When and Where To Go
For the best travel rates, travel in the off or shoulder season and you will be pleased to find less travelers and lower prices on both air and hotel. Mid to late November through Easter is the European low season which offers the most economical pricing. Christmas and New Years will always be pricey, but going a bit before those holidays will give you the spirit without the escalated price. Autumn shoulder season is late September through mid November when prices begin to fall, and the spring shoulder is Easter through mid June. You can also add additional savings by selecting your destination carefully. When thinking about where to go, you might consider Eastern Europe. Many of these countries are not using the euro yet and you are still able to get a slightly more favorable exchange rate. When heading to Western Europe, try staying in smaller towns and villages to save on hotel and food costs.
Museums and Monuments
Schedule your visits to coordinate with the days when museums and monuments offer free entry, usually the first or last Sunday of the month. While not all offer this savings, you can at least cut costs on some of the must sees on your list.
City Freebies
Look for free concerts and cultural events in the cities you visit. There is always something going on that a visitor will find of interest. A stroll through city streets and most parks and gardens is free and always interesting. You will be amazed at how inexpensively you can tour the architecture, by stopping in at local churches, government buildings and even some historic hotels.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Take advantage of the breakfast included options at hotels. These breakfasts can be hearty and give you a chance to start the day with a full stomach. If you are not a big breakfast eater then opt for a quick pastry and coffee at a corner café, or bakery. Most often, "to go" menu items are cheaper and just as delicious. You may opt to skip lunch if you had a big breakfast and maybe just stop for a snack to help you manage until dinner. If you choose to lunch, shop in an open air market or local grocery store and put together a nice picnic lunch to enjoy in a local park or garden. This option will allow you to pick up some local products at good prices and then head to a relaxing spot to dine like the locals often do. Dinner will probably be your most expensive meal, but the best bargain is a fixed price menu. These will usually give you several options for each course. Be sure to stay away from touristy areas when looking for a restaurant. Don't hesitate to walk a block or two off the beaten path and look for restaurants where you might find the locals eating. Try ordering a carafe of tap water instead of the bottled variety. Ordering a house wine is often cheaper than ordering a soda, so enjoy a glass with dinner and save the extra to sample dessert.
Getting Around
Use the public metros and buses. The European transportation system is very efficient, so buy a pass or book of tickets to save or better yet, walk and discover more of the city. When arriving by plane, take the shuttle service from the airport instead of a taxi. Small groups a people or families, can often save with a taxi. Before leaving for Europe, buy a rail pass or advance train tickets to save a few extra dollars. Make sure you select off peak times for the best savings. For even greater savings, try taking the overnight train and avoid hotel charges for one evening. You don't see much of the countryside, but saving time and dollars is a real plus. Rental cars are another option and can be expensive by the time you add on all the extras. Check with your credit card and insurance company before you travel to determine which of the extras are absolutely necessary and which are covered by your own policy. Make it a point to rent a car with a manual transmission since they are less expensive than automatics. For longer rentals of more then two weeks consider leasing a vehicle for even better savings.
With some advanced planning, it is possible to travel to Europe without spending a fortune. These tips are a great start, but a travel specialist can help you save even more with their expertise and knowledge.
