European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (2024)

6 In Travel/ Uncategorized

My brother-in-law, Josh, is preparing for a study abroad semester in Italy, and he asked if I’d share some insight intotraveling Europe on a limited budget.Whether you’re studying abroad like Josh, or simply working with a tight budget,there are tons of ways to see Europe whilemaking the most of your greenbacks!

  • Low Season Travel. If possible try to plan your trip during your destination’s low season as not only will your lodging be more affordable, but you’ll bypass the crowds and enjoy a more authentic experience. Europe’s low season is usually October-March, but there are a few exceptions, so do someresearch.
  • Free with studentID! If you’re studying abroad or taking a trip abroad while in college, don’t forget your college ID. Most State Museums are free to students in Paris & London, and I bet they’re free in other cities as well.
  • Manynational landmarks are free for everyone (for example theSpanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Borghese Gardens, etc. in Rome are all free), so stick to the free landmarks, and you can get by pretty inexpensively exploring your chosen city, leaving yourmajor costs to belodging and transportation.
  • Eat cheaply by buying foodfrom street vendors (rather than eating atsit-down restaurants). Baguette sandwich and/or crepe stands seem to beon every other corner in Paris. And if you do eat in restaurants ask for tap water, or they’ll bring you bottled water and charge you for it.
  • Tipping??It seems crazy to Americans, but tipping at bars and restaurants is considered rude in some countries. Read up on the countries you’re visiting as it could save you 15-20% at each meal!

European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (2)

  • Plan a picnic!Pick up inexpensive lunch fare (cheese, salami, bread, fruit and maybe some wine!) at a nearby market and set up shop a in a publicgarden. This spring Ken and I picked up lunch fixings for two at a St. Germain market (10 Euro) and had a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens. It was an awesome setting for an inexpensive lunch (and people watching!).
  • Google It! Wherever you’re going, Google “Free Things to do in _____.” This seems obvious, but you’ll besurprised at how many free things you’ll find if you specifically search for it.
  • Open-air Markets. Check to see if your destination city has any open air markets. They’re usually packed withlocal, inexpensive, handmade things (souvenirs!), street performers and cheap eats. London’s Camden Market is a good example.
  • Check out the Study Abroad Financial Resources compiledbyCredit Card Insiderfor unbiased tips and insight on navigating the not-so-glamorous but oh-so-necessary side of travel planning: foreign transaction fees, exchange rates,chip credit cards, bank communication, etc.

Do you have any budget travel tips to add?! Please share!

Picnic image via Colie Parks.

European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (3)

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  • European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (4)

    Michael

    August 7, 2014 at 8:49 am

    1 – don’t go in the “low season” – parts of it are not so low due to school vacations, and X-mas periode and weather can be a spell-breaker in most of Europe in this periode. Go in the summer and save by camping or, indeed, picknicking – its much less fun in November!

    2 – go for longer periodes, and don’t rush around – you can go for two weeks in 7 destinations and will end up spending more than in 4 weeks in 4 destinations.

    3 – choose your destinations – some places may sound cheap but end up not-so-cheap after all, while other places may turn out to be cheaper than you might think. Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten track.

  • European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (5)

    Wanderluster

    August 7, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    I have had amazing travel experiences doing nothing more than what you have on your list. Thank you for sharing it with everyone!

  • European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (6)

    takeawaytidbits

    August 7, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    Thank you! Just moved to London for a year, this really helped.

  • European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (7)

    ksederbe

    August 8, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    1. Travel: Look into train or carpooling options. The German rail site allows you to search in English for train connections. I have done a 1-country pass for 7 days of train travel and we got a lot of mileage out of it.
    http://www.bahn.com/i/view/index.shtml

    Also if traveling in Germany, many young people use mitfahrgelegenheit – a carpooling website that connects drivers with riders – you chip in for gas and can travel very cheaply. Between major cities (Hamburg-Berlin, ex) there are always lots of options and you meet interesting people.
    http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/

    Also – budget airlines. You can travel very cheaply within Europe

    2. Lodging: airbnb or hostels or couchsurfing

    3. Food: I agree with Erin, buy groceries at a market or supermarket and picnic. You’ll get to try local stuff and explore new things, and save $. I have had some of the most memorable meals this way

    4. Free days at museums – lots of museums have one day a week or month that is free. Look into this before you go if you know there’s something you really want to see.

    just a few tips 🙂

    • European Travel on a Budget - Francois et Moi (8)

      francoisetmoi

      August 9, 2014 at 11:02 am

      Awesome tips, Kathryn! Thank you!

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