Are you planning an adventure to Europe? If so, you’re like the other 15.7 million U.S tourists that visit here every year.
In recent years, Europe has become a haven for travelers. The region is home to plenty of historical landmarks and fairytale cities.
You can explore the region on any budget. You can relax in luxury in Lake Garda or go backpacking around Europe on a tight budget.
But how do you make the most out of your trip and backpack around Europe while on a budget? Continue reading until the end to find out!
Good Food
Food markets are your best friend when you’re here on a budget. You can find one in almost every tourist city.
In some cities, such as Budapest, food halls are major tourist attractions. Once you soak up the atmosphere, you must taste the local cuisine. Europe has many cultures and each one offers an authentic meal.
If you plan on going to a restaurant, never eat at one close to tourist attractions. Not only are these restaurants overpriced but the meals are not authentic to the area. To find a restaurant where food is made by locals, for locals, you need to search the side streets.
It’s important to know tipping in Europe is different than in the U.S. A lot of places add a 10% table service fee to the bill. If they don’t, a 10% tip is acceptable, or 15% for a high-end venue.
Your Accommodations
The cost of accommodation drastically varies from country to country. In Zurich, the average price of a centrally located 3-star hotel is $155. In Istanbul, it’s only $21.
But if you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll be glad to know Europe has some of the best hostels in the world. Not only will you save money on the room, but the cheap alcohol too. Most of these chic hostels also offer budget-friendly pub crawls and activities.
Apartments are a great option if you’re traveling on a budget. They’re in high supply and are often much cheaper than hotels or European B&B’s. You’ll also have a kitchen, which means you can cook food here and save a lot of your hard-earned cash.
East or West Europe?
Europe is the second smallest continent, but it still covers an area of 10.18 million km! And since there are 44 countries, it means regions can differ quite a bit.
Western Europe dominates the region’s tourism industry. 7 out of the top 10 most visited nations are in the west. It’s home to France, the most visited country in the world, and the Colosseum, one of the five wonders of the world.
In general, the west is more tourist-friendly and there’s more of a chance people speak English. Unfortunately, a lot of cities here now suffer from over-tourism.
Eastern Europe stands in the shadows of the West’s tourism industry. Only 3% of Turkey sits in Europe. But it’s the region’s most visited nation with 51.9 million tourists in 2019.
The East is much cheaper than the West. You can find hostels for $6 a night here. These are the best European countries to visit if you’re on a budget or want to get off the beaten track.
Wholisticwanders.com has an interactive map that has information on European nations!
Travel Options
Europe is home to many budget travel options. Low-cost airline Ryanair, budget bus FlixBus, and taxi sharing BlaBlaCar, all operate here.
Many tourists, including Europeans, use Eurail. The rail pass offers tourists a single ticket to pass-through 33 nations.
Although this is by far the most convenient, it is not the cheapest. Bus companies such as FlixBus, offer much lower prices. A 7.5-hour journey from Krakow to Prague starts at just $14.
In and around the cities, you can use public transport, get an Uber or rent a public Lime scooter. Try to avoid taxis as they often run scams in tourist cities.
Flights might be your best option for long-distance journeys. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air often offer flights for as little as $6. But you need to book as early as possible for the best deals.
It’s Time to Backpack Around Europe
To backpack around Europe is a dream come through for many. And since you know tips and tricks about traveling here, you can soon turn your dreams into reality.
All that’s left is the fun part. To plan and book the adventure of a lifetime!
Continue reading our extensive blogs to learn more helpful tips about traveling!
