how cheap can I do this?

Mint Aero

Probably not the right place so please move if necessary mods.

I want to go to Sweden in February, Rome in March and eh somewhere else in if I think of something in May. 2 nights in each place. No hostels, I want a decent break in a hotel. I've put FA thought into this but I'm determined. So anyone wanna help recommend how I can do this as cheap as possible? or even give me a rough idea of what kinda cost I can expect so I can save. By cheap I mean flights, accommodation & transport, the basics. I'll obviously be spending a truckload on the craic

I'll be going on my own. Mid 20's guy here.

lc180

Short 2-3 day city breaks on the cheap are my thing, I do it as much as physically/financially possible. I've been to both Stockholm & Rome so I can give you some advice.

Flights - have you actually booked any yet? Do you know how to best use Skyscanner.ie? Its can help find you amazingly cheap fares if you are flexible with your dates.

Hotels - gonna be your biggest expense, I always stay in Hostels but when I need a hotel I use trivago.com.

Sweden - personalty I found it f*cking impossible to do on the cheap. Its one of the most expensive places in the world. Don't be fooled by the cheap Ryanair flights - that will be the cheapest part of your trip! The bus transfer to/from Skavta airport was about 35 euro(no joke), more that what I paid for my return flights! Bottles of water was 2.50 euro and pints were between 7 & 11 euro. I ate McDonalds for 2 days because that's all I could afford.
That being said, Stockholm is a great little city! Quite a lot to see, has an interesting history, good public transport, ridiculously good looking locals, I highly recommend it but just be mentally prepared for the cost.


Rome - One of my favourite cities and notoriously expensive but I was able to survive very easily on a budget. I flew into Ciampino airport, again on cheap Ryanair flights. Got the Terravision bus transfer for 4 euro each way to/from the city. The metro is very easy to use to get about, I got a Roma Pass for 34 euro which covered free public transport and free entry/discounts for all of the attractions in Rome, it suited me but may not you depending on what you want to see/do. Lived off the amazing pizza and cheap Italian pastries for 2 days and drank in my hostel for dirt cheap.

If you have any questions just shout

Mint Aero

Skyscanner is a great link, that's the kind of thing I was looking for. Haven't got flights yet. I picked a random date (I'm flexible.) Stockholm Feb 17th - Feb 19th, about €170 for flights and accom in hostel. I may do hostels now that I think of it. I don't plan on being in a room much so a hotel would be a waste. Round it up to €200 - €210 incl. Transport.

lc180 wrote: »

Do you know how to best use Skyscanner.ie? Its can help find you amazingly cheap fares if you are flexible with your dates.

Am I reading that there's a way to use the site to get the most out of it?

I've no problem living on McDonald's for a few days but €7 & €11 for pints? :(:(

So €50 on food, €50 on pints (I can nurse pints) and €100 miscellaneous.

About €400 in total?

kegsmcsorley

lc180 wrote: »

Short 2-3 day city breaks on the cheap are my thing, I do it as much as physically/financially possible. I've been to both Stockholm & Rome so I can give you some advice.

Flights - have you actually booked any yet? Do you know how to best use Skyscanner.ie? Its can help find you amazingly cheap fares if you are flexible with your dates.

Hotels - gonna be your biggest expense, I always stay in Hostels but when I need a hotel I use trivago.com.

Sweden - personalty I found it f*cking impossible to do on the cheap. Its one of the most expensive places in the world. Don't be fooled by the cheap Ryanair flights - that will be the cheapest part of your trip! The bus transfer to/from Skavta airport was about 35 euro(no joke), more that what I paid for my return flights! Bottles of water was 2.50 euro and pints were between 7 & 11 euro. I ate McDonalds for 2 days because that's all I could afford.
That being said, Stockholm is a great little city! Quite a lot to see, has an interesting history, good public transport, ridiculously good looking locals, I highly recommend it but just be mentally prepared for the cost.


Rome - One of my favourite cities and notoriously expensive but I was able to survive very easily on a budget. I flew into Ciampino airport, again on cheap Ryanair flights. Got the Terravision bus transfer for 4 euro each way to/from the city. The metro is very easy to use to get about, I got a Roma Pass for 34 euro which covered free public transport and free entry/discounts for all of the attractions in Rome, it suited me but may not you depending on what you want to see/do. Lived off the amazing pizza and cheap Italian pastries for 2 days and drank in my hostel for dirt cheap.

If you have any questions just shout

WHat bus did you get for 35 euro? I usually pay 15 return

lc180

kegsmcsorley wrote: »

WHat bus did you get for 35 euro? I usually pay 15 return

I used Flygbussarna airport bus, with the exchange rate at the time it was really expensive, definitely above 30, IIRC about 35 euro.

What bus did you use? I wasn't aware there was an alternative.

lc180

Mint Aero wrote: »

I may do hostels now that I think of it. I don't plan on being in a room much so a hotel would be a waste.

The best tip I can give you for cheap social backpacking is stay at a hostel that has a pub in it. They are always far cheaper than regular pubs and makes it really easy to meet people when you are on your own.

I stayed at The Yellow in Rome and during happy hour it was 1.50 for wine and 2.00 euro for pints - hard to beat!