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To save on hostels, get late night trains and sleep on them. You can book cabins, although its cheaper to just sleep on the normal seats. If sleeping in cabins you can get the attendents to wake you at your stop.
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Get a plane to your destination, book flights with Ryanair or another discount airline well in advance to avail of cheap flights. You won't waste any of your trip getting to your starting place.
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Try not to have too much pre-booked, such as accommodation, as its more fun to do it yourself. It adds to the whole adventure of travelling if you just make it on your own. There will always be ways of getting to where you want to go and places to stay when you get there so don't worry. It's better to be flexible like this as your plans tend to change as you go along.
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MP3 players such as iPods are convenient to carry when travelling but they can be expensive items to lose. The distinctive white headphones of an ipod may also make you a target for mugging.
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When looking for accomodation, leave bags in the station lockers or with one of the group and head off. It's easier without bags and you won't get hassled by touts.
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If taking your mobile, check with your network provider what you have to do to use international roaming and the costs involved. Remember, you might have to pay to receive calls or listen to voicemail, also you might be charged twice per text message for messages to or from home. Consider buying a new sim card for use on a local network. Take an international adaptor for your charger.
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If you wear glasses, take a spare pair. Carry an adequate supply of any medicine you're on.
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If interrailing, remember that the cost does not include port charges, high speed train supplements, seat reservations, couchette, or sleeper charges, when budgeting your expenses. Don't try to do too many countries as you won't get the chance to really discover each country.
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Double rooms cost only slightly more than single rooms in many cases. So travel with someone else to reduce the costs.
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Rather than exchanging cash, use a credit card for purchases and a debit card for cash as you'll get a better exchange rate (if outside the euro zone)
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Calling outside the country you're in - Dial 00 first, the country code, the area code (without the 0) and the local number.
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When arriving in a new town or city, leave the bags with one person, who waits in a cafe for example. The other person heads out looking for accomodation. This will help you avoid touts.
- Although you are technically a tourist, try to stay away from tourist areas when shopping, as these tend to be more expensive.
