Top Tips for Budget Travel in Europe

Top Tips for Budget Travel in Europe

 

You don’t have to blow your entire savings on a trip to Europe, nor do you have to limit your destinations and experiences. We have put together the tips that have allowed us to visit over 21 countries in the past two years! Using these you are able to experience the cities and towns you visit more like the locals do.

Also, check out Jo and Leisa’s frugal 3-day stay in London.

 

1. Visit Towns Instead of Cities

 

While cities certainly have a lot to offer and there are some you should miss, you’ll find spending a lot more in the cities. Try to avoid spending a lot of time in the city and find the smaller towns and villages and seek out the locals events.

Some of the best budget towns to visit while traveling through Europe include Porto, Portugal; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Kiel, Germany; and anywhere in Malta or Gozo.

 

2. Eat In, Not Out

 

As often as possible, try eating in by buying food at local grocery stores or farmer’s markets. This will save you a surprising amount of money on food since eating at restaurants adds up quickly. One way to get the most out of buying from a supermarket is to take your food to a local park and have a picnic.

 

Having access to a kitchen where you’re staying is the best way to save money on food while traveling, which brings us to our next tip on budget travel in Europe. When you do eat out, try the special of the day and visit pubs during happy hour to save money.

 

3. Stay in a House Rather than a Hotel

 

The easiest way to stay in a house rather than a hotel is by house sitting. House sitting is an amazing way to save money while traveling through Europe as you can stay in amazing homes in exchange for keeping someone’s pets and plants alive while they’re on holiday.

 

House sitting may even give you access to a vehicle so you can drive to all of the local sights and avoid having to pay for public transportation.  It can be a complicated process to get started, research first and see how to become a house sitter so you can avoid paying for accommodation.

 

4. Find Free Entertainment

 

There are so many free forms of entertainment that you can take advantage of that will help you save money while you travel in Europe. There are music concerts in the park, museums that offer free admission on certain days, and a number of local events that you are welcome to attend.

Take some time to visit the tourist bureau in the town you’re visiting to find out what they have to offer, or else consider getting an all-admission pass to the city that will not only help you get into some places for free but may also help cover your public transportation costs.

 

5. Use Foot or Pedal-Power to Get Around

 

When it comes to getting around, the cheapest ways are by walking or by bicycle. Enjoy the sunshine and jump on and see what you find in city or town. Sometimes the best places are the ones you discover by accident. In most European cities you will find bike sharing  schemes you can rent a bicycle for next to nothing

 

Since so many places in Europe are both pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly, it’s easy to get around this way. An added bonus is that you’ll be able to get plenty of exercises which can help counterbalance the excessive consumption of food.

Check this post from world traveller Ivan for more top budget travel tips in Europe.

For tips specific to London, check out Thrifty Londoner.

This guest post came to you from Brittnay. Brittnay is an Aussie who lived in London for the past two years before making the move to Dublin. She managed to squeeze in 21 trips to Europe & Africa in that time (including lots of cheese & wine). Her love of travel and food is captured on The Nut Butter Hub

 Do check her out.

Grammarly