Travel free with Europe Incoming

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A Student's Guide to Low-Cost Travel in Europe Learn more about low-cost student travel Europe. Many people want to visit Europe but believe it will be prohibitively expensive. While much of Europe is expensive in comparison to almost anywhere else, there is no reason why it should be prohibitively so. I left Frankfurt five weeks ago with the goal of completing the ultimate grand European tour for less than €1,700. It certainly helps that I'm already in Europe for my studies (flights from the US to Europe can cost nearly €1,000), but this type of trip is doable for anyone. The key to budget travel in Europe is to cut back on the two biggest expenses for any traveler: lodging and transportation. It is simple to save money on both if you are willing to give up a little comfort for much, much lower prices. Finding low-cost lodging in Europe The simplest way to save money on lodging is to never stay in a hotel. There are many more affordable, safe, and enjoyable places to stay than a drab hotel. The youth hostel is the traditional alternative to a hotel. These are now really nice places with lots of wonderful people from all over the world. A bed in a European city typically costs €20-29 per night. In exchange, you get cheap accommodation that is usually very centrally located and has long reception hours. Another low-cost option is to rent a private apartment or room. If you're traveling in a group, this is probably the cheapest way to stay, and it can be much cheaper than a youth hostel. However, there are some restrictions: if you rent a section of a private house, the reception is obviously not open 24 hours. There are numerous websites that connect people who have an apartment or spare room with potential renters, but Airbnb.com is my personal favorite. However, be wary because they do charge a 10%+ commission. This is the best option if you are traveling with a large group of people or if you have young children with you. If you are traveling alone or with just one other person, there are many other low-cost options on Airbnb; typically, your own room (with a shared shower) will cost less than €20. Couches and shared rooms can be found for even less. Renting from a local is not only good for your wallet; it also means you'll have someone to ask what to see and talk to. It is common practice for one of you to prepare a meal from your respective culture on alternate nights. This is not required, but it is always enjoyable and interesting. Finally, there's "couch surfing" for the more daring. Couch surfing is when people let you sleep for free on their couch or in a spare room. Typically, the plan is to invite them out for a beer or something similar. A word of caution: finding a couch surfing spot is extremely difficult. This is especially true if you are a man. But if you can get it, it's incredible! Finding cheap transportation in Europe So, now that we've covered cheap lodging, let's move on to cheap transportation. First and foremost, if you want to stay within your travel budget, you can avoid taking the plane or train. You must understand that the faster you travel, the more expensive it becomes. As a result, we naturally resort to the slowest and most dependable mode of public transportation: the stage coach bus. In my experience, this is three times less expensive than traveling by train in Europe and ten times less expensive than flying. Sure, it takes a little longer, but €19 for a bus ride from Frankfurt to Paris? When compared to the alternative, that is unbeatable. Then there are ride-sharing websites, where someone is driving somewhere and you can purchase the available seats in the car. This is very cheap transportation and, once again, a great way to meet locals. The best website I've found in Europe for this is blablacar.com, which offers cheap rides all over Europe. The cheapest mode of transportation is, of course, hitchhiking. It is also the most time-consuming and labor-intensive. But it's better than having to pay for your trip.


A quick note about buses: you can buy a month-long unlimited-ride pass. I had one from Eurolines for €250 (off-season price) and traveled nearly 6,500 kilometers around Europe, most of the time with power for my laptop so I could watch movies and work. Fantastic offer! If you are a fast traveler (like me), this is an especially cost-effective way to travel in Europe with Student Travel Packages; if this is the case, you can see a large swath of the region in a very short period of time. That's all there is to it. My suggestions for the simplest and most straightforward budget travel options in Europe. Traveling in Europe can be made affordable by providing inexpensive lodging and transportation. Have fun while remaining safe!


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