Europe on a Shoestring

Lonely Planet: On a Shoestring

by Tom Masters, Scott McNeely

The Barnes & Noble Review

One of the most dependable series available, Lonely Planet's guidebooks are packed with essential information and accurate maps and are written with enough character that they are also good reading for armchair travelers. The series is now popular with travelers of all sorts, although backpackers and adventure travelers have long relied on Lonely Planet's guides because of the wide range of destinations offered. Whether you want to relax on the beaches of Thailand, roam the Australian outback, or explore the deserts of Iran, Lonely Planet has a practical, thorough guidebook for your destination. For dangerous or less-traveled regions, we highly recommend Lonely Planet's guides because they provide crucial information in an easy-to-use format, making it possible for travelers to handle the difficulties of language, customs, and transportation. In countries with unfamiliar alphabets, the guides include the names of cities and sights in both English and native characters, and glossaries are provided to help travelers with menus. The series offers lodging and restaurant options for all budgets, but the main focus is on getting a good deal for your money. With good writing, a wealth of valuable information, and beautiful color photo sections, Lonely Planet's guides are hard to beat.(Julie Carr)

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Collections, Guidebook

1252 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Neha Oberoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been my friend for all my trips to Europe. I have read every little snipppet, tip and found them to be true. Infact, I have forgone the use of a GPS and turned to this wonder on my drive to Scotland.

All the listed youth hostels offer services as listed and within the range. The nightlife and food put down are awesome and you con't pick up better company if caught with this book in your hand ;)

Its my souvenier of my travels and adventures within Europe and I would highly recommend it anyone planning a stint there.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I traveled Europe for 3.5 months this summer, and visited 22 countries. This book was my bible! It is handy for the major highlights of a country. Good travel information and good sleeping accomodation information. If you were for example planning to spend a long period of time in one country, you would do well to find additional sources of information, however this book is very good for traveling in several countries. Most major cities have maps fairly well detailed. Each section highlights a different country has essential facts and information. The countries are listed in alphabetical order and the book is easy to navigate. Each country section is edited by a different person, and it is somewhat a different layout for each section, but largely the same plan. The one thing I encountered that I wish was better was that some sections had clear details of how to tip in that country, others made no mention of it. I would have liked a "tipping" section for each country, as I was frequently left wondering what is appropriate tipping for services. Also, I suppose restaurants in area probably change frequently, but I tried to go to several restaurant recommendations throughout the book to find out that the restaurant is no longer there, or the hours open changed. Also noted, as with ALL other travel books I've ever used: The prices listed are out of date by the time the book publishes, so expect to pay 10-20% more than what prices are listed in the book.

Overall, very good travel book!
I'd love to BE the one writing for them!!

[Stine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend and I went backpacking through Europe for almost six months, visiting almost 40 countries, and this was practically our Bible at that time.
Suggestions for accomodation, sightseeing, food, bars, cafes and restaurants, and activities; in addition to useful information about the country, the particular city you were visiting, history, and some basic facts and info about things like currency, visa, how to get around, how to get into or out of wherever, prices, maps, and other useful information.

We often used this book to find out how to get somewhere, what places and cities to visit, and where to find hostels. It's quite a big book, so it's rather heavy to carry around, so we'd find a hostel, decide on what to see in the city based off the book and the maps we could get at the hostel.

Very useful for travelling to several countries in one go, and the descriptions and tips are witty and helpful.
Will definately get one for the next continent we'll be packbacking in!

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utilisima, 15 años después sirve para planificar

[Lizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Lonely Planet. Not only do they give you all the information you need to get around a city, they help you do it cheaply. I've found it especially useful for traveling and finding a place to stay. They list hostels that are cheap and in a good location. It's nice to find a cheap place that's been reviewed because it feels a lot safer than just coming across something affordable. Anyway, I recommend all of their books. This one has been the most beneficial to me because it includes all major European cities, but the ones on specific countries provide more details, of course.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all-inclusive, but very very useful (especially when it comes to identifying sites, figuring out non-major cities to visit, getting around). Hours/admission fees are pretty accurate, though obviously some have changed from time of publication. Used this to plan trips around Turkey, the UK, Berlin and Paris. After talking to people who had been there or lived there, I found that my itineraries were pretty solid. Great starting-off point for travelers who like to research ahead of time and plan their own trips.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly useful and down to earth guidebook with entertaining commentaries about the history and culture of 22 European countries. Its suggested accommodation options and eateries of choice are not to be sniffed at, they are all that the book promises and more. Very handy are the maps and the tourist site reviews. The book is fairly heavy to carry around with you, so buy yourself an electronic version and go travelling.

[Arpit · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my bible during my four months bag packing across Europe.
Suggestions on accommodation and eating joints can be almost followed blindly.

Spot on with its description about Mona Lisa (:p) and Rome. Can remember very good suggestions about Switzerland and Amsterdam.

Must carry this book especially to everyone even if you are not going on a shoestring budget

[Johannes Ardiant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful travel companion, despite its big size! I had brought it together in my journey in exploring Europe and it never fails me. The map is particularly helpful, especially when you just arrived for a first time in a city. It will help you to find a nearby Tourist Information booth for you to pick a more decent city map there :P.

[McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book while backpacking in the Summer of 2007. Lonely Planet Guides are by far my favorite and extremely reliable and efficient! Great for backpackers of any age! It is amazing how much information is crammed into this book! Plus, it gives great options for the traveler on a budget!

[TheWellReadLady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me SO much 17 years ago when I was backpacking around Europe by myself on an extremely tight budget. I used it so much the book fell apart!

Excellent help from a great series.....

[Mikhael Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh, the Europe on a shoestring Bible.

I remember seeing every backpacker I met with the exact same copy.

And no wonder, because this heavy duty traveling companion served me extremely well during the 9 months I spent there. I am glad I had it.

[Quynh Anh Pham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Lonely Planet must find a better way to do their job or else people dont bring their book around; they just need their smartphone with internet connection or TripAdvisor installed.

It was too heavy and lack of correct information and imagination and it was a burden in my luggage.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read about 1/3 of this, the parts pertaining to my trip. I wish I would've read something else like this before booking most of my hotels and such. Helpful information... just straight facts, and the offline maps they included will be helpful while traveling!

[Carl.Meriksson · Rating 2 out of 5]

While certainly a good travel guide about Europe there is very little "on a shoestring" about it. Suggested foods for France contain foie gras, champagne and truffles while missing the galettes that are both cheap and a signature dish. The same goes for much of the hotels and other foods.

[Richard Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can I say - I have a secret plan to bum around Europe sometime. For me it's a book of inspiration, or should that be aspiration? A secret pleasure anyway, planning what to do and how to do it.

[Zoë · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know about the newer edition, but this one was not very informative nor helpful.

[Febri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I left the book in a hotel in Venice ... :-( d%#n!

[Manit1455]

good guide to tour Europe.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

soooooooo helpful.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just reading to get a feel for my upcoming trip. These continent-wide guide books are very vague, but at least give you an idea to costs and how to get to the main areas in which to spring out from.

[Jessica]

If we ever start planning our European vacation, I probably need to get an updated edition of this book. I actually only have the 2nd edition.

[Prasun]

Must have guidebook. Although for some destinations train routes weren't mentioned in the "Getting there" section.

[Grumpylibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will probably read and keep reading this book until I leave Scotland. Best general guide for budget backpacking the WHOLE of Europe around.

[Dennis]

It's a good book, but I didn't bring this one with me to Europe. I ended up bringing my Let's Go Europe travel guide.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful for budget travelers, as well as how to get around and how much to expect to pay realistically. There are some great tips for packing, places to see and places to stay as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

helped tremendously. lonely planet maps are horrible though. and there is nothing like experiencing things unplanned-- not everything is in a book.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I backpacked through Europe with this book! It never failed to give good tips on museums, cheap hostels, restaurants, and nightclubs! Great travel companion.

[Carmen]

Gracias Karlita!!!

[This Is Not The Michael You're Looking For · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too light on details (in part because it covers such a broad area) with too much of a low-end focus for your average traveler. Better for students traveling Europe.