Travel the World

Although there’s no getting around the costs of a transatlantic flight (other than doing the best you can to book as far in advance as possible, make use of off-peak cheaper fares and coupons, etc), there are a few things you can do in order to travel on a budget for your European vacation.

Accommodation

Apart from your flights, accommodation is one area where you really need to consider what’s important to you.  If you are someone who enjoys privacy then your vacation isn’t going to be as much fun if you have to spend your day dreading returning to a noisy hostel at night.  On the other hand, if you find it easy to sleep and once you get into bed you’re there until morning, then a hostel is a perfect place to spend the few hours you’re recharging your physical batteries before the next day of sightseeing.   If hostelling isn’t for you, then check out local tourist information sites for bed and breakfast options.  Make sure you check any economy/budget accommodation for requirements as some of them have age restrictions and/or require you to take bedding with you. 

Sightseeing

Make use of coupons you can find on websites and tourist information brochures to cut your costs.  Also consider buying a discount pass that once purchased will allow you free access to properties owned or managed by the organization offering the pass – a good example of this is the National Trust in the UK.  Occasionally you may find that passes are cheaper to purchase before you leave home so check out what’s available well ahead of your intended travel date.  Remember, you don’t always need to pay an entrance fee to go inside a building – you can admire and photograph it from the outside instead! 

Getting Around

Local rail and bus passes will allow you to roam further on your budget whilst in Europe.  You can purchase these for various lengths of time from one single trip to unlimited travel on the network for a month or so.  Many of these may include the possibility of crossing into another country that shares a boundary with the country you’re in and so they offer even more for your budget!

Europe isn’t a cheap place to visit, but consider what are the priorities for your vacation and then cut costs elsewhere – and remember, travel light, excess baggage costs aren’t usually part of a holiday budget!