7 Tips For European Budget Trip

Europe is beautiful and magical. There is no question about that. Many people want to visit this continent, but there is one thing that is holding them back. What is it? They don’t have enough money.

While it is true that this part of the world is not cheap, that doesn’t really mean that only rich people can go there. Even if you are a backpacker or on a small budget, you can still visit Europe, see its breath-taking scenery, and experience the culture. You just have to know how to stretch your travel dollar.

Follow these tips to make your Europe trip more affordable:

Book Your Flight Ahead of Time

Traveling outside the country is something that you should be planning and saving for, especially if you have a limited budget. You can’t just decide today and book a flight for next Saturday. It doesn’t work that way.

Take note that air tickets are among the biggest expenses when flying internationally. Therefore, you have to find ways to save on this aspect. You should book your flight as early as possible, even months away.

To find the best deal, utilize sites like Expedia, CheapOair, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Trip Advisor Flights.

Travel Off-Season

Due to the favorable weather, you can expect that the summer months in Europe, which are from June to August, are the busiest. Locals and tourists usually head to the coastlines to enjoy the beaches. During this time, you can expect that the accommodations, as well as flights, are higher. And if you are on a budget, you should avoid the peak season.

Almost everything should be more affordable in the slowest months (November through March).

Know the Most affordable Ride Around

To save more money when you visit Europe, you must also know the cheapest ride that you can use to move around. Although taxis or cars for rent may sound more comfortable, they are not really the best option because they cost more. It is highly recommended that you utilize public transportation like trains and buses.

Research Your Destinations

The cost of your Europe trip highly depends on your destinations. This is why you have to carefully choose the places that you are going to. FYI, the top 5 most expensive cities in the continent include Geneva (Switzerland), Zurich (Switzerland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Oslo (Norway), and London (England). You might want to think twice before you go to these parts of Europe if your funds are limited.

Cheer up, though, because there are affordable European countries that you can head to, which include Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech republic.

The bottom line is, you should do your homework and know more about your destinations, particularly when it comes to the cost of living and transportation.

Look for Cost-Efficient Accommodations

I know how tempting it could be to check-in at luxurious hotels while you are in Europe, but, of course, this comes with a hefty price tag. So if you don’t want to get broke in just one day, it is advisable that you look for cost-efficient accommodations like hostels or home stays. There are tons of websites that you can use to search for the most affordable lodging. You can also check out Airbnb.

Opt for Cheap or Free Tourist Attractions

To further stretch your pocket money, instead of going to paid tourist attractions, opt for the cheaper ones, or better yet, those that are free. If you are heading to Vatican City, you don’t have to pay a dime to see St. Peter’s Basilica. The same is true with Schonbrunn Gardens in Vienna, Austria, and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

Eat and Drink Like the Locals

To avoid draining your funds too quickly, you must eat and drink like the locals in Europe. Instead of going to fancy restaurants, you might as well try their street foods or perhaps budget-friendly diners.