Visiting Europe on a Budget: 10 Easy Steps to Make it Happen
If you’ve been following me you know that I preach about how you are able to travel while working your 9-5. There’s this common misconception and a bad stigma around traveling that you don’t have enough money for it, or you can’t do it while also holding onto your job. That you should be saving money for other things like your rent, mortgage car payments and other crap. Remember; Experiences > Possessions, fill your life with experiences. You most likely won’t even be able to spend all the money you make in one lifetime anyways, stop being afraid to have some fun and take that trip every once in a while.
If you’re like me, works a 9-5 job, always finds ways to save money, loves to travel on the weekends, holidays and using PTO, then this whole blog is for you. But today we’re going to dive into how YOU can travel through Europe on a tight budget. Spoiler: It’s a lot simpler than you think
1. Find a cheap flight
I typically use Expedia for my flights, Google flights and Cheap-O-Air are good options as well. Unlike what many people tell you, there really isn’t much of a difference if you book a flight on a Wednesday vs a Sunday. There is however a difference if you fly out on a Sunday vs a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Typically flying in the middle of the week is cheaper than the weekends for obvious reasons. More demand on the weekends. If you’re able to fly during the week, you will absolutely save a couple hundred dollars on your flight.
2. Don’t fall into Tourist Traps
Tourist traps include popular places that everyone goes to. Places that are trendy to visit typically cost more because shop owners know they can charge more and get away with it. Obviously you’re going to want to go to these big name places, just be smart about it. Know that everything here is up charged significantly.
Pack a lunch before you leave, skip out on expensive souvenirs there, you can get some at the hundreds of other souvenirs shops not located in the center of the tourist trap. Just be aware that you are going to be paying a premium for everything that is in the area.
3. Use Public Transport
Use cheap transport to get around the cities. You can hop on city bikes to get anywhere you want, take a bus or hop on a train to quickly get between different countries. You can also pretty much walk everywhere you need to go. Yeah it will be a lot of walking but that’s the cheapest and best way to take in the sites around you. Plus you get some great exercise and you feel awesome afterwards!
No need to rent a car to get around, utilize the bus schedules, bike, scooter, use what is given to you
4. Find Cheap Food Spots
If you’re looking to eat out and indulge in the local cuisine, I recommend finding a spot away from the touristy destinations and cities. Find a local pub or cafe in its own area. You will be paying local prices which is going to be a lot cheaper than dining at a place in the heart of a large city or trendy spot. Plus you get to truly embrace what the local cuisine is all about and even meet some of the locals as well while helping out a business that’s not caught up in the profit.
5. Travel Light
Are you really going to wear all those clothes? Those eight different dresses and four different pairs of shoes? Pack light, using packing cubes, and only bring what you know you’re going to wear. If you’re only bringing something “Just in case” then don’t bring it. It will help you stay under weight so you don’t have to check a bag, and it’s just overall a lot easier to carry with you when you’re traveling.
6. Look at Accommodation Options
The majority of the time it’s way cheaper to stay in hostels or Airbnb’s than in a luxury hotel. You can even rent a room in someone’s home as well! It makes your trip a lot cheaper and it’s also a great way to meet new people, learn the locals and take their recommendations as well. Hotels are OUT. Hostels, renting rooms and Airbnb’s are IN. How often are you going to be in the room anyways?
7. Find Free or Low Cost Activities to do
Walking is awesome. It’s FREE, you get a lot of exercise and it’s the best way to take in and observe a new city or new place. Obviously touring some places is going to cost money, but that’s okay. Take a walk through the city center, through the park, have a picnic on the water with some local snacks you packed. Find a nice cafe to sit at and people watch. Look up free activities to do in your area on the days you’re there. You’ll be surprised how much there is to do without spending a penny
8. Find Travel Groups
Whether you’re traveling solo, with a group or significant other, finding travel groups to go on adventures with is a terrific option if you’re looking to save money. You can split the costs with your group on various accommodations, activities and transportation as well as food, groceries etc which makes the whole experience a lot more affordable. It’s also another great way to meet new people who have similar interests. And who knows? These new friends could last a lifetime and people you’re able to travel with! They could be from all over the world as well which would make it even more exciting!
9. Avoid Peak Travel Season
The best time to visit Europe is from late March to end of May, or between September and November. You’ll avoid the busy summer period and see your money go further. Obviously the busiest travel months are the summer months. The kids have off, people are taking their PTO from work and they’re the nicest months to travel. If you’re okay with a little chill in the air and a little rain here and there, then traveling in the off peak times will save you money. Think of it like inflation from June through August. The restaurant prices are inflated, the flight prices are inflated, everything is inflated in the summer months because there is more demand. Simple economics. In the less busy months, nothing is as expensive. keep that in mind when deciding to book your trip
10. Start Saving TODAY
One thing I love to have is a vacation account. Whether it be a separate savings account through your bank, or an envelope labeled “Europe” with cash in it, it serves the same purpose. Start saving TODAY. If your trip is five months away, start putting away at least $25 or 25 Euros, whatever your currency is, into that savings account every week. Over the course of the coming months you would have $500 or 462 Euros saved up that is ear marked for that trip. You can put that towards your flight, use it for accommodation or use it for some fun tours and dinners you want to have. Either way that money is going towards that trip. It’s already there, you’ve budgeted for it and you can use that money to enjoy yourself instead of dipping into the checking or savings accounts
Conclusion
Ignore the common misconception that traveling is expensive and only for the rich. It’s not. You can travel across Europe for a week very cheaply and not drain your savings at all. These tips are just the tip of the iceberg of things you can do. Stop worrying if you can afford the trip. YOU CAN. Stop putting it off, you will enjoy it more at the age you’re at now then in a few years down the road when you’re older and maybe not as mobile. Remember health is wealth.
Book that trip, put in your PTO, start saving for it now, follow these tips and you will be amazed at the incredible experiences you will have while staying under budget and not breaking the bank. Hope this helped!