Spend more time in Eastern Europe and less in Western and Northern Europe.
Eastern Europe is way cheaper to visit than Western Europe. The likes of Paris, London, Berlin, Brussels, Barcelona, Milan and Vienna, have high costs of living. Plus they see millions of tourists every year.
Instead, you can get more value for your money in cities like Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Belgrade, Bratislava and Ljubljana. These cities are rich in culture and have fantastic local cuisines. They welcome all foreigners, regardless of their colour or race. I’ve always felt safe travelling through these places, unlike some Western cities.
They have a lot of activities you can explore. Old castles in the Czech Republic, Slovakia’s Tatras mountains, breathtaking lakes in Slovenia, and the sandy beaches of the Balkans.
Travel in pairs (for safety and cost)
This has to be the most impactful way to save money while travelling in Europe. Your hotel and food costs can be cut in half easily.
People often assume plane tickets are the most expensive aspect of a trip, but that’s not always true. The cost of a hostel/hotel and food for 5 days trumps the average airfare. Travelling with a buddy can bring a $300 trip down to $150.
Not only that, there’s the advantage of safety. You are less likely to get targeted by pickpockets when you have someone watching your back. You can go out for drinks and have a good time without worries.
The average accommodation price of a room in Prague is about $100. Spending five nights in the city would set you back $500. Outside the tourist areas, you could spend about $60 daily on food. Five days later, you would be down $300. However, if you are in the city with your buddy, you would spend only half of that $800 during the entire stay.
Choose the right time to visit.
Most European cities have high and low tourist seasons. Except for a few evergreen countries like Iceland. Experienced travellers know that cities near the beach are best visited in shoulder months. Just before summer and the beginning of fall. The water would be a bit colder but your wallet will thank you. Meanwhile, cities closer to mountains and the Alps get their highest traffic in winter. Thus, they are best seen towards the end of fall or a few weeks before spring.
Beach towns in Croatia, Greece, and Italy are best visited in September and October. The local temperature in those countries will still hover around 25°C (77°F) on average. Hotels will offer massive price slashes to fill their now empty rooms. Airfares will be 30-40% cheaper than the previous summer months. The best part about this is enjoying your vacation with fewer crowds in those towns.
November and December are my favourite months to visit southern Spain. Cities like Malaga and Seville are too hot to visit in summer. They remain fairly busy in September and October. But they are perfect in the last two months of the year. Prices are down. Tourists are gone. You’d find endless accommodation options heavily discounted.
Always seek accommodations with a kitchen.
Whether you plan to stay in a hostel or hotel, a kitchen should be the first criterion in your search filter. I learned a long time ago that eating out while on vacation slowly drains your wallet. Instead, you are better off trying the local food once or twice for the experience. And then cooking through the rest of your stay.
While planning my last trip, I made sure to find a decent apartment in the center of Malaga with an equipped kitchen. I also confirmed on Google Maps that the flat had a few grocery shops around. After touring the city’s historic center on my first day, I bought enough groceries for the week. I believe I ended up eating out in local restaurants only twice. Plus a few stops at McDonalds for the occasional snack after hours of walking. I ended up spending under $100 on food after 4 days in the city.
Hold cash. Gives you better negotiating power.
This tip works better in countries where cash is appreciated more than bank cards. Whatever you do, wherever you are, always hold some cash. Whether it’s a small mom-and-pop restaurant, a taxi at midnight, or a random souvenir shop. People get flexible with their prices when you hold up some cash.
This hack has bailed me out of several jams and gotten me some sweet deals. If someone gives you a price of €15, just whip out a 10 and let them know that’s all you have. More often than not, they will accept your offer because they don’t want to lose the 10 they can see because of a 5.
As stated earlier, it’s more likely to work in smaller towns and shops. The bigger ones tend to be less flexible.
Flights-trains-bus. In that order.
Flights are cheaper than trains. Weird but in Europe, it’s a fact. Always check for flights first before trains and buses. I know it should be the other way around but things are different in Europe. Airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Easy Jet have made life easier for backpackers. Not only between countries but also various cities within the same country.
If you plan to visit several cities in the big countries like Spain, Italy and France, check Skyscanner first. The prices can be dirt cheap and the travel time barely ever exceeds one hour.
Student discounts are a big deal in Europe.
Before coming to Europe, don’t forget to come along with your student ID. You will always find some discounts at places of interest, train and bus rides, and restaurants. I don’t have mine anymore but you can bet I used it to the fullest on all my trips.
The first time I ever used my student ID was at the Museum of Natural History in Frankfurt. Got a 40% discount on the entry ticket. As someone who was not studying or living in Germany, this was a huge surprise. A good surprise. And from that moment on, I always asked for a student discount in every country I visited. It’s gotten me discounts at KFC and McDonald’s. 25% off at the aquarium in Valencia. Decent discounts at the Prague Zoo. The list is endless.
No one cares about the name or location of the university. They only confirm the picture matches your face and the card is not expired.
