6 Cheap (and Best) Ways to Travel Europe in 2023

Last Updated: 5/13/2023 | May thirteenth, 2023

Traveling round Europe might be costly. Airfare, high-speed and in a single day trains, ferries — all of them eat into your restricted (and treasured) journey funds.

Fortunately, there are alot of the way to get round Europe on a funds. The sharing economic system, new bus choices, discounted practice passes, and many funds airways all make it easier to navigate Europe with out breaking the financial institution.

I’ve been touring Europe since 2006 and have seen so many issues change over that point interval. I’ve watched journey hacks come and go and costs change and alter once more. While COVID has impacted issues, I can actually say that it’s by no means been simpler to get round Europe as a result of there are such a lot of new low cost methods to journey the continent.

Here are the most effective methods to journey round Europe on a funds:
 

1. Travel by Bus

Taking intercity buses is without doubt one of the least expensive methods to get across the continent. The principal worldwide bus firms are Eurolines and German-based FlixBus, which expanded tremendously when it acquired Megabus and now has routes throughout the continent.

Flixbus is often the most affordable bus possibility, with costs beginning as little as 5 EUR. Their buses embody Wi-Fi, electrical retailers, free baggage (one carry-on and one saved underneath the bus), and comfortable seats. (Megabus nonetheless runs within the UK.)

FlixBus shortly grew to become my favourite non-train strategy to get throughout Europe cheaply. It’s not fancy by any means nevertheless it’s the most affordable strategy to get round. They most of Europe. Here’s a map of their routes that will help you plan your journey!

However, there are many different regionally-specific bus firms that can get you elsewhere. For instance, Alsa is the primary supplier in Spain and its neighboring international locations.

You can use BusRadar or Get By Bus to search out the most affordable and quickest possibility in your desired route.

2. Travel by Budget Airline

By far one of many least expensive methods to journey long-distance in Europe is by funds airline. These airways are massively prolific on the continent and competitors has led to extremely low cost fares. It’s not unusual to search out flights for as little as 10 EUR! I exploit Skyscanner to seek for the most effective offers. They do all of the legwork!

Just do not forget that funds airways make most of their cash by charges. They are very strict about baggage limits or and plenty of will ding you for those who neglect to print your boarding move. Don’t anticipate any complimentary drinks or meals both. But for those who comply with the principles and know what to anticipate it can save you a ton of cash!

For extra data, here’s a full information to discovering low cost flights.
 

3. Travel by Eurail Pass

I really like touring by practice: sitting in an enormous seat, stress-free with a guide, and watching the gorgeous panorama go by. It’s extra comfy than a bus and far much less annoying (and extra sustainable) than air journey. And the European rail system is without doubt one of the finest and most in depth on the earth.

If you’re going to journey by practice, it’s exhausting to beat them on value and comfort for brief city-to-city journey. For longer journeys (in a single day journeys, between international locations, or rides that require a high-speed line, like Paris to Bordeaux or Berlin to Munich), trains can get very costly.

If you intend to journey round Europe and don’t wish to fly, getting a rail move is your finest money-saving journey possibility. Your price per journey will probably be lots decrease than for those who have been to purchase these tickets individually.

Not positive if the Eurail move is for you? Here is a whole breakdown of Eurail passes and when they need to be used to save cash.
 

4. Travel by BlaBlaCar

The rise of the sharing economic system has allowed individuals to hitch a experience with locals going their method, and BlaBlaCar is the reigning king of this service. It’s massively common and widespread in Europe and I’ve used this service many occasions. It allows you to rideshare with individuals who have further house of their automotive. You discover a experience, they comply with take you, and off you go. Prices are set by the motive force and are supposed to offset the price of gasoline and total put on on the automobile.

This is the BEST paid strategy to get round Europe since you get to satisfy an area, have a pleasant dialog, lower your expenses, and get to the place you’re going quicker. It’s obtainable in shut to twenty international locations in Europe.

While BlaBlaCar could not at all times be cheaper than the bus (FlixBus might be tremendous low cost!) it’s often method quicker and far more fascinating!
 

5. Travel by Rental Car/Campervan

If you’re touring round a single nation or small area of Europe and in search of flexibility, renting a automotive or campervan is perhaps well worth the value — particularly for those who can break up the prices with somebody. Car leases might be discovered for as little as 25 EUR per day, although remember the fact that gasoline is pricey. For the most effective offers on rental automobiles in Europe, use Discover Cars.

Campervans are significantly common in international locations like Iceland, Scotland, and Norway since these locations provide quite a lot of climbing and tenting alternatives. You can discover campervans for as little as 60 EUR a day — tremendous inexpensive when break up with a journey companion and when contemplating that this additionally consists of lodging! Use the app “park4night” to search out free (and low cost) in a single day parking throughout Europe.
 
Note: Many international locations in Europe require overseas drivers to have an International Driving Permit. You can get one in your house nation earlier than you arrive for round 20 EUR. (It’s basically only a copy of your license in different languages). Also remember the fact that renting an automated vs customary transmission will often price round twice as a lot.
 

6. Travel by Hitchhiking

Hitching is kind of widespread — and lots safer than you assume. I’ve met tons of vacationers who’ve completed it with out incident. I personally traveled this fashion in Bulgaria and Iceland with none issues.

Just remember the fact that it’s essential to make use of your head when hitchhiking. Always belief your intuition and use widespread sense. Keep your valuables on you in case you neglect your bag within the automotive and by no means hesitate to textual content a buddy or member of the family with the license plate earlier than you get in. Write your vacation spot on an indication and look presentable. That will make it easier to discover a experience quicker.

Use the web site Hitchwiki for ideas to assist guarantee you’ve a enjoyable and protected expertise.
 

The BEST and CHEAPEST Way to Travel Europe? Mix and Match Your Transportation

As you possibly can see, there are quite a lot of methods to get round Europe on a funds. But one of the best ways is to combine and match your transportation relying on the place you’re going and for a way lengthy. For quick journeys, I like trains and BlaBlaCar. For medium-length journeys (i.e. half a day), I’ll take a bus, BlaBlaBla automotive, or practice. For lengthy distances, I fly or take a high-speed practice or an in a single day bus.

Too many vacationers assume it’s an all-or-nothing factor. Like a technique is at all times higher than the opposite. That’s not true. There’s nobody strategy to journey round Europe. There are a ton — and you could know when to make use of which technique.

If you’ve extra time, take the slower, cheaper routes.

If you’ve extra money and a shorter journey, fly and take the practice.

If you haven’t any desire on the way you journey — and also you simply need the most affordable possibility (which is often what I do) — use an internet site like Rome2Rio or Omio. All it’s a must to do is enter the place you’re going and these websites will combine and match the assorted methods to get across the continent for the least amount of cash. They will string collectively buses and trains and planes to assemble the quickest journey for the least amount of cash.

Remember: nobody technique works 100% of the time. Mix and match. Do that and also you’ll save tons of money and time!
 

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed 200+ web page guidebook is made for funds vacationers such as you! It cuts out the fluff present in different guides and will get straight to the sensible data you could journey whereas in Europe. It has urged itineraries, budgets, methods to save cash, on and off the crushed path issues to see and do, non-touristy eating places, markets, bars, security ideas, and way more! Click right here to study extra and get your copy immediately.