Since I arrived back in Rhode Island, I have been asked a lot of questions about my year in Europe. Some of the most popular seem to revolve around money and traveling. How did I save money and see so many places? So, I decided to compile a list of my 22 Tips for Traveling on a Budget in Europe.
Flea markets are popular in Europe. Every city has one they are famous for and proud of. Shop there! Produce, electronics, underwear, socks, pens, pencils, notebooks, coffee mugs, gifts…. they have everything. Best part is, you can barter so the prices are almost always cheaper than the neighboring stores.
If the local tap water is drinkable, drink it! Europe is a civilized country, and the water is usually safe. Check and drink. Saving money on water bottles has likely saved me hundreds of dollars this year.
Traveling on a budge in Europe can seem impossible. Luckily, Hostels are no longer sites for cockroaches and bedbugs, but hotspots for tourists and budget travelers. Hostels are clean and comfortable. Hostels offer different accommodations for all types of travelers. Some hostels offer private rooms and bathrooms. There is even a whole new class of luxury and boutique hostels for travelers looking for a higher class experience.
www.airbnb.com is an amazing website where you can rent interesting places to stay from local hosts. I have stayed in Airbnbs in the USA and Europe. I have never been disappointed. Of course, some experiences and hosts are better than others, but it is the same when it comes to a hotel. Having an entire house or an apartment in the center of the city, and avoiding all the fuss that comes with a hotel can be a truly enjoyable experience. Use my Referral Code to book your first Airbnb and get $20 off!
Eating and drinking is usually where I spend most of my money. Going to a grocery store before a night out and buying a bottle of wine or a six-pack can save a lot of money. Clubs and bars can be expensive in Europe, but usually, the grocery stores are cheap. For breakfast foods, snacks, or lunch on the go, a grocery store is by far the cheapest place to go.
Cooking is fun and cheap! I know it is tempting to eat out for every meal when on vacation, but if you have access to a kitchen, take advantage of it. Shopping at the local farmers markets can be an amazing experience. Learning directly from the vendors how to cook the produce can be an excellent cultural lesson that saves you money.
Airlines charge for everything! Traveling on a budget in Europe is expensive enough! You do not want to pay any extra fees for luggage. If you can leave the hair dryer or your 10” stilettos at home, do it! Stick to carry-on luggage and check the baggage dimensions for your airline. You don’t want to be the person in the check-in line shoving chocolates in your coat pockets, putting on six sweaters, wrapping two scarves around your neck, and wearing a raincoat in 80 degree weather. Trust me, I’ve been there. Check out my carry-on travel tips for more advice!
The prices of flights once you get to Europe are usually pretty cheap in comparison to traveling from state to state in the USA. Book your trans-Atlantic flight and then wait to book the rest until you arrive. Three of my favorite airlines include easyjet.com, ryanair.com, and vueling.com. Depending on what countries you are traveling to, different airlines can prove better than others.
When booking flights, be flexible with travel dates and airports. Prices are based on demand and location. Of course, traveling on a holiday weekend will be more expensive than traveling the following week or leaving a day earlier or later to avoid the rush. Additionally, traveling to a nearby town and then taking an airport shuttle can be less expensive if you have some extra time.
Overnight trains are an excellent options for those of us traveling on a budge in Europe. It can be rough to fall asleep on a train, but the cabins are usually comfortable and nothing a little mmelatonin can’t fix. Taking a night train serves two purposes: Transportation and hotel cost for a night.
Be friendly and chat with locals and other tourists. Locals know more than you do, no matter how much research you have done. Sometimes tourists can surprise you too. Even if they don’t know much about the city, making new friends to explore with can make a city much more enjoyable.
Find the deals! Happy hours are popular in Europe for food and drinks. This might mean dining late or drinking early, but you are on vacation anyways, what does it matter?
Try the local foods and brews. Imported products will be more expensive and less fresh. Whether you are drinking or eating, try to buy local to support the local economy and keep a few euros in your pocket. One of the most fun options for traveling on a budget in Europe!
My favorite tip of all time, walk! Walking is the cheapest way to get around a city. Most European cities are walkable. It is the perfect way to be a tourist and get lost in local culture and architecture.
Traveling in taxis can be tempting. It is the laziest and most expensive way to travel in Europe. Use the subway or the buses. Once you figure out how the system works, it is usually easier and significantly cheaper.
A half hour flight from Barcelona to Madrid can be tempting. With airport security and long lines, the half hour flight can turn into a four-hour escapade. Check the bus and train tickets too. Usually the trip takes the same amount of time and is a whole lot less expensive and more comfortable. Another plus! The train and bus stations are usually within the city whereas the airport is usually a significant journey to the center.
Car sharing is popular in Europe. If the bus or train schedules don’t seem to fit your schedule, check car sharing sites such as www.blablacar.com. Creating an account is easy, and car sharing is usually a lot cheaper and more convenient than a bus or a taxi. Traveling with a local has it’s perks too. You can make a new friend and get some insider tips on the city you are going to.
Don’t eat in the center of the tourist districts. Everything is of course more expensive but also of lower quality. Instead, go to local areas and try to blend in. Sometimes the menus won’t be available in English and the waiters may not be able to communicate with you very well, but that’s just part of the adventure. Look around, and order what the locals order.
Many attractions like museums and parks have discounts for children, students, and seniors. Always take your ID with you and ask! You never know when there is going to be a discount you qualify for.
If you read my blog regularly, you know I am a big fan of free walking tours. Avoid the bus tours and the over priced museum tours. They will take hours and you will most likely be snoring from the monotone voice and lack of information shared by the driver or the audio provided. Free walking tours give you a good introduction to the city and they are free!
Instead of buying silly cliché souvenirs that no one at home really needs or wants, take photographs! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, don’t they?? (I don’t know who they are, but it’s true.) Buying souvenirs takes up a lot of space and a lot of weight in your suitcase. Only buy what you love, and photograph the rest. It’s free and weightless.
Traveling is about experiencing new things and being adventurous. Visit local places where prices are more reasonable, try a neighborhood bar where you can’t read the menu, speak to locals who may invite you to take shots out of a watermelon, and experience local culture. You don’t travel to eat in Westernized bars and restaurants or speak only to your travel partners. Try new things, you won’t be disappointed!
Do you have any favorite traveling on a budget in Europe tips you want to share?
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