From newbies to returnees, traveling across Europe has become a hobby to many world travelers. This fascinating continent, characterized by a blend of cultures, rich history made emblematic by skillful and consummate gothic architecture, quaint courtyards and squares, and colorful cobble-street cities, continues to host millions of world travelers. And even with the stunningly falling euro, Europe is not necessarily the cheapest continent to travel around. However, there are several easy ways to criss-cross Europe without overstretching your budget. Here are 6 of them:
Fly budget airlines
Europe has several budget airline carriers with EasyJet and Ryanair being the most popular ones. These aren’t the most classy and fancy planes by any means, but they will probably get you to your destination for cheap. These planes also have spectacular on-time performances to let you depart and arrive at your destination as you have scheduled. If those won’t do, then try out Expedia or Hotels.com for some great travel vouchers.
Travel by bus
When you are traveling between two or more countries, using road transport, specifically buses might not be the most appealing option, because the journey can be both long and tedious. However, if your destination is in the neighboring country, then traveling by bus can be worth your while. Saving up $50 and traveling for 9 hours isn’t that bad. Here are some other ways to travel around Europe cheaply.
Stay in hostels
Hostels usually have a bad rap, but many of them don’t deserve this type of reputation. When you are planning your journey across Europe, you can use websites like HostelWorld to search the best hostels available by location and read reviews and overall rating to get an option that best suits you. With as low as $15 per night, you are sure of spending your night comfortably and save a few dollars for your trip.
Stay away from major city centers
Venturing into Europe’s less-frequented city corners does not only win you the best room rates, it’s also an excellent way to get to learn the local cultures. Alternatively, you can keep your budget in check by renting alternative lodging options like vacation rentals overseas.
Use trains
If you are planning to travel across vast distances, getting a rail pass is the best option to take. Europe has an excellent rail system that is also very cheap, especially over short distances. Though using trains for longer distances can be slightly expensive, rail passes are a great way to cut down on your travel budget when in Europe.
Hitchhiking
The best and cheapest way to travel is to not incur any single coin for bus fare, train or air ticket. Hitchhiking is a common practice in Europe. However, it’s salient that you use your head when you decide to hitchhike. Just because a person stops doesn’t mean you have to get into the car. At least enquire.
Bottom line
Of course, these aren’t the only known ways to travel in Europe for cheap; there are many more. However, when going to a foreign country, it’s wise to do your homework and know the currency exchange rates. Always plan your trip, making weather a top consideration. And finally, remember to equip yourself with extra cash just in case of an emergency.