How to Easily Plan Cheap Vacations to Europe

Have you ever wondered how others plan cheap vacations to Europe?

You see their Instagram or Facebook pictures in Prague, Munich, Lisbon, or wherever their trip takes them, and you get a little jealous. I want to help you become the person in those pictures, and show you it’s not as expensive as you think (Gasp! Could it be true?).

It’s taken me a number years to find valuable resources, and I want to share with you to help you save time and money. Isn’t saving time and money what what we all need in life?

I’ll break down my tips and resources into a number of sections below, so you can start planning your affordable trip to Europe.

Shoulder and Off Season, When you Travel Matters

The time of the year you plan to travel can really affect the cost.

Summer is peak season, which means you pay peak prices. I love to travel during something called “shoulder season.” This is the time of the year, spring and fall, where the prices drop a bit, and the weather is also great for biking or walking. I think shoulder season is ideal for a balance between cost and weather, but if you really want to save money go during off season.

We planned a trip to Portugal in February, and it was so nice to be there without the masses. Some locations like Portugal or Greece will have decent weather and be more affordable in the off season. However, be careful in thinking that winter will be cheap everywhere. The Christmas Markets in places like Munich, Vienna and Prague will drive prices up for travel and lodging.

Location, Location, Location

Some cities and countries are just more expensive. I believe you can budget and make any location work if you are vigilant, but there are locations that are just cheaper overall. Consider the costs of your flight, lodging, transportation, and food. Other location expenses to plan for are attractions, and nightlife. For example, the cost for wine in Portugal was WAY more affordable than Italy. Check out my Destination Guides Category for more details on specific locations. (Coming Soon!)

Affordable Location Ideas

Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic)
Western Europe (Spain and Portugal)
Southern Europe (Greece and Croatia)

Like I said, I think you can make any location work for your budget, some places just make it easier! This is a quick general list and there are a lot of other locations that could work!

I like to check Trip Advisor and Google to get an idea of food and drink costs. I can also gauge the area even better reading a travel guide, like the pocket guides from Lonely Planet. These are the perfect size to take with you in a purse or backpack too!

Find Affordable Airfare Using Flight Trackers

Flight trackers can be your best friend in finding flight deals, if you invest a little time into using them. You can track and watch flight prices even if you don’t have a super flexible schedule. The more flexible your schedule, the better chance to get a deal. There are a few different ways to go about this, that have worked for me. I just recently started using Google Flights and I love it.

Google Flights Highlights:

You can select specific dates to track covering multiple airlines, or an exact flight itinerary. I tracked a specific flight recently and watched the prices for 3 weeks before purchasing – saved myself $100 a ticket!
Google Flights includes discount airlines, which when trying to save is really important.
You can save multiple destinations and track price changes. This might help you decide on your vacation location if you see a deal pop up!
It also offers a date grid that shows you if it’s cheaper to fly a few days off from your selected dates.

I have also used Kayak in the past to find affordable flights and to track. Kayak shows you “hacker fares” which are basically flights from two different airlines matched up on the same date and locations (Example – United from Austin – Houston, Delta from Houston to Charlotte). Do be careful with these hacker flights because checked luggage will not transfer. Another great resource is Skyscanner to check for flights, especially in Europe.

You can also sign up for services that flag you on cheap flights that pop up to anywhere in the world, like Scott’s Cheap Flights.

My biggest takeaway here is to spend the time to set up a tracker, and watch it for a few weeks to gauge price drops and when it’s time to buy!

Look Outside of Hotels for Your Accommodations

You’re planning a trip to a new city, and it only makes sense to look up hotels in that location right?

I won’t disagree, but I would recommend checking other types on accommodations. I love and have stayed in some amazing Bed & Breakfasts and Airbnb’s in Europe. Finding the right place to stay is a key component in planning your cheap trip to Europe.

Bed & Breakfast

These are not your typical antique looking bedroom and shared bathroom like you might find in the U.S. Picture a cozy and boutique small scale hotel with a delicious breakfast at a great price. We stayed at a B&B in Sintra, Portugal for $55 a night. It was a full suite with a kitchenette, and offered a homemade breakfast that was one of the best I have ever had. I really like the vibe at these places, because it’s easier to meet other travelers and to get to know the locals who work there.

Airbnb

I also like to search Airbnb to see if the value is better than other lodging in that city. We found a great place that offered bikes in the Jewish Quarter in Budapest for around $70/night. B&B’s and Hotels started at $110/night, so for 5 nights that’s a savings of $200! Another plus is that you can find places that offer a washer and dryer, which let’s you pack lighter! Their network of affordable and really stylish options is growing daily. We’ve used AirBnB in the U.S. as well and have been really pleased.

Trip Advisor has a filter in their hotel search called “B&B and Inns” that will show the available selections in the city you are traveling to. I read a number of reviews to get an idea of the property. AirBnB also has reviews and something called “Superhosts.” This title is received by hosts who have at least 10 guests a year, respond to them quickly, and maintain a rating of 4.8 or above.

Note for accommodations: Make sure to check and the consider the location. If you only have a few days and are far from the city center, you might save on your room, but end up paying more for transportation back and forth. However, if schedule is not a concern, staying outside the city might be a good chance to spend more time with locals.

Consider Travel Credit Cards

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “travel hacking” before. If you haven’t, it’s basically a way to use credit cards to rack up award miles to gain free or cheaper travel. I have dabbled in this some myself and have a few cards, but if you want a place to start, I really like the Capital One Venture card. You earn points on everyday spending, including any travel you book. You can then use those points as a travel eraser. We applied points we had saved up on a recent flight and were reimbursed $200 a ticket.

As the daughter of an accountant, I do NOT recommend accruing debt just to earn points. Personally, I use this card for everyday spending and pay it off monthly so there is no interest earned. There are lots of cards out there on the market, and I will write another post on the best cards out there that get you the best bang for your buck.

These are my top tips to easily plan cheap vacations to Europe. If I can do it, you can do it too! If you like this post and want tips on what to pack on your cheap trip, check out my post 5 Packing Tips for Your Next Vacation.

Leave a comment below to let me know if this was helpful, or if you want to read about more topics like this!

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