ADVICE NEEDED - PLEASE HELP!

Sogwa,

I don't have any suggestions for the type of accommodation you're seeking. You might want to have a look at a variety of Guidebooks, as they typically have accommodations of various types listed.

One point to note - for travel in the Schengen zone (which I believe includes France), non E.U. residents are allowed a maximum stay of three months. Failure to abide by this rule can result in deportation or other penalties.

Hopefully someone in the group here will have more definite information for you.

Good luck!

Thanks for your advise thus far.

Sogwa, it is unclear to me exactly what your question is. Are you saying you want to spend approx. three and a half months (see above post re Schengen regulations) close to Paris? If that is the case, you needn't be in a village away from the city. There is plenty of low-budget accommodation in Paris and you need to factor in the cost of transportation from your "village" into Paris.

Thanks for the warning and advice.

So as long as I don’t stay in France or any other country longer than 3 months I shouldn’t violate any tourist visa.

For example, I can spend the first week or 2 visiting Iceland and Europe on Bus-a-Bout, etc., stay in France or somewhere for the entire month of July, August, and September, and then spend my last week or 2 in Germany at the book expo I’m supposed to be at. And thus I won’t violate any visa rules because I won’t outstay my lodging in only 1 country - France? I will be traveling through other countries sight seeing for a day here or a few days there.

Also, please let me know where I can find some budget room rentals in France. I won’t need to travel to Paris or Brittan daily. Just a few times throughout the month. And when I do travel there, I most likely will stay at some hostel so I won’t be commuting.

The reason I need public transportation is so I can get to the store, post office, or wherever. I won’t have a car so I’d need a bus or train to take me to some type of Eurorail, or Paris, or London, etc. to take care of business (which is the main reason I’m going to Europe and wishing to spend so much time in France).

Please direct me to where I might find some of these low-budget accommodation in Paris.

Thanks!

NO-- the restriction applies to the entire Schengen area- not just to any one country. You need to fully understand the restrictions or you could end up in real trouble.

As an addendum to Toni, I notice you plan to "take care of business" whilst in France - this is something to be aware of when researching visa rules. Don't assume that the rules for "business visits" are exactly the same as those for tourist visits.

(On the other hand don't necessarily assume they are different, I have no in-depth knowledge of Schengen visas. I just think it's worth making sure as most of the information about seems to focus on visiting as a tourist. Also it will be worth while making sure you understand what type of business is allowed as a visitor and what crosses the boundary into "working".)

Well it seems like most of Europe is under this rule based on Wikipedia. So with that, how do people travel across Europe back packing for 4 and 6 months without getting in trouble or deported?

A) They plan their time to make maximum use of the rules for being in, and remaining outside. of the Schengen zone area..
B) They simply flout the law and hope they don't get caught and possibly banned from the Schengen zone for a decade.

Be very wary of travelling with any documents which indicate you will be involved in any form of 'work'. I know in Australia and from friends' experiences travelling to the UK and Europe for this length of time on a Tourist Visa, Immigration officials will give you the 'third degree'. They are very efficent and ruthless, and will deny you entry if your reason for visiting is unclear.

So NEVER tell any official that I am there on business. Basically always travel and visit Europe as a tourist only. And make sure to visit a NON-Schengen zone for at least a week in the middle of my 2 month stay so when I return to France it will be a new start of a 3-month max stay as a tourist and I won't be breaking any Schengen zone laws by staying longer than 3 months IN A ROW?!

No! Schengen says three months in a six month period. A short time out does NOT reset the clock.

How often do backpackers and tourists who stay a little longer than 3 months get harassed and kicked out when they go to leave Europe?!

Sogwa....no one can answer your last question! That's like asking how high is high. Any speculation about how frequently people get caught would be just that....speculation.....and it's really not appopropriate for us to be trying to allay your concerns about violating that provision of their immigration laws. You now know the rules of the Schengen zone (90 days within a 180 day period), so it's now up to you to decide whether to roll the dice.

Sogwa,

Iceland is a Schengen country. Ireland and the United Kingdom are not. To avoid breaking the 90-day rule, you would need to spend a lot of time in the UK.

To see a map showing the Schengen countries, go here.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT TIP TIM!

Wikipedia did not exactly list individual countries, (or mayby I just pursed it too fast to notice). They simply showed a European map full of Schengen zone countries.

It appeared that UK was also one. Being that my innitial post was to find affforadable housing/room for rent by public transport so I can get to Paris and the London fairly OK, if I can just find a place somewhere in or near the UK, that would be great.

Also, I do plan to visit London quite a bit while I'm there (as I do Paris) which is why I hoped to find a place where I can get to Paris or London farily decently. I know I can take that train from Paris thru the channel to London. Not sure of the price as I know ANYTHING in London is a billion a month. However if I can find some afforadable room in some small village where I can walk to catch some bus (or the tube) to the city, that would be ideal. This room can be in France, the UK, or any village or place close enough to a bus or subway for me to get to Paris or London within a few hours (idealy 2 hours or less).

Thanks so much for this map! It makes it clear and even explain Visa rules, etc. Wikipedia of course did not show any of this.

Sogwa,

I have two thoughts:

1. Do NOT rely on Wikipedia for important info, esp. regarding legal issues. It can be useful as a shorthand overview of an issue, but on important issues you'll want to go to a more responsible source of info.

2. I'd suggest that you heed the advice offered earlier regarding accomodations. No need to stay in remote and limited facilities to stick to your budget. Stay in hostels in each city. The money and time you'll save not having to travel into the city each day will more than make up for any increase in rates.

Enjoy your trip!

Sogwa: Re your question: "How often do backpackers and tourists who stay a little longer than 3 months get harassed and kicked out when they go to leave Europe?"

That question is being discussed right now on another thread, http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/44403/5-months-in-europe-on-a-serious-budget--should-i-buy-a-eurail-pass.html

See the post by Dennis: "Elizabeth, The note on Schengen requirements is critical to you. You may NOT stay more than 3 out of any sixth months without incurring terrific fines. We paid over $500 for our daughter overstaying by 3 days. They will catch you at an airport, even on leaving. They can also take you aside for a long talk, forcing you to miss your flight home and having to pay full freight for a new flight (one that leaves immediately). The Schengen requirements are serious business. If you do not pay the fine they have the right to exclude you from Schengen travel for up to ten years. You need to research this, and ignore the travelers who advise you to take your chances."

Thanks Kent for the thread on my question and the horrific fines and shady way they can make you miss your flight and really spend some money. I’ll check it out.

Thanks Michael for hostel tip, but if I wish to stay for several months, that would really add up unless I land some work exchange with some hostel. And being that this would be the summer, everyone on earth is also seeking a work exchange.

In addition, I know Tim mentioned that Ireland and the UK are not Schengen countries and thus I hopefully would be able to stay there or some other non Schengen country for my 3 month stay. Is that correct?

I hope that I would at least be able to rent a room for my the month or July through September and still be able to visit Iceland and other countries before, during, and afterwards for the seminar I wish to attend.

If this is correct, then perhaps I might can find an affordable room somewhere in Ireland or some village in the UK being that I know anything 200 miles to London is a million pounds a month! And any hostel anywhere near London (minus some park bench which should be free) would be beyond pricy when compared to some other country or UK town.

You have not yet explained what you wish to DO while there. How can you ponder the idea of spending a month in one place without knowing what you will DO?

I know just wandering and "being" is enjoyable in itself, but a month in one general area is a long time to just "be" - to say nothing of 3, 4 or six months.

$500 a month is $16 or 11 Euro/day. That will buy you nothing but a stranger's couch even in the most out-of-the-way, middle-of-nowhere place.

I think you need to rethink this a bit.

I agree...$500/mo for everything seems way too optimistic! Maybe if you can find a host family? Combine travel with volunteer opportunity? If you find a way to swing $500/mo in Europe/Great Britain, without starving,hitching everywhere, and wearing smelly clothes, let me know. Good luck Sogwa.

How much can a small room to rent aprx. cost for a month?!?! From aprx. lowest to highest price ranges.

Sogwa....you're going to need a lot more help than we can provide here. The Wikipedia article on the Schengen countries clearly shows, and lists, which countries are members, and which are not. It is clear that the UK is NOT a member.
Once again....you can spend 90 days out of 180 days in the Schengen zone. So if you plan to be in Europe for 4 1/2 months, say 140 days, then you will have to spend 50 of those days outside the Schengen zone...pretty simple.
You've got to start doing some basic research yourself...starting with where you want to stay. Open ended questions like "what does a room cost" simply don't have an answer!~

Sogwa. From the information you have posted i.e.'work exchange in a hostel' etc., you clearly need to apply for a Working Visa in the UK and Europe and STRICTLY abide by the rules which apply.
Heed the advice from the older and wiser well travelled 'heads' on this forum.
Regarding renting a room in Ireland. My daughter rented a room in the suburb of Kimage in Dublin. Cost 400 Euros per month. Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Sogwa, personally I think you are dreaming to think you can survive on $500 per month. Save your pennies and plan the trip again in a few years.

Well perhaps I might can find a small room in some village for around $700 a month if Judy’s daughter found a room for €400 a month near Dublin which is about $800 US dollars a month.

I will of course research and look for info from other sources I can find such as the local embassies in DC since I live here, perhaps the study abroad dept. at the local universities, or even perhaps I can sign up as some type of student and take a class in Europe. That would be more money but my visa should be much more guaranteed if I’m a student. For example, MD Univ. has a totally on-line school aimed for government employees, working professionals, and the military. Thus, they have many classes at military branches all over Europe. And at least 50% of their classes are on-line so I can technically try to take some on-line class based in Germany or something and that way I might be able to get around a strict 90 day tourist visa because now I would be visiting as a student who is expected to stay at least an entire semester.

Very sensible Sogwa to go your local Embassies and be completely open and transparent with your travel/work/study plans for your trip. This will ensure there will be no nasty surprises at the other end. Like being sent on the first plane back to the States!!! This is what happened to an acquaintance of mine. Her bags were searched at Heathrow. Immigration officials found a business reference letter and as she indicated she was entering as a tourist, she was held in the aiport and sent back to Oz on the first available flight.

And don't forget your hula hoops.

Karen, that made me laugh out loud! Thanks.

“Like being sent on the first plane back to the States!!! This is what happened to an acquaintance of mine. Her bags were searched at Heathrow. Immigration officials found a business reference letter and as she indicated she was entering as a tourist, she was held in the aiport and sent back to Oz on the first available flight”

My God! That's horrible! Of course, why would anyone expect some pissed off immigration official be understanding and fair?!?! And I guess in those conditions and at that point, you have absolutely no recourse and no where to complain to or go.

“And don't forget your hula hoops.”

Are you referring to all of the bull crap and hoops I must jump through if I speak to some officials at an embassy?

Perhaps I should just sign up as some student and register for some class overseas. That way, the university or institution would take care of all visas and such. Of course, I’d owe money to that school, but most people pay a lot of money to travel anyway. Seems like visiting as a student, even if you don’t do any work and fail your course (which is just basically wasting your money) you are allowed in Europe for that entire semester and thus you got the whole semester to travel and try and work any business deals that you can perhaps.

The end.

... and Amen.