Europe is one of the continent destinations making heads spin everywhere because millions are visiting this continent each and every year. Throughout its rich history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes, it’s no wonder why travellers dream of exploring the entire continent. Nevertheless, travelling through Europe can often seem expensive for those on a budget. Still, with careful planning, strategic choices, and some insider tips, you can make your European adventure both affordable and unforgettable. Here’s how to travel on a budget in Europe without blowing your budget.
Planning way ahead during your trip to Europe is definitely one of the best ways to save money. Booking your flights, accommodations, even your activities months ahead often gives you better deals.
- Booking in advance: Airlines and train companies usually issue their tickets a couple of months before the date of travel, so early bookings mostly attract the lowest prices. Set up alerts for your favoured routes so that you get informed when the prices go lower.
- Off-Season Travel: You will find peak summers in June to August more expensive. In fact, cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona are especially pricey during peak season. Try travelling during shoulder seasons, when prices have come down a notch, the weather is beautiful, and the crowds are fewer.
Choose Budget-Friendly Transportation
Europe offers a variety of transportation options that cater to all types of budgets. With the right strategy, you can reduce transportation costs significantly.
A. Flights
Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air operate extensively across Europe, offering extremely cheap fares that can help you if you’re wondering how to travel on a budget in Europe. Be wise during flash sales but watch out for the added fees in case you want luggage, specific seats, and other extras.
- Pack Light: Chargeable extra for carrying a checked-in baggage, most budget airlines make travelling without one very cost-effective. Check the airline’s baggage policy before travelling.
- Use Flight Comparison Sites: You can find the cheapest possible flights with multiple airlines using sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights, which also offers customizable date options for getting good deals on the dates.
B. Trains
Train travel is remarkably comfortable across Europe, and if you book ahead, it can also be surprisingly value for money, too. For longer periods of time or multiple-country trips, Eurail Passes allow you to hop from and to lots of European countries on a fixed budget.
- Book regional trains: They are expensive to buy a ticket for TGV or Eurostar trains. Regional trains are way cheaper and will take you through the beautiful countryside.
- Rail Passes: If you are going to visit more than two places, consider buying the Eurail Global Pass or country-specific passes, and that may make an overall cost much lower, especially for people under 27, for youth rates are usually taken into account.
C. Buses
The cheapest of all, or even perhaps the most budget-friendly, for travellers looking to reach between cities, would be FlixBus or BlaBlaCar Bus. These are long-distance buses with the cheapest fares possible, however, you won’t reach the destination as speedily as the train is. However, with excellent connectivity, you can save on accommodation when travelling overnight. When considering how to travel on a budget in Europe, these bus options are ideal for keeping costs low while still covering large distances efficiently.
Find Affordable Accommodations
Europe offers a wide range of accommodation options for all budgets, from luxurious hotels to budget hostels. Here’s how you can find affordable lodging:
A. Hostels
For budget travellers, hostels are the options to choose. A lot of them have shared dorms that can be availed for as low as €10 a night, and the best part is that some can offer breakfast with it. A good resource would be websites like Hostelworld and Booking.com to find very cheap but well-rated hostels.
- Look for Hostels with Kitchens: Cooking your own meals can save a lot of money. Many hostels provide communal kitchens, giving you the chance to cook with groceries from local markets.
B. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
Airbnb is another fantastic option, especially if you’re exploring how to travel on a budget in Europe. If you’re travelling with a group or planning a longer stay, renting an entire apartment can be cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms. Plus, it offers the added benefit of having a kitchen and living space, allowing you to save even more by cooking your own meals.
- Share with Friends: If you’re travelling with friends or family, splitting the cost of an Airbnb can make your stay more affordable than a traditional hotel.
C. Couchsurfing
There’s Couchsurfing, which offers ultra-budget-conscious people an opportunity to stay with locals for free; after all, not only do you save money but also immersing yourself in the local culture would be something more personal and authentic.
Eat Like a Local
Dining out in Europe can be expensive, especially in tourist-heavy areas. However, you can eat well on a budget by following these tips:
- Avoid Tourist Traps: Restaurants located near major tourist attractions often inflate their prices. To experience how to travel on a budget in Europe, walk a few blocks away from these tourist-heavy areas. You’ll find local eateries offering authentic cuisine at much lower prices.
- Markets and Street Food Eating at markets and street food stalls in Europe: Just as elsewhere in Europe, cities abound with markets that people just love to frequent. So, try eating fresh, local food—preferably cooked in-house—at budget prices. Whether it’s enjoying an Italian panini or German bratwurst, you’ll save money and experience authentic flavors. In some of the best european cities to visit, like Rome or Berlin, savoring local street food offers both a taste of culture and savings.
- Eat here: Most supermarkets in Europe have deli sections that have ready-to-eat meals to take along on a picnic or as a light lunch while out and about. You can even pick up supplies in your hostel or Airbnb and cook your own meals.
Explore Free and Low-Cost Attractions
Europe is home to some of the most famous museums, historical landmarks, and natural wonders. Fortunately, many of these attractions offer free or discounted entry.
- Free Museum Days: Many museums in Europe, such as the Louvre in Paris and the Prado in Madrid, offer free entry on specific days or evenings. If you’re wondering how to travel on a budget in Europe, planning your museum visits around these free admission times is a great way to save on entry fees while still enjoying world-class art and culture.
- City Pass: There are some cities with tourist passes; for instance, the Paris Pass or the Rome City Pass that give free or discounted access to various attractions and usually include public transportation.
- Walk Everywhere: Most cities in Europe are neat and proper and best to explore by foot. Walking will be cost-effective in terms of transport but allows you to see the hidden gems that travelling by car or bus will otherwise miss.
Use Public Transportation
Public transport generally in Europe is efficient and affordable, whereas you have fantastic metro and tram rides in cities like London, Berlin, or Amsterdam that make it easy to get around without splurging on taxis.
- Buy Multi-Day Passes: Most cities offer multi-day or weekly transport passes that provide unlimited travel on public transit. These passes are more economical than buying individual tickets for every journey, making them ideal for exploring the best travel destinations with friends. With unlimited rides, you and your friends can freely hop between attractions, maximizing your time together without overspending.
- Rent a Bike: Many cities in Europe offer bike-sharing schemes, to name but Vélib in Paris or Donkey Republic across various countries. Renting a bike is less expensive compared with public transport, and could be an ideal way of exploring a city at your own pace very affordably and flexibly. For those looking for tips on how to travel on a budget in Europe, bike-sharing is a smart, eco-friendly option.
7. Use Apps to Find Deals
In the digital age, there are several apps and websites that can help you save money while travelling in Europe.
- Rome2Rio: This app will help you compare prices and travelling time in different modes of transport so you always get the cheapest or the quickest option.
- Too Good To Go: It’s the app where you can buy remaining food in restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets at crazy prices. It saves you from eating while helping dispose of food waste.
- Omio: It allows you to compare train, bus, or flight prices all across Europe. You can then book the cheapest one for your trip from here.
Conclusion
Yes, one can totally travel on a budget in Europe if done with the correct strategy. Thus, plan ahead, use budget means of transportation, find affordable accommodations, and eat like a local so that the trip through Europe is affordable without having to compromise everything the continent has to offer.
From finding cheap flights and accommodation to discovering free attractions and eating like a local, this guide on how to travel on a budget in Europe will help you stretch your travel dollars further. So pack your bags, grab your passport, and get ready to embark on a European adventure that won’t break the bank.