Bidish Traveling in Europe as a student can be an exciting and enriching experience. Europe is home to a rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and diverse traditions. Traveling from one country to another with an equally contrasting lifestyle could be done in as little as 2-3 hours. A magical weekend in Prague, trekking in the Alps, beach-life in Algarve or clubbing in Berlin, Europe has it all.
While the experiences are as good as it sounds, the cost of travel can be a major hurdle for students looking to explore Europe. Accommodation, transport, food – it can quickly break the bank if we don’t plan our travel efficiently. However, with proper planning and preparation, it is possible to travel Europe on a budget. There are various cheap accommodation and transport options that we can make use of to plan an affordable vacation. In this blog post, we will cover the major aspects of traveling and will also provide some tips and tricks to efficient budget travel.
Transportation
Transportation is one of the major expenses when traveling in Europe. First rule in transportation is that we plan early. A ticket for tomorrow can cost up to 5 times more than the ticket for next month. Booking your tickets at least a month early helps you save a good amount.
There are many budget-friendly transport options that operate across Europe.
Flixbus: Flixbus is a popular bus company that connects over 3,000 destinations in 35 European countries. They offer affordable prices and could be best used for inter-country travels. They also operate their train services as Flixtrain in a few cities.
You can download the app for iOS / Android or book the tickets through the online website. Flixbus
Tip: With a N26 bank, you can get a 10% discount on each booking in Flixbus. N26 in itself is a great bank that is popular among students for many other offers, no monthly charge and quick transaction reports. You can easily create a N26 bank account here: https://bit.ly/3M3lvhC .
RyanAir: RyanAir is a budget airline that offers cheap flights across Europe. It is actually crazy how cheap the tickets are. For as low as 10 Euros, you could travel to Venice from Germany. To give you an idea, I got round trip flight tickets to Faro, Portugal from Germany for just 30 Euros.
The catch is that you can only carry one backpack for that amount. Any normal laptop backpack suffices to the requirement. If you want to carry any additional bag, it costs a minimum 20 Euros. It is recommended to follow all the instructions while booking to avoid being charged extra.
You can download the app for iOS / Android or book the tickets through the online website. RyanAir
Wizz Air: Wizz Air is a good option if you want to book a vacation to Eastern Europe. They offer good prices to places like Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, etc. Bit farther from Central Europe, Wizz Air makes it possible to book an affordable getaway to these beautiful places. Eastern Europe has beautiful charming cities and beaches and is more budget friendly than their expensive western counterparts.
You can download the app for iOS / Android or book the tickets through the online website. WizzAir
Interrail Pass: The Interrail Pass is a train pass that allows you to travel across Europe by train. The pass gives you unlimited train travel in 33 countries in Europe. The cost of the pass varies depending on the duration and the countries you want to visit. More information is provided here: Interrail pass.
BlaBlaCar: BlaBlaCar is a ride-sharing platform that connects drivers with passengers who are traveling in the same direction. It is a great option for short-distance travels. You can save money on transportation and also have interesting conversations with the driver / fellow riders.
You can download the app for iOS / Android or book the tickets through the online website. BlaBlaCar.
Note: For students / expats in Germany, the 49-Euro ticket is too good a deal. Students might actually purchase for a reduced amount and travel the entire country without having to pay extra for transportation. 😮 Please note that the tickets are only valid in the regional trains.
Accommodation
Accommodation is an essential and major expense while traveling in Europe. There are different accommodation options you can choose from based on your budget and the comfort you require. While accommodation decides heavily on your travel expense, it can also highly impact your travel experience. Living in a private hotel or an airbnb could promise more comfort, while backpacking in hostels could help you meet new people and share experiences. Following are the major accommodation options for your travels.
Hotels: There are many hotel chains that run all around Europe to offer comfortable and diverse accommodation to travelers. They offer comfortable rooms, breakfast, wifi, and additional services upon request. No doubt hotels are the most comfortable stay option for traveling. For budget travelers however, staying in hotels is a luxury in Europe. A room for one could cost somewhere between 60-120 Euros while a couple bedroom could cost anywhere between 80-150 Euros.
Hostels: Hostels are a popular option for budget travelers in Europe. They offer shared dormitory-style rooms and private rooms at affordable prices. Most importantly, it also hosts a lot of travelers like you who’d like to meet someone new in a new city. Hostels provide communal spaces such as kitchens, lounges, and bars, where you can socialize with other travelers.
The probable issue for travelers could be that one cannot expect a proper silence during sleep. Some people can barge in at 3 am after a long night’s party to get some sleep while some like to be silly with their partners in bed. You have to be ready for everything if you’re living in hostels.
Hostels also offer women-only dorms for those who require more safer stay.
You can book hostels and hotels online through the following websites: HostelWorld | Booking.com
Airbnb: Airbnb was a disruptive innovation in the field of accommodation when it was launched in 2008. Now, people often use it as a verb in the grammar of traveling. “I’m traveling to Rome next month. Let’s airbnb a nice place.”
Airbnb offers easier and accessible travels to people who want to feel like home while traveling. With Airbnb, you can rent a room or an entire apartment. It is often cheaper than a hotel.
Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing is a platform that connects travelers with locals who are willing to offer a free place to stay. It is a great option for budget travelers who want to meet locals and learn about their culture. Couchsurfing charges a modest fee of 13 Euros per year to use their platform and you can host someone, request to stay in someone’s place and also hangout with new people wherever you are. You can open your account here: CouchSurfing
Camping: Another budget-friendly option for travelers who enjoy the outdoors. Campsites are offered in various places where you can book your place for roughly 20-30 Euros per night. Europe has many campsites that offer tents and cabins at affordable prices. Camping also gives you the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Europe. Many campsites can be browsed through Airbnb itself.
Food
Another item in the list where you may find yourself emptying your wallet is food. Food is a major expense, but a very satisfying one. There are many approaches to spending on food during travels. Some days, I’ve found myself crunching on that peanut butter and bread while some days, I like to eat somewhere nice and proper. The best of all though, the most satisfying food you can have in any given place is to try their favorite local dish.
Street Food: Europe has a rich street food culture that offers delicious and affordable food. You can find street food vendors in most cities and towns across Europe. Some popular street foods include falafel, kebab, pizza, and crepes.
Supermarkets: Supermarkets are a great option for budget travelers who want to save money on food. You can buy groceries and prepare your own meals in the communal kitchens provided by hostels and Airbnb rentals. A quick Google maps search will guide you to the closest grocery store where you’re traveling.
Restaurants: Restaurants can be expensive in Europe, but there are many budget-friendly options available. Look for local restaurants that offer set menus or lunch specials at a lower price. In Venice, there were many restaurants offering “Tourist menu”, which would properly fill you up.
Picnics: Europe has many beautiful parks and scenic spots where you can have a picnic. You can buy fresh bread, cheese, and fruits from local markets and have a budget-friendly picnic with a view.
You can refer to this article as a beginners guide to traveling in Europe that can get you started with the travel plans. We will update this document timely to add more relevant information to help your future adventures.
