Mmm, the authentic Spanish tapas, the joie de vivre of Paris, the gorgeous piazzas of Rome and the bustling terraces of Prague – who doesn’t want to travel to Europe?
Well, no one. It’s just that traveling to Europe is notorious for literally eating up your precious travel budget. Thousands of people every day are trying to figure out how to travel to Europe on a budget.
Europe presents itself as a challenge unlike any other. On one side, you’ve got an amalgamation of cultures, a history dating back thousands of years, and plenty of things to do and on the other, you’ve got a cash-gobbling monster.
Great.
If only there was a way to ignore the “spend all your money!” siren song of all of Europe’s tourist traps and glitzy activities….Luckily for you, there is.
Traveling to Europe on a budget has never been easier.
I’ve been there more than once. The broke college student in Europe, the broke intern in Europe and even the broke full-time employee there. Seeing any common denominator here? Yup. Me. Broke.
That meant I had to squeeze every penny to make my trip there count. And that’s exactly what I did. It’s also how I learned, as I called them, the tricks of the trade. This is how I learned all the tips for traveling to Europe on a budget.
To me, Europe was addictive. I could literally go from Barcelona to Paris for the price of a Double Whopper at Burger King. Of course, I was hooked.
The rise of Europe’s plenty of budget airlines, the feasibility of its transport system, and the wobbly economy have turned what once was an unthinkable destination into an easily attainable one.
So yes, my savings were wobbly, but my wanderlust was strong.
Tips for Traveling to Europe on a Budget – Pre-trip:
Over the years, I’ve collected a bunch of tips and tricks that were guaranteed to save me a lot of money while traveling. I’ve put together a few nifty tips and tricks to help you travel to Europe even if you’re on the lowest budget.
Plan ahead. Flexibility is key
If you’re planning on traveling to Europe on a budget, then you need to make sure of two things:
– you book your flights well ahead.
– you have a flexible plan.
You might be completely set on traveling to Spain to attend La Tomatina, for example, but so will everyone else. As soon as you decide that you’re going to be traveling, start looking for airline tickets.
Travel during the shortest season where you will take advantage of better rates, higher discounts, fewer crowds and money saved.
To guarantee maximum flexibility, either change your mode of transportation (more on this later) or set your search to “Everywhere” and “All Year”.
This way you’ll get an overview of all the places you can travel throughout the year with the cheapest rates.
Look for cheap fares
Budget airlines, budget airlines, budget airlines. I cannot stress that enough. You’ll have to let go of the luxury and glam of big airplane companies and instead, focus on budget airlines. They’re not the most luxurious, but they do the job.
If you’re still not convinced: I went from Barcelona to Prague for nine euros. That’s cheaper than a Big Mac combo in McDonald’s!
Start with a hub
Speaking of budget airlines in Europe, there are some cities that are considered “hubs” for those airlines. This means that you’re guaranteed to get the cheapest flights from them.
Let’s say you’re planning on traveling to Dublin, Madrid, and Amsterdam. I would recommend starting at Dublin (a hub) then flying out of there for the best rates. London and Berlin are also well-known hubs and offer a plethora of discounts to some of Europe’s biggest cities.
Book local transportation
Check what the locals are doing and do the same. So for example, if you’re in Rome ride the Metropolitana. If you’re in Barcelona or Paris, take the metro. If you’re in Amsterdam, take a bike!
Book overnight trains
Imagine this with me – you go to bed in Vienna and you wake up in Zurich and you’ve traveled on a budget. Sounds too good to be true?
It isn’t.
Traveling to Europe on a budget isn’t usually the easiest thing to do, but overnight trains save you the cost of staying overnight at a hostel (they remove a whole day off) and get you to your destination while you sleep.
There’s financial saving, and there is also time-saving here.
Don’t overpack your travel itinerary with a lot of destinations
If you’re coming from the U.S. or Australia or South Africa, it might make sense for you to pack plenty of destinations over a short period of time.
This will not be as rewarding as you’d think. Apart from living in a constant blur of hotel check-ins and check-outs, it’s actually going to sabotage your budget.
Subscribe to price alerts
If you’re interested in one specific route, make sure you subscribe to price alerts from different websites like Skyscanner, Hopper and Google Flights to be able to get constant updates on price drops.
Fly open-jaws
To make it simple for you: flying open jaws meaning flying into a city and out of another. If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll probably find it cheaper to book this way. More on this here.
Don’t get fooled by the hotel savings
If you find yourself struggling to decide between two hotels (location vs. price), always choose the better location.
That is, I’m assuming, both are within your budget.
I made the mistake of choosing a much cheaper hostel in Paris that was quite far from everything I wanted to see. You could guess the costs of going back and forth that I incurred in the end! Not only did I waste a lot of money on metro tickets (it was too far to walk), but I also wasted a lot of time as well.
Don’t rent a car – they’re costly and worthless!
Cars are incredibly costly in Europe and finding parking spots is a nightmare.
Be a House Sitter
Do you want an entire house to yourself for FREE??? The concept is simple. You stay at someone’s house while watching over their belongings and pets. The homeowners get peace of mind and you get a place to stay (which is MUCH more roomier than a hotel room or hostel). For more details on house sitting, we’ve got you covered.
Try Couchsurfing
The cheapest way to travel through Europe is by Couchsurfing. I know sleeping on the couch of a stranger at a country you’re not familiar with doesn’t sound so appealing, but trust me. It works wonders!
Not only do you get free accommodation (and most of the time at least a meal), you also get to meet locals and learn all about the culture!
Stay at hostels
If you still can’t stand the idea of Couchsurfing, then traveling to Europe on a budget equates to staying at hostels. Hostels have always been a favorite even when I finally had money to travel. If you’re traveling alone then they’re a great way to meet people, do activities with others, and spend very little money.
Try Camping
If you’re traveling on a tight budget to Europe, then you’re probably willing to try anything to spend as little as possible. Campsites are everywhere around Europe and have cooking/bathroom facilities + the advantages of hostels!
Travel to Europe during low-season
The high season in Europe is from June-August and December & January. If you can, try to completely avoid the high season and go for the shoulder season. That means you’ll be sacrificing good weather, but you’ll also be avoiding the crowds and hefty price tags.
Tips on Traveling to Europe on Budget – During the trip:
Invest in a City Pass or City Card
I am an avid believer of “exploring” and “getting lost.” Most of the time, I would advise against paying for entrance passes to some of the top attractions. This is because, most of the time, they’re considered tourist traps.
However, some cities are reflected through their top attractions. And that’s when it becomes unaffordable. You cannot visit Amsterdam, for example, without visiting the Anne Frank House and paying Museumplein a visit.
If you purchase a city pass, you’ll get free admission or discount to some of the major attractions that will save you hundreds of dollars.
Follow these steps to saving money on food:
When I lived in Europe, I barely ate out. I know that this doesn’t usually equate to “vacation” in people’s minds, but if you’re traveling on a budget, you really have no option. Restaurant bills find a way of breaking your budget, and it’s a mistake that most novice travelers make.
- Lunch is what you spend the most on, so make sure you make it your biggest meal anyway.
- Ask locals for the most affordable eating options around you.
- Take advantage of free breakfast in your hotel or hostel.
- Picnic when you can and avoid the extra costs of sitting on a table at a restaurant.
- Stay away from “We speak English!” restaurants. Go for local spots only.
- Cook your own: I always choose hostels with kitchens or cooking facilities. This way, I can save up to 300EUR+ per trip just buying food from the groceries and cooking for myself.
- Eat street food – Luckily for anyone traveling to Europe on a budget, it’s very common to find food stalls everywhere in Europe.
Free walking tours
It still astounds me how someone can be traveling on a budget and still choose to hire a private guide or go on private tours. There are dozens of free walking tours going on around Europe every single day. Take advantage of them!
Track your expenses carefully
You know when you go out with a 100 EUR bill and come back with a few cent euro coins? Yup. Happens to the best of us! That’s why you need an app like Trial Wallet, or even a physical notepad to carefully track the money you’re spending.
By having everything you spent/what’s missing in front, you’ll be able to budget your trip much better.
Meet the locals
Always try and meet locals instead of meeting with fellow travelers. This way, not only do you create friends from the city you’re visiting (and get to immerse yourself in the culture), you also get the in’s on how to live on a budget. Most locals live on a much tighter budget than tourists, so they know where the cheap places are.
The best thing is:
They usually have a few nifty budget tricks up their sleeves. Mine was: Shop at Dia in Barcelona for groceries, shop for meat at Mercadona. Easy.
Travel from one place to another using the bus
Buses have literally disrupted the transport industry. They are extremely cheap (think 5 Euros), and they are very convenient and flexible. Most buses can be booked the day before, which is good if you’re traveling without a plan.
There’s also the Interflix bus which gives you 5 European destinations to travel to for approximately 99EUR.
Show your Student ID
A lot of attractions, buses, airlines, and hostels offer a student discount that ranges anything from 20-40%.
Make money on the go
If you’re traveling to Europe on a really tight budget, find a way to make money while you travel. This works even if you’re traveling for only a few weeks. Teach English on the go, sell your stuff, become a tutor, check out hostels that offer bed and breakfast for work….etc.
Capitalize on free admission days
Have a few attractions you’re dying to see? Check out their free admission days, plan your trip around them and save up to $100/$200.
Never use currency counters, instead, use ATMs
If you’re traveling on a budget, then you cannot afford to lose even the smallest amount of money on fees. Use ATMs if you’re trying to convert money since they usually have the best rate of exchange.
Top Cheap Europe Destinations
It’s definitely no secret that some places in Europe are much cheaper than others. The ability to experience entirely different European cultures only a few hours or miles away is incredible and that also means there are plenty of off-the-beaten-track destinations to check out.
Saranda
Think gorgeous beaches, a mixture of Greek ruins and Ottoman-inspired architecture, and sunny weather.
Bansko
An intriguing ski destination that is located in Bulgaria. There’s this winter charm to the city that is hard to find elsewhere. It’s quaint, charming, and boasts dozens of traditional bars and scenic ski runs.
Estonia
Estonia is a treasure trove for anyone who likes stunning stretches of beaches, lush greenery, a mixture of scenic islands and more. There is plenty to be explored. From rugged national parks to little fishing villages, to picturesque beaches – you’ll find it all there.
Berlin
Despite the fact that Berlin is one of Europe’s most well-known capitals, it’s still one of the cheapest. Prices are very cheap, and if you’re interested in all things rugged, raw, offbeat and hipster, then Berlin is the place for you. It has got quite the reputation for nightlife that juxtaposes its poignant past.
Budapest
Your dollar will go a long way in Budapest. You’ll get to spend your day lounging by hot pools, walking amidst staggering edifices, enjoying the baroque Baths, and reveling in its nightlife.
Palermo
Instead of traveling to Rome, Florence or Venice, try visiting Palermo. A maze of clutter neighborhoods end in beautiful piazzas and the local Italian culture is as evident as ever.
Krakow
Krakow is perfect for a budget-friendly trip. It has a mixture of medieval architecture, Jewish heritage, and a lot of activities to have.
Portugal
Portugal will definitely be one of your top cheap destinations in Europe. It is filled to the brim with no-frills good, a very strong local atmosphere, beautiful beaches, a rich history and plenty of things to do. It also remains a very cheap country to visit!
The best thing about Europe is how incredibly diverse it is. Whether you want a lavish trip taking you to the best towns of Norway, or you want a budget trip backpacking around its top attractions – you’ll find it all there. Europe is surprisingly one of the cheapest continents to travel to only because it teems with so many budget options for the frugal traveler. So, really, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and let’s go!
