15 tips for Budget Travel in Europe. How I traveled to 12 countries in 2 months for under $3000. (ONE BONUS TIP)

Do you think that you have to have a lot of money to travel the world?   

Have you been reluctant about going to the amazing places you see online because you think it would be too hard to navigate?               

Have you heard yourself saying over and over that one day you’ll go once you budget and save up thousands of dollars?

Well I am here too tell you in order to travel you do not need all those things!

You DON’T need to have a lot of money.

You DON’T need to be able to speak multiple languages

You DON’T need to plan your every move.

Hello:

My name is Haley, and I am going to give you some tips and tricks for budget travel in Europe that you can follow to go on a HUGE AMAZING BEST TRIP OF YOUR LIFE .

How I traveled to 12 countries in two months for a budget of under $3000 in Europe

Here are my top 15 tips for budget travel in Europe.  These tips will teach you how to travel Europe for months on a budget while still having a great time.  There are many strategies to accomplish your traveling goal. I have a 16th bonus tip for those of you who have a certain type of personality and are safe and smart while traveling.  This last tip is one of my top 3 favorite things about traveling abroad.   Find out the last tip in my Youtube Video.

Contact me if you need a budget travel agent! 

1)      Plan ahead

It is very important when you travel to Europe or anywhere that you at least have a general outline of where you will be going during your time traveling.  You should make a list and plan ahead to know where you are staying, what countries and cities you will be traveling to, and how you are getting to each place.  You don’t need to plan every second of every day, but if you have the basics down you will avoid paying extra last minute travel plan fees and be able to relax. This will not only save you time when you are abroad but will also help you budget beforehand. Take the time you would have wasted on planning during your trip to experiencing where you are in the moment and really traveling.  

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMAG4163-1024x576.jpg

2)   Don’t do everything

You don’t have to do every single thing a city has to offer…and quite frankly there is no way you can.  I am a very high energy go see everything, get up at 6am and go to bed at 2am, and do anything type of person…but I have learned that sometimes it is okay to relax and enjoy the sunset. Narrow down what you want to travel to in each city according to your interests and go to the places that interest you the most. Make a list of your top 3 activities you want to do in a city and it will grow from there. 

Example: If you are in Rome this could be your list.

  1. Go to the Colosseum
  2. Throw a coin into the Trevi fountain
  3. Visit the Sistine Chapel
  4. Explore the Roman Ruins
  5. Get some pasta!
    This way you have an outline of your day(s) and can grow from there. Plans change all the time, but you cannot miss your top 5 activities.

3)   Exchange your money at your local bank before you leave

This is one of the most important things you need to remember if you want to budget your trip in Europe.  ATMs and money exchange tables at the airport that even say 0% commission do get commission and you will lose a lot of money exchanging this way.  In order to avoid these extra costs you can get cash at your local bank before you leave.  Just call or go into your local bank and ask for however many Euros or type of money you need and they will get it to you. This will result in no fees for money exchange, but it will take about 3 weeks to get your cash so plan ahead!

4)      Travel rewards credit cards

Credit cards can save you so much money no matter where you are! There are a variety of options of cards. You can get cashback cards and get 1-5% back on everything you buy. You can sign up for a card that gives you a $ bonus if you spend a certain amount in a few months. You can even get travel reward credit cards and get money back on every kind of travel purchase. I used the Capital One Venture credit card when I traveled, and I got to accumulate points to get free travel in the future.

Benefits of credit cards

  • Get 1-5% cash back on certain purchases
    • Cash back can range from travel purchases, restaurants, groceries, and more. Check with your card to find the best option for you.
  • Get a bonus of a few hundred dollars once you spend $1000+
    • Some cards will give you a bonus of ~$100 and up if you just spend ~$1000 in the first few months. My advice is to buy your plane ticket for ~$1000 and use the extra bonus you will get back towards your housing or food abroad.
  • Travel rewards cards
    • This is similar to the 1-5% back option, but with these cards you will get a percentage back from all your purchases to be used directly towards travel. I used this option and got the Capital one Venture card. I have been using it for years, and it is great for travel benefits.

DISCLAIMER: Do not spend more money than you have! Credit cards are to reward responsible spending not a way to get money you don’t have. Do not go in debt it will end up hurting you in the long run!

5)      Use hostels

Hostels are a great way to budget travel in Europe.  Hostels are dorm like living arrangements in cities all over the world. You can get nice places for $10-$30 a night depending on the country you’re in.  It is also a great way to meet fellow travelers.  Hostels sometimes have discount dinners, drinks, tours and more.  I love staying in hostels and have met some of the greatest people and had the most fun times using them.  Hostels are also almost always in the prime locations in big cities so you won’t have to worry or waste even more money on taxis or trains to get to the heart of the city. This will help you budget even more!

You can find hostels at hostelworld.com I highly recommend them.  I have stayed in hostels in almost every country I’ve ever traveled to, and I always have a great time.

If you are still uneasy about the dorm life, or if you are a little bit older and want a less backpacking experience, I would recommend Airbnb.  They are just a little more expensive than hostels, some are in the heart of the city, and you can get your own room and travel more privately. 

Coming soon: Hostels Pros, Cons and insider tips

6)   Overnight trains and buses

Do you like saving time and money? If you ever just want to get to your destination overnight instead of wasting the day on an 8 hour bus you can take overnight buses from city to city in Europe.  This can be cheaper than a hostel and you will also save time by traveling while you sleep. You can either just take an overnight bus or train and sleep in a normal chair or you can upgrade your seat and get a bed on board. The buses and trains I have used are equipped AC, reclining seats, storage space, and chargers. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to save time and money or is on a budget abroad.  

7)      Only buy one way tickets

Don’t buy round trip tickets if you are traveling on a budget! The bundles that are sold at train stations are a bad deal unless you are planning on just going to one or two countries and plan on being on the train a lot. (Ex – Eurail pass will give you unlimited travel between a few countries, but if you want to leave those countries you have to buy your own tickets)  If you are trying to go all over Europe buy one way tickets to the places you want to go and that’s it.  One-way tickets give you more freedom and I promise are cheaper than buying round trip.

* this goes for plane tickets, bus tickets, train tickets, boat tickets etc etc.

*When you buy turn off your cookies and browser history so they won’t up the price if you’ve been searching for days.

Coming soon: Cheapest and easiest ways to get around Europe

8)      Bring a friend to split costs

This also helped me save a lot of money and helped me stay true to my budget in Europe. Traveling with friends is a lot more fun, and you can split costs like food, some transportation, and even hold each other accountable etc while having someone to experience everything with.  Friends are the root of happiness, and even if you are traveling alone it is possible to meet friends while you travel.

5)      Bring student ID for free museum days / wait for free museum days if you aren’t a student

Your student ID can get you free or cheap into a lot of museums in Europe. This helps students traveling on a budget in Europe because sometimes students do not have to pay the same amount as a regular adult! Some museums even have free days for everyone. European students can get even more discounts if they have their student ID! Do your research and plan ahead and you could save a lot of money on your trip.

  • I have gotten in cheap at the Parthenon in Greece, the Louvre in Paris and more.

10)      Get food at the grocery store for picnics in the park

This is my favorite item on my list for budget friendly travel! This is what definitely saved me the most money while abroad.  Eating out is the highest cost for a lot of people traveling or even in regular life… but you can save so much money by not going out to fancy restaurants all the time.   Splurge once a week to experience the city, but there are so many smaller eateries that give off more local and friendlier vibes while not breaking the bank.

Go to your local grocery store and get some local food and eat on the grass and have a picnic.  I have done this many times while abroad and I HIGHLY recommend it for budget and even non budget travelers.  The food is just as good and sometimes more authentic, and you can meet many local people while having a picnic at the park.  I have met some of the coolest people this way, and I think it gives you more of the experience of a city rather than going to a restaurant with people who just want to talk to each other.

My favorite thing about traveling is meeting people, so why not have a picnic – save money – and meet locals who will show you something you would have never been able to do by reading tips online.  

11)      Use meetup apps / sleep on a coach (Couchsurfing)

My favorite app to use to meet friends abroad is couchsurfing.  Travelers all over the world will let you stay on their couch for a night or two in exchange to learning about your culture.  You can meet new people and stay for free. (always remember though what goes around comes around and be sure to return the favor and let people stay at your house). 

I DO NOT recommend this to just any traveler.  You need to have a certain type of personality and intuition for this to work.  I used it a few times and have always had great experiences, but I KNOW you can meet very creepy people on this app (as this is true with any online meetup app) … Especially if you are a female looking to stay somewhere for a night.  This is a sad reality, but you must be extremely smart and have a backup plan in case something goes south. 

Here are my top tips when using any online meetup app especially as a solo female traveler

  • Look at the person’s ratings from their guests. (review their profile)

  •  Analyse how they spoke to you when you inquired to stay with them.
    • Are they asking you to do something you aren’t comfortable with?  Are they asking for something you are not offering… etc (If they treat it like a dating app I’d stay away)  Trust your instincts.

  • Meet in a public place.
    • My recommendation is to meet up at a coffee shop, park or any public place to meet the person first. DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO THEIR HOME! This way you can meet them in a public setting and judge how they treat you.

  • Look at the area where they live.
    • If this person is trying to get you to go way outside the city to stay with them don’t do it. Try to stay in the heart of the city so you are safe.

  • Talk to them about things other than your travel to see what you have in common and if you click.
    • See what their interests are! Maybe you will find something in common and make a friend!

  • Have a backup plan just in case things get weird when you get there.
    • Never rely on any meet up app to be your only option for a night. Always have a backup plan! This could be staying at a hostel or even the airport if it is close.

  • Get Whatsapp to communicate with people abroad! It is a great app that uses WiFi so you can text people anywhere. 

12)   Take free walking tours

Most big cities have free walking tours that will show you the highlights of the city you are in.  The tour guides are always very informative, and I have learned a lot taking these tours. It’s like a history/geography lesson, but you get to stand where everything happened. You can find them at the front desk at your hostels or wherever you are staying.  (don’t forget to tip your guide) 

13)   Bring a reusable water bottle

Water in Europe is not free, and if you are an American like me who drinks an extreme amount of water that may come as a shock.  So instead of buying a new water bottle every few hours just bring a reusable one from home, (or buy one abroad) and refill it as you go. Water in fine in Europe to fill most anywhere and there are even drinking fountains around outside in big cities. This will save you a lot of money while also saving the environment!

My top reusable water bottles I have used are

  1. Rubbermaid: <$7. It is well worth your money for a small trip. They are sturdy enough, easy to refill, big, and overall an amazing value.
  2. Hydroflask: <$40. These water bottles are my favorite because they keep your water warm or hot, are very stable, and easy to carry around.
  3. Camelbak <$15. I like these for a small trip. They are sturdy, easy to carry, and washable. They are also not as expensive so you won’t feel as bad if something happens to your bottle.
  4. Nalgene: <$11: I have had my Nalgene water bottle for years now, and I can definitely say it is the best budget bottle. These bottles hold the most water, they are the easiest to clean, they are easily stored, and do not break easily.
  5. Contigo” <$8: I have also had my Contigo water bottle for years. They are better if you don’t have a straw (easier cleaning). They are slim and do not break and are one of the cheapest options, so even if you use it 10x you will be saving money on your trip.

14)   Just bring a backpack to avoid extra travel fees

  • I used the Everest 40L Backpacking Backpack. ~$40                                            This backpack has been to 32 countries with me and still has never even ripped.  I would highly recommend this backpack.  It is a great deal for how much it costs. The only downside to it is that it has little back support, but I could do it for thousands of miles so I would still highly recommend it!

  • My friend used the Eye 45L Backpacking Backpack ~45.                                    This backpack also is a great budget option for your trip. It went with my friend to around 20 countries and counting and has had no problems. It is also a little bigger than the Everest backpack so it can store a little more inside.

  • Another friend used the Osprey 50 L backpacking backpack ~$160.               This is one of the non budget friendly backpacking backpacks but overall one of the best values for more of an intense backpacker. This backpack is great for someone who is going to be doing more outdoor activities or wants a backpack more suitable for intense adventures. They are known to last a lot longer than the other backpacks and will not be as strenuous on your back.

It is recommended that you only take a backpack while traveling because it will be easier to transport and most airplanes will restrict you to about a 10kg backpack or you will have to pay extra fees. Avoid fees and keep your budget alive by packing light.

Coming soon: Europe Backpacking Checklist

15) Travel during the off season

Traveling in Europe is a little different depending on what season you travel in. I have traveled in every season and they all have a different charm. The on season (Summer) is a lot more crowded, a lot more is going on, and things are slightly more expensive. The off season (Winter) doesn’t have as many tourists, some things may not be open, and hostels/hotels etc are cheaper. If you want to meet a lot of people and do everything go during on season. If you want to have a more intimate, relaxed, and cheaper trip go during off season. I liked going during summer more because I like to meet people and do everything the countries have to offer, but the winter is a lot more chill.

16 BONUS TIPWatch my video for my favorite thing about traveling abroad.

Disclaimer: You must have a certain type of personality and intuition for it to work. THIS IS NOT A TIP I RECOMMEND TO MOST PEOPLE!!

View the Youtube Video 

Traveling isn’t supposed to be expensive.  The biggest expense for me was the plane ticket there and back. Everything else, if budgeted and planned can be very cheap.

If I can travel all over Europe and have the best time ever for 2 months for $2000 and ~$1000 plane ticket there YOU CAN TOO! 

If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to me

Join my mailing list so you never miss a post.

125 thoughts on “15 tips for Budget Travel in Europe. How I traveled to 12 countries in 2 months for under $3000. (ONE BONUS TIP)”

  1. I love this article about traveling on a budget. My daughter loves to travel as well and has visited 29 countries and counting! I shall pass this on to her. Thanks for sharing.

    1. That is awesome!! I am so glad she has had the privilege to travel to all of those places. I hope these tips can benefit her!

  2. Such great tips and information to travel on a budget. I’m hoping as soon as travel picks back up, that my family and I can begin to start planning our next destination. I would love to go to Europe sometime!

  3. Thanks for these tips! I have used many of these tips, but I haven’t stayed in a hostel yet, but one day I will for sure, as it is something I want to experience.

  4. Omg, yesss! I second everything, especially the money exchanges and staying at hostels! When I moved to Spain, I didn’t exchange any money so, I had to go to so many different ATMs and now I’m dealing with my bank. Also, hostels are great, there are so many perks and you can meet some cool, interesting people!

    1. Yes! I didn’t want to lose a bunch of money to ATMs and money exchange tables! It’s so important to plan!! And yes! I am so glad you enjoy hostels too!

  5. Hi there, I think your website might be having internet browser
    compatibility issues. When I take a look at your website in Safari,
    it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer,
    it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a
    quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic site!
    asmr 0mniartist

  6. Its such as you read my mind! You seem to grasp a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook
    in it or something. I believe that you simply can do
    with a few p.c. to pressure the message home
    a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.
    A great read. I’ll definitely be back. 0mniartist asmr

  7. After exploring a number of the articles on your web page,
    I honestly appreciate your way of blogging. I book-marked it to
    my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future.

    Please check out my web site as well and let me know your opinion. 0mniartist asmr

  8. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.

    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say
    wonderful blog! asmr 0mniartist

  9. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I wish
    to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I want to read more things about it! asmr 0mniartist

  10. wonderful post, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector
    do not notice this. You must continue your writing.
    I am confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

    asmr 0mniartist

  11. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you
    amend your site, how could i subscribe for a weblog website?
    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny
    bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid transparent
    idea 0mniartist asmr

  12. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be
    running off the screen in Internet explorer.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you
    know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks asmr 0mniartist

  13. It is perfect time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy.
    I have learn this submit and if I could I wish to suggest you
    few attention-grabbing issues or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this
    article. I wish to learn more things about it!
    0mniartist asmr

  14. Hi there to every one, the contents existing at this web page are genuinely amazing for
    people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
    asmr 0mniartist

  15. You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be actually something which I believe I’d by no means understand. It seems too complicated and extremely large for me. I’m looking forward in your subsequent submit, I will try to get the hang of it!

  16. Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have created some nice practices and we are looking to trade strategies with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.

  17. I got what you mean , appreciate it for posting.Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “I was walking down the street wearing glasses when the prescription ran out.” by Steven Wright.

  18. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading
    it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back someday.
    I want to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!

  19. Pingback: Google

  20. naturally like your website however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality on the other hand I will certainly come again again.

  21. The core of your writing while sounding reasonable initially, did not settle very well with me after some time. Someplace within the paragraphs you actually managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a short while. I still have a problem with your jumps in logic and one might do nicely to fill in all those gaps. In the event that you actually can accomplish that, I could definitely be amazed.

  22. I haven¦t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  23. I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for putting up. “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

  24. magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

  25. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this put up and if I could I wish to recommend you few interesting issues or suggestions. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles regarding this article. I desire to learn even more things about it!

  26. This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  27. I?¦m no longer positive the place you’re getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time learning more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

  28. It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  29. I discovered your weblog website on google and verify a number of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the superb operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Searching for forward to reading extra from you in a while!…

  30. I wanted to jot down a simple note to thank you for these precious items you are writing at this website. My prolonged internet look up has finally been recognized with reputable details to share with my partners. I would tell you that we readers actually are really endowed to live in a very good place with very many outstanding people with great secrets. I feel very much privileged to have encountered your entire web pages and look forward to plenty of more pleasurable times reading here. Thanks again for everything.

  31. At first I wasn’t sure I would be able to read a lengthy article. The way you write definitely attracted my attention. Your return with an outstanding content as usual. Great Article Neil. I have read it a couple of days ago but didn’t leave any comments, however I thought this article was good enough to warrant a thanks you, I’ll be applying some of these suggestions to my own sites shortly!

  32. It was difficult for me to believe that I can read such a long article. Your style was captivating. Your return with an excellent article as always. Great Article Neil. I read it a few days ago but didn’t leave a comment, but felt this article was excellent enough to merit a mention. for your time. I’ll definitely be implementing the tips on my websites shortly!

  33. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  34. Thanks for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such info.

  35. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  36. I?¦ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me recognize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  37. You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I believe I would never understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely vast for me. I’m taking a look forward on your subsequent post, I?¦ll try to get the hang of it!

  38. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to find someone with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the web, somebody with slightly originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!

  39. I do enjoy the way you have framed this problem and it does indeed present us some fodder for thought. Nonetheless, coming from just what I have personally seen, I just simply wish when other responses pack on that people today continue to be on point and in no way get started upon a soap box regarding the news du jour. Yet, thank you for this superb piece and even though I do not necessarily go along with the idea in totality, I regard the point of view.

  40. Hi there, just turned into alert to your blog via Google, and located that it is truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate should you continue this in future. Many folks might be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

  41. Undeniably consider that that you stated. Your favourite reason appeared to be on the web the simplest factor to take note of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed whilst other folks consider concerns that they just don’t understand about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thank you

  42. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, superb site!

  43. I and my guys ended up checking the great points found on your web site then quickly came up with an awful suspicion I had not thanked the web blog owner for them. These ladies appeared to be absolutely warmed to read through all of them and now have truly been enjoying them. Thank you for being simply thoughtful and for obtaining such cool information most people are really wanting to know about. My honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to you earlier.

  44. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognise what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with my web site =). We could have a link trade agreement among us!

  45. Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess
    I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any helpful hints for first-time blog writers?

    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  46. Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I am happy to find numerous useful information here in the post, we need work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  47. I think this is one of the most significant info for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The
    site style is wonderful, the articles is
    really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Social Share Buttons and Icons powered by Ultimatelysocial
error

Enjoy this blog? Spread the word!

Email
Instagram