Table of Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE—PLANNING

BIG PICTURE ITINERARY PLANNING

ADDITIONAL ITINERARY PLANNING ADVICE

ESTIMATING DAILY TRAVEL COSTS

Accommodation Cost Estimate

Food Cost Estimate

Sightseeing and Attractions Cost Estimate

Public Transportation Cost Estimate

Alcohol Cost Estimate

Extras and Unexpected Expenses Estimate

MONEY MATTERS

Understanding Currency and Exchange Rates

Withdrawing Money From an ATM

Using Credit Cards in Europe

Alternative Ways to Access Money

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT PRE-DEPARTURE CONSIDERATIONS

UNDERSTANDING TRAVEL SEASONS

High Season

Low Season

Shoulder Season

GUIDE TO LONG-TERM TRAVEL IN EUROPE

Ways to Extend Your Stay Past 90 Days

PURCHASING AIRFARE TO EUROPE

Strategies for Finding the Cheapest Flights to Europe

Our Favorite Airfare Booking Websites and Resources

BEST TRAVEL GUIDE BOOKS AND ONLINE RESOURCES

Independent Online Guides Written by Locals

Crowd-sourced Travel Guides

Traditional Guide Books

CHAPTER TWO—PACKING

BENEFITS OF PACKING LIGHT

Staying Fashionable While on the Road

HOW TO MINIMIZE CLOTHING

CLOTHING PACKING GUIDE FOR WOMEN

CLOTHING PACKING GUIDE FOR MEN

SOCKS

UNDERWEAR

FOOTWEAR

Women’s Shoes

Men’s Shoes

OUTERWEAR

ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES

WINTER CLOTHING

Guide to Layering Clothing

Winter Accessories

USEFUL TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

TOILETRIES

FIRST-AID AND MEDICINE

GUIDE TO USING ELECTRONICS IN EUROPE

European Electricity Basics

Internet and Wi-Fi

Laptops and Tablets

Smartphones, Data Plans, and Mobile Phones

Other Essential Travel Electronics

GUIDE TO CHOOSING A DIGITAL CAMERA FOR TRAVEL

Important Features to Consider in a Digital Camera

Choosing the Type of Digital Camera for Your Travel Style

Important Digital Camera Accessories

CHOOSING THE BEST LUGGAGE FOR YOUR TRAVEL STYLE

Traveling with a Backpack

Traveling with Rolling Luggage

Other Luggage Options

HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL BACKPACK

Backpack Styles

How to Choose the Correct Backpack Size

Important Features

How to Find a Correct Fitting Backpack

PACKING AIDS AND ORGANIZATION

Packing Cubes and Packing Folders

Organize Your Toiletries

More Packing Aids

MINIMALIST TRAVEL

Ultra-Lightweight Backpack

Minimize Clothing

Minimal Electronics

Toiletries

Ultra-Light Accessories

CHAPTER THREE—ACCOMMODATION

HOSTELS—BEER, BUNK BEDS, AND BREAKFAST

Hostels 101

Characteristics of a Good Hostel

How to Find a Good Hostel

More Helpful Hostel Tips

Hostel Etiquette

COUCHSURFING

How Couchsurfing Works

What Are The Hosts Like?

Safety Concerns

Tips for Couchsurfing Successfully

Additional Concerns to Consider

SHORT-TERM APARTMENT RENTALS

Advantages to Renting an Apartment

Disadvantages to Renting an Apartment

Where to Find a Vacation Apartment Rental

CAMPING

SLEEPING IN TRAIN STATIONS AND AIRPORTS

VOLUNTEER FOR ROOM AND BOARD

CHAPTER FOUR—TRANSPORTATION

EXPLORING EUROPE BY TRAIN

Reasons Why Rail Travel is Awesome

Disadvantages of Rail Travel

How to Plan Your Rail Journey

Understanding Train Ticket Pricing

Quick Overview—Point-To-Point Tickets versus Train Passes

Purchasing Individual Train Tickets

OVERNIGHT TRAINS

TRAVELING WITH A EURAIL PASS

Rail Pass Basic Information

Are Eurail Passes Worth the Money?

More Tips for Using Your Eurail Pass

How to Use Your Pass

Where & How to Buy a Eurail Pass

TRAIN TRAVEL SKILLS

At the Station

On the Train

AIR TRAVEL WITHIN EUROPE

Advantages to Air Travel

Disadvantages to Air Travel

How to Find the Best Deals on Airfare

Lowdown on Low-Cost Airlines

Best Booking Websites

COACH TRAVEL

Long-distance Coach Companies

DRIVING AND CAR RENTALS

Things to Think about before Renting a Car

How to Rent a Car for the Best Price

Buy Back Car Lease Program

Benefits to Short-term Leasing

RIDESHARES AND HITCHHIKING

CHAPTER FIVE—TRAVEL SAFETY AND AVOIDING TOURIST SCAMS

PICKPOCKETS AND PETTY THEFT

Popular Cities for Pickpockets

Who are the Pickpockets?

Pickpocket Hot Spots

Tricks Pickpockets Use

Who Pickpockets Target

How to Protect Yourself from Pickpockets

ATM/CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD FRAUD

CROOKED TAXIS

FLIRTY WOMEN AND STRIP CLUB SCAMS

MONEY SCAMS

COMPUTER SCAMS

OTHER TOURIST SCAMS

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS

CHAPTER SIX—SOLO AND GROUP TRAVEL

SOLO TRAVEL ADVICE

Positive Aspects of Solo Travel

Disadvantages of Solo Travel

How to Successfully Travel Solo

GUIDE TO SOLO TRAVEL FOR WOMEN

Safety Advice for Solo Women Travelers

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

Pre-trip Considerations

During the Trip Advice

CHAPTER SEVEN—DAY-TO-DAY MONEY SAVING STRATEGIES

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY

Grocery Stores, Greengrocers, and Farmers’ Markets

Street Food and Budget Takeout Restaurants

Budget-friendly Restaurants

Other Tips for Eating on the Cheap

Get Your Drink On

DISCOUNT CARDS, MUSEUM PASSES, AND STUDENT DISCOUNTS

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

RANDOM HELPFUL TIPS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INDEX