We all dream of traveling the world, but what often stops us is money. What if I told you that’s just a stupid excuse? With the right research, planning and some helpful tips your dream can become a reality. Just don’t fall deep into scheming! Sure, gathering some info in advance is a reasonable choice, but remember to stay flexible too! Now, before you go and conquer the world, start small with venturing through Europe. Here is everything you should know on how to travel Europe, while on budget:
Before your trip
Save! If you are planning a long journey through the Old Continent, it’s best to save as much money as possible before leaving. I know it could be extremely hard, but you’ll thank me once you make it abroad. Having your savings will make you more comfortable while traveling. Always plan your spending money or make a daily budget and stick to it, if you don’t trust yourself with money. Don’t forget to save some emergency money – just in case!
Pick your travel time carefully! After you save some money, start thinking when you want to visit. My advice, of course, is to go off season. Europe is jam – packed during the summer months, so bear that in mind! It’s also best to avoid traveling around the biggest holidays like Christmas and Easter when the plane fares are up. Spring and autumn are ideal, because the weather is nice and is still off season!
How to get where you want to go?
By plane – with a little bit of searching you can find some really cheap flights to Europe and in between European countries. Skyscanner shows you the best deals. You can select your departure airport, destination and dates of your choice.
By train – traveling from country to country by train is definitely an option, but not necessarily a cheap one. In northern and most of the western countries train tickets can get really pricey, unlike in Italy or eastern European countries, for example. Be open – minded and consider all of your options like getting an eurail pass or search through sites like Omio that searches the best prices on train tickets and compares train, bus and flights prices between two destinations, so you can pick the option that best suits your budget. Booking tickets ahead will get you additional discounts!
By bus - a great cheap alternative! You can find many bus companies like MegaBus, FlixBus or Busabout that travel to various destinations and most importantly are very affordable. The only downside is that traveling by bus usually takes longer than a plane or a train.
By car - share travels are hugely popular in Europe, so it’s no surprise that there are many, many websites where you can find people going your way. It’s certainly a win – win situation since you get to meet the locals, have a friendly conversation and save some green! BlaBlaCar can help you with that.
During your trip
Find budget – friendly accommodations. Hostels are great alternative and much more cost – efficient than hotels. Good news is that Europe is full of budget hostels that cater towards backpackers. Find great deals on HostelWorld and read the reviews.
Couchsurfing is another option that is free! Locals open their homes for travelers by offering them a couch or a spare bed. But again, read very carefully the reviews!
Cook as often as you can! Food is always the biggest expense when traveling. To save some money, try shopping at local markets, where you can find fresh produce, local spices and other goods for cheaper than in the supermarket.
When eating out: Of course, you will dine out from time to time. Just stay away from the overpriced touristy restaurants and your wallet should be fine. Seek local restaurants as they offer higher quality and more traditional dishes on a reasonable price anyway. Ask your host or other locals where they usually go.
Walk wherever and whenever is possible! Because it’s free! And also a great way to get to know a city! If that’s not possible, always opt for public transport instead of taxis.
Search for free attractions! Many cities have free walking tours where you can learn about the history or the lifestyle of the city. Museums are also open for free in particular days of the week, so keep your eyes wide open. If you are still studying, get yourself a student ID card! It gets you discounts on almost everything and everywhere. You can also buy a city card that give you access to main attractions, museums and galleries on discounted prices and sometimes even free drinks in some bars!
Europe has a lot to offer to its visitors – beautiful places, gorgeous views, many cultures and amazing experiences waiting for you to discover them. So, don’t let money stop you from achieving your goals. When done right, any travel and destination can be budget – friendly and not a burden to your bank account.
