wilees

I'm a budget traveller - mostly out of necessity but partly out of choice. While some people on this forum spend a lot of money in two weeks there are just as many of us who wish to squeeze as much of Europe out of every dollar or pound. (Each to his own.) So in this vein I have started:

Wilees’ Budget Travel Tips


1. Do plenty of research before hand – particularly to identify where you can get cheaper fares for booking in advance. Ask advice of your friendly Fodorites and use the search function.

2. Always carry water and snacks with you. Prices will always be more expensive around tourist places i.e. Coliseum. Have you paid E5 for a Coke or E7 for a gelato? Go and stock up on local food from the markets to nibble on. Saves money, stops you getting grumpy from being hungry and you get to experience local food. This is my golden rule.

3. Cities are more expensive than towns. While you are in the cities make the most of them then move out to a relaxing town for a break before your next city. Accommodation is almost always cheaper, food cheaper and often better quality. Also, many attraction will be free i.e. walks up a mountain. For instance, we stayed a wonderful night in Assisi. It cost E46 a night at one of the nicest hotels we stayed throughout the trip. We walked up the hill to see the views from the top and visited the churches (small donation) and just wandered around the gorgeous town. We also had one of our nicest meals out here. In Melk we stayed in a hotel for about E45 and took a boat ride down the Danube and did some walks along the river. Very peaceful.

4. Self cater several nights and then go out for a meal at a nice restaurant once every few nights. That way you get to experience the cuisine of the area without blowing the budget (and it saves the waistline).

5. In Italy book train fares online in advance to get Eurostar (first class sometimes) for E29. Also fares into Austria can be very cheap in advance. However, there is currently a Happy Train promotion for last minute fares.


Does anybody else have any tips to add??

wilees

6. In Germany train travel is expensive due to the long distances. However, if time is not an issue and trains are still a novelty use the Regional Passes. Up to 5 people can travel on one pass all day (but only on regional trains). We travelled from Fussen to Heidelberg for E48 one day using the Bavaria Pass to the Bavaria border and then the Baden-Wurtteberg pass onwards. I think we changed 3 times. But it saved us over E150 and we had an entertaining day meeting other travellers and being on different trains. (Students approached us to piggy back on our ticket for a trip and offered to pay some of the fare. – This is illegal but obviously fairly common.)

7. Use the ticket machines in Germany. Enter where you are travelling to and it will print out every possible train times and combination and price. Then make a fully informed decision time versus cost. Also you have the timetable printed now to carry around!

wilees

8. Rail Passes. Almost always seem to be more expensive. They are not always more convenient as you may need to get a reservation or pay a supplement. However, there are exceptions so do the math.

9. In cities stay either a) near the train station or b) centrally (assuming you do not have a car!). If you find a place cheaper on the outskirts this is often more hassle than it is worth. While it will save you money you still have the transport costs into the city, you can’t go back to your accommodation for a nap during the day and evenings out are not as simple. Instead refer to suggestion 3. i.e. Pay for the higher hotel in central Venice for 2 nights (3 full days) – do Venice.

10. Another way to save money is to not travel as far. Just pick one country and visit a region in detail. I could have spent loads of time in Bavaria.

dina4

(Great thread!!)

11. Never exchange money at one of those "money exchange" places. You can always get the best exchange rate from an ATM machine!

12. Don't buy a museum pass or city/metro pass until you've researched thoroughly as to what you are actually going to do and how much each musuem costs. They suggest you are saving money, but it's not always the case. (Some museums have free admissions days, and many are free for kids.)

13. Take your latte and croissant or sandwich "to go". It's MUCH cheaper than sitting outside on their patio. Picnic in a park.

vacationwannabe

Hey thanks guys, those are some great tips. I am sure they will come in handy when we are in Europe this Sept.

Amy40

14. Use two guide books, one designed for students or budget travellers and one for "regular" travellers. Find the hotels and restaurants that are mentioned in both books and you'll have found a good place that won't break the bank.

SuzieC

15. A great many of these places are not in the third-world...relax.

16. Don't overplan - you might miss something special and surprising.

17. Be the first to do something (try a hotel, a restaurant...etc.)

MaureenB

Don't get too caught up in trying to find the "best" restaurant as recommended in your guide book. Chances are, once a restaurant makes it into a guide book, it's over-rated and over-crowded. Just stroll through the neighborhood you're interested in, examine menus posted, and use your own judgement to find a great place that suits your taste. It's not hard to find your own special restaurant this way, and more of an adventure.

DejaVu

19. Watch out for restaurants that have a big sign in several languages that says "tourist menu." It may seem like a good deal financially, but it's not if the food is bad.

And it will be.

20. Having the bathroom down the hall is not a big deal. You can save money that way.

StLgrrl

ttt

pilgrim

If you're a student, be sure to
take your ID which permits
many discounts at theatre, museums, etc.

laclaire

21) keep a written log of expenses and a written declaration of budget.

22) Walk! Not only do you see more of wherever you are, but it is healthy and free.

23) Visit people! I try to make trips into visits whenever possible. Not only does it guarentee that you will see your host a lot, but lodging is free. And you then get to host them in the future, ensuring another encounter. (obviously, I tend to love my hosts).

Claire

tower

Wilees:
A sincere thank you for your post. I've been traveling Europe and most of the rest of the world for the past 50+ years, and I never tire of doing the pre-trip research.It's part of the journey as far as I am concerned.
DW and I laugh out loud when I see that many people are quick to declare.."Oh, you can't find any decent hotel in Europe for less than $200-300". Not at all true! And I'm afraid that several posts on this board do nothing but scare away many first-time European travelers with such remarks...or at least saddle them with so much unnecessary anxiety that the trip is not as pleasant a one as it should be.....and then go on to describe 100E lunches, and 300E dinners as if it were de rigeur...and you and I and certainly many other veteran travelers on this board know damn well it isn't so.

Your report is a long time coming..and I hope all Fodorites will note it well whether or not it has any relevance to their style of traveling. I do hope that everyone posting at least considers including a range for room rates and dining when describing hotels and restaurants, so that readers can decide whether or not it is within their budget.

Remember, Fodorites, as I've written on this board several times, no two budgets are alike, and what is "within" for some is "without" for others.

Please do not take this to mean that you can't describe an evening at Talliavent...or a week at The Splendido in Portofino...or a weekend at George V....everyone enjoys reading these even for the vicarious kick....
But there are options for everyone. European travel is available for a very wide range of budgets, and I have made it a point to assure dozens of family and friends and acquaintances, all potential but reluctant travelers, (particularly younger people),that they can "do it" without mortgaging the farm.

Thanks again, Wilees!! Good job! Important message!

Stu T.

subcon

contrary to a couple of other theories:

if you do museums, remember that walking around IN them is generally more important than getting TO them. use public transport unless the route is close or spectacular enough to justify the wear and tear on the peds.

hotels in residential areas far outvalue ones located close to the central station. the former rely for their reputation on cleanliness and service rather than location. budget restricted business travellers will almost always gravitate toward these, assuming they're well served by public transport. plus one has a neighborhood ambience which decreases proportionately in proximity to the city centre.

if your hotel offers a decent breakfast, take advantage of it: it is invariably less expensive than breaking fast in a cafe. one generally can take as many refills of whatever might satisfy him whereas in a cafe you pay for each one. i'd say 7 to 10 euros (dependent on how much you eat in the morning) would be a good decision point.

don't be embarrassed to have a bottle of your own wine, beer or booze in your room for that five o'clock "after sightseeing all day" coctail before supper, other european travellers do it all the time.

buy your bottled water (if you really feel it's necessary) at a local grocery store. i personally buy a small squeeze bottle and then, re-fill it with tap water each day. the cost of the initial bottle will be about 1/3rd what you'll pay a street vendor.

most importantly, balance what you may be saving in one area with the thoroughly acceptable desire to splurge in another. i would have a heart attack spending more than 70 euros on a hotel room i'll only sleep, shower and change for dinner in, or 45 euros taking a taxi from the airport but i'll blithely spend 300 euros on a top notch meal...

Worktowander

30(ish): Go off season.

31: Find out what qualifies as "fast food" at your destination (e.g., sandwich bars in Italy). Eat that for lunch - cheap and tasty.

32: Avoid renting cars whenever feasible.

33: Create a cheap collection (fridge magnets, Christmas ornaments, shot glasses, matchbooks, beer mats, whatever) to fulfill your desire for souvenirs. If you collect those at most places, you can use the money you saved to splurge on one or two really cool things.

34: Shop airline tickets like mad.

35: B&Bs. One-star hotels.

36: Public transportation.

37: If you'll be just as happy, order a small (glass of beer instead of a pint, one scoop of gelato, etc.) Course if that will spoil your day, get the large!

wilees

38. Get cheap mid week theatre tickets. In Vienna there is a ticket class called Stehplatz. Basically standing room tickets for E2 each! However, at Volksoper once the lights go down you can move to any empty seat!! Because we did not understand this we bought the cheapest last minute seats (E6 each) then moved into the centre of the grand circle once the lights went down. Obviously only works for shows that are not sold out – more likely mid week. At that price you can go every night!

cbleigh

ttt

wilees

39. Invest in good shoes (proper walking shoes). Being able to walk further in comfort, helps to see more of the places you are visiting, save money and lose weight too!

isabel

40. Travel light - If you travel with just a 21" carry one bag you not only save the hassels involved with checking luggage, but it will be easy to take the train/metro from the airport - much cheaper than a taxi. It also comes in handy if you opt to stay in a hotel that doesn't have a lift.

41. Research and don't assume that any one thing is always the case. For example, sometimes hotels near train stations are a good deal, and sometimes they aren't. Sometimes cities are more expensive than small towns, but not always.

42. Renting a car is a) more expensive than taking trains for one person; b) usually about equal to taking trains for two people traveling together; and c) usually less expensive than taking trains for 3 or 4 people traveling together. So if you know you are going on vacation with 3 or 4 people, plan a trip where having a car makes sense. When you go solo stick to one or two cities where a car would be useless. For two people do the research - sometimes its much cheaper to rent a car, and sometimes it's the other way around.

43. Look into apartment rentals if there are two or more of you traveling together.

44. Put together your own walking tours of cities by getting several out of guidebooks and combining them to suit what you want. Probably more enjoyable, and definitly less expensive than going on a paid walk/tour.

45. Don't NOT do something just cause it costs - if you spend the money to go all the way to Europe, don't not go to things which charge admision just because they charge. But again, research it - you don't need to go to every museum in a place.

Syl

I generally search the internet for the areas I plan to visit & post directly on the websites administered by the welcoming locals (not tour agents) who do it out of genuine love for their town.I've received excellent inside info as a result.