For many North American travelers, Europe is a destination of intrigue and romance. European nations, even the less developed ones in the eastern part of the continent, offer modern infrastructure and familiar, Western culture with just enough exoticism to make a visit interesting.

Interesting, convenient and relatively safe, but not cheap. Cities like London and Paris usually rank among the priciest places in the world to visit and the Euro still trumps the US Dollar, though it is currently not as outrageous as it was last year.

That is not to say that budget travelers should cross the continent off their list altogether. Europe holds plenty of low cost adventures and, in many cases, is more easily navigable than other backpacking hotspots.

Getting There

Trans-Atlantic flights are much cheaper during the low season (Northern Hemisphere’s winter). It is sometimes possible to find round-trip tickets to major European destinations for under $300. (Fares between London and New York are under $200 as of this writing.) That said, if you start looking far enough in advance, you should be able to come across some good deals even during the summer high season. Virgin Atlantic offers reasonably low prices on trips between the US and Europe. Their miles-earning credit card, the Virgin Atlantic Black Card, is generous when it comes to awarding frequent flyer miles without flying. National carriers might have cheap rates between the US and their home country. Surcharges and taxes on flights to Europe can be quite high. It is imperative to check that the quoted price is actually the complete price.

Getting Around

Eurail passes used to be the best ticket to cheap travel in Europe. It still offers decent value. For $500, passengers can get five train journeys between neighboring countries. One month unlimited passes start at $1,200. That’s not bad for people who plan to travel throughout the continent. But the boom of low-cost airlines has added a new dimension to Europe’s travel game. The largest of these carriers, Ryanair and Easy Jet, offer flights throughout Europe, even to less visited destinations, for under $100 and often much less. These airlines have been successful to the point that regional carriers have had to lower their prices to compete. The result: air travel is arguably the cheapest way to see multiple destinations in Europe.

Sleeping

This is the easiest aspect of European budget travel. Europe has a widespread network of hostels. If you can stand to simply flop down in a bunk-bed each night, sharing the room with six to eight other people, you will only have to part with 10-15 Euros (about $15-$20) per night. Basic private rooms are available at many of these hostels for around $60-$70 per night. Prices in Eastern Europe are cheaper, with a basic private room in places like Prague, Czech Republic going for around $35 per night. With trains and budget flights regularly serving Eastern European cities, these destinations are a good option for budget travelers.

Camping is a cheaper alternative to hostels. According to European travel guru Rick Steves, there are more than 10,000 campgrounds throughout Europe, most charging around $10 per night to pitch a tent. Campgrounds can often be quite basic, but usually include showers and sometimes even on-site restaurants, bars and convenience stores.

Guided Tours

Though premium guided tours are expensive, there are some options that make it reasonably cheap to see Europe as part of a tour group. Generally, city-centric tours are the cheapest. It is possible to spend a week in Paris or Dublin and see the sights as part of a tourist group for under $600. Country and regional tours cost about $1,500-$2,000, but last for longer: 10 days to two weeks on average. European tour heavyweights Trafalgar and Cosmos often have good deals for budget-minded travelers who want to explore parts of Europe but don’t want to do so on their own.

Eating Cheap

In Europe, restaurants, especially those catering to foreigners, can be expensive. At any restaurant, extras like dessert, wine and even bottled water, can severely inflate the total bill. Look for small local restaurants if possible. Like in the US, ethnic eateries run by people who have immigrated to the country are often quite cheap and the quality of the cooking and the ingredients reasonably high. The best of these are run by immigrants who are part of ethnic groups well-represented in the country. That means Turkish food in Germany, Indian food in London and Algerian or Lebanese food in Paris. A large immigrant population means that the restaurant more than likely cooks authentic food to serve to other residents from the same country and not to tourists or indigenous locals. If this is the case, prices will not be inflated and dishes will be authentic.

Visit local markets whenever possible. Some will have cheap, pre-prepared foods or produce and baked goods that can be bought and used to make more than one meal. This is by far the easiest way to save money on food. Be aware of local prices and try to avoid market stalls that do not have prices clearly marked.

Other Tips

• Public transportation in most European cities is far superior to similar services in the US. Forget taxis and rental cars, which are a major headache because of traffic jams and the inevitable confusion about parking regulations. Even if you are coming into a city from an airport or train station, opt for public transit.
• Buses are generally slow, but cheap.
• Subway and tram systems are widespread in cities like Paris, Madrid, Munich and London.
• Also, visitors from the US will notice how much European people walk to get where they are going. This can be the largest money-saver, because walking is absolutely free. You only have to account for the cost of a good pair of shoes and climate-appropriate clothing.
• Choose your destinations carefully. Eastern Europe holds some of the best budget destinations. The nations of the former Yugoslavia (especially Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro) are up-and-coming hotspots, offering cheap places to stay, eat and party. The problem with such destinations is that they never stay cheap for long… so get there before the tour buses start filling up!

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Budapest, Hungary Image: Elin B

Spain Hostel Image: odysseus_

Paris Street Market Image: jefffielding