Europe is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in the world with its beautiful nature, gorgeous castles, rich cultures, and friendly people. For students, travel in Europe can give a great opportunity to see others and themselves from a new perspective and enjoy life-changing experiences. But how can you afford for these journeys with a tight budget? Let’s take a look at a few budget-friendly tips for students to visit beautiful European cities this summer.
1. Make a detailed plan
Before starting your trip, it is important to do research about your destinations. This will keep you from wasting your time walking around and to look at a guidebook all the time. These days, it is easy to find this information on the Internet, especially travel blogs or Youtube. Shared stories from other friends or family members can also be helpful. But after all, you should purchase a comprehensive guidebook to have a good understanding of the countries.
In your plan, make sure to include specific destinations, number of days to visit, the amount of spent money, activities to do, and more. This can save you a lot of money due to delays or overspending during the trip.
2. Avoid popular destinations in high seasons
When planning the itinerary, remember that the most-visited and popular cities in Western Europe like Berlin, Madrid, London, or Paris are undoubtedly the costliest ones. For budget travel, it is better to avoid visiting these places during high seasons, especially the summer, unless you want to empty your wallet quickly.
For instance, when you fly to Berlin, just plan a couple of days to explore the city as much as possible, then get out and travel to other cheaper cities around Germany like Bonn, Potsdam, or Heidelberg. Even better, you can explore these expensive destinations during weekends or off-season holidays when everything would be more affordable.
3. Understand the exchange rate when budgeting
When you plan the budget for your Europe trip, make sure to consider the following things:
– The exchange rate between the destination country and your nation. Make sure to check it only and learn how to get a good rate without significant charges.
– Visit cheap countries before they get costlier after joining the Eurozone. These include many Eastern Europe countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Czech, or Poland.
– Plan your spending carefully to make sure there will be no major deficit.
4. Make use of public transportation
If you plan to visit many destinations, then the Eurail Pass can be a great train system which can allow you to travel to more than 20 member countries at much more affordable ticket prices. Also, it often offers many special discounts and sales, so make sure to plan your trip early to find cheap options in advance.
In addition, you can choose to travel with low-cost bus services, which are becoming increasingly popular in Europe. With a little research, it is easy to find many international and local bus routes at great prices and purchase via credit cards. Another possible option is to share rides in a private vehicle, which is easier and safer than hitchhiking. There are many websites providing these services.
5. Save on your accommodations
When it comes to finding accommodations in Europe, hostels are probably the best option for single travelers as you would you pay only for a bed instead of the whole room. There are many youth hostels in Europe which cost you from $20 to $40. Just make sure to book your rooms in advance, especially during the summer, because these places can fill up really quickly.
Couchsurfing is another low-cost alternative for students. However, you should know that your hosts will expect something from you, such as spending some time or restocking their fridge. Thus, make sure when you are doing our research.
6. Enjoy the many fun and free activities
Ask the local tourist booth for a brochure or a calendar of special events so that you can you know what is going on while you are visiting there. Many cities across Europe often offer free events and festivals to the general public such as exhibits, fairs, or concerts.
If you want to go around the city, then it is a good idea to look for any free walking tours. As the name suggests, some local people will show you around major destinations voluntarily. This means that you won’t have to tip the guide at all.
In sum, the cost of traveling is probably one of the most stressful things for most student when they plan for a Europe trip. But with these useful money saving tips, you can enjoy the beauty of the old continent without breaking your bank account. But before heading to romantic Paris, how can you survive the final writing exam or thesis? RapidEssay will be a good solution to help you with these situations. With a team of highly qualified writers, we can offer high-quality essays so that you can focus on other important things on your once-in-a-lifetime trip.
