Let Teen Help Plan His Low-Cost European Trip

Q. Where would I begin to look for information to put together a low-cost European travel plan for my son? He is graduating from high school this year and I think seeing Europe is an important step. He is hoping some of his friends will also be going, but they need to do this at the lowest cost possible. Any suggestions?

A. There are basically two things that you should do to prepare your son for a vacation in Europe. Well, maybe three things.

First, realize that this young man is a high school senior who presumably can read, write and add. So let him and his friends work out their own trip. I’m sure that they have their own ideas about where they want to go, what they want to do. Reality will sink in better if they figure out for themselves how far their budget will stretch.

Second, buy him a book titled “Let’s Go, the Budget Guide to Europe,” written by Harvard University students for the Harvard Student Agencies. This fat guidebook, updated every year, is the bible of young travelers who are seen all over Europe clutching well-thumbed copies.

If the kids know which countries they want to visit, there is also a series of regional “Let’s Go” guides that are more detailed, such as separate volumes for France, Germany, Britain/Ireland, Spain/Portugal, Eastern Europe, etc. Book stores stock them or can order them.

“Let’s Go” has all the information needed to get ready for the trip: where to find student airfares or charter flights, get student ID cards, youth rail passes, insurance and youth hostel membership. Addresses of European nations’ tourist offices and information on necessary documents and entrance requirements are also provided in the guidebook.

Each country and city is discussed, with tips on cheap digs and restaurants, sights, how to ride the local transportation, and even tidbits like where to find self-service laundermats.

I know plenty of older “mainstream” travelers who use “Let’s Go” guides for their good maps and sightseeing ideas. I’m one of them.

And the third thing you’ll probably do for your son: Finance all or most of the trip. This is your good excuse to double check everything and veto any plans that are a little over the top.