Touring Europe can be an exciting adventure, but where you go and what you get to do depends one more than your bank account. You need to be willing to be savvy and experimental. There are ways to survive a tour to Europe on a tight budget, while still seeing many sites and having a great time.
Determine your budget. How much money you have is going to determine which countries you are able to visit. While you can get pretty creative with your meals, lodging and which sites you see, visiting different countries requires either airfare or a train pass to get there and there is only so much budgeting you can do in this area.
Decide which countries or destinations you want to visit based on your interests. If you are looking for a history rich in beer tasting and festivals, then Munich, Germany is a great place to visit. However, if you want scenic views and castles, Scotland has more castles per acre than anywhere else in the UK. To provide a variety of experiences visit areas that are not too far from each other, such as planning a tour from Paris to Nice, in the South of France, to the Italian Riviera.
Visit Europe during low season. Prices are generally higher in Europe between the middle of June and the middle of September, when most Europeans are touring themselves. Not only is it cheaper to go outside of these months, but you don't have to compete with the crowds of tourists.
Use reward programs to get free airfare, hotel or other travel accommodations. If you know you are planning a tour to Europe, sign up for credit card offers several years in advance that give you travel rewards. Depending on how much you use your card you can earn enough points for free airfare to Europe or you can use it for car rentals or hotels. Just be sure you're paying the card off every month, because it's not free if you're paying interest on it.
Stay at hostels or monasteries. Many monasteries allow travelers to stay free of charge due to their rule of charity and hospitality. They are most popular in Rome and are usually found in rural areas. Hostels are set up much like a dorm room, can be found in the heart of most European cities and can cost less than a dinner out.
Utilize hotels outside of the city and use local transportation to get to touring destinations. The cost of the transportation ends up being less than staying at a hotel in the center of the city. Another great way to get around Europe and save money is to buy a Rail Pass. These are offered by trains that travel throughout Europe, and can be much easier than driving, and cheaper than flying between different cities or countries.
Tour free attractions and use your student ID card (if you have one). Many museums and other sites in Europe offer discounts with student IDs. Hiking in parks, attending festivals or asking locals where the best historical sites are, rather than taking a tour guide, are great ways to get a taste of Europe for free.
