Guest Contribution
A trip around Europe should be on anyone’s bucket list! The area has so many and wonderful points of attraction that any type of tourist can find something to see and explore. From ancient sites to historic ruins, to culture-rich museums and objective, to cobblestone streets and crystal-clear waters – European countries seem to have it all.
But what do you do when the budget doesn’t quite allow it? After all, you have to consider a wide range of expenses starting with transport and accommodation including food and visiting costs.
Luckily, there are some tricks you can use to reduce spending and make sure a limited budget is going to be enough for your dream vacation. Below we listed some of the most effective (tried and tested by others), so make sure to read until the end.
#1: Travel by Special Bus Routes
There are several companies that offer bus rides across Europe and inside some countries (like the UK) at incredibly low prices. For instance, there is the FlixBus, a German-based company that recently took over the Megabus lines (that originated in the UK as a company) and now offers tourists access to 20 countries and thousands of cities. The rides are comfortable and the prices are incredibly affordable.
Of course, the cost of the tickets varies, and you only get the really cheap ones if you book a seat in advance. Still, even if you don’t book ahead, the cost of transportation is only a fraction of the total train or plane cost.
Another similar bus route is provided by the Busabout, which is a hop-on/hop-off service destined to people who want to travel around Europe with extra comfort and touristic guide services. Furthermore, it’s a fantastic way to meet other travelers and enjoy some interesting trips to impressive European locations!
#2: Use Budget Airlines
If busses aren’t your thing, you may want to consider airlines that offer low-cost flights. While the comfort may not be the same and you may not be able to take as much luggage, it is definitely worth it.
The offers pop-up constantly, especially during the summer months when people travel heavily across the continent. For instance, you can book Madrid flights in business class from 30% to 70% less than usual, if you book your flight with the right company.
This tends to happen when companies fight over customers, which is quite common for popular destinations.
#3: Travel by Train
If you ask a train lover, there isn’t a better way to travel around a beautiful continent than by train, with a number of amazing journeys available. And Europe has a wide network of trains that can help a tourist on a tight budget. In fact, the entire rail system in Europe is considered to be one of the best organized and well-kept in the world!
Now, it’s best to travel from city-to-city, to avoid paying too much for longer and faster routes. But, if you don’t have the time to do so, and you still want to take the train, it’s best to buy a rail pass – it will save you a lot of money.
Wrap Up
As you can see, there are options! Now, if none of these are good for your budget, you can always hitchhike, which is quite common in Europe. Many people do it and it can be an interesting experience where you get in contact with locals and learn about the culture of the place from a whole new perspective. Although as a female solo traveller we would advise against this and always place safety first when travelling around any new country.
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