20 Tips on How to Travel on a Budget in Europe

After my recent post on how I travelled to 12 countries in 12 months by ditching a grand wedding, I was asked how I managed to budget travel to Europe. As an experienced budget traveller, here are some of the most helpful points I've compiled for anyone who plans to take a Europe trip on a budget without compromising on a fulfilling experience.

Here are 20 hacks for Europe budget travel:

1. Use Skyscanner

Foremost, search for flights on Skyscanner and then wait for some bank offers to save money. Usually, cities like Rome, Paris and Barcelona have the cheapest flights.

2. Optimise on Stay

If it is a smaller city, stay near the city centre so that everything is at a walkable distance and you can save commuting time. Stay in a hostel or an Airbnb. There are some family-friendly hostels as well these days. If it's a solo trip, try couch-surfing. However, if you are travelling to a bigger city, you can stay a little far away from the city centre to save money but make sure it is close to a metro station. Websites like Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Airbnb can help you find affordable places to stay. Consider staying in shared dormitories or private rooms in hostels to save money.

3. Buy A Daily Transport Pass

Ensure that you are aware of the inclusions of your city/public transport passes and leverage that information. Most big cities have several public transport pass options with various inclusions. Choose options that best suit your purpose. For instance, the Budapest public transport pass lets you travel by ferry as well. In such cases, purchase a daily or a 2-3 day pass as per personal requirements.

4. Go On a Supermarket Shopping Spree

Upon reaching the first destination, shop from the bigger supermarket chain and buy some basic essentials that can help you sustain for the next few days in the city. For example, cold-packaged sandwiches can help save some money. Choose the larger stores which have more offers and options as smaller general stores are usually expensive. Purchase eggs, bread, milk, fruit - “to fix yourself a quick breakfast”. Buy some pasta and vegetables as well to cook your own quick meal as well. Carrying ready-to-eats from India is always a good idea as they come cheap and are also give that much-needed “taste of home”. You could also pack some Theplas that are filling and tasty, especially when sightseeing.

5. Cook Your Own Meals

Stay in hostels and Airbnbs as they provide a conducive cooking infrastructure for basic meals. Pick such stay homes close to the supermarkets and don't be shy to experiment with your cooking skills! Consider getting some basic condiments from home if you are a vegetarian and prefer eating your comfort food frequently.

Street food vendors and fast food chains like McDonald's are the ultimate go-to if you are hungry outdoors. A few dollars could fill you up for an energetic outing. Many restaurants generally set up discounted lunch menus as well. So if you want to dine out, find an economical place for lunch rather than dinner.

7. Free Attractions in the City

Look out for the free attractions in the city, as they are usually great to visit! Although famous but expensive attractions may provide a great city view, there would also be cheaper (if not free) attractions promising a better view but not as prominent. Find these alternate attractions to save up considerably.

8. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Wear the most comfortable shoes to walk for longer distances. High stamina is also essential, especially towards the evening if you have been walking all day. So, work on improving your endurance a few weeks before your trip.

9. Carry Your Water Bottle

Carry your water bottle and fill it from taps as bottled water is quite expensive in Europe. Also, single-use plastics are prohibited, ensure not to use them. You can even fill up the water bottle from restrooms as even that is safe for drinking.

10. Restroom Breaks

Combine your restroom breaks with washroom breaks as using public washrooms comes at an additional cost.

11. Shoulder Season Travel

Choose the shoulder season over the peak season to travel The perfect time to travel to Europe is between the high and low seasons. The prices for everything are MUCH lower, you will find a lesser crowd, and you will get great weather because the summer season has become slightly hotter now. Also, avoid the most touristy places during weekends.

12. Book in Advance

Book everything in advance to get the best deals. You will likely find better value for money accommodation if you book in advance.

13. Exchange Money at The Right Places

Avoid exchanging your money at the city centre (city squares) or the airport. Use only trusted websites and enquire the value you will get beforehand to avoid unwanted conflict later. Stay on the lookout for hidden commissions on some sites as well. Avoid Western Union and look for another trustable operator instead.

14. Transportation

Take a Eurail Pass or book bus tickets to go destination hopping. However, if you are group travelling, renting a self-drive car would be a feasible option. Check the pricing plans and decide accordingly, as it is not always cheaper. (Completely depends upon your itinerary and the cities you are visiting). If you are traveling longer distances, take overnight buses to cut down the cost of an overnight stay. Look for budget airlines or consider traveling by train or bus instead of flying between cities. Companies like Ryanair, easyJet, and FlixBus offer affordable options for getting around Europe.

15. Free Walking Tours

Join free walking tours which are essentially tip-based. It will help you explore the city and save money. You can find out about them from your host or hostel desk.

16. Free Events and Festivals

Join free events and festivals or attend free concerts at the park.

17. Include Cheaper Countries in Your Itinerary

Choose countries or cities that are known to be budget-friendly. Eastern European countries like Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Romania (except Vienna) often offer lower prices compared to Western Europe. Additionally, cities like Lisbon, Budapest, Prague, and Krakow tend to be more affordable than Paris, London, or Amsterdam.

18. Explore Student Neighbourhoods

Most big cities will have student neighborhoods, that are typically less expensive than other parts of the city. You can head there for a reasonably priced meal or a drink at a pub.

19. Don't Eat Near a Major Tourist Site

Avoid eating near a major tourist site. If the menu is written in multiple languages, it is meant for tourists, and they most certainly won't care about the quality.

20. Pay in Local Currency While Using Card

You can usually save money by spending in the local currency. For instance, in Spain, this would mean choosing euros. When you opt to pay in the currency of your country or region, Visa or MasterCard will determine the exchange rate. While your bank might charge a transaction fee, the rate set by your card provider for local currency payments is typically lower than the rate offered by the merchant or foreign bank when paying in INR.

Some More Tips

Get Travel Insurance: On a long trip, anything can happen. Investing in insurance upfront is more cost-effective than paying a fortune to replace lost or damaged items like your hard drive, phone, or laptop.

Learn to Haggle: Familiarize yourself with local bargaining customs, and don't hesitate to negotiate for a better deal.

Avoid Splurging on Expensive Meals: The joy of a pricey meal is fleeting. Opt for affordable dining options to stretch your budget further.

Limit Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol can be costly in some places. Cutting back can save you a lot of money.

Encourage Budget-Conscious Decisions: Ask yourself if you really need that expensive item, accommodation, or experience.

Some Don'ts

- Don’t try to save a few cents if you have to spend too much time on it. Your time here is limited, and wasting it means you are not fulfilling the money spent on the tickets, visa, and accomodation.

- Most places are not strict when it comes to checking public transport passes as they trust you to follow the laws. Be courteous and keep up the trust - don’t travel with invalid tickets.

If you have any more queries, please ask them in the comment section below. I would be happy to help!