Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ideal because they're easy to spot. Whatever style you choose, it's wise to choose dark colors
that will blend into the surroundings.
If you find yourself on private land (farms, people's yards, etc.), you can always ask permis-
sion to spend the night. A lot of times, you'll get consent if you look like a sane person or you
can check out
campinmygarden.com
to find people who will let you stay in their yard for the
night. Churches are another popular place to set up camp because they'll rarely turn away re-
spectful campers.
Once you've got your gear packed up, you'll need to find a safe place to store it while you're
out for the day—most major train stations have luggage lockers that cost around $4 to $8 per
day.
Sleeping in Train Stations and Airports
I've slept in a few train stations and airports during my travels through Europe, and I can tell
you that they were not pleasant experiences. I wouldn't recommend it as a long-term strategy
but it might work in a pinch. Between the cement floors, uncomfortable chairs, and noise
don't expect to get much sleep.
Many train stations close around 1 a.m. and the security will kick you out until they open
back up around 4 a.m. You should also be vigilant about your belongings because of the
heightened chance of theft.
Airports are generally more comfortable and you can usually find a sofa or padded seats.
The website
sleepinginairports.com
reviews nearly every airport in the world and tells you
the best places to catch some rest. Sleeping in an airport isn't a good long-term solution since
they're located well outside most cities, and you'll have to pay to get there, but it can be an
option if you have a super late or early flight.
VOLUNTEER FOR ROOM AND BOARD
Do you have a strong desire to travel but hardly any money? You might want to consider good
old-fashioned manual labor in the form of volunteering on farms. The idea is simple—you
spend between four to six hours each day (five days a week) doing various farm work (which
can range from mending fences and weeding gardens to basic carpentry and tending a vine-
yard). In exchange for your hard work, you get a free place to stay and all your meals provided.
Most gigs last anywhere from a few days to a few months, and you're not locked into any
contract so you can leave if you end up hating your host/work. There are thousands of listings
all across Europe so finding another gig isn't too difficult.
Volunteering is a great way to experience a totally different side of Europe that barely any
visitors will see. A lot of people also use it as a way to improve their foreign language skills.
