Top 10 ways to travel cheap in Europe

Top 10 Tips:

If you are planning an extended visit to Europe you might find it cut short once you get there if you do not travel wisely.  The Euro is on the rise and the dollar is going in the opposite direction so don’t get caught off-guard, travel smart!

GETTING THERE

1.       Travel during the “off season”

Off season travel is hands down the cheapest way to get to and around Europe.  When the weather turns cold, fares drop, ultimately saving you a bundle.  The “off seasons” in Europe depend on where in Europe you will be staying or plan to travel.  Your best bet is start looking around October, you will notice flights across the pond are cheaper and hotel rates drop down.  I flew from New York in Mid October and then on to Ireland and spent little more than $500 for both flights plus a return trip.  The early summer months are the top tourist times and not only will you be paying an arm and leg for your excursion, you will be dealing with hordes of “tourists” there for the week.  As a cultural traveler, this isn’t my idea of a good time.

2.       Compare airfare

Airfare can be a tricky subject when it comes to travel.  Comparing flights can often find you some of the best deals out there.  Don’t only look at the big names in the airline industry but check out the smaller, less known airlines as well.  Once you are in Europe and planning your hops from place to place, the smaller less known airlines have the lowest rates and sometimes, the best service.  For more tips on getting cheap flights, check out our other hot post “Top 10 ways to save on airfare”.

Top 10 ways to save on airfare

Top 10 Tips:

1. Walk up to the ticket counter 1 hour before the flight departs.

You will be surprised what kind of deals you can find on a flight that is about to board. Empty seats mean no pay dirt for the airline. I’ve flown from North Carolina to Seattle, Washington for a mere $110. The only drawback of doing this is that it’s spur of the moment. If you have to be in Dallas for a meeting, don’t count on walking up to the ticket counter and expecting a seat with your name on it.

2. Be flexible

When you are doing your online travel search, play with the departure and return dates. The airlines have determined that some days will be more expensive to fly than others. You can often times save a couple hundred bucks by manipulating your dates. Travelocity makes this type of search easy by including a “Flexible Dates” button on their flight search engine.

3. Browse the Airlines websites

Because of the turmoil in the airline industry, they have responded by occasionally having “private” sales. In my years of flying, I think I’ve come across one or two good deals through the airlines themselves but its far and few between. You may get lucky and find one that fits your criteria.