First Time Planner

Switzerland can be quite expensive. As can Spain, though less so if you aren't driven mad by the jamon. Further east can be much more affordable. Prague-Budapest on the cheap.

Congrats on degree. One Chicago Master to another.

When are you planning on going? That can make a lot of difference.

Thanks, Max for the response! I am looking to do this post-Thanksgiving and return after Christmas.

No real trip planning help here, just wanted to say congrats on the degree and planning such a marvelous sounding trip.

I have been to Switzerland once (not on a RS tour), but we were seeing a pricier end of it. I'm sure it had very affordable accommodations and meals. It's always drawn me because of the connection to the novel Heidi. But from what I've read, Spain is amazing as well.

Quick question - what draws you to those two areas for your first solo European trip?

How much do you love Christmas? Because you can do two in that time, Catholic/Protestant Christmas and then Eastern Orthodox which happens later.

Second question: how do you feel about winter? The more opposed, the further south you should go.

"Least expensive" and "Switzerland" don't belong in the same sentence. Small towns in Germany, quite possibly. Or, as suggested, Budapest. Note that as you get into Christmas season, prices go up as more people go on vacation, particularly in ski resort / Christmas market areas.

I am not too familiar with Switzerland or that area of Germany so can't help there. I do know Switzerland is very expensive.

Spain is much cheaper than other parts of western Europe, in my experience. Barcelona is more expensive than Madrid which is more expensive than the smaller towns. If you fly into Madrid you can spend some time there then go to Toledo/Segovia/Salamanca (great smaller cities within 1-1.5 hours by train from Madrid), then head south to Seville/Cordoba/Granada. The beach towns on the coast will be pretty cold and closed up, I think, but the cities inland will be nice. Seville at Christmas is something I've always wanted to see. Southern Spain - Andalucia - is my favorite. It has a unique culture, with flamenco dance and music, Moorish architecture, great food, laid back atmosphere. It's great, and very different than anywhere else in Europe.

Just got back from Switzerland and 3 days in San Sebastian Spain with a day in Bilbao.
I took the direct flight to Zurich from O'hare.
As a native Chicagoan, I always travel in the winter over semester break from U of Illinois and think that maybe you might like Spain better since the winter is a lot milder than Switzerland.
Also it is a lot. lot, cheaper, especially if you drink coffee. If Spain I recommend: Madrid (only if you like musuems and paintings) Segovia, Toledo, Barcelona, and San Sebastian (the best food).

Stay at youth hostels in Switzerland, they are vg. Many have pvt rooms if u prefer. Also u can grocery shop for meals to save Swiss francs.
Spain is easier to save euros.

Aquarmarinesteph: thank you for the congratulations! I understand that Switzerland is expensive. I chose this country (primarily Grimmelwald) because of its location. The small-town setting, beautiful hiking trails between other communities makes it seem perfect to celebrate the holidays.

I chose Spain because it’s something rather exotic. When I was a senior undergraduate back in 2013, I took a few history courses devoted to Spain. I was fascinated by the culture-history and want to experience the history but also the small communities in the country.

Of course, the big inspiration comes from my love for Ernest Hemingway. His writing got me through college. They also inspired me to adventure more and live life to the fullest. I lost my best friend two years ago to a heart attack (he was 38). I want to live my life and do things he wished he could have done.

Quite the testimonial, I know. However, I’m very excited to get out and experience what the world (and humanity) has to offer.

Max: I LOVE Christmas and winter. Hence why I am choosing this time of the year to venture.

Mira: Thank you for the tips! I am mainly focused on getting out to the smaller towns. Any more information and advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

If you're in Madison, you're no stranger to winter weather. Christmas markets start up around the end of November and run at least until Xmas eve, a few until New Year's. This is a busy vacation time in Germany and winging it might get expensive. If I'm not mistaken, it's also high season for skiing in the Alps, so you may have full occupancy and high prices in Switzerland too. Sunrise is after 8 am and sunset before 5 pm in Gimmelwald in December. Keep in mind that you may not find much to do on those long evenings in villages and small towns. I was in Gimmelwald briefly on a tour in June, it's barely a village.

Spain, on the other hand, it one of the cheaper European destinations. Andalucia is the warmest, driest part of Europe, and Barcelona has pretty mild weather all year round. If you want a few days in the mountains, it's easy to get to the Pyrenees. I would choose Spain without giving it a second thought.

Totally disagree about Spain. Barcelona and Madrid are expensive. Outside of those two cities, most of the country is a bargain. Plus they love visitors. Spain actually celebrates Christmas on Jan. 6th, Three Kings Day or the Epiphany, before that is the 12 days of Christmas. You could conceivably see Christmas elsewhere then go to Spain for more Christmas.

Totally agree on Switzerland. I've stayed in many hostels in Austria and Italy and met many travelers coming directly from Switzerland. All said the same thing, "I can't believe how expensive Switzerland is."

The other real bargain in Europe right now is Poland. It would be cold but that might be a great place to experience around Christmas. Train fares and lodging are dirt cheap.

Austria and Germany are mid-range in terms of overall expense.

Unless you are getting some incredible deal on a rail pass, opt for point to point tickets. Rail passes have become very expensive. I think the last one I purchased was before 2000. They only save money on the very longest travel legs - which I suggest avoiding. Long travel legs wear you out. If you need to go more than four hours in a day, consider catching a flight - they're cheaper and faster.

I like hostels but I've been leaning toward renting small studio apartments through Airbnb. A hostel will cost you around 20 to 30 euro to sleep in a dorm room with no privacy or security. For less than 50 euro a night in most places, you can find a little studio that's has a bathroom, kitchen and sometimes washing machine. A private room in someone's home through Airbnb is about the same as a dorm bed in a hostel.

In Spain, Madrid is by far my least favorite place. It has nice museums but the city is no older than Baltimore. Save money, eat and sleep better, and enjoy much better history and culture by staying in Toledo instead.

I hate to say it but Frankfurt is my least favorite place in Germany. I've met really great people from there. The reason I don't like Frankfurt is, post-WWII, each city made choices about how to rebuild from the war. Many cities restored what was there before. Frankfurt chose to go modern and refer to themselves as the Manhattan of Germany. Lately, Frankfurt has made an effort to restore some of their old center. I prefer the old centers rather than something that resembles New York or Chicago.

If you don't live in Chicago, consider avoiding O'Hare. For cheap flights check out WOW air. They fly through Iceland into a limited number of European Airports. The planes are nice and having passport control in Iceland is a timesaver when you arrive in Europe. I've flown them twice, next one is on Icelandair, all three round trips from DC were right at $500. You might get cheaper flying during winter.

I lived in Germany for four years. You will find the weather in late November and December to be cold, with short days. Also, Sometimes it snows and the roads are a mess.

You may like cold weather, not me, I would rather go in Spring or Fall.

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, along with Scandinavia. The MED countries like Spain, Italy and Greece are less costly. You have lots of options, but for the time of the year, consider southern Europe. It will still be cold to chilly, but not as much as northern Europe.

Good sources of information are a good guidebook. Rick Steves is good, so is Frommer's. Lonely Planet is good for backpackers going to Hostels.
TripAdvisor and Kayak are great for comparing hotels or B&Bs as well as air flights.

When touring, you can save on meals by finding a small grocery store and buying food, even sandwich food. Watch you alcohol intake, since that can run up your bills. Large cities are more expensive, but then visiting Paris, Rome and Madrid are wonderful.

Also, I recommend a money belt or neck wallet for securing your credit cards, passport and cash.

Taking the trains are your best bet unless you need to travel a long distance, then cheap air fares are available.
Italy is my favorite European country, with loads of Ancient and Renaissance history, but you can find great places all over Europe.

Hi,

Good that you are going over while still in your twenties. I can see that you want to go soon. I would suggest, if you can wait, to go in the summer, ie leaving at the end of May or June. For a month I suggest for a first timer England, Germany and Austria or France, depending on the level of your interest. I took my 3rd trip at 27 focusing on Paris, Austria and Germany. Hostels are not run down, quite the contrary now, esp the private independent hostels

In response to the "Switzerland is not more expensive" comment, I was shocked by railway costs in comparison with book-ahead fares in Germany and Austria and Italy. Lodging in the Berner Oberland, about what we were paying other places. Food in restaurants, about 50% more. (We ate at Co-op a LOT.) And lift costs !! (But that's what you go to Switzerland to experience.)

First, define expensive. What you find expensive someone else may not. Second, expensive compared to where? Switzerland is no more expensive than the UK if you try to get anywhere near to comparing apples to apples. Third, most tourists who give an opinion on how expensive Switzerland is, do not actually have enough experience to give an INFORMED opinion. They've only been to the regular few suspect places where the prices are highest.

What? Switzerland is easily the most expensive country in Western Europe except for Scandinavia. One of my good friends is Swiss and he will say, "Switzerland is really expensive." I've traveled around with him, stayed with his family, and that didn't magically make the outrageous food and drink costs any cheaper! I've gone to his preferred supermarket and restaurants and prices are still significantly higher than they are across the border. I mean, there is a reason why there are big shopping malls right on the German side of the border!

It's a lovely country but pretending it's not more expensive than most other destinations is bad travel advice. Sure, London may be equally expensive, but you get out of London and it's affordable. This simply isn't the case in Switzerland.

I also have friends who live in Switzerland, and they say it is expensive.

Comparing hostel prices to hotels is pointless, they are two different types of accommodation. Although it is great to know that there are low-priced hotels and other accommodations in Switzerland.

I don't spend much time in Switzerland because I am afraid I might get it dirty.

And the recommended hotel is currently asking CHF179 per night ... So to get to $63/night per person you would need 3 people in a double room ??
Agree that by avoiding the "Rick-says-to-go-here" locations you can cut costs ( and even more so avoiding the places everyone says are must-sees)

Spain by a country mile.
A week in each ... Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona.
3 days in each ... Malaga, Granada, Valencia.

Portugal is cheap anytime of the year.
Although I wouldn't advise staying in "run-down hostels" because they just aren't that great.
AirBnB hosts usually work later than their North American counterparts, so you will probably not see much of them.

Ugh - I just typed out a whole thing and somehow magically deleted it. I'm just commenting now so I don't lose your thread and will come on later today with an idea for you... ;)

I'm a big fan of the Balkans and Hungary and Romania. These are wonderful places to go with friendly people. Croatia and Slovenia are great in Nov - we were in Dubrovnik with a light jacket on Nov 10, and very comfortable. On the other hand, Sarajevo (in the mountains) was quite chilly. Since you have never been to Europe, I would pick an inexpensive major destination - Vienna, Berlin, Paris. Start there and go east. Every large city has hostels, and they can be either quite inexpensive ($15/night in Brasov, Romania) to more expensive. You can go to the bunk room, or to private rooms. Your post is kind of short of what you want to do - drink a lot, go to museums, go to mountains, what?

The most expensive countries in Europe: Switzerland and Scandinavia. The cheapest: all former communist countries - the farther east the cheaper. Plus Greece and Portugal and then Spain. Out of your two options if money is no object I would certainly go for option 1, otherwise option 2. If I would want to save significant amount of money and see a lot I would go for former communist countries.

Congratulations on your degree! A month's travel to Europe is a great reward. Having been to Switzerland, Germany, and Spain just a couple of months ago, although not for the first time, I have to say that Spain is my personal favorite. It is an incredibly diverse country. You should visit Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Seville, and Granada (definitely plan to see the Alhambra), but also try to experience small towns and villages across the country. Since you have a lot of time, you could even make your way up to northern Portugal and bagpipe-playing Galicia, or spend more time in Basque country or Catalunya. As others have mentioned, Spain is cheaper than Switzerland or Germany. Temps in Spain will vary a lot depending upon where you visit. In winter, Madrid actually can be quite cold and windy, as it is on a high interior plain. Andalucia and Mediterranean coastal cities like Barcelona will be milder, e.g. in the 50s-60s in December. Basel and Frankfurt of course will be colder, although you should be used to that in Wisconsin!

Thank you all for the detailed inputs based on your own experiences. I have been doing a lot of research, and agree that Spain is the right choice at this time. I am very excited for my first journey abroad! I hope to provide a blog during my time in Spain. If any of you may be in the area, or even have acquaintances somewhere in Spain, let me know! I'm doing this alone, so it would be awesome to get more insight as I prepare for this trip.

Seth

I've been travel8ng solo for 39 years. I recommend 2 week per London. normany.bath.and Stonehenge. 2 weeks for Paris and Normandy. etc. start north were it's cold and work your way do to warm areas. go to the library and pick a few travel books and select your final destinations.

also fly from say London to Paris to Spain to home to save money and time.