If you’ve always wondered how people afford to travel, there are several hacks to getting the most out of your dollars when visiting abroad. Wondering how to travel cheaply across Europe specifically? Look no further. Our guide below has several ways you can save money while exploring different destinations.
Save on Airfare and Train Tickets
Are you looking for the best ways to travel long distances on a budget? There are several ways to save on airfare and train tickets. Consider the following:
1. Book Flights through Budget Airlines
Europe has numerous discount airlines, including Eurowings and Ryanair. I have gotten flights as cheap as 11 Euros. However, if you bring a bag or want extra amenities, you will need to pay for it.
Pro Tip: If you pack lightly and travel with only a backpack, you can save even more money. There have been many times, I have worn all possible layers on a Ryanair flight to avoid paying extra baggage fees. haha.
2. Collect Points
If you are looking to save money on travel, points are a great way to do so. There are several ways to collect points, including:
- Partnerships: Delta has partnerships with Lyft and Starbucks. For every dollar spent with these companies, you can gather points.
- Chrome Extensions: You can also get Chrome Extensions so you get points for online purchases with select airlines. This is especially useful during Christmas time.
- Credit Card: Many travel cards will offer sign-on bonuses, which you can leverage to take free trips.
3. Take Eurorail
For one fixed price, you can travel anywhere in Europe. You will need to select the pass you need on this website here, but this can be a great way to explore, especially if you are looking to go to several countries across a specific timeframe.
4. Book Trips on Flixbus and Flixtrain
Flix offers discounted travel to over 5,600 locations in Europe. Booking tickets is easy and inexpensive. For more information, visit their website.
5. Take Advantage of Stopovers
Icelandiar offers stopovers in Iceland with no additional fees. This can allow you to explore another country on the way to mainland Europe.
6. Use Hopper
Hopped is an app that allows you to compare flight prices and uses data to determine when is the best time to buy. This is particularly useful if you are looking to purchase a transatlantic flight.
Pick the Right Destinations
While it’s possible to do Switzerland and London on a budget, these countries are typically on the more expensive end for tourists. Consider exploring countries in Eastern Europe to save money. Alternatively, below are some countries that we have visited that are very affordable.
1. Greece
If you’re looking for another reason to travel to Greece, look no further. Greece not only offers beautiful beaches and amazing food, but can also be very inexpensive.
However, if you are looking to travel cheaply, be sure to go to less touristy destinations. Mykonos and Santorini can still be very expensive. Even on the islands, less touristy places such as as Liapades in Corfu can still be very affordable.
Glyko Beach in Liapedes
2. Croatia
Croatia also has a rich history with beautiful national parks such as the Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Parks.
Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
3. Cyprus
Cyrpus is another beautiful country to visit, with beaches and historical sites to see.
4. Portugal
Portugal also has beautiful beaches and is well known for its wine. Make sure to grab a bottle of Port wine from Porto!
Save on Sights
In Europe, many sites, including chuches are free. Museums are also typically cheaper than in the US. Below are some ways to save money.
1. Take Advantage of Student Discounts
If you are a student, be sure to consider which sights offer student discounts. Many places will offer free entry to European citizens under 26 years old or discounted rates with an ICC card. Additionally, you can also get discounted airfare and accommodations through sites such as StudentUniverse.
2. Explore Free Sites
Many places have free or relatively inexpensive sites to explore. You could consider crafting an itinerary around running around sites in Rome, checking out local churches, exploring the mountains of Europe, or visiting museums in London (which are all free!)
3. Take a Free Walking Tour
Many cities will also offer free (pay via tip) or discounted walking tours, which you can spend the day learning about the history of a town. Below are some free walking tours, where you can set the price via tip:
We have done several of these tours and we always learn great information through local guides.
4. Explore Festivals
Not all celebrations and festivals come with the hefty entrance fee of American festivals. If you are exploring the Christmas markets in Europe for example, you can often visit these for free (plus any costs associated with food and drink).
Stay in Less Expensive Accomadations
1. Leverage Couchsufers
CouchSurfing will allow you to stay for free in your city of choice. It’s a recirpircol service where you also will allow fellow travelers to stay with you if they choose.
2. Stay in a Hostel
Hostels allow people to travel cheaply and are very inexpensive in Europe. There are several types available, with some requiring you to share a room. However, you also have the added benefit that they are great places to meet people if you are traveling solo but don’t want to travel alone. We recommend checking out HostelWorld to find the best match for you.
Pro Tip: Some hostels also have full kitchens that can be used by guests. This allows you to grocery shop instead of eating out for every meal.
Final Thoughts
Traveling around Europe cheaply is definitely possible! Do you have any other tips for fellow travelers? Leave them in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which European City is the Cheapest to Visit?
These are several European cities that are less expensive to visit, including Krakow, Poland and Budapest, Hungary.
What is the Cheapest Month to Travel to Europe?
The cheapest time to travel to Europe is in the off-season, which is generally March- May and September- November. These prices can vary per country (for example: If you are an American traveling to Germany, you may find September more expensive due to Oktoberfest).
How Far in Advance Should I Book a European Trip?
Since flights for Americans can be expensive, we recommend using either Google flights or Hopper to determine the best time to buy.
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