posted by: Nina Sarmiento
Europe is expensive, and in touristy cities like Paris and London, prices shoot up during the peak summer season. But there are cheap ways to go around Europe and still have a fun and fab time:
You don't need to break your piggy bank just to travel in Europe. Photo by Ksionic
1. Fly Europe for less: There are several budget airlines in Europe where you can purchase a one way ticket for as low as 10 Euros. Among the most popular are Ryanair, Easy Jet and Vueling. I also travel a lot via Aerlingus, Ireland's low-cost airline.
Booking flights in advance is always cheaper. Budget airlines have websites so you can just book online. If you're not sure about your final destination and your return date, then I advise that you get an open ticket. This would only costs slightly higher than getting tickets with a fixed date and destination. But an open ticket is a good investment as budget airlines don't usually allow you to change your flight schedule.
You have to remember some things though when taking budget airlines:
*If you are taking connecting flights, your luggage can't be checked in through from one flight to the next. You have to pick the luggage and check it in again.
*Bring your own food as your plane fare doesn't include meals
*Support is minimal when the flights are delayed or canceled.
*Budget airlines have limited baggage allowance (15 kilograms maximum). You have to pay a high surcharge if your baggage exceeds the limit.
*If you bought tickets on line, then be sure to print a copy of the booking form. You need to pay an additional 40 euros to check in if you didn't bring a print out.
Travel light as budget airlines have a limited baggage allowance. photo by: Andrea Rose
2. Stay connected: Bring a netbook and/or smartphone with you as most places (even hostels) have free wi-fi hotspots. These gadgets are useful when checking the weather, flight schedules, news updates and museum openings and in writing quick e-mails to friends and family.
3. Book a room in a hostel: There are numerous cheap hostels in Europe and are very popular among travelers. Most hostels are centrally-located and have the facilities that you need – kitchen, wi-fi hot spot, laundry room, and clean bathrooms. You can get your own single room, or if you want to save more, stay in dorms with a dozen of backpackers as roommates. In some hostels, you need to make a deposit for beddings and keys. While others offer towel rentals.
4. Go grocery shopping:Go the supermarket and buy food which are easy to prepare and don't perish easily (You better check if you can store food in your hostel's kitchen). Some items like bread, cheese, jam, fresh fruit and crackers are filling and cheaper than dining out in a restaurant.
Instead of going to restaurants, go grocery shopping to save some money. photo by: colorblindPICASO
That said, save some of your food budget to satisfy the foodie in you. Don’t pass up a chance to try the local delicacy. Granted that here are also major fast food chains in several cities in Europe. But would you go to Paris just to eat a burger? 🙂
It need not to be exotic ( I know that eating beetle sounds like being in a Fear Factor episode), but try eating spatzle in Germany, or have a paella/tortilla in Spain and a risotto in Italy. Have a sip of bubbly champagne or savor a bowl of cassoulet in France. Until now, I still regret that I did not eat haggis while I was in Scotland.
6. Free sightseeing: Europe is full of monuments, landmarks, castles, galleries and museums. You can go there for free or just pay a nominal amount.
Do you have any tips on how to travel less in Europe? Please Share some of your money saving tips here.
Resources:
1. Want to know more how to travel alone as a woman? The Art of Solo Travel: A Girls’ Guide* by Stephanie Lee is ideal for the woman traveling alone for the first time but has no idea how to go about it. The guide answers all the questions that you have on traveling alone as a woman – from saving money for your travels, to advice on relationships and health on the road and even advice on how to deal with dream crushers. Get it now and start crafting your own journeys!
2. Learn the art of travel hacking via Frequent Flyer Master by Chris Guilleabeau*. Airfare will account for half of your travel budget and you’ll save a lot of money by just learning how to get cheaper tickets or better yet, earn a free ticket. Chris, travel hacking expert, will teach you how to quickly add as much as 30,000 miles at one time; redeem miles for high-value awards and even how to bypass outsourced (and often unhelpful) airline customer support staff.
4. Book a room in advance so that you don't have to worry looking for a place to stay or counting your pennies just to pay for a night's stay. You may book online through any of these sites: www.hosteleurope.com; www.hostelbookers.com and www.hostelworld.com
5. Shop around for flights, and compare prices by logging in at www.momondo.com, www:kayak.com or www.skyscanner.net
6. And to compare beer prices, check out www.pintprice.com.
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Credits:
Creative Common Images By: Ksionic, Andrea Rose and colorblindPICASO
*Disclosure: This is an affiliate link.
Some very good points in there 🙂
Thanks Gemma. My sister and I believe you don’t need tons of money to travel and that you can always travel in comfort even with modest means.
Cheers!
Prime
These are good tips. I’m planning on traveling to Europe next year so now I know that I don’t have to spend a fortune doing it. I would suggest using public transportation as much as possible since taxis cost much more. And if using a taxi, share with someone so you cut the cost down.
Oh definitely! avoid cabs when you can…well unless you are staying in a very secluded place and not renting a car 🙂
you can give me holler if you swing by cork 🙂