How to Travel Cheaply in Europe

traveler

When planning a trip to Europe, the costs can add up quickly. Taking into consideration the high price of airfare just to arrive, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the budget of the vacation. Don't let this put you off, however, since there are many ways you can reduce the cost of your trip before you go, and especially once you arrive. Almost everything you need to know about your destination can be found in guide books and online. A little bit of research can save you lots of money when you arrive.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Map of the country/countries you're visiting
• Guidebook of the country
• Time for research

1. Pack lightly. Although trans-Atlantic flights have recently reduced the amount of luggage you can check, 50 pounds is still a considerable amount if you are only going to Europe for a holiday. When packing, keep in mind that your trans-Atlantic flight won't be the only means of transportation you will use and many other services also have weight limits, such as long distance buses and inter-country flights. By packing lightly, you are potentially saving yourself quite a lot of money (and your back will thank you, too).

2. Research all means of transportation. If you trip includes many different cities and/or countries, be sure to research all possible ways to travel between destinations. Most travelers think only about traveling by train, and while it may be more picturesque, it is often much more expensive. Check and see if there are bus routes in addition to train routes, and if your destinations are very popular and significant distances apart, check for flights. One of the best new things about traveling in Europe are the low-cost airlines that have been springing up left and right, such as ryanair, easyjet, or many others that are country specific. If you have packed lightly, flying between Seville and Barcelona, for example, will be significantly cheaper (and faster) than going by train or by bus.

3. Watch what you eat. You went to Europe to discover the charm of the locals, and that includes all the local eating habits. Eating out three times a day can incur lots of extra costs, although when traveling, it's not easily avoided. There are things to do to make enjoying the culinary customs a little less painful for your wallet. First, enjoy the culinary customs! Don't buy the hotel breakfast. More often than not, you will be served the same food, or worse, than you can get at the local bar or restaurant for less. Observe what the locals eat for breakfast, and try to eat the same thing. Second, find a supermarket and buy fruit or granola bars to snack on later. While stopping by a cafe for an afternoon coffee can be the best part of the day, you can save lots if you only buy the coffee. Third, save the American specialties for America. A Starbucks coffee might seem like a godsend after two weeks on the go, but keep in mind that for your same particular blend that is 4 dollars in the US, in Europe you are going to pay 4 euros.

4. Stay slightly out of town. If you're traveling by car, you have many more options when choosing a hotel. If you're going to a big city, research the hotels in the suburbs that surround the city. By staying slightly out of town you can save quite a lot of money, both on your room and on parking (don't assume your hotel in the city has free parking). Be sure to research that there is a train, bus or metro service near your out of town hotel and that the service is convenient for you in the morning and at night.

5. Buy combination tickets. Most European cities have incredible public transportation systems and you should, and probably will, use them extensively. Instead of buying single tickets every time you use the service, buy any combination tickets that are offered. For example, most underground services offer a 10-ticket pack or a week-long ticket. Buying one of these will be much less than buying each ticket individually. Also see if any tourist tickets are offered. Many cities sell a week long underground ticket that includes tickets to some museums or other sites.