Cheap European Travel: Part I – Getting There

Many people are looking to cut travel expenses to Europe because of the weak dollar against the euro. While the exchange rate does not lead itself to inexpensive travel, the cost of travel has dropped dramatically. Everything from plane tickets to local subway fares may be lower because of the global recession and the decrease in travelers heading to Europe. Here are some quick tips on how you can save in your travel and accommodations on a European trip before too late.

Cheap Plane Tickets

The cheapest plane tickets to Europe are available if you are willing to have multiple layovers. Depending on where you are flying from in the US, this most likely means a stop over on the east coast. The longer the layover, the better chance your ticket price will drop. The same goes for getting to Europe; if you can stop in London, Madrid or Paris before heading to your ultimate destination, you will save money over tickets directly to smaller cities. Travelling midweek will also drop your plane ticket drastically. Summer months tend to be heavy for European travel, but the end of the summer sees a slightly lower volume of travelers, meaning better deals for you. Try signing up for alerts from airlines to watch ticket priced if your travel dates are flexible.

Cheap Hotels

If you are renting a car, you will find many hotels outside of major cities that have great deals. Driving in Europe is not easy. You will have a very compact car with a number of differences, the least of which is you are on the wrong side of the car. Roads are extremely narrow, very crowded and most cities are not planned. However, thousands of travelers navigate these conditions each year. Renting a car should be reserved for the experienced traveler. If you can stay outside of the city, you will find budget hotels all over. For example, The Hotel Formule 1 has about 300 hotels in France. While there is a sink in each room, there is a shared toilet and shower. Sacrificing a private toilet can save you tremendously with rates starting at under $40 a night. For a step up, try Premiere Classe which has a private toilet and shower in each room. Be prepared to spend closer to $60 a night in Première Class hotels.

Cheap Rail Tickets

One of the best ways to get around Europe once you are there is by rail. In fact, you may consider flying into a large city and taking a train to your ultimate destination to save money. EuroCheapo has a full list of rail schedules and prices to assist you in planning your trip. Anytime you are planning to travel a significant amount by train, remember to pack light. You will be carrying your luggage on foot to most of your destinations from the train; some times, you may be walking multiple miles. Packing light is key to all European travel, but do not pack too casually. Jeans and t-shirts are a dead giveaway for American tourists.

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