Lots of people think that traveling to Europe is expensive. But it is possible to get cheap Europe travels! Loads of people have traveled to Europe on shoestring budgets and so can you!
Europe can prove to be quite a travel bargain if you choose your lodging, meals and transportation carefully. It may end up being less expensive that visiting some cities in the United States.
Transportation in Europe
Getting around in Europe, there are three choices – bus, train and air. Renting a car is not practical, with the different road types, different laws and road signs in various unfamiliar languages.
Just like the rail passes, Europe’s intercity bus lines offer passes, as well. These passes can be purchased for various time lengths and allows you to travel unlimited amount of times. Single city-to-city bus tickets are often quite reasonable too. Of course, travel by road is a little slower compared to rail or air.
Some people would prefer to pay a little extra for train. Train passes are still quite affordable for students and others on a budget. In addition to being faster, trains provide such amenities as toilets, and also sleeping quarters on overnight trains. Take note that there are extra charges for sleeping cars and other first class accommodations.
In Europe, air travel is quite cost effective compared to train and bus travel. There are a number of low-cost air carriers all around Europe. These air fares are often comparable to train tickets between the same cities.
Inexpensive Lodging In Europe
There are a number of excellent low-cost lodging options in Europe, ranging from hostels to hotels to bed and breakfasts. The average bed-and-breakfast in Europe is different than its American counterpart. Europeans regard bed-and-breakfast hotels as inexpensive places to stay, and they can be much more affordable than hotels in similar locations. Most bed-and-breakfast hotels in European destinations are small, family run hotels.
There are many places to look for European bed-and-breakfast hotels – the Internet, travel guides, Internet news groups and travel review websites. There are also booking services that will book the bed-and-breakfast hotel for you for a small fee (usually around 10%). These booking services can be very valuable especially if you do not speak the local language.
For those who arrive without reservations, there are hotel booking services available at most major train stations and airports. These booking services can usually find you a place to stay, even if the city is very crowded. For this service, they usually charge a small fee, either a set fee or a percentage of the room charge. Just be sure you have a local map handy so you don’t get stuck with a hotel in the middle of nowhere.
Below is a list of things to consider when booking lodging for your cheap travel in Europe.
• Your budget lodging will probably be clean, functional and basic. Don’t expect fancy or luxurious surrounding.
• Rooms at a budget hotel or bed-and-breakfast will probably be small. Closet space may be limited or even non-existent.
• The least expensive rooms will have bathroom and shower facilities located down the hall, while more expensive rooms may have an in-room bathroom and tub.
• A room that has only a shower will usually be less costly than one that includes a bathtub as well. Ask about the bathroom facilities if you are particular about this.
• Rooms equipped with a double-bed are generally cheaper than those with twin beds.
• If you are driving, there may be extra charge for parking. Again, ask when making your travel reservations.
• Buy a good map and make sure the cheap lodging you choose is centrally located. Choosing a centrally-located hotel or bed-and-breakfast will save you time and money for transportation.
• When booking your Europe lodging, ask if the price quoted includes all local taxes and applicable fees.