Europe is an enchanting continent with stunning Paris, beaches in Greece, coffee shops of Amsterdam and Oktoberfest. You’ll never run out of things to add to your itinerary while you’re on a trip there.
It holds incredibly wonderful people, amazing wines, historical architecture, and breathtaking beaches. With the diversity of choices available in Europe, it can easily get overwhelming and cut a deep hole in your wallet.
Good news, it doesn’t have to. Read on to find out how you can save on your Europe vacation trip.
Cheat Sheet for Booking the Cheapest Flights to Europe
1) Compare ticket prices across various sites and airlines, keeping your dates flexible. You’ll find that flights are fairly cheaper on weekdays.
2) You can save a huge amount of money by not taking a direct flight to your destination. So if you have the luxury of time and don’t mind some hassles, book flights with a few stops. However, do remember to avoid tangled crossovers, so you can onboard, off board and take care of your luggage with enough time to board the next flight.
3) If you’re preparing for a vacation to Europe, you’re likely planning to visit more than one country. A round trip ticket will irrefutably be more expensive than a one way. So book a return ticket when you’re on the last destination of your trip so you can save big.
4) Plan your vacation during the off season of Europe to avoid spending extra on hotels and flights. You will steer clear of the crowds as well as have an authentic European experience.
5) If you have been browsing the net comparing prices of cheap flights to Europe, clear your cache and cookies on your device before making your final booking. Your search history generally results in websites quoting higher prices for your choice of flights.
Tricks to Avail the Best Hotel Deals
1) Stay in a centrally located hotel so that you’ll save time and money on travel expenses. It’d be a short walk or ride to wherever your destination is when the hotel is in the heart of the city is far more of an affordable choice.
2) Try booking a packaged tour instead of booking a hotel individually. The former will get you stays at 5 star hotels that may have otherwise been too expensive for you.
3) Travel in groups so you can avail heavy group discounts for hotel bookings.
4) If a crowd is not your style, travel with your partner or friend because individual stays can prove to be costly.
5) Ensure your hotel offers complimentary breakfast so you won’t be left thinking about your meal at the start of your day.
Food and Drinks Don’t Have to Burn Your Pocket
1) Eating out is crazy expensive. Make your own meals by buying the necessities at a nearby supermarket and carry a snack or two whenever you head out.
2) Look for bakeries and pastry shops instead of restaurants because they offer substantial foods at reasonable prices.
3) Opt for takeaway instead of a sit- down meal as they can be pretty high-priced.
4) If you want to have alcohol, pick it from the supermarkets instead of ordering cocktails and refreshments. Or you can choose to avoid it altogether.
5) Do not choose mainstream, renowned restaurants. Instead, explore small restaurants, cafes and bars as they are quite affordable.
Shopping Dos and Don’ts
1) Shop from the local markets instead of the popular tourist locations, where products are steeply priced from a key- chain to a shirt.
2) Souvenirs and mementos are tremendously overpriced at tourist shops. Keep an eye out for the local markets where you can get such items at far more economical prices.
3) It is easy to lose track of your expenses when you’re paying with credit cards. Get a travel card of a fixed value from your bank as an alternative, so you’ll be aware of your budget and control everyday expenditure.
4) Metros, trams and buses are convenient and affordable modes of transport in Europe and a single pass can give you access to all three. The passes can be bought at most stores, metro stations or bus stops. Choose that and steer clear of cabs completely.
