If you Think you can do it cheaper

I’m sure there’s some go-cheap commando out there who claims to have been traveling since 1995 on less than the USD 1810/USD 2010 I mention above. If you have done that, or know how to live on less than, say, USD 30 a day while seeing something of Europe, I’d love to hear from you. I cannot in good conscience advise a lower budget for the first-timer, unless you have extensive cheap travel experience in the States or your home country; or you have contacts in Europe who would be willing to put you up when you arrive penniless at their door. Do not try the “I can get there - I’ll worry about getting back later” approach.

And don’t even think about the idea of “I can always appeal to my embassy - they won’t abandon a fellow citizen so far from home.” They will. Your nation’s embassies overseas will barely notice if you drop dead in their doorways. Providing irresponsible travelers with money to get home is not their top priority, and believe me, they have heard every sob story known to man.