1. Decide carefully where and when to go. This must form the first part of your planning. Central/Eastern Europe (e.g. Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Croatia) is normally cheaper than the West. The UK, France, Italy and Spain are often more expensive, although with the pound and Euro going down against the dollar, they are still affordable for American travelers. Also look to avoid high season. Many trips work equally well in winter, but you'll miss the tourist crowds - and the resulting high prices. Spring and Fall are a good compromise if you're hoping for decent weather.
2. Shop around for flights. If you're coming from America, it's not cheap to get to Europe. Use a meta-search such as Kayak or Skyscanner to get an idea of which airlines fly your preferred route. But it can be difficult to find out the cheapest dates to fly (typically midweek prices are cheapest). If your dates are relatively flexible, have a look on the individual airline websites - this can take a bit of time but you can potentially make big savings.
3. Research your travel options within Europe. There are many budget airlines (such as EasyJet and Ryanair) which offer very cheap flights if you book ahead. Research how to get from one place to another before you get there: you'll get a good idea from tourist sites and guidebooks. Look at to find specific routes and times. Destination tourist sites normally have good information about local transport. You can often save money with rail passes (look on ).
4. Try to focus on a specific region. Europe is huge, and there is no way you can explore very much of it in depth in one trip. Focus on one place in depth instead of trying to fit in various destinations in different countries that are many miles apart. Try giving yourself a base and take day trips from there - by doing this you will save on transport fees. If you are determined to cover large distances, investigate Interrail tickets.
5. Check budget hotels first if you want to stay in a hotel. Brands such as Etap, Ibis, Formule1, Travelodge and EasyHotel offer clean, basic rooms for a reasonable price, and there are often deals if you book ahead. If you're in a group, try asking whether rooms can accommodate an extra bed: turning a double into a triple or a quad will invariably be cheaper than having to take another room. Hostels in Europe offer very cheap rates and are also worth investigating. Rooms vary from dormitory style to private, en-suite doubles. You can also save money by self-catering if you stay in a hostel.
6. Consider a holiday apartment. Commonly known as vacation rentals in the US, holiday apartments are widely available in both cities and rural locations. You will often get far more space than a hotel or hostel for a similar (or cheaper) price. Holiday apartments are good value for groups or families and for longer stays. They also offer kitchen facilities and a dining area, which gives you the opportunity to cook or get a takeaway, both of which will save money on eating out. Because they are private residences, holiday apartments also tend to be located in real neighborhoods, which makes for a good cultural experience. There are many good sites offering countryside holiday apartments; try for city stays.
7. Get a tent or camper van! Campsites in Europe, especially France and Spain, are very popular and therefore tend to be kept in good condition. For exploring the countryside, they can be an excellent alternative to normal accommodation - and they are very cheap. Alan Rogers guides are the market leader and a lot of free information is available online at If roughing it isn't your thing but you would like to see the countryside and you fancy something different, consider a farm stay. You may want to look at car rental for countryside trips, but the price of European gas can make it a pricey option.
8. Entertainment doesn't have to be expensive. There is always plenty to do for free in Europe. Try to find a local newspaper or magazine with listings of latest events and attractions. Explore the area - it's free and you'll have some amazing experiences. And do your research before you start paying - there are always offers available on museums, attractions, tours and public transport. Local tourist offices normally offer good advice.
9. Eat out less. It's famous for blowing budgets sky high when you're travelling. If you're going to eat out, try to make lunch the main meal of the day. Many restaurants offer excellent lunch deals, but stay away from tourist spots. You're wasting your money on location, dodgy menu translations and waiters who can speak English, instead of simply paying for the food. If you're feeling adventurous, take a guidebook (look out for one with a food glossary) and follow the locals to places that are slightly off the beaten track. And make sure that you don't tip excessively. Europeans only tend to tip 10%, and tips are often included. Ask the waiters or fellow diners if you're not sure.
10. Eat in! Even if you're not much of a chef, you can save a lot of money by preparing your own food. It's worth eating out occasionally - after all, food is part of the intrinsic culture of the new place you're visiting, and it would be a shame to miss out on the experience entirely - but shopping for food in local shops and markets can still be a great cultural experience. Obviously this is easier if you're staying in a hostel or holiday apartment, or if you're camping, but even if you're staying in a hotel, you can still grab food for lunch, and it doesn't have to require much effort: locally produced breads, cheeses, meats and salad make a great meal. You may even find a delicious local wine to enjoy once the kids have gone to bed. Just don't forget a corkscrew!
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