Travelling Europe on a budget

For many Brits out there the lure of Europe is a justifiably luring one. Europe arguably contains some of the most amazing countryside, architecture and history in the world, but the cost and stress involved in organising and booking such trips can often put people off.

Yet this does not necessarily have to be the case, to book a truly amazing, yet affordable, few days in Europe you need only to follow a few simple steps. Before you know it you'll be proudly sat atop of the Eiffel Tower having spent less than a week’s shopping.

Keep your options open

Far too many people become set on visiting one particular place, disregarding the many hundreds of alternatives Europe has to offer. Open your mind to the full variety of different European cultures, from the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean to Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe, this continent offers a unique experience with new foods, traditions, architecture and people.

To combat this you can do two things, either sit down with a map or guide in front of you and create a list of places you want to visit, when one of your chosen locations becomes suitably cheap jump on the opportunity and go. This way may require you to set aside a particular timeframe, especially if you have work or family commitments, but the principle remains the same. The second option is for the more spontaneous, go in with a completely open mind – who cares if you’ve never heard of it! If the there is a deal which looks attractive go for it, you may end up in Barcelona, Milan, or some amazing Bavarian countryside, this technique, so long as you keep an open mind, could offer amazing experiences and offers a fantastic way to see the real Europe.

Both of these options will allow you to see parts of the world that you otherwise would not, try and expand your horizons and look beyond tourist laden beaches and you’ll soon find yourself witnessing the hidden wonders of Europe.

Third Party Websites and agencies

Websites such as lastminute.com and teletextholidays are fantastic resources just a few clicks away from any would-be travellers. Both offer a variety of different services, you can book pretty much anything from an all-inclusive trip to New York to a short city break in Paris. For anyone who wants an easy no fuss holiday cheaper than the standard rate then these websites are perfect for you.

However, you do not necessarily need to book your holiday through them! You can just as easily use their offers as a template, more often than not you can save a significant amount of money by cutting out the middleman and contacting the hotels (most have English speaking staff) and airlines directly, either by telephone or email. Both pay a fee to the websites and therefore push up the overall price. This method also gives you the added advantage of being able to book the times and days of your flights to suit you. Whilst it won’t work out every time it is certainly an option worth considering.

Note: For those who do decide to book directly through these websites make sure you check the flight times of your trip; often the cheapest trips will have either very early or very late flights which can quite drastically cut the amount of time you actually have in your destination.

Hotels

Far too many people in the world discard the hostel option out of hand. For an amazing holiday on a budget you need to throw away your preconceived notions of down-trodden and unhygienic rooms! Many modern hostels have fantastic facilities, offer breakfast as standard, and in some cases even have private rooms for hire. Whilst hotels are more luxurious there are many areas where the hostel comes out on top, one of the most significant of which is a kitchen. This may seem an unimportant detail at first but when you consider the amount of money people spend on dining out during their travels it quickly becomes one of the most costly parts of your trip. A kitchen gives you the opportunity to cook for yourself; a quick trip to the local supermarket will allow you to not only save money but a chance to try the local cuisine!

Another myth is the perceived lack of security in hostels, however, the majority of modern hostels provide at least one locker per person and an additional safe behind the counter. Whilst it is not bulletproof security it certainly does the job, so long as you don’t go flashing around your wad of cash and £600 camera then you’ll often find the security measures more than adequate.

There are many very good websites that offer honest and real feedback of peoples experiences of different hostels, www.hostelworld.com is one trusted example; here they breakdown their feedback into different categories including location, cleanliness, facilities and importantly the best and worst aspect of their stay. This allows you to see in detail whether the hostel will meet your standards.

Hostels are a traveller’s secret – take advantage! This year I stayed in a double private room incentral Florence, just a minute walk from the Basilica di Santa Maria, for no more than £10 a night! Whilst it wasn’t perfect it did include a kitchen, wi-fi, 24hour access and breakfast not to mention the ideal location.

Just remember, you’re travelling to see the location, and not your accommodation! Why pay so much for what is essentially a place to sleep?

Airports and Airlines

There are three factors to think about when considering your airports and airlines; additional charges, the location of the destination airport, and which airport to fly from. Each of these factors can make a huge difference to the overall cost of your holiday.

Many budget airlines will charge you significantly more if you wish to take more than 1 item of luggage, take heed and travel light! By checking the airlines website you can discover the weight and dimension limits of hand luggage, simple things like only taking what you actually need makes a big difference, also try and find a lightweight bag or suitcase, I have found fabric rucksacks to be particularly good in this role, but your opinion may differ!

HINT: A nice way around the 1 bag rule is duty free. Most budget airlines will allow passengers 1 item of hand luggage and 1 bag of duty free, go buy a bottle of water from WHSmiths and ask for the biggest bag they have, then fill it with whatever you need! (I cannot guarantee this will work every time, although it has never failed me yet!)

The location of the destination is a very important factor, if it is 40miles away from your final destination then you need to factor in additional transportation costs – always check on google maps where the airport actually is. If it is far away from your destination then see if there are regular transport links and how much they cost (usually the airport website will have this information, if not then a quick google search can often answer your questions).

The choice of airport you’re flying from can also significantly influence the overall price of your trip. There is a tendency for many people to rely on the big city airports such as London and Manchester for all their travelling needs. Yet by simply looking at your local and regional airports you can find a whole wealth of destinations that are significantly cheaper – both through the actual ticket cost, and the cost of transportation to and from the airport. This is always worth considering when planning a potential holiday, by simply checking the destination list through individual airport websites you could find yourself saving a fortune.

Public Transport

It is important to check what public transport is available at your destination, if you’re planning to go trekking along the alps then don’t expect to find regular buses all year round. However, if you’re visiting a large city then it is important to find out the extent of the services they offer, most large cities boast cheap and convenient public transport, allowing visitors to see the whole city with relative ease. Just remember to always buy a ticket, different countries have different laws, being fined or worse yet, ending up in a prison cell is never worth it- no matter how easy it may seem.

For those who scorn public transport and prefer to hire a car, take into consideration the distances you plan on covering – if it is just around a city then think about traffic and parking. You’ll often find it is far cheaper and more convenient to stick with the established transport system.

How long?

The length of time spent in a location can greatly increase the overall costs, while it sounds simple many people either over or underestimate the amount of time they need in a certain place. Do your research, even if it is a quick top 10 things to see in XXXX and you’ll soon see that one day maybe too short, or a month too long!

Pre-booking activities and events

For those who have a set itinerary or simply want to visit certain attractions it is well worth seeing if you can book tickets in advance; often they can be cheaper than buying them on the door, and it ensures you won’t be disappointed on the day! Some attractions have huge queues and long waiting times, and there is nothing better than being able to walk straight to the front because you booked ahead!

Whilst this list is by no means complete, it does offer some small hints and tips that can save your average traveller a significant amount of money, ultimately allowing you to see more for less! There is a wealth of material available for those unsure where to visit next; I personally recommend the DK Eyewitnessseries which offers various editions focusing on specific places and more general ones focusing on certain areas and Europe in its entirety.