Tips for Saving Money When Traveling Through Europe

 

Venice can be pricey, but there are ways to save money when visiting.

Whether you are a luxury traveler or ultra budget, couch surfer kind of traveler, saving money on your travels is always a nice bonus. For the luxury traveler perhaps you can use that extra cash for a room upgrade, for the budget traveler, perhaps you can splurge on a nicer meal. No matter what kind of traveler you are, everyone always likes to save and likes a good deal.

If you are Canadian and planning on traveling through Europe coming soon, especially with the euro being 1/3 higher than the dollar itself then saving money where you can may definitely be ideal, especially if you are a student. Here are some of my best tips for saving money when traveling through Europe.

1. Stay Near the Airport

Often staying near an airport in major European cities can be quite inconvenient as they are far from the city centre and the action. However often these hotels are some of the cheapest for that very reason. If you have an early morning flight or are just visiting a city overnight for a layover, consider booking closer to the airport for a night to save on accommodation costs.

2. Rent an apartment

If you are planning on staying somewhere more than a few nights you might want to look into booking an apartment rental. Especially if you are traveling with a friend apartment rentals can be considerably cheaper than other accommodations and there is nothing like having your own space.

3. Book with a money saving travel company

If you are a student or a first time traveler look into booking your trip with a company like travelcuts. Their newly updated website is easy to use and lets you book anything from flights to trains, hotels and even whole vacation packages that include it all. With travelcuts you have the option of booking online or talking to an expert on the phone. So if you are traveling solo, they can recommend a packaged trip that pairs you with a same sex roommate, which saves you even more money avoiding the single supplement and you automatically have a new friend.

All food in Europe is of course delicious!

4. Eat your bigger meals at lunch

Often restaurants throughout Europe and around the world charge more for dinner than lunch, so if you can eat your large meals at lunchtime and eat smaller meals for dinner you will definitely save yourself a few bucks. Also avoid buying alcohol from a restaurant, as it is so much cheaper in the stores and then you can enjoy it in a park, in your apartment/hotel/hostel, etc.

5. Use Public Transportation

Not only is public transportation obviously cheaper compared to taxi’s or fast trains but it is also a great way to get a great view into the daily lives of the locals in a city. With Google maps these days planning routes on unfamiliar transit systems can actually be quite easy, so don’t be afraid to jump on a public bus in Rome or the Metro in Paris. Do of course always be mindful of your personal belongings and pickpockets.

Safety first! Always wear your lifejacket!

6. Get Travel Insurance

This is a great tip no matter where you are traveling, as paying a little extra for travel insurance for a trip can save you a lot of money and hassle in the rare occurrence that something might happen that you do need travel insurance. It is always better to be safe than sorry and can really save you a lot in the long run if something does go awry.

When getting travel insurance it is also important to search for one that is tailored to your travel style, whether you are a non-risk taker or a big risk taker. For example will you be jumping out of a plane on your travels? Or might you just take a leisurely bike ride. The options that travelcuts offer with their insurance can help you pick insurance that works for you adventurous or not and doesn’t have you paying for extra things you won’t need. If you are a student, again their insurance plans are also quite affordable which is also convenient.

7. Travel to cheaper countries

This one may sound like a no brainer but even though many countries in Europe are on the euro it doesn’t mean that the costs of things are all the same. It actually can vary quite widely. For example a meal out in Reykjavik, Iceland is probably double or triple the cost of a meal in Tallinn, Estonia. A pint of beer in Dubrovnik, Croatia is a quarter of the cost of a pint of beer in Paris.

8. Avoid Traveling in the Summer Months

The summer months in Europe can be quite gorgeous however this is most commonly the time of year that EVERYONE else is in Europe as well. If you are really looking to cut costs consider traveling in the shoulder season. Shoulder season varies by country but is essentially fall and spring. It might be a bit cooler, but the savings could really be quite tremendous.

These are some of my key tips for traveling through Europe, give them a try and see how much you can save.
What are your best tips? Leave them in the comments below!

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