How much money should I take on a long trip to Europe?

I need help trying to find the cost of a trip to Europe?

• For my 16th birthday (next year) I really want to travel to Europe. I couldn't find what I wanted to do for my (big birthday) but then I thought of what I always wanted to do...unfortunately a year before I turn sixteen. I make around 2,900-3,000$ a year (after taxes take the extra, but not including the percent I have to put in the bank) if all goes like last year, and hopefully I can convince family to give me money for Christmas and such towards this trip with both my parents. Anyways, since I'm on a low budget (and my parents could only chip in maybe 200$) How much would a cheap flight to Europe cost? The best destination to go? (I was thinking Crete or something) and how much is a passport? I know it's all going to be expensive so any tips and tricks would help me out, it's just my dream to go to Europe and it seems a lot better than throwing a huge party for a few hours. Btw, we'd be staying for around a week and a half if I can manage that.

• Answer:

  Look on kayak.com and try some different destinations. Iceland (Reykjavik) is the shortest flight from the U.S. and can sometimes be cheap. (It is a great country to visit with geysers, volcanoes, glaciers and lots of waterfalls). It is probably worthwhile to buy a general guidebook for Europe and flip through it. There are also often cheap flights to Paris. Although Greece is inexpensive, you would fly into Athens, but have to pay for a ferry or flight to Crete. There's lots of interesting stuff around Athens. Spain and Portugal are also cheap once you get there. Look at International Youth Hostels and also AirBNB for cheap places to stay.