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0Hoping to travel to Europe but not sure you can afford it? Make the most of your budget and stretch your dollar further with these tips on having a cheap vacation in Europe.
Stick to Eastern Europe
Traveling in Eastern European countries is a much cheaper way to have a European holiday than touristing around Western Europe. You’ll notice many Eastern European cities on our list of the cheapest holiday destinations in Europe. These cities offer interesting cultural and historical sites, delicious food and all the charming architecture you could dream of, but at typically much cheaper prices overall than cities in Western Europe.
Save eating out for special occasions
Unlike some parts of the world such as Southeast Asia where eating out can be more affordable than shopping and preparing your own food, in most of Europe this simply isn’t the case. Pick up some ready-to-eat food items at a grocery store or buy ingredients and cook in your room if possible. You’ll be surprised at how much you save. Alcoholic beverages see even more of a mark-up at most restaurants in Europe, so if you plan to drink, you’ll save quite a lot by buying your booze at the grocery.
We think eating local food in restaurants is an important part of enjoying your destination but saving it for something special is a good way to save money. Plan in advance what special meals you’d like to try during your trip, and plan to shop the grocery store the rest of the time. Having a plan saves you from ducking into the nearest tourist trap and emptying your wallet just because you need to fill your stomach.
Travel the Off Season
If you aren’t afraid of snow and chilly weather, planning a visit to Europe in the winter (avoid Christmas and New Years) can mean steep discounts when compared to a summer trip. For those of us who’ve only explored Europe in the sunny summertime, an off-season trip would give us a completely different experience. Fall and Spring are less discounted but still better than summer and you’ll find milder temperatures than winter which many believe is the best of both worlds. Overall, summer will be the most expensive time to visit, so if you plan to go during school holidays, planning your trip way in advance is key.
Book well in advance and avoid large events/festivals
Planning ahead almost always pays off when booking a trip, especially when it comes to saving money. Planning in advance not only gives you more time to shop around, compare the options and look for a good deal, but prices on accommodations and flights are typically much cheaper if you book well in advance.
It is also prudent to check the calendar for large-scale events and festivals happening in the city you plan to visit. Accommodations often increase vastly in price and become much more scarce during large festivals and events. For example, Moscow, a typically affordable city by European standards had a surge in accomodation prices with the World Cup being in Russia this summer (2018). Avoiding these large events can save you loads.
Buy a Eurail Pass
Much of Europe has incredibly efficient, clean and safe train travel however the price of the tickets can sometimes be astounding and blow your budget out of the water. If you are planning to travel to several countries, or spend many days traveling by train, consider booking a Eurail pass. These passes can be much cheaper than booking point to point tickets for all of the routes. Please note that with just a few exceptions you can’t buy Eurail passes in Europe, so you’ll need to do your research in advance and leave time for the pass to be shipped to your residence. Click HERE to book your Eurail pass now and save on your trip to Europe!
Choosing alternative accommodations
In areas where hotels are quite expensive, AirBnB’s and hostels can offer much more affordable rates. If you have plenty of time to search and plan you may even find a house swap, or house-sitting job that offers a free or very cheap room in exchange for caring for the house or pets, or allowing the owner to stay in your home while you are there. These sorts of alternative accommodations options are worth exploring if you are hoping to travel in Europe on the cheap.
Check out City Passes
Many cities in Europe offer city passes that give the passholder steep discounts on attractions, tours and even public transportation. Purchasing a pass can amount to huge savings in the long run depending on what sorts of things you are planning on doing during your holiday. Once you’ve ironed out your European bucket list and nailed down a few cities you plan to visit, check with their tourist board to see if they offer such a pass and if it’s worthwhile for your visit.
