I recognise that for many, a trip around Europe can be an incredibly expensive endevour. Whilst the bigger cities, like Paris, Rome, and London, have their expensive areas, there’s plenty to see and do on the cheap. So, as someone that always tries to make his money go further, I thought I would write up some of my experiences and advice (for my first blog post!), and hopefully it will be of use to some of you.
Plan Ahead and Be Flexible
This may sound obvious, but planning ahead and having an element of flexibility to your travels is probably one of the most important factors when it comes to travelling Europe on a budget.
The most expensive thing on holidays, for most people, is the flights. I’ll split this bit up into two sections for those in the UK (and other parts of Europe), and those across the pond in the USA.
Luckily for you, getting cheap flights around Europe is super easy. I’ll talk more about cheap flights and good companies in the next section, however I think it is worth mentioning that in order to get cheap flights, you may have to book them at odd times. The first flight out of an airport in the morning can either be the most expensive or the cheapest flight of the day. Therefore, having some element of flexibility is essential if you want to make sure you save some money.Somewhat in line with this, when you travel is also an incredibly important way to minimise costs. Travelling to Europe over the summer can add up fast, as flights and hotels/hostels are the busiest (not to mention much larger crowds, especially around tourists hotspots!) So, if you can, try to aim for a different time of year. Most places in Europe are lovely year round, and even over the winter, you’re bound to have a great time – albeit you’ll probably have to pack a coat. I have travelled Italy in mid-October and enjoyed mid-20 degrees Celsius weather!
Cost-Effective Transportation
There is a number of affordable elements of transportation when travelling Europe, and honestly, while you’re not going to get first-class service with champagne, these will get you from A to B cheaply and effectively. Whilst a lot of cities in Europe are walkable, or have their own metro systems, you’ve got to get between places somehow. I’ve broken it down into a few categories below:
Train
For the most part, trains both within a country and country-to-country, are relatively cheap (even if you book same day) and are usually fast, reliable and trustworthy – just turn a blind eye to the UK for now. I’ll write another post in the future about that, I’m sure. I booked a train from Florence to Bologna on the walk to the station, and it cost the same as if I had booked it a month in advance, only £8.40. Great for last-minute plans. An app like Trainline is great for this, in English, and works in a number of European countries.
Additionally, Interrail is a great option if you’re planning on taking your time in certain places. They currently offer a “7 Day” pass, which allows you to take as many trains as you want on any 7 days within a month from €286 per person. Perfect if you’re wanting to see as many places as possible, squeezing as much of Europe on a budget as your time allows.
Plane
As previously mentioned, getting around Europe by plane can be cheap, if you book them sensibly. There are many low-cost airlines that operate in Europe, RyanAir and easyJet being the two largest, with most European countries having a few of their own.
Bus / Coach
I love a bus or coach. Local bus networks throughout Europe are good for getting to those areas a little bit out of the way, or those that are a few hours away from a train station. Much cheaper and more prevalent than taxis or Ubers, too. It’s worth looking at Google Maps and plotting ahead of time (more planning ahead!) and doing some research into your specific service. Some buses, often in major areas and cities have contactless card payments, and this is becoming more and more prevalent, however it isn’t everywhere.
When looking for longer trips, my personal favourite is FlixBus. It is absolutely not travelling in style, and I’ve had some interesting experiences when it comes to some of the longer journeys I’ve made – but I’ll talk about that another time. However, you can get around for incredibly cheap with a coach service. Paris to Marseille can be as cheap as £30, and that’s including luggage. If you’re trying to hit a bunch of cities (particularly in the UK where the trains can be very expensive, a solid coach service could be the answer for you.
Again, it pays to book ahead of time – even if it’s just a week ahead – as often if you book on the day you could be paying double or triple. But then again, when a ticket is a tenner, £20 doesn’t seem too bad either.
And of course, as I mentioned, a huge amount of places in Europe are easily walkable, so that makes it incredibly affordable! Grab some comfortable shoes, and get out there and see all the places!
Stay in Budget-Friendly Accommodations
I will sing from the rooftops about how much I love hostels. They are cheap, usually comfortable and are the perfect way to see a country on the cheap. Prices vary depending on the city, but every major city in Europe has many to pick from, regardless of what kind of traveller you are. Party hostels are big, but there are also plenty that offer a more chill, relaxed vibe. Some hostels also hold events or offer pub-crawls, and are staffed with locals who will be able to point you to their favourite places. Now, there are some hostels out there that are right dives, and I would avoid those, but using a site like Hostelworld is perfect for finding out where is good and where should be avoided. If you want your own space, a large number of hostels offer entire rooms to yourself, if you’re looking for the hostel experience but don’t want to share a room with strangers!
If hostels aren’t you thing, however (which is totally fine!), there’s more than enough budget options for hotels. I’m not the biggest fan of Airbnbs, but they may also provide a good option, but definitely will cost more – especially if you want your own space to unwind after a long day exploring.
Lastly, and this is a bit of a wildcard, you could also consider an overnight train or bus. This definitely isn’t for everyone, and can rock you sideways if you’re not the type to be able to sleep, but it definitely saves money on accommodation, and sometimes, the overnight services are quicker and cheaper than the daytime ones. There is something quite amazing about falling asleep in one country, and waking up at 7am somewhere else with the whole day ahead of you to explore. I just always find it bust to then check into your accommodation and have a nap at some point!
Save on Food and Drinks
After flight, then accommodation, food and drinks will almost definitely be your next biggest expense when it comes to travelling. I am not going to even try and suggest that you shouldn’t make the most of the amazing food you can find. Some of the best meals I have ever had have been exploring Europe. However, if you’re looking at travelling Europe on a budget, there are still a few choices you can make to make your money stretch a bit further.
If you’re in a hostel, or an Airbnb, you likely have access to a kitchen. Pop into a local market, grab some ingredients, and whip something up. This is especially good if you’re travelling for a long while, say a month or longer, as it means that you can easily have a quieter, and cheaper, evening to yourself. Even the most ardent of adventurers need a rest-day. When cooking from home, keep an eye out for good ingredients, which are usually quite easy to find, to make sure that you still have a great meal, even at home.
Depending on where you’re staying, your accommodation may also have a free breakfast included. Take advantage of this! Even if you’re only going down for a free coffee and pastry, those kinds of costs add up over a long time. But also, it is great to have a larger breakfast, especially if you’re doing a lot of walking. Also, a “continental-style” breakfast often times has bread, hams and cheese. So why not throw together a sandwich to go, and have it for later?
Lastly, tourist-traps are commonplace, and should be avoided as much as you can. These are the restaurants that are near popular landmarks, and often those in large populated squares and gathering areas. Sometimes these can also include restaurants with “greeters” outside, trying to entice you inside (although I have had some great meals in places like this!) The long and short of it is, take some time before going into a restaurant, have a look at it on Google Maps, and wonder off the beaten track a little to find somewhere frequented more by locals.
Travel Light and Save on Luggage Fees
One of the easiest ways to cut down on travel costs is by avoiding checked baggage fees. Many budget airlines charge extra for hold luggage, which can quickly add up, especially on multi-destination trips. By packing light and sticking to carry-on luggage, you not only save money but also enjoy the convenience of moving around more freely.
Focus on bringing only the items you truly need. A good rule of thumb is to pack for a week, even if you’re traveling longer. Most places I have been to have had the facilities to do laundry on the road. Choose multi-purpose items, such as a lightweight jacket that is also waterproof, so it doubles as a raincoat. Select clothing that can be easily mixed and matched, layered for warmth, and adapted to different weather conditions. Neutral colors and wrinkle-resistant fabrics work best. For cooler destinations, pack a lightweight, packable jacket, and for warmer places, opt for breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. A compact travel umbrella or a foldable rain poncho can also come in handy without taking up much space. You probably only need two pairs of shoes, one for walking (and flights), and a fancier pair for a night out. Or at least that’s how I’ve managed it!