What is the cheapest way to travel and stay in Europe?
The most affordable means of getting around and staying in Europe is generally a mix of budget airlines or trains and hostels, guest houses or renting a room in someone's apartment. The more you can stay in one place for longer, the better. Also, try to visit during the shoulder season and use public transport. Having access to a kitchen or having breakfast included can save money on food. Consider the whole package when looking at prices. Don't focus on just the ticket.
How to travel around Europe on a small budget
Simplify your itinerary. If you visit fewer cities, you'll spend less money on transport, shuttles to/from airports, baggage fees and transit time between destinations. Also, spending more time in a single city can help you negotiate a better deal on lodging and give you more opportunity to do free/cheap things.
Choose transportation based on the total price of your trip. Sometimes, a budget flight might seem like a good deal, but you can end up paying for a cheap ticket, an airport far from the city center, baggage fees, and transport into the city. A train or bus might be more expensive, but it could bring you straight to the city. If you travel at night by bus or train, that transportation may double as your accommodation for one night. You also need to think about comfort and safety.
Lowering your accommodation costs
- Hostels vs. guesthouses vs. private rooms vs. apartment rentals.
- Check out whether there's a kitchen, laundry, or breakfast included.
- If public transport is good, consider staying outside of the tourist zone.
- Review the terms of the cancellation policy and check whether there are any cleaning fees or other service charges.
You can save by eating where locals do. They tend to be less expensive than places close to the main tourist sites. Buy your food from a market or supermarket, cook for yourself some of the time, and take advantage of the inexpensive lunch menus where they exist. A lot of cities offer free walking trails, public parks, museums with free hours, and cheap activities in local districts.
Prior to choosing a path, establish a budget per day for accommodation, transport, meals and entertainment. Allow for some additional margin to cover incidental expenses. Costs will vary significantly from country to country and even season to season, so always do a side by side cost comparison between your choices before committing.