United Kingdom and Ireland on a shoestring (and by train)

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baltimora
baltimora

I know there are several threads about budget and money in Ireland and United Kingdom. But I still didn't really manage to find answers to my questions.

I will probably be travelling around in United Kingdom and Ireland in the end of august/early september. I was looking for more information how to travel there on a shoestring. As I am planning to buy an interrail pass (even if I'll fly to and from United Kingdom), I found a site where you can calculate your daily costs. But I found it a little bit weird. As the site tells me that it becomes more expensive the older you are. Even if I decide to live cheap (use a tent, cook my own food, no reservation fees on the trains etc), it is more expensive for someone who is 30 years old compared to someone who is 18. Okay, in this case it's just 3 euros more.

I am travelling alone, am 23 years old. As Ireland and United Kingdom are expensive countries, I chose that option. Am planning to cook my own food and stay at hostels. Apparently, it would cost 34 euros per day. Would that be pretty ok? Seeing as it is just food and accommodation (and well, transportation is basically "free" if I have an interrail pass and don't pay for reservations). As most trains in Ireland and United Kingdom don't require any reservations anyway. I also know that I should add money for rail pass and pocket money.

Oh, the page can be found here. May be useful so that everyone knows what I am talking about.

http://www.raildude.com/en/overall-costs.html

I also wonder if anyone explain why the age matters, as it apparently becomes expensive when people get older. Even if they eat and live exactly the same like a younger person. Because it confuses me, and I have no idea how much I shall rely on that site and the calculations. So what do you say?

According to FAQ, I would need around 50 euros per day ("As a thumb of a rule you should calculate a minimum of 30 Euros/day to enjoy your trip. With thes budget, you´ll be generally staying at hostels, campgrounds etc. Add another 20 Euros/day to allow yourself a decent lunch or dinner from time to time." ).

Does it mean I can rely on that site's calculation and then add 16 euros and use it as pocket money? Or did I misunderstand the FAQ? Is there any way I am able to travel around in United Kingdom and Ireland cheaper (with a daily budget under 50 euros)? I also did a research on this forum and checked other treads, and apparently it is better to have a daily budget on 65 euros in Ireland, and 60 euros in United Kingdom. I don't include the cost of interrail pass and ferries to/from Ireland in my daily budget. Or would it be asking too much as Ireland and United Kingdom are known for being expensive?

I have actually travelled by train in England before. As I visited London, York, Oxford, Windsor and Reading last summer. Including transportation (tube in London and railpass), food, sightseeing and accommodation, then I spent around 55 euros per day. In total, I spent around 30 euros per day on food, sightseeing and accommodation. Then it was a really tight budget. But I actually managed to enjoy the trip. But this time, I won't add railpass and ferries in daily budget. Can I somehow use my previous experience of travel cheaply in United Kingdom (and Ireland), or is it better if I spend more money (around 50 euros per day as it is recommend?) End of august/early september is most likely still peak season over there as well, which affects the prices/costs, I think

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shuffaluff
shuffaluff

I also wonder if anyone explain why the age matters, as it apparently becomes expensive when people get older. Even if they eat and live exactly the same like a younger person. Because it confuses me, and I have no idea how much I shall rely on that site and the calculations. So what do you say?

Presumably based on the assumption that someone who is no longer in the first flush of youth will be less prepared to rough it because s/he doesn't need to. Obviously a 50-year-old who is happy to sleep in a dorm and eat the cheapest food he can find will spend the same as an 18-year-old doing just that, but most 50-year-olds have passed that stage.

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lucapal
lucapal

That budget sounds pretty tight to me.........of course it depends exactly where you are going,what you eat,what activities you do etc....but I think even €50 a day is quite tight for many parts of the UK and Ireland.

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lucapal
lucapal

Are you sure that the price difference is not including the Interrail price?

That pass costs less if you are under 26.....so if you are older you will spend more for transport.

As #1 says,apart from that there is no reason (apart from personal preference) why an older person should spend more than a younger one.In fact,if you drink less,you might even spend considerably less than an 18 year old in place like the UK and Ireland ;-)

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baltimora
baltimora

# 1

Thanks. It makes sense now.

#2+3 (same poster)

I am pretty sure that the rail pass is not included in the price. For 2 reasons: as the site clearly say that the price for interrail pass is not included. But also because even when you are over 26, the prices changes a lot, depending if you are 27, 40 or even 70 years old. Not big difference, just a couple of euro. But anyway.

I am not even that kind of person who enjoys alcohol, so I won't spend time in pubs, nightclubs etc. I assume that's what you meant with drinking anyway. I am not planning any shopping either, so I think I may be able to live cheaply. I did that while being in England last year. But I am not sure if I should stick to same, low budget this time. I mean, back then I spent around €30 per day on food, sightseeing and accommodation. (€55 If rail pass and London's travel card is included). But I only doubt I can spend around €30 because everyone warns me and say it's a big no no. So I am currently planning to have around €50 per day

But if you are right, and it is still a tight budget, then I should even wait and travel next year or do the trip this year, just less days than planned from the start.

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kirstp85
kirstp85

I'm not sure how much you'd be paying for the Interrail pass, but it'd almost certainly be easier to travel by coach (National Express, Megabus, Greyhound) than it would to travel by train. Or you could buy a 16-25 railcard which will give you around 1/3 off train fares, more if you book in advance (for best deals try 10-12 weeks in advance).

Check out the Travelodges too, they often have £10 sales on, which works out cheaper than camping!

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taranaki_chick
taranaki_chick

buses are a lot cheaper than trains.

some hostels have different rates for different age groups.

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