20 Smart Travel Tips to Explore Europe on a Budget

Traveling through Europe is a dream for many, but without the right Europe travel tips, it can quickly turn into an expensive, stressful experience. As a seasoned traveler, I’ve explored everything from the historic streets of Rome to the hidden gems of Eastern Europe, and I’ve learned how to navigate budget-friendly travel, avoid tourist traps, and make the most of every trip.

In this guide, I’ll share essential European travel tips, covering everything from the best time to visit to must-know cultural etiquette. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe on a budget, planning a luxury getaway, or embarking on your first Eurail adventure, knowing how to book cheap flights, find the best accommodations, and move efficiently between countries will save you time and money.

I’ll also highlight safety tips for travelers, including how to avoid pickpockets in major cities like Paris and Barcelona, and the best ways to use public transportation in Europe without hassle. Plus, I’ll uncover hidden travel gems—off-the-beaten-path destinations that offer authentic experiences away from the crowds.

From visa requirements to currency exchange hacks, this guide will equip you with everything you need for a seamless European adventure. Let’s dive into the best Europe travel hacks that will transform your trip from ordinary to unforgettable!

Tips for traveling to Europe: everything you need to know

In this article we are going to give you a few tips for travelling to Europe on a budget (and not screwing things up). Are you ready? Let's get started:

1. Fly cheap to Europe

We always monitor flight offers on Skyscanner , it is the best search engine to find bargains… of course you have to have some luck and, especially, flexibility 🙂

And we can't forget Ryanair . This low-cost airline, while it has a few detractors (it's not the most convenient, nor will it give you the best service), is a real relief for budget travellers. Okay, you can no longer find the 1 cent fares you used to have a few years ago, but you can often fly from one city to another for 10-30€. And it has routes across practically all of Europe!

If you are not lucky with Ryanair, don’t despair: there are other companies like Easyjet or Vueling… although there are many more! As I said, go to Skyscanner and check out the options 🙂

You'll need mobile internet during your trip, right? The easiest way is to get a Holafly eSIM to be connected from the first minute. The best thing is that since it's virtual (you receive the order by email), you can request it from anywhere in the world. The only requirement is to have a compatible mobile phone. Oh, and from the link you get a 5% discount.

2. Do I need a visa to travel around Europe?

As you know, in Europe there is an area made up of 26 countries known as the Schengen Area where there is complete freedom of movement. When crossing borders between these countries, you will only notice that your mobile network changes operator, and you may start to see traffic signs in another language, but nothing more. You can see the member countries here .

If you are a national of one of these countries, you will only need an ID to travel. Otherwise, you may need to apply for a Schengen visa , a one-time permit that will allow you to travel through these 26 countries for a period of 90 days. What does it depend on? Your nationality. Here you can see which nationalities need a visa.

For example, citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay or Venezuela, among others, do NOT need to apply for a Schengen visa. Even if you belong to one of these countries, remember that there are other requirements that you must meet, such as having a passport, hotel and return flight reservations, medical insurance, etc.

Please note that there are countries on the European continent that are not part of this agreement, and therefore if you intend to visit them you will need to comply with the specific entry requirements of each of them.

From the end of 2022, to enter Europe it will be necessary to obtain the ETIAS authorization , even for those nationalities that do not currently require a visa. It will be an electronic permit that is simple to process, but mandatory. You can see the ETIAS requirements her.

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3. Moving cheaply in Europe

Since the distances can be covered by bus, a good alternative to low-cost flights is Flixbus , thanks to which you can find real bargains (tickets from €1!). Take a look at their website . Flixbus itself offers a pass to travel throughout Europe called « InterFlix » that includes 5 journeys to be made in a maximum period of 3 months and costs €99.

If you're into trains, don't rule out travelling with Interrail . A pass that allows you to travel for a certain number of days throughout Europe (depending on the pass you choose). It's not the cheapest option out there, but travelling by train is something very romantic and adventurous, don't you think? Here we tell you more about it.

If you love road trips or are travelling in a group, we recommend you consider renting a car. There is no other means of transport that offers you more freedom and flexibility. Where can you find one? We do it with two search engines: Auto Europe , and Rentalcars . You can find some very good deals.

Travelling along the Amalfi Coast or through Tuscany, getting lost in Andalusia or the south of France, exploring Ireland and the small villages of England by car is an adventure you will never forget.

4. You don't want to see everything

This is simply our advice, we don't want to claim to have the absolute truth. There are travelers who can only come to Europe once in a lifetime, in this case we understand that they want to see as many places as possible. It's totally understandable. But if you can, focus on a few destinations to enjoy them more and get to know them better. Spending 15 days in Europe and visiting 15 cities can be frustrating (apart from being more expensive and tiring).

5. Which countries are the most beautiful?

Oh, what a difficult question! It's all a matter of taste, isn't it? Besides, it's very difficult to find ugly places in the old continent. We are big fans of southern Europe: Italy , Greece , Spain , Portugal are some of our favorites. We are passionate about the Balkans : Bosnia and Montenegro , for example, are wonderful, original and cheap destinations, and Croatia is another very complete country! Come on, there is life beyond Venice , Paris , London and Amsterdam 🙂

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6. Don't just focus on hotels

There are endless options for accommodation in Europe: from traditional hotels to cheap hostels perfect for backpackers.

We always use the Booking website , it works best for us and where we find the best deals. There are also websites where you can find apartments or private rooms in private homes, such as Airbnb or Wimdu.

And if you're travelling on a budget, you can opt for couchsurfing , a community of users who offer free accommodation. What do they ask for in return? Nothing: the idea is to exchange experiences, get to know other cultures and make the world a better place. Don't do it just to save money: the philosophy of couchsurfing shouldn't be reduced to wanting to save a few euros.

7. Yum, yum. Lunch time

In Europe, food is luxurious and each country has a well-defined gastronomic culture. So always try to try the typical dishes of the destination you are visiting. A trick to save money is to have a good breakfast (if your accommodation includes breakfast, great. If it doesn't, you can buy bread, jam or whatever you want at the supermarket and prepare it yourself), eat out at one of the many restaurants that offer a daily menu (starter, main course, dessert and drink for €7-10) and have a quick dinner (a sandwich, soup, a slice of pizza...).

To eat well and cheaply, follow the locals , and usually the restaurants with menus with photos next to famous tourist attractions are not the best in the city. Another very popular option is the “All you can eat” restaurants, a buffet where you pay a certain amount and can stuff yourself until you burst. They usually cost around 10-15€. Although, of course, the quality is not the best. And of course, you can’t miss our beloved kebabs , pizzas, burgers and co! So, if you want to eat cheap in Europe, you have many options.

If you want to save a lot of money, the best option is to buy bread, sausages and cheese in a supermarket and improvise a picnic ! You can also use street food (pizza, kebab, sandwiches), which is a cheap and tasty option. And of course, bakeries !

8. Don't buy water

Or rather, get a water bottle from a supermarket and use it throughout your trip. How? Fill it with water from public fountains. Or better yet, buy a stainless steel bottle and travel with it, and you'll also be an environmentally responsible tourist. And we think this is one of the best tips for travelling to Europe on a budget, really.

9. Travel insurance

Prevention is better than cure and traveling with health insurance is something you should always do. Nothing ever happens until it happens… and when it does, you won’t want to be left alone! We always travel with Iati Insurance, this year we had to use it in Australia and it helped us a lot. It is highly recommended. Plus, here we offer you a 5% discount .

If you are Spanish (or a member of the EU) you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is valid for two years and will give you the right to healthcare in EU member countries (although the costs are not always covered). More information here.

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10. Avoid peak season

Another of the best tips for travelling to Europe on a budget is to avoid travelling during the high season! Unless you like being surrounded by people, lots of people , and paying more for everything . Travelling through Europe in July and August is not the best option, it can be incredibly hot and you won't be able to fully enjoy the most emblematic cities, as they will be packed with tourists. It's better to plan your trip for spring or autumn.

And if you are very sensitive to the cold, avoid travelling between November and February. In Europe it can be cold, very cold! Although you can combat it with the onion technique, you know, with layers and layers of clothing.

11. What is the best time to travel to Europe?

Obviously the weather varies a lot from north to south, but in general we are big fans of the intermediate seasons: spring and autumn! These are not the seasons full of tourists and the temperature is usually good, everywhere.

12. Free tours + free stuff, great allies for travelling around Europe on a budget

Luckily for budget travelers, there are plenty of things to see and do for free in Europe, even in big cities! There are always options to sign up for the famous free tours that show you the main points of the city in a couple of hours. Just leave them a tip , the guides deserve it!

If you want to see all the most interesting monuments and museums, it may be worth buying a tourist card . They usually cost around €40-100 (depending on destination/days) and include all entrance fees (sometimes also public transport). Here you can buy the London Pass , which is an example, but they are available in practically all cities.

Do we recommend it? It depends on what you want to see and do. As we have said, there are many options to enjoy the city for free or almost free, but of course, if you are an art fan, sometimes you have no choice but to pay and in some cases these cards are worth it since they often also include free tours and transportation. Before anything else, check the price of the museums you want to visit and compare it with the price of the city's tourist card: only then will you know which is the most cost-effective option.

13. Be forward-thinking

There are some attractions such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris , the Alhambra in Granada or the Vatican Museums in Rome that are very popular. Don't rest on your laurels as tickets may sell out on the day you are interested in. If you know in advance when you are going to visit them, another tip for travelling to Europe is to book your tickets online so you don't get a last-minute surprise.

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14. God helps those who get up early

Especially in places like Paris, Venice or London. Waking up early will allow you to have the city just for yourself and walking through the deserted streets is a luxury… alarm clock proof! So now you know, another tip for traveling to Europe is to get up early!

15. Walk

And not just to walk off the pizzas you're about to gobble up, but because walking through the city will allow you to discover its most beautiful (and secret) corners. So take your most comfortable shoes and get ready to hit the road a few km a day... this is a unique trip and you have to make the most of it! And remember that you're travelling through Europe, not at the Milan Fashion Week show : the important thing is to be comfortable, not pretty.

If you get lost, don't panic.

On the contrary, sometimes getting lost is good, it allows you to discover hidden places that don't appear in any guidebook and that will be special because you are the only tourist to enjoy them. Besides, sooner or later you will find the right path... all streets lead to Rome, right?

16. Be connected at all times

For Europeans, having internet on their mobile is a non-issue since roaming was eliminated throughout Europe. But for those who come from other parts of the world, the ideal is to get a SIM card or an eSIM card to always have an internet connection on their phone. And yes, public WiFi networks are widespread in many European cities, but we wouldn't rely on them alone.

The quickest and most convenient option is to get an eSIM for your entire trip through Europe, before you get on the plane, and thus be connected from the first minute. But if your mobile is not compatible, you can always buy a SIM card from a telephone company when you arrive at the airport or in shops in the first city you visit.

⭐ We provide you with all the information in our article on how to have mobile internet in Europe

17. Learn a few words in each local language

Saying merci to a French person won't make you an expert, but it is a sign of interest in French culture that will be appreciated, just as in Italy, Holland and Cochinchina!

18. Visit the most beautiful villages in Europe

The capitals of Europe are beautiful, it's true, but a country is not just its most famous city... the towns have a lot of personality . Here are some of our favorites:

Bled , Slovenia
Hallstatt, Austria
Mostar , Bosnia
Polignano a Mare , Italy
Santillana de Mar, Spain
Carvoeiro , in Portugal
Colmar, France
Bibury, England
Reine, in Norway

But there are many more: give the small towns of Europe a chance and you won't regret it.

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19. And don't forget about nature

Ok, we don't have the Grand Canyon, the Atacama Desert or the Okavango Delta, but if you think Europe is just a bunch of old cities, you're mistaken. There are hundreds of options to enjoy the more natural side of the old continent. Some of the best destinations are:

The Alps (Central Europe)
The Fjords of Norway
Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
Iceland, with its geysers, lakes, mountains and landscapes that seem out of this world
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
The coasts of the Algarve
The little islands of Greece

And many more!

20. Remember to bring your student card

It doesn't matter if you finished university a few years ago XD We can tell you from experience: sometimes it still works and you can get free tickets or tickets with big discounts (of course our good genetics and those pretty faces help, just kidding, we just have a cheek). Now, if you have white hair, wrinkles and a post-retirement beer belly, then maybe this little trick for travelling to Europe on the cheap won't work for you.

These are some tips for travelling to Europe that will be very useful for you… or so we hope 😉 And you, do you have any that you would like to share?

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