Practical Tips For Traveling Europe On A Budget

It’s no secret that traveling to Europe can be expensive. In addition to airfare, which can eat up a significant portion of your budget, travel throughout the continent, accommodations, activities and dining all add up pretty quickly. Before you know it, several thousand dollars have been spent. According to many estimates, a three-week European vacation can cost between $3,000 and $5,000 per traveler.

Despite the rising costs, European travel continues to be a consistent summer travel trend. According to many estimates, Americans booking European summer travel is expected to soar by 55%. Travelers are digging deep into their pockets this year due to skyrocketing airline prices, which have been estimated to have increased up to 37%.

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There are ways, however, to save on travel to Europe.

Scrap the hotels and book a hostel instead: While most people may think hostels are only for youth travel, they can be the ideal accommodations for all budget-conscious travelers. From private rooms with your own bathroom to rooms to fit your whole group, there’s a style for everyone who books abroad. In fact, hostels like a&o Hostels, the largest hostel brand in Europe, share that 22.56% of their travelers are between ages 18-24 and 27.77% of their travelers are between ages 25-34. Their hostels have a place to make your own meals and save money on food as well as provide a safe, clean and private space so you can put more of your budget towards experiences.

Germany offers the widest selection of a&o hostels. The brand was founded in 2000 with its first hostel in Berlin Friedrichshain and now has properties in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne. Oliver Winter, founder & CEO of a&o Hostels, says, “Forty-five percent of our rooms are family rooms, which can accommodate up to eight guests, forty-five percent are classic private and ten percent are dorms. All a&o’s are unique as most of them are existing buildings which we converted into hostels. From the mountains in Munich to a super historic building in Berlin to a seaside escape in Hamburg, each hostel in Germany offers something a little different.”

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Munich is simple to navigate on foot or with a stroller. Travelers can immerse themselves in culture by offering free immersive activities like visiting Olympiapark, an all-rounder from recreation to concerts which offers leisure, nature, world-class performances and events, as well as attractions like the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Hall and Olympic Tower. Additionally, visit the Wiener Platz Market, a daily food market, to explore a diverse amount of German food and knick-knacks.

According to Winter, there is no rule to how far out hostels have to be booked in advance, but of course, the earlier the better, especially in high season. He explains, “You can’t always book and plan a trip six months in advance, so it’s always worth checking if there is a vacancy for all room types, such as classical double or single rooms, family rooms or a single bed in a dorm. For select houses, a&o always offers specials or last minute offers.

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If travelers are an a&o club member, they benefit from up to 15% discount on every booking. Additionally, they offer lots of specials throughout the year such as promotions offering 25% off for families in certain hostels. Winter says, “Our motto is everyone can travel, and we deliver on that by offering the best value for our guest’s money.”

Travel by train: In Europe, trains are a quick and comfortable substitute for expensive flights, especially if you’re traveling to several locations. Spend $25 on a train ticket and save up to a whopping $200 for a plane ticket. Plus, when riding trains you get a beautiful view and a memorable experience.

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Choose destinations with budget activities: Not all cities come with a high price tag, and many European destinations offer free and low cost activities such as Vienna, Austria. It’s one of Europe’s most picturesque, historically significant and culturally influential cities, and visitors can explore for free many of the city’s most beautiful sites. Travelers can walk through the breathtaking ,St. Stephen’s Cathedral one of Vienna’s most well-known structures, or play Schönbrunn’s Gardens free of charge. Other highlights include free walking tours.

Get cash ahead of time to save money on the exchange: If you’ve traveled to Europe you know that exchanging money includes fees. So save some money and time by going to AAA’s website to request your US dollar exchange to whichever currency you’re in need of before traveling.