1Dodge The Peak Season when Traveling to Europe

It is a well-known fact that during the peak travel season months, generally the warmer summer months, the costs related to travel skyrocket at an almost unbelievable rate. To ensure that you avoid paying a premium for your plane tickets and your hotels, consider traveling to your European destinations during the off-season. This will allow you to not only save a considerable amount of money on your vacation but it will also allow you the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of Europe without the large tourist crowds!

An added bonus to doing your European travel during the off-peak season is that these months are generally the months with more moderate temperatures; spring and autumn in Europe are both colorful and comfortable! Imagine visiting Germany at the height of summer. Imagine visiting Finland during the middle of winter. Not ideal!

Many hotels, resorts, and other popular tourist destinations may offer steep discounts during the off-peak-season in an effort to encourage budget-conscious travelers to pay a visit. Take advantage of these discounts and you could save a significant amount of money!

2Choose a Major European City as Starting Point

Travel within Europe is generally affordable if you live in Europe; flights that originate in London or Berlin with destinations to other European cities are often priced to suit a tight travel budget. Imagine flying from Berlin to Scotland for $15; with a bit of careful airfare research you will find that it can be a reality for you.

Consider taking a direct flight from the USA to one of the major “jump off” destinations in Europe like Dublin or Rome. By making a major European city your city of origin for your country-hopping adventure you will be in a better position to scoop up incredible savings on air and train fare.

3Subway Passes & Train Travel in Europe

While bus travel is generally a cheaper mode of transportation than taking a train is, there are several options to help you not only see more of Europe by making use of the train system but also to help you stick within your strict budget.

• Oyster Card

  If you are going to spend an extensive amount of time in London then you should consider an Oyster card (www.tfl.gov.uk) as a more budget-friendly method of paying to use the London Underground and even the London city buses. Fares are not only cheaper when you use your Oyster card to pay for your travel but an Oyster card also eliminates the need to wait in line and purchase tickets.



• Swiss Pass

  The Swiss Pass, available from Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com) will allow you to take advantage of unlimited travel on the Swiss travel system – including trains, buses, and boats. Your Swiss Pass will also give you free access to over 400 museums in Switzerland! Both a timesaver and a money saver, if you are going to spend a significant amount of time in Switzerland, then this is a must-have for you.

4Affordable Accommodations in Europe

The price of comfortable accommodations can fluctuate greatly throughout the year; use several online travel booking websites to compare hotel prices in the cities you plan on visiting to see if any of them are a viable option for your travel budget.

• Hostels

  One of the most popular affordable accommodation options for any budget-conscious European traveler is the hostel. To view a list of comfortable and safe hostels, visit Hostelling International’s website (www.hihostels.com). It is important to note that many of the hostels listed on the HI website require you to have a membership card with Hostelling International. Membership is affordable and it provides you with access to a host of discounts for things like transportation and meals!



• Couch Surfing

  A growing trend in recent years, Couch Surfing matches intrepid travelers with people who are willing to let them stay in their home for a few nights while in their home city. You may not necessarily sleep on someone’s couch; many people offer their guest bedrooms as a more comfortable alternative. Visit the Couch Surfing website (www.couchsurfing.org) for more information and see if you can find a kind host willing to let you surf their couch for a few nights! Couch Surfing just may be your cheapest way to visit Europe.

5Saving On Meals in Europe

Eating out in restaurants can rapidly turn into one of the more expensive aspects of your budget European vacation. Luckily there are several methods of ensuring that your meal expenses are kept low and within your travel budget.

• Find Pub Deals in Europe

  Many pubs offer a selection of meals at a bargain rate; eating a few lunches or dinners in a pub will do more than fill up your belly. You will have the opportunity to meet new people and perhaps find out a few of the tourist hot-spots that you had not yet considered paying a visit to.



• Shop at Grocery Stores

  A visit to most grocery stores in all parts of Europe will allow you to stock up on a few basic like granola bars and perhaps even a few personal toiletry items that you neglected to bring along with you on your trip. Many grocery stores offer a deli section that will have a selection of sandwiches and soups that can be incredibly budget-friendly and belly-filling.



• Look Online for Discounts off of Food in Europe

  There are several websites offering coupons or freebies for a range of restaurants. For example, My Voucher Codes (www.myvouchercodes.co.uk) provides discounts off of food, clothing, and other entertainment throughout the UK. Visit their website for a list of money-saving vouchers that you can print before you embark on your European journey.

To further help you save money while traveling Europe on a budget consider purchasing a prepaid mobile phone in lieu of using your home mobile phone. Not only will you save significantly by avoiding the pricey international roaming fees your provider will add to your account but you re ensuring that you are reachable no matter where in Europe you happen to land!