Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) lodgings are usually cheaper than a hotel but more expensive than a hostel. Not all locations offer lodging; those that do are often located in urban downtowns. Many YMCAs accept women and families; some will not lodge those under 18 without parental permission. World Alliance of YMCAs, 12 Clos Belmont, 1208 Geneva, SWI (☎41 22 849 5100; www.ymca.int), has more info and a register of Western European YMCAs with housing options.
In Western Europe, hotel singles cost about US$30 (€20) per night, doubles US$40 (€26). You’ll typically share a hall bathroom; a private bathroom and hot showers may cost extra. Some hotels offer “full pension” (all meals) and “half pension” (no lunch). Smaller guesthouses and pensions are often cheaper than hotels. If you make reservations in writing, note your night of arrival and the number of nights you plan to stay. After sending you a confirmation, the hotel may request payment for the first night. Often it’s easiest to reserve over the phone with a credit card.
For a cozy alternative to impersonal hotel rooms, B&Bs (private homes with rooms available to travelers) range from acceptable to sublime. Rooms generally cost about €35 for a single and €70 for a double in Western Europe, depending on the season and location. Any number of websites provide listings for B&Bs. Check out InnFinder (www.inncrawler.com), InnSite (www.innsite.com), or BedandBreakfast.com (www.bedandbreakfast.com).
Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some do so even during term-time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low and many offer free local calls and Internet. Where available, university dorms are listed in the Accommodations section of each city.
Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more info, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎310-798-3864 or toll free 800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com), or Intervac International Home Exchange (www.intervac.com; see site for phone listings by country).
Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small membership fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.
Travelers planning to stay in Western Europe for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. Rent varies widely by region, season, and quality. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants usually are also required to front a security deposit and the last month’s rent. Generally, for stays shorter than three months, it is more feasible to sublet than lease your own apartment. Sublets are also more likely to be furnished. Out of session, it may be possible to arrange to sublet rooms from university students on summer break. It is far easier to find an apartment once you have arrived at your destination than to attempt to use the Internet or phone from home. By staying in a hostel for your first week or so, you can make local contacts and, more importantly, check out your new digs before you commit.
With Europe’s vast terrain encompassing beaches, mountains, and plains, camping always has some new adventure to offer. Furthermore, you can explore nature for prices refreshingly easy on the wallet. Most towns have several campgrounds within walking distance, occasionally offering a cheap shuttle service to reach them. Even the most rudimentary campings (campgrounds) provide showers and laundry facilities, though almost all forbid campfires. In addition to tent camping, other patrons opt to drive RVs across Europe. Campgrounds usually charge a flat fee per person (usually around €4-6) plus a few euro extra for electricity, tents, cars, or running water. Most larger campgrounds also operate on-site general stores or cafes perfect for a quick, cheap bite. In some countries, it is illegal to pitch your tent or park your RV overnight along the road; look for designated camping areas within national parks, recognized campgrounds, or ask landowners permission before setting up residency on private property. In Sweden, Finland, and Norway, the right of public access permits travelers to tent one night in the forests and wilderness for free.
If planning on using campgrounds as your go-to accommodation, consider buying an International Camping Carnet (ICC, US$45). Available through the association of Family Campers and RVers (☎800-245-9755; www.fcrv.org), the card entitles holders to discounts at some campgrounds and may save travelers from having to leave their passport as a deposit. National tourist offices offer more info on country-specific camping. Additionally, check out Interhike (www.interhike.com) which lists campgrounds by region. First-time campers may also want to peruse KarmaBum Cafe (www.karmabum.com) for suggested itineraries, packing lists, blogs, and camping recipes. For more info on outdoor activities in Western Europe, see The Great Outdoors, below.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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