Table of Contents
Traveling to Europe is a dream destination of almost all generations. From old people to the younger generations, everyone wants to tick that Euro-Trip off their bucket lists. Getting a visa for one European country gives you free access to all other countries within Europe. Who wouldn’t want to cover multiple countries just in one trip and boast about their travel amongst their friends, family, colleagues, and of course on social media. No wonder Europe is the most-visited continent in the world. Unfortunately, many people give up on their desire to visit Europe due to the notion that a trip to Europe would cost truck-loads of money.
For all the travelers who can’t wait to travel again post the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s some good news. It is absolutely possible to travel Europe under a $3k budget without having to stress about your savings. There are a few tips and tricks that would get you through your vacation in Europe and cover multiple countries on a budget.
What are the Tips to Travel Europe Under a $3k Budget?
Apart from the cost of your flight tickets which may differ for travelers based in different countries, these tips can help you visit Europe without draining your bank accounts. Here are a few options you can consider to save money on travel, accommodation, and food.
Eurail Pass
The European rail system is said to be the most extensive and one of the best in the world. The high-speed trains in Europe are expensive for longer journeys. However, a Eurail Pass can help you save a lot of money if you want to travel long distances between different countries. Trains are usually more comfortable than flights. Moreover they offer a scenic view that travelers crave for. Therefore, if you don’t wish to fly, the Eurail pass will help you travel between different countries at a much cheaper price than buying the train tickets separately.
How To Travel Europe Under A $3k Budget?
Bus Travel
Traveling by a bus in Europe opens up a lot of money-saving opportunities. There are different buses that offer different benefits. Infact, buses are cheaper than Eurail. FlixBus covers about 1000 destinations in 20 European countries with tickets costing as low as 5 Euros. The bus offers comfortable seats with Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and 3-pieces of luggage per passenger. Eurolines is the best for long-distance international bus routes and serves more destinations than FixBus. The tickets price usually starts at 20 Euros for a 5-hour journey. If you are looking for a hop-in/hop-off type bus service, Busabout is the go-to option. It also offers a two-week pass for US $299 which roughly costs about $50 per trip for 6 cities.
Travel Apps
If you want to save time while traveling long distances, flights are the best option.To book your flights to Europe or within Europe, travel portals such as Skyscanner and Momondo are the best. These apps provide the best deals for budget airlines and also provides an option to track prices for a particular destination and date.
Ridesharing
As a traveler walking is the best if you want to experience the local life, moreover it is a good exercise and doesn’t cost.Travel operators also provide free walking tour services in most of the major cities. However, whenever that is not possible, always consider using a ridesharing option to travel within the city. BlaBlaCar is the Uber of Europe. You can share a ride with people going in the same direction. Ridesharing costs as low as 5 Euros and therefore, it’s the best way to get around within the city. The cherry on the cake is that you get to meet and interact with a local and gain on more insider tips to make your Euro travel even better.
Hostels & Couchsurfing
If you want to travel Europe under a $3k budget, you may have to forget luxurious hotels. You might find cheap accommodation that suits your budget with AirBnB apartments. However, if you are looking to save more on accommodation, hostels and couchsurfing are the best option. Prices of a hostel dorm cost as cheap as $12 per night. Hostels even offer private double rooms if required. The benefit of staying in a hostel is that you meet a lot of people from all around the world and can also get access to activities that the hostels offer. Couchsurfing is a travel app through which you can get free accommodation. The app allows hosts to offer couches or rooms in their houses for free. This is a safe option and can save a lot of bucks.
Avoid Peak Seasons
Europe tends to get overcrowded with tourists during the summer season. Flights, hotels and even food prices surge during these months. Therefore, if you want to
save some money, it’s best to travel during the off-season. The off-season is during the months of December, January, and February. Europe is worth-experiencing even during the winter time.
Street Food
If you want to travel Europe on a budget, you will have to steer away from restaurants. European cities offer varieties of street food that will not only fit your budget but will also satisfy your cravings for local cuisines. Street food in Europe is hygienic and extremely filling. Another tip is to book hostels or accommodation where meals or breakfast is provided.
City Cards
Lastly, don’t forget to grab a city card offered by major European cities for tourists. The city pass provides access to multiple sites, local city metro, monuments and other spots. By the city card only if you intend to visit a lot of tourist spots within the city, to derive its complete value.
With these tips in hand and smart researching capabilities, you can travel Europe under a $3K budget. Ensure that you have researched all the possibilities based on your travel schedule, places to visit, and likes/dislikes. A budget trip to Europe is a no-brainer and quite possible with these hacks.
