Ingenious Ways to Travel Europe on a Budget!

Although you may be thinking that travelling through Europe is expensive, the truth is that it doesn’t have to be. There are so many ways that you can save money while visiting, we have put together our tips that has 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.

Book All of Your Tours in Advance

As much as possible, you should book big tours and activities in advance. Fortunately, buying tickets for seeing things like the London Eye is something you can do online. This will not only ensure that you will be able to get your tickets, but it will also save you time since you can cut the line, and you’ll save money since you’re not risking paying for transportation there only to not be able to go.

Forget About Paying for Accommodation

If you might find that one of the  biggest expensive is accommodation. House sitting is a really good alternative. In exchange for caring for someone's home and/or pets you can have a lovely home to yourself. Eating can be fun on holiday but sometimes you might just want to pick up some local produce and cook at home, this can also help reduce costs. Having a home to still allow for cooking as well as keeping on top of your washing without spending the day looking for a laundrette. You also get to be immersed in local culture as you get to genuinely live like the locals.

Travel During the Low Season

You’ll be surprised at how much prices go up throughout Europe during the summer months simply because there are more tourists coming through. To avoid these high prices, travel during the down season instead. The best times to travel to Europe are April, May, August, and September. You’ll also find more locals and less tourists, making your experience more authentic.

Save Money by Getting a City Pass

There are a number of cities throughout Europe that offer a city pass or city card. This pass will give you huge discounts on a number of popular tourist attractions in the city as well as restaurants. Most of them also allow you unlimited free public transportation so you don’t have to worry about getting around. If you’re going to be somewhere for a few days, this will save you a ton of money.

Look for Local Attractions

Think about the things that you normally enjoy in your hometown, and look for similar activities in whatever town you’re visiting in Europe. Chances are, there are plenty of pubs, free concerts, and other community events going on that you can join in on to really enjoy your time together. Since most of these local attractions are free or cheap, you’ll be able to save a lot of money.

Bring a Filtered Water Bottle

Although chances are good that anywhere you go in Europe will have safe drinking water, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. When you travel with a filtered water bottle, you can save money by being able to avoid buying plastic water bottles, which also helps protect the environment. Instead of paying for water, you’ll be able to fill up your bottle pretty much anywhere, and for free!

Eat Your Main Meal at Lunchtime

To get the most bang for your buck when eating out at restaurants, head in during the lunch hours and pick from one of their lunch specials. These will almost always be cheaper than dinner options, saving you money and giving you an authentic taste of local culture. Always ask locals where they eat, as the small family-owned eateries are also cheaper and generally offer amazing home-cooked meals.

Save Money be Heading to the Farmer’s Market

An even better way to save money while traveling in Europe is to head to the local Farmer’s Market or even a grocery store to pick up fresh local foods. Then, cook it yourself and you’ve just saved yourself a lot of money! If you’re staying in a hostel, then you’ll almost always have access to a shared kitchen you can use, but if you’re house sitting, you’ll have the whole kitchen to yourself.

Save on Transportation by Taking the Train

There are a number of ways to get around Europe if you’re hopping from city to city or country to country. Although flying is fastest, the way to save money is to travel by train. You can save the most money by taking the night trains, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, then you can also take in the countryside by traveling during the day. It can be a great way to see more of Europe for less money.

Visit Portugal

Portugal is one of the best places to visit in Europe if you want to save money without missing out on amazing experiences. Porto, Portugal is easily one of the most underrated cities in Europe, making it the perfect budget travel destination. Seafood is cheap yet absolutely delicious, old-world charm can be found everywhere, and you can’t miss their incredible festivals.