| 1. Decide carefully where and when to go. This must | | | | They also offer kitchen facilities and a dining area, |
| form the first part of your planning. Central/Eastern | | | | which gives you the opportunity to cook or get a |
| Europe (e.g. Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, | | | | takeaway, both of which will save money on eating |
| Hungary and Croatia) is normally cheaper than the | | | | out. Because they are private residences, holiday |
| West. The UK, France, Italy and Spain are often more | | | | apartments also tend to be located in real |
| expensive, although with the pound and Euro going | | | | neighborhoods, which makes for a good cultural |
| down against the dollar, they are still affordable for | | | | experience. There are many good sites offering |
| American travelers. Also look to avoid high season. | | | | countryside and city stays. |
| Many trips work equally well in winter, but you'll miss | | | | 7. Get a tent or camper van! Campsites in Europe, |
| the tourist crowds - and the resulting high prices. Spring | | | | especially France and Spain, are very popular and |
| and Fall are a good compromise if you're hoping for | | | | therefore tend to be kept in good condition. For |
| decent weather. | | | | exploring the countryside, they can be an excellent |
| 2. Shop around for flights. If you're coming from | | | | alternative to normal accommodation - and they are |
| America, it's not cheap to get to Europe. Use a | | | | very cheap. Alan Rogers guides are the market leader |
| meta-search such as Skyscanner or Kayak to get an | | | | and a lot of free information is available on the |
| idea of which airlines fly your preferred route. But it | | | | website, If roughing it isn't your thing but you would like |
| can be difficult to find out the cheapest dates to fly | | | | to see the countryside and you fancy something |
| (typically midweek prices are cheapest). If your dates | | | | different, consider a farm stay. You may want to look |
| are relatively flexible, have a look on the individual airline | | | | at car rental for countryside trips, but the price of |
| websites - this can take a bit of time but you can | | | | European gas can make it a pricey option. |
| potentially make big savings. | | | | 8. Entertainment doesn't have to be expensive. There |
| 3. Try to focus on a specific region. Europe is huge, | | | | is always plenty to do for free in Europe. Try to find a |
| and there is no way you can explore very much of it | | | | local newspaper or magazine with listings of latest |
| in depth in one trip. Focus on one place in depth instead | | | | events and attractions. Explore the area - it's free and |
| of trying to fit in various destinations in different | | | | you'll have some amazing experiences. And do your |
| countries that are many miles apart. Try giving yourself | | | | research before you start paying - there are always |
| a base and take day trips from there - by doing this | | | | offers available on museums, attractions, tours and |
| you will save on transport fees. If you are determined | | | | public transport. Local tourist offices normally offer |
| to cover large distances, investigate Interrail tickets. | | | | good advice. |
| 4. Research your travel options within Europe. There | | | | 9. Eat out less. It's famous for blowing budgets sky high |
| are many budget airlines (such as EasyJet and | | | | when you're travelling. If you're going to eat out, try to |
| Ryanair) which offer very cheap flights if you book | | | | make lunch the main meal of the day. Many |
| ahead. Research how to get from one place to | | | | restaurants offer excellent lunch deals, but stay away |
| another before you get there: you'll get a good idea | | | | from tourist spots. You're wasting your money on |
| from tourist sites and guidebooks. Look at to find | | | | location, dodgy menu translations and waiters who can |
| specific routes and times. Destination tourist sites | | | | speak English, instead of simply paying for the food. If |
| normally have good information about local transport. | | | | you're feeling adventurous, take a guidebook (look out |
| You can often save money with rail passes (look on | | | | for one with a food glossary) and follow the locals to |
| raileurope.com). | | | | places that are slightly off the beaten track. And make |
| 5. Check budget hotels first if you want to stay in a | | | | sure that you don't tip excessively. Europeans only |
| hotel. Brands such as Etap, Ibis, Formule1, Travelodge | | | | tend to tip 10%, and tips are often included. Ask the |
| and EasyHotel offer clean, basic rooms for a | | | | waiters or fellow diners if you're not sure. |
| reasonable price, and there are often deals if you book | | | | 10. Eat in! Even if you're not much of a chef, you can |
| ahead. If you're in a group, try asking whether rooms | | | | save a lot of money by preparing your own food. It's |
| can accommodate an extra bed: turning a double into | | | | worth eating out occasionally - after all, food is part of |
| a triple or a quad will invariably be cheaper than having | | | | the intrinsic culture of the new place you're visiting, and |
| to take another room. Hostels in Europe offer very | | | | it would be a shame to miss out on the experience |
| cheap rates and are also worth investigating. Rooms | | | | entirely - but shopping for food in local shops and |
| vary from dormitory style to private, en-suite doubles. | | | | markets can still be a great cultural experience. |
| You can also save money by self-catering if you stay | | | | Obviously this is easier if you're staying in a hostel or |
| in a hostel. | | | | holiday apartment, or if you're camping, but even if |
| 6. Consider a holiday apartment. Commonly known as | | | | you're staying in a hotel, you can still grab food for |
| vacation rentals in the US, holiday apartments are | | | | lunch, and it doesn't have to require much effort: locally |
| widely available in both cities and rural locations. You | | | | produced breads, cheeses, meats and salad make a |
| will often get far more space than a hotel or hostel for | | | | great meal. You may even find a delicious local wine |
| a similar (or cheaper) price. Holiday apartments are | | | | to enjoy once the kids have gone to bed. Just don't |
| good value for groups or families and for longer stays. | | | | forget a corkscrew! |