So, you want to travel to Europe but you are on a budget, right? You have been dreaming about doing it for years, but you discover that you might not have enough money to make that happen. Never fear, this seemingly unsurmountable task can be easily accomplished if you follow a few tips such as knowing when to travel, where to stay, knowing how to travel. Let’s get started!
One of the biggest money savers for a European vacation would be not to travel during peak season. Some in the travel industry refer to this season as “Shoulder Season”, which is just after peak season, so you still get the great weather but miss the hordes of tourists. By traveling during Shoulder Season, generally April through early June and September through early October, you will get decent weather, few crowds, and lower airfare and hotel room charges. Plus you will meet more locals rather than tourists. That’s what you are in Europe for, right?
For sleeping, consider looking into a Bed & Breakfast rather than a pricey hotel room. You will want to know the local term, such as Zimmer in German. By staying in a Bed & Breakfast you will get a comfy room and learn first hand about the local culture. As an alternative, Europe has over 2,000 hostels. These hostels are not limited only to youths. Many hostels even have private rooms, just in case you do not like the idea of sleeping dorm style. As a plus, you can usually use the hostel’s kitchen so you can save money by not going to a pricey touristy restaurant.
Research your transportation costs while in Europe. Generally, cars are expensive when you are in a big city. It will cost you upwards of $40 per day just to store a car in a large city. A better alternative is to use the public transportation. For Eurailpasses, they offer great money savings if you are traveling a lot. But if you plan on taking short trips, look at the cost of buying tickets as you go. And Europe’s second class tickets are about 50% less than first class. To really save some dough, inquire about the local bus system. Even though they are slower, they are much cheaper. For example, a bus from Edinburgh to London costs about $40 vs. $140 on a train.