How To Backpack Europe For Only $30 A Day

If you're going to travel on $30 a day, hostels are a must.  The cost of a hostel dorm room is a fraction of the cost of what you would pay for a room in a hotel.  If you're not into sharing a room, most hostels also provide private rooms for a bit more.

Many hostels also include a free breakfast with your booking giving you another way to save money on your travel expenses.

Obviously if you're traveling on $30 a day, you won't be dining at fancy restaurants.  There are, however, many great options to eat cheap and still get to experience authentic local cuisine.

If you really want a taste of the city, your best bet is to indulge in some street food.  Look for a cart usually run by a little old man or lady who will happily put together a cheap local meal for you to try.

The best way to cut down your food expenses is by simply making your own meals at the hostel.  Almost all hostels have a fully operational kitchen, so head to the market, get some local ingredients and whip up your own meal.

Along with free walking tours, there are many adventures in the city that are also free or can be had for a discount.

Many museums and art galleries are free once a week and, of course, there's no charge for simply exploring the city on your own.

Talk with some locals and they may show you the "real" side of the city or arrange an adventure with a bunch of your hostel mates to get a group discount.

Even with the proliferation of low cost budget airlines in Europe, flying from city to city will put a huge dent in your budget.

Europe has excellent rail and bus networks that run throughout the continent and are quite cheaper than even budget airline fares.  Most trains and buses come with free wifi.

While the travel time may be longer, you'll be able to take some time to relax and watch the beautiful scenic countryside as you go to your next city.