Travel
Food. Adjust your eating habits to the ones of the local people. The cheapest way to have breakfast is by looking for a pastry shop where you can fill you belly for a couple of euros and also taste some local delicacies. A picnic lunch purchased at a deli, a local market (some of my all time favorites are La Boqueria Market from Barcelona and the fish market from Bergen) or take away is a great idea too and can come with the view of your own choice. Also street food, whenever available, can be a cheap, and a delicious way to eat. Always have a bottle of water bought from the supermarket with you. Some European cities have public fountains with drinking water where you can refill your bottle.
Go on free tours. There is a new trend in Europe and it's called free tours. Some cities, like Warsaw and Krakow offer free city tours with local guides. You don't have to pay a dime for a memorable morning or evening discovering secret corners and hearing interesting stories. At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide if you want, but if and how much, it's entirely up to you. Nevertheless, this is a great way to explore a city.
- Getting Around Europe On A Budget: Everything You Need To Know About Eurail Passes
What Is A Eurail Pass? For budget travelers who want to get the most out of their European trip, a Eurail pass is a must have. In a nutshell, an Eurail pass is a train ticket that allows people to travel along the railways of the Eurail Group (a...
- 7 Interrail Tips To Fall In Love With Train Travel In Europe
Many people associate Interrail with backpackers, twenty-somethings, low budgets, and obscure hostels. But it doesn't have to be this way. Europe's modern rail network makes train travel easy, comfortable, efficient and environmentally-friendly....
- Planning Our First Trip To Asia. In Style!
We have some great news! After traveling through 23 European countries and 173 cities, we are finally getting out of Europe! Just thinking about it makes us feel goosebumps. But we are not only going to Asia, we are also doing it in style. First we'll...
- Etap Hotel Review. Budget Accommodation In Europe
Etap Hotel is ideal for couples, families traveling with one child or two travel buddies wandering Europe on a shoestring budget. A couple of years ago I was vagabonding Europe with my husband and we discovered this great hotel chain that...
- European Rail Passes For Shoestring Budgets
Europe's modern rail network makes travel easy, comfortable, efficient and environmentally-friendly. Europe is packed with lovely must see places and I find the hop on, hop off method the best. If you travel Europe on a shoestring budget,...
Travel
7 Tips For Traveling Europe On A Shoestring Budget
"The truth is that we live out our lives putting off all that can be put off; perhaps we all know deep down that we are immortal and that sooner or later all men will do and know all things." Jorge Luis Borges
Traveling is a lot easier today than it was half a century ago. European countries you would have never dreamed of visiting twenty years ago are not safe to travel and offer a rich culture. Spending your holiday in Europe might sound expensive, but if you are willing to get a bit out of your comfort zone, you can have the trip of your lifetime while actually traveling Europe on a shoestring budget. The most expensive part of your holiday might be the one before you set foot on European soil. So here are our tips:
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| Beautiful cropland in Romania |
Couchsurf it. When it comes to accommodation, there is simply no cheaper and more rewarding way than couchsurfing. In Europe, the couchsurfing opportunities are limitless, as many locals are interested in hosting foreigners for a few nights and learn about their culture while giving back more than just a couch. Free food, tours and advice are common perks of couchsurfing. This gives you a better sense of how the locals live and lets you emerge yourself more in the culture of the country you are visiting. Experiencing different cultures, from Bratislava and Wroclaw, to London, Porto and Oslo, overcoming language barriers, and making new local friends are all part of the adventure.
Food. Adjust your eating habits to the ones of the local people. The cheapest way to have breakfast is by looking for a pastry shop where you can fill you belly for a couple of euros and also taste some local delicacies. A picnic lunch purchased at a deli, a local market (some of my all time favorites are La Boqueria Market from Barcelona and the fish market from Bergen) or take away is a great idea too and can come with the view of your own choice. Also street food, whenever available, can be a cheap, and a delicious way to eat. Always have a bottle of water bought from the supermarket with you. Some European cities have public fountains with drinking water where you can refill your bottle.
Go on free tours. There is a new trend in Europe and it's called free tours. Some cities, like Warsaw and Krakow offer free city tours with local guides. You don't have to pay a dime for a memorable morning or evening discovering secret corners and hearing interesting stories. At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide if you want, but if and how much, it's entirely up to you. Nevertheless, this is a great way to explore a city.
Hostels and guesthouses. Cheaper than hotels, if you don't mind sharing everything but your bed these can be good ways to travel on a shoestring. If you compare it to the cost of having a hotel room to yourself it makes sense. Do your research on how to properly find and stay in a hostel. It's definitely got its own subculture and rules to follow to make it through. Also Etap Hotels are a cheaper option than the hotels, with prices up to 60euro per night for up to 3 people in the room.
Use public transportation. Many European countries have very good public transportation networks. When you have to travel from place to place hop on a bus or use the subway system if they have one. You'll find that you are getting a real feel for how the locals live their day to day lives. When compared to renting a car or taking a taxi, the cost is unbeatable. Not to mention that finding a parking spot in a busy strange city can be a pain in the ass.
Take trains. Train travel in Europe is one of the best ways to get around. Europe has an extensive rail network and most places you will ever want to travel to will be linked by trains. They will most likely run on time and offer you relatively cheap, comfortable and safe travel. The cheapest way to travel Europe by train is using a Rail Pass. We used an InterRail pass a few times already and we loved the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. If interested, you can read our Interrail tips and itinerary.
Take planes. Cheap flights between the European countries is more than a reality nowadays. Flying can save both time and money, especially on long journeys. RyanAir and EasyJet are two of the low-cost European airlines. They offer flights between European countries for sometimes only a few euros and they operate user-friendly websites with interactive flight maps and straightforward online booking.
Do you have any Europe travel tips?
Do you have any Europe travel tips?
- Getting Around Europe On A Budget: Everything You Need To Know About Eurail Passes
What Is A Eurail Pass? For budget travelers who want to get the most out of their European trip, a Eurail pass is a must have. In a nutshell, an Eurail pass is a train ticket that allows people to travel along the railways of the Eurail Group (a...
- 7 Interrail Tips To Fall In Love With Train Travel In Europe
Many people associate Interrail with backpackers, twenty-somethings, low budgets, and obscure hostels. But it doesn't have to be this way. Europe's modern rail network makes train travel easy, comfortable, efficient and environmentally-friendly....
- Planning Our First Trip To Asia. In Style!
We have some great news! After traveling through 23 European countries and 173 cities, we are finally getting out of Europe! Just thinking about it makes us feel goosebumps. But we are not only going to Asia, we are also doing it in style. First we'll...
- Etap Hotel Review. Budget Accommodation In Europe
Etap Hotel is ideal for couples, families traveling with one child or two travel buddies wandering Europe on a shoestring budget. A couple of years ago I was vagabonding Europe with my husband and we discovered this great hotel chain that...
- European Rail Passes For Shoestring Budgets
Europe's modern rail network makes travel easy, comfortable, efficient and environmentally-friendly. Europe is packed with lovely must see places and I find the hop on, hop off method the best. If you travel Europe on a shoestring budget,...