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So, you want to book a trip to Europe but you’re not sure if it’s even within your realm of financial possibility.
The huge number of landlocked countries in Europe make it a great place to visit, especially for the novice backpacker. Getting from one place to the other is easy and simple, and can be very cheap!
Don’t give up on your dream trip just yet because, in this post, I’m going to share all the sneaky travel hacks you can use to save yourself some serious money in Europe. I personally used a lot of these when inter-railing as a student and had the trip of a lifetime.
1. Use a Flix Bus
Flix Buses have to be one of the cheapest ways to travel around Europe. It may not be the most luxurious mode of transport but it’ll get you where you’re going at little cost – from as little as £2.99, in fact! They offer 2,500 destinations in 34 countries, including the most popular cities in Europe, making it highly likely that they’ll have a route for you.
It’s also a more eco-friendly option than flying from one country to the next!
You can book tickets online.
2. Walk Everywhere
Most European cities are extremely walkable. As countries are a lot smaller than the US, everything is less spread out. Walking everywhere not only saves you money (and gives you a bit of exercise!), it’s also the best way to get to know the layout of the city.
Getting lost down winding European streets is part of the charm, so embrace it! You’ll stumble across things that you never would have found otherwise. Some of my cutest European cafe experiences have been a result of wandering around aimlessly!
Adopt the role of the Parisian flaneur and stroll around your new surroundings observing society! Give this book a read for inspiration: ‘Flaneuse: Women Walk the City in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice, and London’ by Laura Elkin.
3. Stay in a Hostel
Obviously hostels tend to be the cheapest form of accommodation. In some countries you can find a bed for as little as £5 a night. But there are other benefits of choosing to stay in a hostel:
- They often include a free breakfast, which will reduce the amount you’ll have to spend on food
- Many have an onsite bar, which tends to sell drinks at a cheaper rate than the local equivalent
- They often hold free events, such as walking tours
I always book my hostels online through Hostel World.
4. Bring Your Own Water Bottle
Many European countries have great tap water. Often you’ll find free water fountains scattered throughout the city. In Florence, one such fountain even gives you the choice of still or sparkling!
Bringing your own water bottle, then, is a great way to bring down costs. Constantly buying water can quickly add up, particularly over a long trip, and it also has massive negative effects on our environment.
I personally live by my Hydroflask (best Christmas present ever, thanks sis!), which keeps my water cold all day and has a handle, making it much easier to carry around with me.
Whilst most countries do have safe, drinkable tap water, this isn’t always the case. so make sure to do some research before you arrive!
5. Get a Monzo Card
If you haven’t already, consider signing up for Monzo. This online bank has been an absolute game changer when it comes to travel abroad. I’m obsessed with it, for a number of reasons:
- Free EU Withdrawals – no fees for withdrawing cash in Europe!
- No fees on card use – no bank fees for using your card to pay in shops, restaurants, and bars
- Card Freeze Option – if you lose your card or have your wallet stolen, you can immediately freeze it using the app. This will stop anyone from spending money on it. If you find it again, you can use the app to ‘defrost’ it!
- Split payments – you can also use the app to split the cost of payments. This is great for travel when you’re sharing hotel rooms, taxis, etc.
6. Pick the Cheaper Destinations
The cost of living in Europe varies dramatically from country to country. So if you’re serious about saving money, opt for cheaper destinations. This will cut costs in all areas, from travel expenses to hotel rooms to dinner prices.
For example, the cost of living in Geneva, Switzerland is more than three times higher than that of Krakow, Poland. In theory, you could travel Poland for three weeks for the same amount of money that you’d use to travel Switzerland for one.
Whilst this might not actually word out in practice, it’s certainly true that Eastern European countries are much cheaper and will allow you to travel for longer!
Check out this blogpost on 10 Insanely Cheap Cities in Europe for Budget Travellers
7. Take Your Student Card
If you’re still a student (lucky you!), make sure to bring your student ID card with you. Often this will get you discounted entry into attractions. If your days of freshers flu and all nighters are long behind you, consider signing up for the Euro<26 card (for those under 26), or the International Youth Travel Card (for those under 31). These should get you a similar discount!
8. Opt for Beer
Whilst it might be tempting to celebrate the trip with a few cocktails, those prices will quickly add up. Generally speaking, the cheapest way to drink in Europe is to opt for Beer. You’ll also find some of the best beer in the world here, so you may as well make it your drink of choice.
If you’re really looking to save the pennies, go sober for your trip. You’ll be surprised at just how much you’ll save when you’re not going out to bars and clubs each night!
9. Download the Rick Steves App
You’ll probably see most blogposts like this recommending you sign up for a free walking tour. Now, I enjoy a walking tour as much as the next girl. In fact, they’re my favourite way to spend the first day in a new city. I can find my bearings whilst picking up some insider knowledge from a great local guide.
It’s important to remember that although these tours are free by name, they’re not really free by nature. You pay through tips and it’s generally frowned upon, if you choose not to pay anything at all.
What I’d highly recommend doing instead is downloading the Rick Steves Audio Europe Travel App. It’s free and has a number of audio guided walking tours for cities and museums across the whole of Europe. I used it when I was in Florence and found it to be the perfect free alternative to a walking tour.
10. Make the Most of Free Attractions
There are thousands of attractions across the Europe and most of them will be more than happy to take your money! But if you do some research, you’ll find that there are also plenty of free attractions in most European cities! Museums, for example, often have free entry all week. In some places it might just be on a specific day, so make sure to do your research!
Viewing lots of the traditional tourist sites is another free option! You won’t have to pay to catch a sight of the Eiffel Tower light show in the evening, for example.
If you’re visiting London, be sure to check out my Budget London Guide: 70+ Free Things to do in London.
11. Find Out Where the Students Eat
Most of major cities in Europe have one thing in common: they have universities! That means there’s always cheap student options hiding around, if you’re willing to look for them. Before you arrive at your destination, for a google search for ‘student eats in [insert city]’. Make a note of the results to eat on the cheap during your trip!
12. Only Take Hand Luggage
You’ll often find flights in Europe are crazy cheap, particularly with budget airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2. You’ll be in for a shock, though, when you go to add baggage to your cart. Hang luggage is often included in the flight price, whereas carry-on luggage is sold separately at astronomical prices. Often the price of luggage can be double the amount the flight costs!
To save money, pack light and opt for hand luggage only. Becoming a minimalist traveler also means that you won’t have to lug a heavy suitcase with you wherever you go!
If you’re looking to optimise your space, check out Cabin Max Bags. These affordable bags are the exact size you’re allowed for carry-on on most airlines!
