Experts Reveal 15 Ways to Save Money While Travelling in Europe

Exchange your money ahead of time to save on the currency exchange. As Jason Sarracini of travel website Sarracini.com advises: “The Euro is very strong at the moment, so to avoid credit card fees and high foreign exchange fees at airport or tourist hotspots, we recommend you exchange money and bring some cash prior to departing.”

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“Stay away from the average, high priced restaurants, bars and cafes in the main squares.” Jason's best tip is to “keep going and then, keep going again. A perfect example of this is in the medieval town of San Gimignano in Italy. As beautiful as it is, the main square is for tourists and the second one is as well. The furthest square on the other side of town [is] genuine, far less busy and [has] a terrific trattoria with great food and very good prices.”

According to Jason, walking is your best bet. He says, “Europe's cities were made for walking and there is no easier way to save money. Plan well, stay away from taxis and let your feet be your locomotive.”

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Bonnie Hinschberger of Ellison Travel & Tours and co-founder of their women’s travel division Broad Escapes: Tours for Women, has the inside scoop on how to make the most (while spending the least) on your European travels.

Suggests Bonnie: “Travel during the shoulder or off-season when there are fewer tourists but still reasonably nice weather. Pricing for accommodation can be greatly reduced.”

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After a 30+ career in the travel industry, Bonnie knows the importance of buying local. She explains: “Choose local, family-owned establishments for accommodations and meals. You’ll not only save money but you’ll have an opportunity to connect with the locals and their local culture, and, you’ll be supporting the local economy!” Sounds like a win/win to us.

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Not only are museums an excellent place for familiarizing oneself with local culture and history, but they can also be a budget-friendly stop on your itinerary. Figure out which day may be your best bet to visit, and then see how the price varies throughout the week. As Bonnie explains: “Many museums designate days for free entry. Plan ahead!”

“Travel by train!” says Bonnie. And if you’re looking to save on an extra night of accommodations, Bonnie advises taking an evening train.

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Suggest Bonnie, “Pack a small soft-sided cooler bag and fill it each day for a picnic lunch.” And another insider tip: “Avoid purchasing bottled water by bringing a refillable water bottle. Most areas in Europe have potable tap water. Fill your water bottle for free right from the tap!”

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There are countless apps designed to help travellers with things like booking, sightseeing, and learning language basics to help you navigate your way. From maps and travel guides (as Bonnie notes: “Many of these are free and don’t require the internet once you have them downloaded on your device”) to translation apps. Make use of the free apps that can help ensure a smooth trip.

Just be sure to avoid becoming totally engrossed in your phone, as not being aware of your surroundings is just one of the 19 most dangerous things you're doing when travelling.

“Use your phone as a secondary camera, especially in the evening when you don’t want to carry camera equipment around,” says Bonnie. Not only does this spare you from lugging around more than you need to, but it saves you the added cost of a fancy camera, which can also make you a target for theft while snapping photos during your travels.

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“Be sure to contact your provider prior to travel to choose a plan that is right for you, or opt to have your phone unlocked and use a worldwide or local SIM card," Bonnie explains. It's worth looking into the cheaper option for the amount of time you'll be abroad. On top of that, one more tip you're going to want to remember: "You may have to turn off certain apps that may continue to run the in the background to avoid excessive roaming charges.”

Canadian travel and money expert Barry Choi of Money We Have encourages flexibility when it comes to saving money while travelling through Europe.

As he explains" “From late June (when school’s out) to August, prices are at their highest which can easily add 25 per cent to your overall budget. Instead, try going sometime from April to early June when prices are lower and the weather is still good in many countries.” Plus, "Don't underestimate a trip to Europe during the winter. Europe has the best Christmas markets in the world and it's truly a magical time to visit many countries in December.”

Barry suggests a travel rewards credit card for hundreds of dollars in savings. As he explains: “Some of these cards offer huge signup bonuses that could worth anywhere from $200-$600. The catch is, you need to spend a certain amount within three months to qualify for those bonuses. Many premium travel credit cards also come with a comprehensive travel insurance package which could also save you a few hundred dollars on your trip.”

“Don't forget, earning points are only worth it if you're paying your full balance every month. It doesn't matter how many rewards you earn, paying interest charges will always cost you more.”

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And if crunching the numbers on your own just isn't panning out, “you can join a Trafalgar tour that takes the stress out of everything – they plan everything for you so all you have to do is just show up and enjoy.” Barry continues, "You'll quickly realize that it can be cheaper to go the touring route since transportation, accommodations, and some meals are already all included in the price.”

“If you're travelling to Europe and you plan on taking a guided vacation (a ‘tour’), it literally pays to book early. Tour companies such as Trafalgar offer discounts as high as $466 off their Europe vacations if you book by the end of April,” Barry reveals.

“When it comes to airfare, prices don't tend to fluctuate much, but it's still in your best interest to book early. This way, you'll get the first choice of seats without worrying about paying that premium when you book last minute.”

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