How To Travel to Europe Cheap

Europe is known for being a lot of things. Romantic? Certainly. Historic? Always. Cheap? Not so much. 

European travel has never had a reputation for being light on the wallet, and while prices do vary from country to country and city to city, you will have to put some work in to have a cheap trip here.

That said, a lot of little savings can add up to a much cheaper experience than the next traveler and the following will all help you achieve a budget-friendly European trip. 

A young woman walks by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (Photo Credit: Contiki)

Head Over in Offseason

Hands down, the biggest factor in the prices you will pay for your flight and accommodation in Europe, typically the biggest two expenditures on a European trip, will be the dates you choose to visit.

Be as open-minded and as flexible as you possibly can and the savings will start from there.

Summer sees the largest spike in prices and people visiting, so if you can avoid this season, then do so. Also, the shoulder seasons of Late April, May, September and early October are getting more popular, so the last true stretch of the “offseason” is late October through November and January, February, March and the start of April. 

Traveler boarding a plane. (Photo Credit: forenna / Adobe Stock)

Be Flexible on Flights

Once you have your money set aside for the flight, set alerts for deals. 

When it comes to flights, always remember that if you are locked into set dates, then the airlines have you right where they want you, so make sure to take advantage of the “Calendar View” options available on sites like Kayak, Google Flights and Skyscanner. 

Some travelers even swear by using Incognito Mode on their browser or buying flights on the airline’s website in the local language as a way to save money on flights. 

Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo Credit: martin_vmorris / Flickr)

And on Entry Points

If you’re locked into certain dates (school breaks, special events), shift your flexibility to where you land. Europe has a robust public transportation system, so use that to your advantage. You don’t have to turn your trip upside down, consider flying into one place and hop on a train or a bus to your destination. 

If you’re looking to fly to Paris, also search for flights to cities with direct, high-speed train connections to the City of Light like Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Geneva and Frankfurt. 

You could also consider flying transatlantic with a traditional carrier, but switch to a European budget airline once you arrive. This is especially effective for reaching coastal resorts and islands on the Mediterranean (basically, anywhere Europeans go on summer holidays). The wider your net, the more chance you have to snag some savings.

Inside Madrid’s Museo Nacional del Prado. (Photo Credit: Photo by Paul J. Heney.)

See Sights For Less

You will never pay more to buy tickets to an attraction you’re interested in by booking in advance, so take advantage of this where you can. In addition, seek out free attractions or discounted entrances everywhere you go. Some of Europe’s top museums have special times or days when entry is free. For example, the Prado Museum in Madrid offers free admission for two hours every afternoon and The Louvre in Paris offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month except for July and August. Then there’s Italy, where over 400 museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. 

Add to this list places like the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville in Paris, the British Museum & National Gallery in London, the National Museum in Copenhagen—and scores more—which are always free.

Often, discounts are available for senior citizens, kids or students, so always check. Hey, it never hurts to ask.

Market in Seville, Spain (Photo Credit: Scott Hartbeck)

Think Before You Eat & Drink

The markets of Europe are a free attraction in themselves, but they are also great places to score cheap food. And when I say “markets,” I mean the ones with the hustle and bustle of locals buying dinner ingredients, not the Insta-friendly “street food” food halls, which while awesome places, come with a higher price tag. 
 
When you do eat out, opt for a big lunch over dinner as set courses can often be had during the day for less than they are at night. 

Eating and drinking on the outdoor terrace can cost more, especially in A-list places like San Marco Square in Venice or Paris. So always check the menu and prices (inside vs. outside) before pulling up a chair. Savvy travelers can also take advantage of aperitivo and tapas in Italy and Spain respectively, where cheap (or free) snacks are served alongside drinks and bars and restaurants.

Then there is the rite of passage of the European budget traveler: the park picnic. Europe’s impressive collection of urban parks aren’t just great places for a walk, they are the perfect place to sit down and have a supermarket-bought picnic. Feel free to pop a bottle, because in the overwhelming majority of parks in Europe, it’s fine to imbibe.

Pack a water bottle on your trip because free water fountains can be found in many places (search online in the city you’re visiting) and it’s an all-around better choice for litter and conservation reasons. It may seem small, but plastic water bottles can cost several Euros at corner stores. 

Walk Your Way to Savings

The Tube. The Metro. The U-Bahn. These European urban transportation systems are as practical as they are synonymous with their cities, and there’s plenty more where that came from. Nearly every European city is full of public transportation options, but while their prices won’t blow your mind, they can add up over time. So, always walk where you can to save money and in the countryside, a scenic walk could end up being the highlight of your trip without costing a penny. Even if you just cut out one public transportation ride per day, you may save hundreds over a couple of weeks. If you’re not used to walking a ton, then start training before you leave and use the money you’ll save as motivation. 

Pick The Right Places

As a rule, the further your trip takes you into Central Europe, Eastern Europe, The Balkans and even some parts of The Baltics, the lower the prices will be. This is especially true if you wander off the beaten path in the offseason. Countries like Poland, Czechia and Slovenia each offer the allure of their counterparts in Western Europe without quite as high of prices. The prices go even lower as you get to Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. You will also find steals in the less-touristy cities of Portugal, Lithuania and Spain. 

When it comes to constructing an itinerary, always be aware that the more places you include, the more you are going to pay for transport between destinations. Staying longer in four destinations as opposed to squeezing in six will save you money and you never know, you may get a better rate at the hotel if you stay four nights as opposed to one or two. Speaking of hotels …

New poll from AHLA reveals 55 percent of respondents say inflation is likely to reduce their chance of staying in a hotel. (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

Save on Sleep

When it comes to hotels, always try to book them on the hotel’s official website instead of large international booking websites. Often, the rates will be cheaper as the hotel won’t have to pay a commission. And whether or not you’re staying in a hotel or an apartment rental, look for places that are outside of the center in order to save some money. You may have a bit of a commute, but the savings will be well worth it. Camping and hostels are other options popular in Europe, and you’ll be surprised at how nice some of them are. 

Saving money for travel (Photo Credit: Kittiphan/Adobe Stock)

Avoid Conversion Confusion

Anywhere you can use plastic, do so, because credit and debit cards will often have a better exchange rate than converting cash. And no matter what you do, when an ATM or restaurant terminal asks you if you want to pay in U.S. Dollars or the local currency, ALWAYS choose U.S. Dollars, otherwise, you’ll be the victim of a poor conversion.

Travelers at a European rail station (Photo Credit: Eurail)

Make Transportation Work For Your Wallet

What’s the cheapest way to get around Europe? It can fluctuate based on the current sales and when you book. While a car rental can be cost-effective for families and larger groups, trains and buses can compete when tickets are purchased ahead or as part of a rail pass. The Bottom line is, for the cheapest transport around Europe, book your tickets well in advance.

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