Cheapest Ways to Travel Across Europe

Traveling anywhere in Europe does not require a massive budget. The continent is known for its affordability regarding travel. If you wish to stroll around Paris or enjoy the breathtaking views in the Balkans, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable, yet affordable trip across Europe.

When traveling around Europe, you will learn how to do it without putting a hole in your pocket, starting from buying tickets to transport, accommodations, and activities; everything will be discussed comprehensively. In this article, you will learn how to spend less money in Europe, but make a lot out of it. So let’s get started!

Why Europe Is a Great Place to Travel on a Budget

Europe is usually regarded as an expensive destination, but with the right tips, you can maximize your time at this region while not spending so much. Here’s why Europe is great for affordable travel:

Affordable Travel Options for Everyone

Europe is known for having a rich variety of budget airlines, train services, and bus options. This means getting around Europe is super easy and cheap. Also, the interconnections between countries makes it easy to move around within Europe as it is cheap and one of the highly inter-connected regions.

Variety of Cheap Accommodation Choices

There are various options for accommodation in Europe. From hostels to Airbnb, and even Couchsurfing, there’s no shortage of affordable places to stay. Cities have cheap guest houses and good budget hotels that are great value for money.

Easy Access to Budget Airlines and Public Transport

Cheapest Ways to Get Around Europe

Traversing from one city to another within Europe can still be economical. Here are some suggestions to travel rester further across Europe continentally:

Low-Cost Airlines in Europe

For travelers looking to save money, European budget airlines are the way to go. Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair boast inexpensive flights to many of their most sought after destinations, frequently at a minuscule percentage of what traditional airlines charge.

• How to Book Cheap Flights: For frequent travelers, booking flights two to three months before the intended travel dates yield the ideal prices. Monitoring costs on Skyscanner or Google Flights can also be useful as they, provide notifications when prices reduce.

• Avoid Hidden Fees: When traveling with budget airlines, it is important to keep in mind their numerous add-on prices that can hurt your pocket (i.e. baggage costs, seat reservation). Careful examination of the terms and conditions is highly recommended. Traveling with only a carry-on bag can help cut down expenses further.

Trains: Efficient and Budget-Friendly

In most places of Europe, trains are accessible and affordable, making it easy to visit multiple cities and regions.

• Eurail Pass vs. Point-to-Point Tickets: Travelers who are planning on circling multiple countries might benefit from the Eurail Pass for train tickets. Point-to-point tickets can be iarbitrary cheaper for travelers commmuting between two cities. Use Rail Europe or Omio for better deals.

• Tips for Booking Trains: Advance booking tends to be a better value, and discounts are available for students or groups. Keep checking for those.

Budget Buses and Coaches

If you would like to skim down on priced spent on transportation, busses offer a great deal of aid. FlixBus, Eurolines, and BlaBlaBus have incredibly advertised low cost over-the-road bus services to allow movement between larger European cities.

• Long-Distance Bus Travel: Travel by road is usually considered less convenient due to the amount of time it requires compared to travel by train or air. Still, if you need flexibility with your travel plans, these bodes well as a cheaper option.

Many providers come with complimentary on-the-go wi-fi and sockets, giving you the chance relax throughout the duration of your trip, While on the subject of spending, I would have no qualms saying that buses are some of the most economical modes of travel available.

Car Rentals and Carpooling

Arguably renting a vehicle or doing a ride share are relatively stabling options, particularly if you’re traveling to a destination in a sizable group.

• Renting a Car: If you plan on traveling to a number of smaller towns or remote locations, you may find renting a car more economical. Check out sites like Kayak or Rentalcars for the best rates.

• Carpooling: BlaBlaCar is a perfect example of an app that allows locals to offer rides to people heading in their direction, which is a great deal more affordable and social than traveling alone.

How to Save on Accommodation Across Europe

Accommodation can be one of the largest expenses when traveling. Here are some tips for saving on your lodging:

Staying in Hostels

Hostels have stood the test of time as the go-to solution for young people traveling on a budget, especially in Europe which is home to multitudes of them. In addition to saving money, they allow travelers to meet new people.

Booking Hostels: Tips on Finding Affordable Hostels: Search for hostels in the cities you are traveling to using the Hostelworld or Booking.com websites. To save on hostels, make sure to select one with a good rating for cleanliness and safety.

Airbnb and Local Rentals

For travelers who do not prefer staying in hostels, Airbnb serves as a great alternative as it provides privately owned rooms and even entire apartments for rent, allowing travelers to enjoy a more local and personal feel.

Affordable Airbnb Options: Alter your search to find low-priced properties. Also, consider renting a room in an apartment instead of booking an entire apartment. Staying outside the city can sometimes yield additional savings.

Couchsurfing: Free Stays and Cultural Exchange

The most economical choice, Couchsurfing, allows travelers to stay with locals for free. It’s not just about being cost-effective; it’s about immersion — engaging with the community in a manner that goes beyond what traditional tourism offers.

Couchsurfing Use Instructions: Build your profile and search for hosts in the cities you plan on visiting. Make sure you are courteous and respectful and also check the reviews of the hosts prior to contacting them.

Eating on a Budget While Traveling Across Europe

Europe Food is life, but it does not have to be expensive. This is how to have good meals while spending less:

Street Food and Local Markets

• Street Food:  Food is one of the best ways to grasp a local culture and Europe does not fall short of amazing street food and local markets.   Street Food: You can get street crepes in France and kebabs in Turkey. The street does provide good and filling meals at reasonable prices. Street food helps you sample the local culture.

• Local Markets: Farmers’ markets and local food markets have fresh groceries and ready-made food at much lower prices than restaurants. Wonderful markets in Barcelona, Rome and Prague sell cheese, bread and pastries.

Cooking Your Own Meals

You can save money if you stay in an Airbnb or hostel with a kitchen by cooking your own meals.

• Supermarkets:  Purchase groceries at supermarkets or from street sellers. Grocery stores across the Europe are quite cheap, and you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, pasta, bread and other regional delicacies.

• Cooking in Hostels or Airbnb: Hostels have shared kitchen facilities, and often Airbnb rentals come equipped with a kitchen. This allows you to prepare some uncomplicated meals at a reasonable cost.

Free and Cheap Things to Do in Europe

There’s no need to break the bank when it comes to activities. Below are some of the ways you could fully enjoy Europe on a budget or for free:

Free Walking Tours

One of the best ways to learn of a new city is by taking a free walking tour. Most European cities have such tours that are operated by local tour guides who work for tips.

• How to Find Free Walking Tours: Look up Sandeman’s New Europe and Free Tour for tutorials in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Madrid.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

Europe is full of cities with world class cultural sites and museums, below are the ways you could have access to them economically:

• Free Museum Days: Quite a good number of museums in Europe allow access to their places of interest on specific days of the month, for more details check the museums website.

• City Passes: London and Paris are some of the cities that have city passes that allow free or reduced access to many sites and cuts queues at numerous places.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Europe is filled with materials of great natural benauty which makes the outdoor activities.

• Hiking and Cycling: Countries of Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia in Europe have stunning hiking paths. Many cities have bike-sharing schemes, which allow for exploration on two wheels.

• Public Parks and Gardens:  Most public parks and gardens in European cities are beautifully maintained and can be used free of charge. A few iconic ones are Central Park in Berlin, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont of Paris, and Vondelpark of Amsterdam.

My Opinion

Traversing throughout Europe is achievable even for those on a tight budget. Low-cost airlines, public transport, inexpensive lodging, and free activities make exploring Europe affordable. Planning ahead, being flexible, and staying open to unique experiences are the best ways to limit expenditure.

Plan your tips and travel to Europe with these tips, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime while staying within budget!