Europe is home to a diverse range of countries and cultures, all of which you may learn about and experience while visiting. While a European vacation may appear to be an intimidating and expensive endeavor, it is not necessary to break the bank to go on one. It is possible to manage your money while traveling overseas if you arrange for reasonable flights and accomodation. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to sightsee, sample new delicacies, and meet new people while staying within your budget!

Technique No. 1 of 4: Obtaining Reasonably Priced International Flights

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Make your flight reservations three to six weeks before your vacation. Closer to the departure date, flight prices tend to rise in price, making it more expensive to travel. Start browsing for flights about 2 months before you plan to travel in order to receive the best deals on air travel tickets. Continue to monitor pricing over the next two weeks to see whether the price has changed. Using Google Flights, you can keep track of flight prices to notice when tickets get cheaper or more expensive. Make sure to turn on notifications for the days you intend to travel so that you are notified when prices change.

2 Save money by flying with a low-cost airline. Instead than booking seats on a major airline that you are already familiar with, investigate smaller carriers for more affordable fares. A one-way journey across the Atlantic Ocean can be purchased for as little as $99 USD with budget carriers such as Primera Air, Wow Air, and Norwegian Air. Before booking tickets, check the airline’s terms and conditions to see if there are any hidden surcharges for goods such as carry-on baggage or checked luggage. If you are flying out of an international hub airport in the United States, such as O’Hare in Chicago, New York City, or Boston, you may be able to get a better deal on airline tickets.

3 If you wish to travel to a popular place, fly into a tiny adjacent city first before continuing on. It is possible that flying directly to the place you want to visit will be more expensive than taking a flight to a nearby city. Obtaining a direct trip to the place you like to visit is less expensive than flying to a smaller city in a foreign nation, so shop about. As a result, you may easily go by rail or smaller airlines at a far lower cost.

• Consider the following example: If you wanted to travel to London, you could fly into Dublin instead for a lower cost and then travel to London from there.
  Despite the fact that layovers are inconvenient, choosing a ticket that has 1-2 of them may be more cost-effective than taking a direct flight.

3rd Method of 4: Choosing Low-Cost Accommodations

1 If you’re fine sharing a room, consider staying at a hostel. Hotels and hostels are places to stay where you can share a space with other people. Many hostels operate at a fraction of the cost of hotels, making them a more reasonable option for you to use as a base of operations. If you decide to stay in a hostel, expect to pay between $20 and $40 USD per night. * Depending on the hostel, a private room may be available, but it will likely be more expensive than a shared space.
Tip: Always check review sites, like as TripAdvisor, to see what other people have to say about the hostels you’re considering staying at. Examine their reputation and whether or if other people have had a positive experience there as well.

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If you are traveling with a large group, look into short-term property rentals to save money. Make use of a rental app, such as Airbnb or Homestay, to locate private homes or flats to rent for the duration of your visit. If you are traveling in a party of four or more people, many residences offer lower per-person rates. You’ll also have access to a kitchen, a private bathroom, and a pleasant spot to unwind once you’ve finished your day’s traveling. Inquire with your host about local eateries to try or suggestions for things to do while you’re in the area.

3 Use a couch-surfing service to find free accommodations with locals in the region. Many websites, such as CouchSurfing, feature homeowners who are prepared to let travelers stay on their couches or in their spare bedrooms for little or no charge. Contact the homeowner online and begin discussing your plans to see if you would be able to stay with them. When you arrive, make an effort to be friendly and engage in conversation with the host in order to gain an understanding of local life in the city. * Couchsurfing is not a good option if you are traveling with a large group or if you require privacy.

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If you want to spend the night in the great outdoors, consider camping. Regardless of whether you’re traveling to a larger city or not, you can find a campsite to stay in for the night. Many of the camping locations feature restrooms and kitchen facilities that you may take advantage of while you’re there. Check online for campgrounds to check if there are any sites available near your intended destination before making the trip.

3 The Third of Four Methods: Getting Around Europe

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Get a rail pass to make traveling between sites in Europe much more convenient. Traveling by rail is one of the most convenient ways to move from one location to another in Europe. Look for a rail pass that allows you to travel by train as often as you like and to reach at your destination as quickly as possible. The majority of trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, food and beverages, and charging stations for electronic devices. It is possible that major cities have their own metro and subway systems, which operate on a different ticketing system from the main European railways. If you plan on staying in the city for more than one night, you can usually purchase 3-day or 7-day passes for the local metro system.

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If you can find them, tourist passes for public transit are a good investment. Packages designed specifically for tourists are available in several cities, and often include free public transit inside the city borders as well as admission to many of the city’s attractions. Locate the tourist information center in the city you’re visiting, if one exists, and see what services are offered to you. For example, a Berlin pass grants you free admission to over 60 attractions, sightseeing excursions, and a card that allows you to roam unlimitedly across the city.

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If you need to get somewhere quickly, consider flying on a discount airline between big cities. Companies such as EasyJet and RyanAir provide low-cost continental flights connecting cities in the European continent. Look for alternative connecting flights after you have booked your main journey to Europe and have decided on the places you wish to visit. Almost all of the flights cost between $20 and $30 USD, while some may be more expensive depending on how far you travel.
A word of caution: Many smaller airlines have tight limitations about the size and amount of luggage you can bring with you on your flight. Always pack lightly to avoid incurring additional fees or having to check a bag.

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Walking as much as possible is the best way to travel about a city for free. To further immerse yourself in the culture of a city while without spending a lot of money on transportation, consider taking a stroll about the city. Explore the city you’re visiting on foot to discover hidden gems that you may otherwise miss if you were in a car. Throughout the day, take the time to stop and relax in a park or public area. * Pack comfortable shoes so that your feet don’t hurt after a long day on your feet. Bring an empty water bottle with you so that you can fill it up at sinks or public fountains on your journey.

4 Method 4 of 4: Experiencing Europe on a Tight Financial Strap

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Choose a few must-see destinations and create a budget for them. If there are a few places that you know you want to see, make room in your budget to go to those spots. Choose 1-2 activities that you know you want to do and schedule them so that you may make the most of your time and get the most done. Research entry rates online so you’ll know how much money you’ll need to set aside for your trip.

• Investigate discount websites such as Groupon to see if there are any offers available on the attractions you want to see.
• Look up how far your accommodations are from the locations you want to see and factor in the cost of traveling there into your budget if necessary.

2 Take advantage of free walking tours to get a better feel for the place you’re visiting while on vacation. Many cities provide tour guides who will take you on a tour of the city’s most important attractions. Follow the tour guide and pay attention to what he or she is saying to learn about the history and crucial information about your location. You have the option to leave at any moment throughout the trip if you get disinterested. The majority of walking tour guides are compensated solely by tips, so be sure to tip them well if you appreciated the tour.

3 To save money, eat at eateries that are not close to tourist attractions. Keep an eye out for where the locals are dining and go to such vendors or restaurants rather than the touristy areas of the city. Restaurants in your price range can be found just a few blocks away from the main tourist attractions. Food that is both cheaper and more authentic to the region can be found in many places. * If your accommodations have a kitchen, stock up on groceries and prepare a meal or two each day to save even more money. Visit street sellers to experiment with different foods without having to spend money on a complete meal.

4 Try to avoid purchasing souvenirs if you aren’t going to use them. Souvenirs can be expensive, and they might take up a significant amount of space in your suitcase. If you see something you like, consider whether it is something you actually need and cannot get anywhere else. Instead of purchasing a souvenir, shoot photographs to record memories that will last longer than a memento of your trip. If the souvenir is something you absolutely must have, then go ahead and get it. Just make sure it’s lightweight and portable.

Finally, be sure that your passport is up to date before you begin arranging a holiday to Europe, as it could take up to 8 weeks for you to obtain it.

Warning* Before reserving a hostel or a home location, read online reviews to ensure that the establishment is real and trustworthy.