Many people dream of traveling to Europe – they dream of visiting popular tourist spots in countries like France, Italy, and Spain, among other things. But it can be expensive to visit those places, depending on when you go. And there are other places you can see that are even cheaper. I’ll discuss a few tips for traveling Europe on a budget in this post.
Consider visiting Eastern Europe.
You can still find examples of great architecture, nightlife, and cafes in cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Budapest. Because these countries are less popular, job markets are less competitive for teachers and cheaper. Flights cost about the same, and some of the hotels are cheaper.
Save on alcohol and food.
Do what the locals do – this tip comes in handy anywhere you travel. However, it’s also good advice when trying to have a good time on a budget.
Find pubs with happy hours filled with locals – not tourists and other foreigners. In many Spanish bars and taverns, free tapas are often served with drinks – this is often the case with wine bars and other pubs in Europe.
Join a botellon in Madrid and drink with the Madrilenos in the park or a plaza.
Order the “Wine of the House” in Italy. It’s always cheap and delicious.
Shop in local markets and avoid restaurants that cater primarily to tourists.
Grab a bottle of wine and some great cheese and have a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower or any significant park monument, and you will save a lot compared to eating at any restaurant with comparable views.
Be savvy about budget travel options.
Traveling through Europe is easy, but can add up if you don’t know about the discounts and money-saving travel hacks.
Take the train. It’s usually pretty comfortable and can be affordable. If you buy a second-class ticket, they tend to be about 50% cheaper. Depending on what you’re trying to do, it might be cheaper to buy a pass or individual train tickets right at the train station. Check out RailEurope, Seat61, Eurail, or SNCF.
Buses aren’t as quick as trains, but they can be very affordable if you have time to kill. Megabus, National Express, Eurolines, and more are great options depending on which countries you’re traveling. BusAbout is a company that allows you to plan your route and hop on and hop off at 46 different destinations. Even renting a car in certain countries is a fun and realistic choice.
Check out budget airlines such as Ryan Air and Easyjet if you prefer to fly. You can get tickets for as low as 20 euros ($23 USD) but be aware of the baggage and cancellation fees.
Check out free walking tours.
These last anywhere from two and four hours, and they can be a great way to see a city in Europe. It usually requires signing up online in advance, tipping the guide at the end, and that’s it.
A top-rated free walking tour company in Europe is Sandeman’s New Europe, which has tours in 18 different cities. Many other companies have followed suit and are copying this idea worldwide, so depending on which city you are in, make sure to research and see if one is available.
Another great, free way to tour European cities is downloading Rick Steves’ Audio Tours. The audio tours direct you to which way to go and explain all of the fascinating sights along the way. There are tours available in 9 countries with new ones coming all the time.
Avoid restaurants in touristy areas.
Stay away from restaurants near the Colosseum in Rome, Astronomical Clock in Prague, and Palacio Real in Madrid. Always look for restaurants that have locals.
If someone is outside shoving a menu in your face, soliciting you to come into their restaurant, it will be overpriced and not authentic. If there are pictures on the menu and “We speak English” signs or multilingual menus, the food probably won’t be as good, and you will be charged tourist prices.
Travel during the off-season.
If you travel between October and April, It may not be as warm, and you probably won’t get to spend much time on the beaches. However, you will probably save money on flights and accommodations, and there will be shorter lines and more availability. When it comes to the weather, especially in Southern Europe, it will still be quite pleasant, even during the winter months.
Research budget lodging options.
Nowadays, there are many options for saving on accommodations in Europe. When you’re traveling by yourself, hostels are always a great option because they’re very affordable, especially when booking a bed in a multi-person dorm room. Hostels are also great resources for meeting other travelers and are usually located close to a city center.
Couchsurfing is also an excellent option for travelers on a tight budget, who are adventurous, may not need a lot of space, and want to meet new people.
However, if hostels and Couchsurfing aren’t really for you, there are other budget options where you can have your own space in someone’s home. Airbnb is worth a look while traveling through Europe.
Sometimes renting a room or an entire home through Airbnb can be cheaper than staying in a hostel, especially if traveling with someone else. Housesitting can also be an exciting way to stay somewhere for free in tandem with helping someone while they are out of town.
Those are just some ways you can travel to Europe on a budget. If you’ve traveled to Europe on a budget before and have other tips you can share, feel free to comment below.