapest - it’s a fantastic city. In regards to Ryanair, if you’re traveling alone and don’t care about convenience, it’s a fair option.
Also, I wouldn’t go to Kiev. Right now, that whole area is pretty volatile - plus, there are so many great options I just wouldn’t risk it.
There are a bunch of booking sites with reviews. The ones I use most often are hostelz.com for the detailed reviews, and hostelbookers.com because you can book without paying a fee.
I’ve traveled there alone as a (blonde, freckled, obviously non-Turkish) woman, and it is a bit hassley, although you get used to it. I’m glad that it wasn’t my first destination in Turkey, and that I’d had lots of experience traveling alone; it might be a little overwhelming for a first-timer. I found that when I needed a break, it helped to go someplace the majority of the people weren’t tourists; if you are walking through a mall or a public park generally nobody will bother you, it’s when you’re in the major tourist areas that strange men start swooping down on you wanting to “help” you.
Totally worth it, though. Topkapi Palace is amazing.
I enjoyed Poland, though it’s not a very common destination for tourists except Germans.