Europe is the dream destination for any world traveler. The ‘Old Continent’ contains all the charms of the past, the excitement of the present, and the innovation that can lead to the future.
Furthermore, it houses some of the most beautiful sites in the world, from the floating city of Venice, the rustic community of Prague, to the romantic streets of Paris. Each and every corner has a history to tell and an adventure waiting to happen.
Going to Europe, however, can be extremely costly. If you don’t plan ahead, you might find yourself without any money before your trip ends. To avoid this sort of incident, here are some things you can do to travel to Europe on a budget.
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Prepare A Budget
The very first thing you should do is to prepare your budget. If you already have a specific price to adhere to, it’ll be easier for you to compartmentalize your travel money. Bear in mind that your budget should include your plane ticket, booking fees for the places you’ll be staying at, money for food, and any tourist fee imposed by the government/s of the country/countries you’ll be visiting.
These are the vital parts to focus your money on while shopping money and tourist spot entrance fees are secondary, and at times, even unnecessary. Once you’ve decided on the final price of your budget, you’re good to go.
Know The Peak Seasons
Traveling to Europe, or to any country for that matter, becomes much more expensive and stressful during the peak seasons. Peak seasons are usually the time of the year when places receive a massive influx of tourists and business visitors.
It’ll be cheaper for you to travel to European countries outside the peak season months, so be sure to thoroughly research when they are first. Not only will your plane ticket be substantially cheaper, but you also won’t be met with crowds of people when you go to the famous tourist spots and attractions.
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Prioritize Your Tourist Spots
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when going to Europe as they have a lot of famous and beloved tourist spots. While many historic sites are generally free, there are a number of them that require entrance fees, and they can get rather pricey.
If you have don’t have a lot of money at hand, you won’t be able to go to all of them. Before stepping foot in Europe, make sure you’ve listed down your top priority tourist spots to visit. A lot of the well-known attractions in Europe have been around for decades anyway, some even centuries, so there’s still a big chance you’ll still get to see them during your next trip.
Try Hostels
An exponentially cheaper way to lodge in Europe is to stay at hostels. These accommodations are usually half the price of the hotels in Europe, as well as being homier. Hostels have become much more popular now and it’s often said that staying in one is the most fun way to travel.
You get to meet other travelers, have a warm bed to sleep on, and some even serve breakfast in the morning. If you value your own privacy, there are a number of hostels that offer solo rooms as well.
Walk Or Take Public Transportation
In Europe, the best way to go to places is to walk. It’s cheap, it’s a form of exercise, and more often than not, you’ll be seeing some amazing sights along the way. In fact, it’s pretty much a local practice in Europe to walk than to use a car. Some places, particularly the Netherlands, also insist riding bikes to go from one place to the next.
If the site you’re visiting is too far to walk, then take public transportation. Buses and trains are usually a lot less expensive than calling a taxi or Uber. Another pro-tip is to get monthly or weekly bus or train passes so you won’t have to pay every time you take them.
Eat Streetfood
Europe may be the home of some of the world’s finest haute cuisines but their street foods are just as good. Eating them would save you a lot more money than going to restaurants and hotels. You’ll still get full with France’s baguettes, Italy’s paninis, a German schnitzel, and many more.
Oftentimes, these street foods are the truest and most locally-tasting cuisine of their respective countries. Such dishes are important parts of their culture, which makes eating them that much more fulfilling.
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Snacks To Pack
Go To Free Activities
You’ll be surprised as to how many free activities Europe has to offer. Street theater and concerts in the park are just some shows you can casually watch and don’t have to pay a single cent for. If you’re lucky, you might even see a modern art installation on the street—the ones that might become viral on the internet.
Your best bet to catch some of these free activities is by going to the more urban parts of Europe. Go to parks and town squares and you’ll most likely see a show or two that don’t have admission fees. An added bonus is if you’re a football fan, as parks often hold football games that you can watch and might be even invited to join.
Live Locally
Ever heard of the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do?” This is one to follow if you’re on a budgeted trip to Europe. Some of the points mentioned earlier are what locals already do in their daily lives. Eat street food, enjoy a free show in the park, take public transportation, and many more.
You could also befriend a local who’ll show you some tricks on how to enjoy your time in his/her country without having to pay that much money. Whenever you travel, it’s always best to immerse yourself in the local culture in order to save money and have an unforgettable experience.
Traveling to Europe doesn’t have to be as scarily expensive as it seems. Beyond its sophisticated and historic facade is a collection of cultures that are lively, colorful, and best of all, free. It just takes a little preparation and proper research to ensure that your Eurotrip won’t drain your bank account.
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