Top Budget Travel Tips: Enjoy A European Adventure

Some places in Europe have a reputation for being expensive, and it’s easy to feel like they’re out of reach. With a bit of creativity, some smart planning, and a little homework before you go, you can enjoy these destinations without stressing about your waller. These are some of the best budget travel tips and tricks for making the most of your trip without overspending.

Thinking of travelling and unsure about travelling solo? This guide breaks down why you should!

How to Plan Your Trip to Expensive European Destinations

Travelling is good for us. It can change our brain and help to build new connections. In fact, travel has so many benefits, including making new friends and connecting with new cultures. Don’t let the price of some destinations put you off travelling there. It’s very possible to visit expensive destinations on a budget, especially with the growing popularity of budget travel in Europe.

The key to budget travel in Europe is knowing what costs to expect and how to manage them before you even leave home. My first budget travel tip is to start by researching and comparing costs for flights, accommodation, transport, and daily expenses. 

Take a little time to check average prices for the period you’re traveling, and make note of any deals or promotions you find online. It might mean travelling mid-week or in the off-season for tourism. This is one of the best ways to make the most of budget travel in Europe.

Next, set a budget for everything. Set an overall budget to start with, and then break this down into percentages that you’re going to spend on accommodation, entertainment and museums, food and any shopping and souvenirs. Keep a little money aside as part of your budget too, just in case there’s an emergency. 

Being prepared before your trip allows you to enjoy expensive European destinations without constantly worrying about money. It means you’ll be able to relax more too once you’re there, especially with a nice and full itinerary and day to day plan.

Finding Cheap Flights to Europe

Sometimes flights can be the most expensive part of any holiday. Even when travelling to more ‘budget’ destinations, the cost of travelling can end up being nearly as much as the whole holiday. These budget travel tips help you to get your flights just right.

One of the simplest tips is to book your flights on the right day. For some reason, flights seem to be cheapest on a Tuesday. Making sure you don’t book too close to your planned departure is also important. When booking flights online, also remember to use a private browser so the flight costs don’t increase. 

Another way to cut costs is to use budget airlines and self-connecting flights. Budget airlines like Transavia, Ryanair and Wizzair don’t fly too and from every airport. Sometimes it means having to book yourself onto connecting flights.

This is probably one of the best ways I have been able to visit expensive European destinations on a budget. I was able to fly to Helsinki for €34, but it did mean having to book a €20 flight from Dublin to London, and then a €14 from London to Helsinki.

If you book self connecting flights, make sure you also give enough time between flights too. If your first flight has an hours delay, you don’t want to end up missing your second flight. When booking a second flight, I usually make sure that there’s at least 3 hours between them. 

You can also consider nearby airports and alternative routes. Instead of flying directly to your main destination, check if flying into a neighbouring city or country and taking a train or bus is cheaper. Especially when flying with budget airlines, you can find that their cheapest routes are to destinations that are within 2-3 hours travel. 

An example of this is visiting a city like Ljubljana. It can be cheaper to fly into Zagreb in Croatia, and then get the FlixBus. Similarly, it’s often cheaper to take the train or bus to either Brussels or Eindhoven for cheap flights rather than flying out of Amsterdam. You just have to be keep in mind that you’ll be adding an extra few hours to your travelling journey.

Finally, keep an eye out for sales and make sure you claim your air miles. Signing up for newsletters can help when it comes to checking when there’s flight sales on. Some airlines will even give information and discounts to members if you’re signed up to their newsletters. 

Affordable Accommodation Options

Accommodation can easily eat up a big part of your budget. If you’re visiting expensive destinations on a budget, luckily, there are plenty of comfortable, quality options that are also affordable.

If you’re traveling solo, hostels or pod-style hotels are a great choice. Many modern hostels offer private pods or small rooms at a fraction of hotel prices, giving you both privacy and affordability. Another option is shared dorms in hostels. 

Most hostels also will have a kitchen or provide breakfast services, which can also help to save money. If you’re a solo traveller, hostel kitchens are also a great way to meet other travellers and make new friends.

Traveling with friends or family? Splitting the cost of an Airbnb is often one of the cheapest ways to find accommodation. It might mean having to share a double bed, but it can also give your trip that throwback feel to the fun sleepovers you had when you were younger.

Another tip is to book in advance and compare options. Prices for hotels and rentals can fluctuate, and booking early usually locks in a lower rate. Contacting hotels and rentals directly can also sometimes give a cheaper price than booking through third party websites. It’s also a good way to verify your accommodation is real and not fall prey to the rising accommodation scams.

Saving Money on Food and Daily Expenses

Food and everyday costs can quickly add up as one of your biggest expenses, especially in some of the more expensive European destinations.

One of the easiest ways to save is to shop at local supermarkets. Budget supermarkets like Lidl are in most European countries and have tasty, freshly made pastries and bread. If you go early enough, you can even get them while they’re still hot.

There’s also no harm in signing up for any supermarket discount cards. You can always use them again if you ever come back and visit again. In most places, you’re able to buy simple meals like sandwiches and some basic hot food in supermarkets too.

It’s smart to avoid tourist-trap restaurants. Places near popular attractions often charge much more for basic meals. Look for small, hole-in-the-wall style family places and make sure you check prices before you sit down at any restaurant or cafe. 

Asking locals for recommendations and looking up menus in advance is a great way to also work out your costs and make sure you stay within your budget. You don’t need to rely on fast food restaurants, either. It’s very possible to visit fancier restaurants, as long as you’re careful and realistic with your budget.

Finally, don’t forget small daily expenses like coffee, bottled water, or snacks. Many European countries have places where you can refill water bottles for free. Bring an empty bottle with you, or if you buy a bottle make sure you re-use it. 

You will have to pay a tax on any plastic bottles you buy, but you can claim this back with the bottle machines you find in most supermarkets. Make sure to keep an eye on how many snacks you buy, and their cost too. It’s often cheaper to spend a little bit more for soup or a sandwich, rather than snacking throughout the day.

Getting Around on a Budget

Transportation costs can be a real pain sometimes, but making sure you look into the most budget friendly ways to get around is a great way to save money.

One of the best ways to save is by using public transport passes. Many cities offer multi-day tickets for buses, trams, or metros, which are much cheaper than buying single tickets every time you travel. 

Another tip is to buy tickets through official apps or websites. Many cities offer discounts for digital purchases, and you can avoid extra fees at ticket machines or kiosks. In some cities, they no longer have the physical kiosks either.

If you’re open to walking or cycling, exploring on foot or by bike can also save money and give you a more personal experience of the city. Some destinations even have short-term bike rentals or free walking tours that make sightseeing affordable.

Planning Activities and Entertainment Without Overspending

Activities, tours, and museum visits can become some of the biggest expenses when traveling. Making sure you plan ahead when it comes to museums is the most effective way to maximise your time and keep it as cheap as possible.

Start by researching museums, tours, and events ahead of time. If there’s a museum you know you want to visit, or an experience that’s an absolute must do, make sure you book them in advance. Keep an eye on deals too for experiences, and check if they’re part of points-based discounts like the Revolut points scheme which lets you exchange points for discounted tickets.

Another great tip is to look for free days or reduced entry hours. Many museums and cultural sites offer free admission on certain days of the month or cheaper evening tickets. Students and families can also get these discounts, and some European museum cards may grant you cheaper or free access too. In some cities like London, visiting most museums are free except for special exhibits.

If you’re staying at a hostel, sometimes they’ll also put on free or cheap events that will encourage you to explore the city. Some hostels and hotel also partner with attractions to offer guest reduced ticket prices too. 

Make sure you either book all your excursions in advance, or you make sure you budget and plan very carefully. Change it up, and mix in free and cheaper experiences with the more expensive ones too to keep things fresh and fun. 

By mixing free or low-cost activities with a few must-see experiences, you can enjoy everything these destinations offer without overspending.

Some Final Budget travel Tips

Finally, try to stay flexible and creative. Sometimes the cheapest options aren’t the most obvious ones. Even if you plan the whole trip well in advance, once you arrive you might find a few hidden gems you weren’t expecting.

Other things, like only bringing a small personal bag to travel, can help when it comes to buying gifts and souvenirs. By limiting yourself to your small bag, you are less likely to buy items you can’t bring back. If you absolutely have to buy a few souvenirs, check out a few different shops and go for the cheapest ones.

Workaway have some great tips for travelling light, and how to pack light for long-term travel too.

If you’re travelling with other people, see if there’s any items you can share. It’ll help save on buying any travel sized items like toothpaste and shampoo and conditioner. If you want to pay the extra to bring a bigger bag, see if you can split the cost amongst your group so everyone can add a few items. It’s a great budget travel tip especially in a group.

You don’t need a huge budget to enjoy places that are usually seen as pricey. With a bit of planning and a few clever choices, Western Europe can actually be pretty affordable. Snagging cheaper flights, picking budget-friendly stays, and mapping out your plans ahead of time all make a big difference. And honestly? Traveling on a budget usually ends up being way more fun. You stumble into cool local spots, unexpected moments, and memories that will last a life time.

Do you have any budget travel tips you’d like to share? Feel free to add them in the comments.