Hello!

Apologies for the vague title...
So, I am off for two weeks at the end of September. I had travel plans, those fell apart...

So I figured instead of staying home and twiddling thumbs, I might look into another holiday. I never tried shoestring travel before, but I figured I'd give it a try.

I'm pretty much open to anything...city break, beach, mountains... they all have their charms. They should be safe for a solo female traveler though, and I'm a German citizen, so ideally some place where I don't need a visa.

What would be a realistic budget for roughly two weeks of travel around that time, when the destination really doesn't matter that much (Estonia or Türkiye would be nice, or maybe South-East Asia, though I reckon the latter will be more expensive because of the flights)?
And is it worth spending more, or would it be a markup?

I just need a simple stay, ideally with a desk and preferably a single room (maybe not exactly shoestring travel then, but I'm a light sleeper).

As for my budget, I could in theory spend €5,000 - but I would rather not and keep it simple. All I need is some time away from home for a few days.

I live in Portland, OR and most of my family lives in South Florida. It is a very long flight (averages 8 hours usually but sometimes can be longer with a layover). It is also very expensive for my financials, usually $450-$650 during normal times but $800-$1k+ for holidays. I don’t get to see my family often because of this. I don’t make a lot so I see family about every 4 years rather than every year. It’s important to me to change this. Does anyone have any tips on how to make this possible?

Okay so I'm 23 and about to take 5–6 weeks to go travel the world before real life catches up with me lol. I'll probably be proposing in the next couple years, then marriage, a master's, kids… basically all the responsibilities are coming, so I'm trying to really max this one trip while I've got the freedom and no one depending on me.

Budget is $12k and I've got 6 weeks max. Here's what I've put together — tell me if I'm crazy, what I should cut, or what I'm missing.

One eastbound loop, no backtracking:

**Route:** Austin or Dallas → Istanbul → Cairo → Kathmandu (trek) → Bangkok → Tokyo → home

**Istanbul**
3 nights
Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus
**Cairo**
3 nights
Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum
**Nepal**
17 nights
EBC/Annapurna trek (\~14d) + buffer
**Bangkok**
4 nights
Temples, street food, decompress
**Japan**
7 nights
Tokyo + Kyoto (autumn colors)

Home!!!

Trek: standard route with acclimatization days, guide, overland access to save cash.

Flights: self-assembled instead of a RTW ticket — long-haul legs on full-service airlines, short Asia hops on budget carriers.

What I want your take on:
Is 6 stops too rushed?
Anything dumb about the sequence?
What am I underestimating — budget, altitude, solo burnout?
Any stops I should consider adding or removing?

Can't wait to hear how irresponsible this plan is lol, but seriously looking forward to gaining some insight and direction on what to change! Thank you in advance

A few friends and I have decided to road trip around Iceland for 2 weeks between the end of September and beginning of October. None of us have ever been and we're starting with someone else's itinerary.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with vehicle rentals and lodging? We are stuck deciding between renting a camper van or 2 or getting an AWD crossover and staying in hostels, AIR B&Bs, and hotels every night.

Of course the car rental is cheaper but lodging prices seem to vary wildly across Iceland. And as a group of 5, we've found so far that renting 2 smaller camper vans is cheaper than renting a larger van that can sleep 5 people.

So this is kind of a transportation and accommodation question.

Any recommendations on what to do and where to look for rental and or lodging?

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Hey,

I'm planning to book a flight that departs at 6pm from Porto to Brussles tomorrow

It's been creeping up all day from €75\~ to €100 now to €114

Should I book it now or at like 4am? When is the cheapest?

Many thanks

Edit: flight departs on 21st of July (Tuesday) Airline is Ryanair

I'm in the catering business and have a very erratic work schedule. It changers from week to week.

Sometimes I'll find out, with only 2 weeks notice, that a certain week will be completely free. On such occasions I've wished that I had some cheap tickets to leave Boston and visit some place.

Is there a hack for such a situation?

For instance, I'd love to visit Mexico City and get some dental work.

I (21M) am going on a month long solo backpacking trip across Thailand in 6 months! This is my first solo trip as well as first backpacking trip. If anyone has been to Thailand before, do you have any tips on how to save as much money as possible while I’m out there? I’m talking food, drinks, hostels, sleeping on a beach? Anything that might help me save a buck. Thanks!

Also, I have researched this trip quite a bit. I’m not ignorantly going into this knowing nothing. I have experience with backcountry backpacking and traveling. Simply looking for some hidden gems and ideas that might save me a little money:)

Edit: I wanna thank the people that took the time out of their day to write a response! I appreciate it!

I am 21 years old guy, will be 22 by time of trip… I have an ambitious idea of spending my summer of 2027 traveling to just about as many countries as I can, staying with people doing work exchanges whatever it might be that helps me experience the most people and culture possible. I know it’s a crazy trip but I know this is a crazy bunch. If you are interested In actually coming or you can tell me how I can make it as cheap as possible that would be awesome:)

Hey, currently in Iquitos in Peru, and want to see what are the most creative/ cheapest routes to get back to the UK. I have a month until I need to go back. Open to flights, cargo ships, yacht hitchhiking etc. Also open to moving to different countries in South America if it makes logistics easier :) and cheaper.

Thank you in advance 😊

There is a festival in England I cannot skip on. An underground gem. I would love to surprise my friends, as I would probably head back to South America afterwards (hence the cheapness of myself).

VAMOS !

Hey, I'll be in Portugal in September and start with surfing in Ericeira with my partner. After that, I want to continue traveling alone. I'm super open location wise as long as I can reach it with public transport.

I prefer being in nature/or a chill small town for 5-7 days and then I will go back to Lisboa and stay at a friend's house.

Can someone recommend specific hostels (or other cheap accomodation) that are suitable for me who has outgrown her party girl lifestyle and prefers a tranquil and calm place to sleep? I've been researching about places and am really open to go almost anywhere where I can arrive easily from Ericeira. But there are so many options and most hostels I see seem to cater to folks in their 20s who might want to party and while I respect that (and used to do it), I really need calmness. I speak Portuguese as well if that helps.

Thanks a lot! :)

-Flights are high on each one I search since it's short timed

-would be leaving from middle TN

-Hate driving anymore than 8 hrs.

-have no idea where to go but I have to get away Please say what you would do

I will be returning from Munich to Venice. I intend to do a full day in either Hallstatt or Innsbruck.

I wanted to seek option if that’s doable and how can I make the most out of it.

Thank you

flying from midwest to the west coast in the states (looking for round trip tickets for christmas break) as a college student

Those who have booked flights from Oojo.com, did you upgrade on any travel care options? I booked a flight (I know, a lot of mixed reviews) from the US to Scandinavia this September and the customer service called me today to urge me to upgrade my travel care options. I have about 24 hours to upgrade and after reading the mixed reviews, I’m feeling like travel care would be important. They have a basic for $50, premium for $86, and all included for $113 which covers cancellation (for 75% of flight cost) and change flights and covers 100% of changed flight costs.

If anyone has done this before and could weigh in I’d appreciate hearing peoples’ experiences.

A friend and I would like to go on a vacation outside the US that is cheap/ affordable for college students. We’re thinking about us two going but possibly up to 4 if some friends would like to come.

Before getting into specific details about a vacation, are there any sites that are good for looking at traveling cost, airlines, hotels, etc? I’m not sure if it really matters where I look, but is there any inside info to help with getting the best deal?

Now for vacations. We were thinking of going to an all inclusive place on an island or coast but also with enough to stay busy as we’d want to be on vacation for a week. It’d be nice if would could experience night life and go to bars as well but anything that may be just as fun would be nice to know as well. So of all the places around the world, what places would be best for what I’m asking?

If anyone has some knowledge or experience, it’d be helpful.

Hi guys,

So I’ve been saying it year after year after year but next year I wanna turn it into a reality and go to Northern Europe ideally to see the northern lights but going that way in general is good enough. North Norway, Iceland Finland etc any of these not to fussy. But I know it’s suppppper expensive. Any advice people can share on how to try and semi cheaply do it? Flying from England so is it worth doing flights and accommodation separate etc? Would only be a couple nights but any advice would be great on locations cheap hacks etc!

I am looking for some advice. My friend and I are hoping to travel across a few countries over the month of May next year. We are fine with staying in hostels/cheap residences over the time we are there, but we would ideally like to be able to splurge a little on experiences/meals while there. Ideally, our itinerary would be as follows: Fly into Paris -> Amsterdam -> Berlin -> Vienna/Salzburg/Munich -> Venice -> Rome -> back to Paris to fly out. We are travelling from Canada, so we are looking at about $1500 on flights. We were hoping that we could do the whole thing (flights included) in about $3.5K CAD. Would that be a realistic budget for a month long trip? Are all of our destinations doable, or would it be better to cut some/substitute less touristy cities? Any advice would be appreciated!

Do airlines harp about carry on size even if it’s just a little bit over?

Hi everyone, i need some opinion from other travelers that may have or may want to do something similar to what i’m planning.

I’m planning to travel asia from January till June of next year and would like a “reassurance” for my budget, now i know that asia is definitely not expensive (i’ve been to japan and thailand and was amazed by the price of everything), for a 6 month period how much do you think i would need to travel specifically that part of the world? I have saved all my money only for travel but would like to have some saved for when i return, right now i have 36k usd saved and by the end of the year if i continue working i would have around 50k hopefully, but would like to continue travelling from august/september till december maybe to south america (i have to get back in july cause of military).

Hope i made myself clear without confusing anyone:))

a it really worth it? Because some people say go and have fun while you still can and make memories, some say save up and don't waste money, plus you will do some dumb shit

Was about to book Dallas -> Dublin/train to Galway for 2 people for about 4/5 days for about $6k mid August.

This would include flights, a solid room near the city center, transport, a couple of known activities (ferry, bike rental), and a good budget for food.

Then I began thinking that the $6k ($3k per person) could go farther elsewhere. Thinking about Mexico City + Oaxaca as an alternative.

Have solid financials and time off, but haven’t traveled a lot so I don’t have a great sense for what I can get for my money. Obviously it’s easier to book online ahead of time and know what you get but that’s always on the higher end of things. Figured I’d ask more experienced travelers how they’d use $3k per person? Thanks!

I am at the very beginning stages of planning a trip to the Basque country, primarily in Spain, and I'm interested in people's experiences exploring and traveling there. I strongly prefer small towns and villages to cities. I am a very low-key person, 54F, in pretty good shape but no athlete, and my intent at this time is that I will be traveling alone. Right now I am thinking I'll spend a couple of weeks there.

• Places or routes not to miss and for what reasons?
• Places or routes to avoid or skip and for what reasons?
• Modes of travel to use or not to use?
• Interesting cultural experiences?
• Interesting art or architecture?
• Interesting historical places?

This is not intended to be a complete list of issues or considerations, but please feel free to point out things that I should be taking into account. All input is welcomed. Thanks, everyone

For somebody looking to travel around a Western European country on a shoestring budget, Germany can be a good choice thanks to the "Deutschland-Ticket".

The "Deutschland-Ticket" (aka D-Ticket) covers all public transport in Germany except fast long-distance trains. Slow regional trains are included and can be strung together for a trip criss-crossing Germany.

This ticket currently (2026) costs 63 EUR per month. Prices are expected to rise by 5-10 EUR on an annual basis.

Out of a budget of approx 120 EUR / 150 USD per day, people are spending on average around 30 USD on transport between cities and up to 10 EUR per day on public transport within said cities. By using Deutschland-Ticket in Germany one can cut these travel costs down to 2.10 EUR per day (63 EUR divided by 30), freeing up money for accommodation and other fun things.

If you have a tent, you can stay on camping sites in Germany for 15-20 EUR per night. Hostels are 15-35 EUR per night. Add in food costs of around 10 EUR per day (for food from the supermarket) and you can get by on around 50-70 EUR per day, depending how much you spend on fun activities.

This is much lower than the Western European average and can in other Western European countries only be achieved by not spending anything on transport, effectively limiting people to either hiking / walking long-distance trails or cycling to get from A to B.

Pitfalls:

1) The Deutschland-Ticket is a subscription, it was designed for commuters. It is meant to encourage locals to take less trips by car. As a result, the terms and conditions are not tourist-friendly. Biggest limitation is that you have to buy and cancel the ticket at the beginning of the month before the 10th of the month, otherwise you automatically end up paying for 2 months.

Example: Jane flies to Germany on the 28th of June. If she gets the D-Ticket on the 29th for June, she has an automatic subscription for June and July. She needs to cancel said subscription by July 10th at the latest, otherwise she is forced to pay for August as well.

In the above situation it would in many cases make more sense to get a subscription just for July and use individual tickets for the last days of June.

2) Second pitfall is not being allowed to use fast long-distance trains with the D-Ticket. It can be difficult to figure out which train is included and which train is excluded. One way to work around this is to select "only local transport" on the DB Navigator App.

That said, it is possible to combine separate train tickets for long-distance trains with the D-Ticket. Again, make sure you understand the terms of the exact ticket you booked. If you start your trip using D-Ticket and a regional train, and the regional train is delayed, it is on you if you miss your fast IC, ICE or EC train. You have no recourse against DB.