I have pulled together for you my 12 best travel tips for discovering Europe on a budget.
1. Visit the Tourist Information point
When first arriving in a new city make sure to stop by the tourism bureau for discounts, free maps and cost-free events.
2. Try to find if the city offers an all-inclusive pass that gets you access to museums plus also public transportation
If you are planning to pack in a number of visitor attractions, in the end, you save a lot of money when using these kind of passes. For example I saved a lot of money with the Oslo Welcome Card when visiting Oslo. Other great welcome cards is the Berlin Welcome Card which includes free public transportation and lots of discounts to sights, tours, restaurants, museums and more.
3. Walk or use local transport
Walk as much as you can, but if you can’t then use public transport over taxis. Buy 24-hour, 3-day or even weekly public transport passes, which work out cheaper than single tickets.
4. Do as the locals do
Join local workers at pubs for happy hours. Check out local sports matches which are often free or cheap and if you see a local fair or festival advertised, get along to it. All of these things can provide a terrific insight into how people lead their lives and be just as rewarding as visiting a major visitor attraction.
5. Go slow and cheap
Use bikes or try trains, especially regional and local trains, which can be very cheap in countries like Poland and Hungary.
6. Travel with a friend or partner?
Travelling in Europe is still not as solo travel friendly as you might think it should be in the 21st century. Lots of hotels charge supplements for single travellers which is unfair. Plus single rooms tend to be quite basic and stripped down. The cost of a double is almost the same as a single so if you can travel with a friend or partner, great. Otherwise, I’d recommend choosing a luxury hostel.
7. Fly with a low-cost airline?
Thanks to the low-cost airline revolution that was inspired by easyJet and Ryanair, travelling across Europe is a lot cheaper. Even with hidden extras like paying for checking in your luggage, their prices are pretty good, especially over longer distances. To get the best fares, book and plan you trip far in advance as possible.
8. Don’t withdraw money abroad from an ATM
You are likely to get a very poor exchange rate from your bank and be also charged a fee for every withdrawal.
9. Don’t buy your travel currency at the airport
Don’t leave buying your travel currency till reaching the airport-you will get ripped off.
10. Rent an apartment
Rent an apartment, shop at the local outdoor market and cook your meals to save money on your food bill. I recommend HouseTrip and HomeAway.
11. Stay at a budget hotel chain
Stay at one of the budget hotel chains like a Travelodge or an Ibis on your next trip to Europe. If you are just looking for a cheap, comfortable sleep- these hotels are a great option.
12. Stay away from the city centre
In almost every major European city you can get significantly cheaper prices if you are willing to stay away from the city centre.
There you have it!
My 12 tips to save money when travelling to Europe. I hope I was able to help with your budgeting. Enjoy your travel!