European vacations were once the near-exclusive domain of wealthy travelers. But those intent on budget travel have found ways to make such trips affordable. They glean money saving tips from those who have gone before them, and add their own discoveries to the list as they plan a budget European vacation.
The first necessity is finding a low airfare, because that is often the biggest expenditure. Checking the airlines' own special offer pages is a great tactic. But the budget battle is far from won once that great fare is in the books.
Here are some links to begin your planning for other costs such as hotels, tours, and transportation. These links are not necessarily the answer to all of your questions. They are intended merely as good starting points in your Internet search for an affordable trip -- and they should lead you to some discount discoveries.
Accommodations
Chain hotels in Europe can be very expensive, and it's often a good idea to avoid them in favor of smaller budget hotels or perhaps Bed & Breakfast offerings. But if you have loyalty club points or simply prefer a certain brand, you can search Travelocity hotel offers in Europe from $99 USD. For those with Sheraton preferences, they offer triple Starpoints for European bookings. The Accor Hotel chain offers a price guarantee: if you find a comparable room for less after you book with them, they'll match the lower price plus and then add a 10 percent discount. Marriott U.K. and Ireland will reward those who choose a base from which to explore several areas. If you stay four nights, you'll get one of them free. Another good place to shop is UTA Hotels.
If your budget is very tight, Hostelworld searches can be helpful. Read the reviews with a cautious eye, as they do not always reflect overall quality for a given hostel. HomeExchange.com offers potential home exchanges from a data base of 20 thousand choices.
Budget Airlines of Europe
EuroFlights is a great Web site for checking your budget air options in Europe. Here you can see which airlines serve your intended destination(s) and then go to the appropriate Web site to continue your shopping.
Two caveats: Don't build your entire European itinerary with budget flights. You'll miss the thrill of the countryside and spend a lot of time navigating airports. Also, don't forget that budget airlines are very strict about baggage fees and some will charge fees so large that your sudden "deal" evaporates before your eyes at the luggage scale.
Car Rentals
For those who want to try driving the autobahn or navigating narrow village streets, car rentals can be more desirable than the usual train passages. Check companies that do a lot of business in Europe such as easyCar.com. Another basic search worth trying is Travelocity's link for car rentals and travel services in Europe.
Sightseeing
It's not wise to spend precious time on your trip standing in ticket lines. That is not what you came to Europe to do. So check on London Sightseeing Passes that are frequently discounted and nearly always save money for longer stays. You buy the pass and get free admission in return at dozens of attractions. A similar product is the Paris Pass. Look at the list of included attractions to be certain you would visit many of them without the pass. If you'll only have time for a few, the pass might not be worth buying.
Train Travel
Rail executives are feeling the heat from budget airlines in Europe, which now sometimes actually undercut the price of train transportation. But Europe wasn't meant to be toured exclusively from the air, so think about some train ticket options.
Point-to-point tickets often make the most economic sense, especially when your itinerary is fairly limited. For longer treks, consider the Eurail Global Pass, which gives you unlimited access to trains in 23 countries. The consecutive pass is available for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months.
The word "consecutive" be more than you need. If your itinerary consists of going to a new city, staying for a number of days and then moving to the next destination, chances are you'll only spend a handful of days on the train. A Pass Finder will take your plans into account so you don't buy too much pass.
It always pays to consult Current Rail Europe specials and promotions to see if your destination is "on sale."
