It’s been a while since I posted the first part of. “How I travelled the globe before graduation”. Here comes the 2nd & Final part of the adventure. Hope it was worth the wait!
After returning home from Leaping in America on January 2016, my main objective was to return the bank loan of S$10,000 I took up for the 5 month program in USA.
Fortunately, it was interest-free if I paid it off before graduating. Lucky for me, I was able to claim a substantial amount(around $6000) from the education fund I had receive from the government during the past 10 years in school. The remaining amount was obtained from my savings & the money I collected during the subsequent months of teaching.
By June 2016, I was debt-free in monetary terms(to be precise) 😉
The next objective on my list then came into view. It was time to plan for the next adventure in another continent, Leap in Europe in 2017.
15 Days in Europe under $3000
Between Late June to Mid July of 2017, I traveled to 6 European countries. The first leg was spent with my cousins & subsequently on my own while visiting some friends along the way. I’ve posted the various adventures during the 2 weeks on this website.
Trip Schedule
The total amount spent for the entire trip was under $3000. To sweeten the deal, I was compensated close to $700 with a free night stay in a hotel in Frankfurt as the return flight was rescheduled due to a technical fault.
Frugal Tip #1: Breakfast Done Right
Eat a heavy breakfast at hotels that provide it. There is no need to be discreet, you are not breaking any rules.
Once you’re satisfied, you can afford to have a light lunch on the go. This will be an excellent opportunity to savour a variety of local food without breaking the bank.
What if breakfast isnt provided?
Fret not, you could always purchase bakery items the night before*
@ supermarkets for breakfast such as:
- Brioche(Type of French bread)
- Croissants
- Loaf of bread(Wholegrain)
- Litre of Milk
- Large Bottled Water
*On average, a decent breakfast costs around 3 to 5 Euros
Frugal Tip #2: Optimization is key
Here are a list of tips to optimize your spending habits while travelling in Europe.
- Utilise the public transportation by purchasing unlimited day trips ticket.
Depending on your travel plans, it can be cost effective to purchase a day trip ticket to explore the city - Stay in Airbnb that provides free laundry use every few days
During the 15-day trip, you would need to visit the laundry around 2-3 times so plan wisely.
- Public washrooms cost almost a dollar, maximise visits in restaurants
Most washrooms costs 1 Euro, even in train stations. Airports are the exception
Frugal Tip #3: Discipline is simple
Being discplined in your spending starts with the right habits.
Purchasing drinks in restaurants is a big red flag for me. It costs only a fraction of the price at a supermarket or convenience store. Does saving $5 a day for 2 weeks sound appealing to you? It definitely is to me 😉
Another observation I made while traveling is how costly the food is @ the airport.
I once spent over $25 for a vegetarian pizza and a bottled water during a layover in Copenhagen airport. Planning your meals to avoid having them at the airport could really help. Make the effort, but never be too hard on yourself if circumstances limits your schedules.
—————-
With all that being said, I will conclude by sharing the table of my spendings during my trip. That’s all folks!
Overall Expenditures
Leap with Luqe 