Do you want a European holiday? If you want to see what Europe has to offer, you want to visit more countries but you are on a budget, here are some tips on how to travel through Europe on a budget.
Transportation
Moving from one country to another is very easy. If you are traveling within the Schengen area there are no passport controls, you can travel with any type of transportation.
Planes
There are many intra-European flights. You can easily get from almost any European country to another. You can fly with low cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizzair or EasyJet.
Use Google Flights to find your preferred date and pick an airline of your choice. Most of the flights are direct and Google redirects you to the official page of the airline.
Tip: Book one way tickets and search on Google flights the cheapest flights that suit your time and date. Check different airports in the country or surrounding countries that are close to your destination, the tickets there might be cheaper.
Trains
Besides planes you can travel by buses or trains. While trains are a great option in most of the western countries they are also pricier. In Eastern countries the options are more limited.
I recommend apps like Trainline or Omio. They are easy to use and usually offer the best prices.
Buses
You can travel by buses too. It might be harder to find the buses to travel from one country to another, but there are some options. You have to count that the bus ride is the longest of all these.
I recommend Flixbus. I used Flixbus a lot, it’s really easy and they have good services.
Walk or rent a bike
Don’t use taxis. Usually it’s the most expensive way to travel and they often scam tourists. If you want to explore a city, walk. Walking you might find places you wouldn’t even imagine. If it’s a longer distance you can rent a bike, especially in countries like The Netherlands or Belgium.
Public transport
Take advantage of public transportation. There are a few countries that have free public transportation. Often they offer day tickets or even 3 day tickets, you can save a lot of money with those.
Pack light
Packing light is also a good way to save money. If you have a lot of luggage you have to pay additional fees. Whether it’s a bus, plane or a train, usually you get charged for extra luggage. This is a good opportunity to start backpacking. It also helps you to travel between countries, as you don’t have to carry too much.
I usually travel only with a backpack if possible. Backpack is free in any type of transportation. For a small suitcase you have to pay a fee traveling by planes, trains and buses usually take it for free. Always check the conditions with your carrier.
Accommodation
There are many apps for booking accommodation. If you are a budget traveler that likes to socialize, you can book a hostel. Hostels are a very cheap option and there are many different types. If you like your privacy go for a budget hotel.
For hostels you can visit Hostelworld. For private accommodation and apartments, book through Airbnb. Lastly, Booking has it all.
I personally use Booking. In my experience it has better prices and it offers discounts.
If you are brave enough, you can sign up for a Couchsurfing app and stay on somebody’s couch for free.
Go camping if it’s possible. If you have your own tent or you travel by car, what’s more magical than sleeping under the stars. Don’t forget to check where it is allowed to camp tho.
Pick a good time
Be available. Make enough time for your trip. Book based on the prices of tickets. There are certain days when tickets and accommodation is cheaper.
Traveling off season helps a lot with lowering prices. If you want a beach vacation but you come in the middle of summer, the prices are gonna be the highest. Same is for national holidays, events or festivals.
I recommend coming in September, sometimes even in October it’s good enough and you avoid crowds.
City trips are usually cheaper during the week off season. Weekends tend to be pricier and booked out.
Do your research
Do your research before traveling. Check hotels, flights and prices. Compare the prices and dates or even different platforms. Learn about holidays and events. Especially check the exchange rates. Most of the countries in Europe use euros but a few countries have different currencies. Keep the exchange rate in your mind because not knowing what you spend is the easiest way to overspend.
Tip: Book hotels with free cancellation. In that way you can still find something cheaper and book that.
Budget friendly activities
Go for free activities. Walk the cities. Look for free activities online. Some countries offer free museums or galleries. Sometimes they have special offers or certain dates when they have a discount. Most of the places offer discounts for students.
You can look for activities on Instagram, many people talk about places they visited and experienced, learn from their experience.
There are many apps where you can join a group of travelers. Traveling in a group can also sometimes be cheaper when it comes to booking private accommodation or transportation.
Check TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide for activities and recommendations. You can also see the reviews and pick what suits you the best.
Budget friendly destinations
Lastly, aim for budget friendly destinations. Europe is not only Britain, France or Italy. There are countries that are a lot cheaper, allowing you to enjoy more activities or book better and cheaper accommodation.
- Check my post about Budget Friendly Destinations in Europe
- And if you want to know more check Underrated Destinations in Europe