Although big European cities like Paris and London get all the attention, traveling there can be pretty expensive. When you think about all the money you might save, you might even have enough to take a second vacation! There are cheap places to travel in Europe too, and many are just as worthy of your attention.
Where to Travel to Europe on a Budget
An interesting post by World Packers lists five European countries that one might not think of right away when planning a trip to this part of the world. Forget about the tourist traps; their first choice is Hungary and its capital, Budapest. Although they mention staying in hostels and backpacking, you can find affordable listings on Airbnb for as little as $41 a night! The food prices aren’t as high as in big European cities either, and you can shop at places like Aldi’s for food and cook them at your rental. They also mention Portugal, which has areas on the water just like Amsterdam. The buildings are colorful, the people are friendly, and the three best cities to visit are Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve.
We Are Global Travelers likes Czechia (the Czech Republic) but recommend avoiding Prague because it can be a tourist trap. In particular, they suggest the spa town of Karlovy Vary and the Moravian Wine Country. They also mention Romania, Albania, Poland, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Bulgaria has beautiful beach towns and great mountain trails, and it is thought to be the cheapest country in Europe.
How to Travel in Europe on a Budget
Generally, airfare is the expensive part of an international trip, and Europe is no exception. You can save by avoiding non-stop flights; one or more layovers can be tiring and annoying, but the prices are lower. You don’t need to fly business class, either; economy class is the way to go if you want to save money. When booking the tickets, look at websites like Seat Guru to search for seats with a bit of extra legroom. It’s a great idea to set up travel alerts that email you when airfare goes down for specific flights.
Once you’re in Europe, there are many ways to get around within and to nearby countries. Nomadic Matt suggests using public transportation services like the German-based Flix Bus and Busabout. They have set routes that you can hop on and off. BlaBlacar is a rideshare service where you share vehicles with other riders for a small fee. The other best options mentioned are budget airlines like RyanAir and getting a Eurail pass.
More Cheap Places to Travel in Europe
If you’re feeling even more adventurous, US News Travel lists some fascinat
ing European cities that you might not even have heard of. One of these is Tallinn, which is in Estonia. It overlooks the Baltic Sea, and its Old Town area has cobblestone streets, incredible museums, and medieval attractions. They also mention Zagreb, Croatia, and some of the best attractions there, including the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Dolac Market, and the lovely Lotrscak Tower and Stone Gate.
Located in Ireland, Galway is incredible in the spring and fall (fewer people than the summer crowds) and features Connemara National Park, the Cliffs of Moher and St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. If you’ve always wanted to visit Greece, consider the beautiful island of Corfu. The landscape is incredible, and there are some unique religious sights as well; you can fly here from Athens in about an hour. Other notable and cheap places to travel in European cities include Glasgow, Scotland; Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Granada, Spain.
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