HELLO I’m Alicia and I HAVE A SEVERE CASES of wanderlust. I’m also not rich So, there’s that. Here’s HOW I was able to save money on my recent trip to Europe.
I was researching the characteristics of female Sagittarius yesterday, and the top thing that is always mentioned is the necessity for an Sag to be able to move around. This couldn’t be more relevant for me, particularly over the past few years. Yes, I’m kinda of a slow bloomer on travel however, since I’ve begun this bigger adventure I’m just too excited to slow down. I’m eager to explore the world!
The issue the issue is I’m not able to have an unlimited amount of money (HA! I’m not even close) and this is why it requires some creative thinking sometimes. When I visited Europe in November 2017 I had booked my flights on the spur of the moment and determined that my objective throughout the trip would be to save as low as I could, without sacrificing quality of life. In this particular stage of my life, I’m not able to travel with a backpack or stay in bunk beds, or share a bathroom. It’s not the way I’m living you know? There’s a balance to be certain.
I’d rate my budget for two days within Europe to be between moderate and lower(? ) However, I’ll be posting an even more thorough breakdown on my blog shortly on how the money was spent and ways to plan a similar Euro trip that doesn’t be a financial burden!
Here are some things I’ve done or pondered to keep within budget.
1. Take The Off Season
If you’re willing to try it I suggest you consider visiting Europe during the shoulder season. We’ve visited Europe and the UK during the month of November, as well as in February and both times, it was cold, certainly however we were blessed with plenty of sunshine. Malta In November, Malta was fantastic We still enjoyed cool, but not too hot temperatures in the afternoon and there weren’t any crowds in any of the places. What you get when you take a break from the summer heat is less tourists and more importantly, a stronger relationship with people and places you visit. It’s true. It is also common to find discounts on flights (see below) and discounted costs for activities and attractions. Adam as well as I have been planning for our next cruise across the pond to attend the fall wedding season and it’s expected to be the last day of November and beginning of December once more. I’m so excited!
2. Wait For A Flight Deal
I am a subscriber to a local deal newsletter known as the YVR Deals and it’s the most beneficial. With YVR Deals I was able to book British Airways roundtrip flights for November 2017 from Vancouver to Dublin for just $288 Canadian at CheapOair.ca. This, while I’m sure seems too promising to be true but it was actually the case! Then I took screenshots during the entire process of purchasing to be prepared LOL. I was flexible on times and ended having 2 weeks of time to travel to Europe. The first day of my budget-friendly travel with a huge savings on my transatlantic flight was incredible.
Travelling within Europe isn’t expensive however, I’d suggest making reservations in advance. The last time Alex along with me booked our shorter Ryanair flights very last minute, the prices had been soaring and we were charged twice what we originally expected. It’s never enjoyable!
3. Pack Light
I’m officially the most efficient and organized packer I’ve ever been. It’s an art and I’d like to include it on my resume. This most recent Europe excursion took place in the autumn months, which means that temperature were in London, Dublin, and Amsterdam were sure to be frigid. The problem was that I also spent the entire time in sunny Malta which was around 20 degrees Celsius (68deg Fahrenheit) during the daytime. This meant swimming suits and flowing dresses along with jackets and sweaters. In the end I was able to fit everything I needed into an European Air Travel accepted suitcase and smaller bags and backpacks.
By packing light, I did not have to repackage at each location and, honestly it was much simpler to get everything in place all by myself. Carry-on bags only made my airport travel effortless and I didn’t need to pay any additional fees for checked bags or bags that are too big or bulky.
4. Stay at one of Airbnb, Hostel, or with a group of friends
I have found that hotels in cities can be an expense. There are many other options available, such as Airbnb for reasonably priced rooms, and unique perspectives of the city. I suggest booking as far beforehand as you possibly can because some of the most affordable offers tend to sell out fast!
I used to be hesitant to travel however, I now ask friends to ask whether they know of anyone in the city I could live with (generally only for short stay of 1-2 nights). I could stay with one of my friends for the duration of the course of my 24-hour stay during my stay in London which was such a cost savings, and I am happy with the hospitality.
Don’t completely disregard hostels too. I stayed for a short time in Dublin and was in need of a place where I would only spend 10 hours prior to flying back to home in the early hours of the next day. I was in the privacy of the hostel and it wasn’t too bad. If you’re wearing an earplug and sleep mask the rest is fine. I was very happy to have a cheap place to stay for the night before the long trip to home!
5. Take As Long As You Can
I was unaware of how many transportation expenses can add up. I spent a lot of money in Amsterdam for train tickets most likely due to the fact that I lost one of my three-day passes in just a few hours after purchasing it, and then had to purchase a new. I could have toss EUR30 away.
Then, in London and Malta I walked as as possible. I’m saying this since in Malta I did hit my threshold, and my foot began to cramp like it’s never been before. I was in pain and pain. I also had a tiny limp for a few days. Also, make sure you wear the right shoes to ensure you don’t damage your body. Be aware of my errors, fellow humans.
I’m not the biggest cyclist, but this could be an excellent alternative, especially when you are able to borrow a bike and avoid the expense of renting a bicycle.
6. Make use of the activities that are free around The City
One thing that I just discovered, since I seem to reside under a rock can be that it’s usually free walking tours offered in cities. I took one during my first morning on my first full day in Amsterdam which was by far the best choice. I was on my own and it was great to connect with other tourists. It was a wonderful opportunity to become familiar with the city and its tradition and also experience Amsterdam from a local’s point of view. I’ll always be looking for walking tours that are free now!
7. Shop for food at Local Grocery Stores
It’s more than just a money savings tool, but sometimes it’s enjoyable to cook a meal to yourself after dining at restaurants for a number of days in the same week! The place we stayed in Airbnb in Malta included a kitchenette and my room in Amsterdam and it was great to pick up some food items and put an all-fresh meal together. It’s also fascinating to know what kind of foods and other products are sold at the grocery stores in different areas.
As a bonus tip for travel is to always pack several of my most-loved energy bars from my home. I purchase a box of Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars in bulk , and disperse a lot of the bars among my bags. They’re not a lot of space, and are essential to those blood sugar-low times, hunger during flight or simply a cheap tasty snack! As a vegetarian, and suffering from an irritating egg allergy They’ve been essential, because sometimes I’m unable to find an appropriate snack on the go.
8. Reduce the cost of small additions
This is often the case for me even before I leave home. I tell myself that I must purchase new shoes or clothes in order to be ready for traveling. Also, I convince myself that I require to get a manicure or pedi because it’s like that’s all that matters. In my most recent Europe excursion, I was able to avoid any pre-trip expenses as it proved to be a great opportunity to develop my frugal approach.
I’m conscientious of buying random items when I’m away also. I’ll spend money because I’m cash-free for once (!!!) and it’s an amazing piece of paper I’d love to eliminate like it’s some kind of game or something. I like to throw money at things as that’s what makes them the “easier” alternative. In this instance I was planning to use the tube to Heathrow as I left London but ended up in an Uber because I was feeling especially tired in that moment. It took me much longer on the Uber and the cost soared due to rush hour, and I ended in paying $70 instead the price of $25 that I was quoted. I paid $70 – Ugh!
It’s a full circle, however, since my bag was full to the max so I didn’t have the luxury of doing any shopping for clothes. This is usually an Achilles shoe for me, particularly in a city as fashionable as Europe. However, I keep my money-saving motto in my head and attempt to try to steer myself away from spending money on unnecessary items regardless of how little.
Now , I’m curious about how can you reduce the cost of your European excursion? I would appreciate hearing your ideas by leaving a comment below!
Here’s a Pinnable graphic if you want to bookmark this for a future adventure!