6 Tips For Sticking To Your Budget On A European Trip

Travelling around Europe can be incredibly rewarding, both in terms of the sights you see and the memories you make along the way. But if you’re not careful, it can also be incredibly expensive. As such, if you don’t have endless funds to spend during your stay, then you’ll need to budget wisely to make sure that you get the most out of your money without spending it all on lodging and food alone. Here are six tips that can help you stick to your budget on your European trip.

1) Do Your Research

Europe is a huge continent with a lot of diversity, so it’s important to do your research before you go. That way, you can figure out what kind of trip you want to have and what kind of budget you’ll need. For instance, if you’re going to London, Paris or Rome, stay near the city centre where prices are cheaper than in the suburbs. If you’re travelling through southern Italy or France, find an apartment for rent rather than staying at hotels; these places often come with kitchens so you can save money by cooking your own meals.

2) Stay in AirBnBs

AirBnBs are a great way to save money on your accommodation while still getting all the amenities of home. You can often find deals for entire apartments for the price of a hotel room, and they’re usually located in the heart of the city. Plus, you’ll have access to a kitchen so you can save even more money by cooking your own meals.

3) Don’t Get Caught up in the Moment

It can be easy to get caught up in the moment when you’re on vacation driving Italy vespas, especially in a place like Europe where there’s so much to see and do. But if you want to stick to your budget, it’s important to resist the urge to splurge on every little thing. For example you can pack snacks for long bus rides or plane trips so that you don’t have to pay for expensive airport food. Bring cash instead of relying on ATMs since ATM fees can add up quickly, and use credit cards for larger purchases as opposed to using them everywhere just because they offer rewards points. Try not to go overboard with shopping. Even though Europeans love their fashion, it is common for shoppers outside of Italy and France to find designer items at lower prices than back home.

4) Have Some Company

Even if you’re the most independent traveller out there, sometimes it’s nice (and can even save you money) to have some company on your trip. Find a travel buddy or two and you can split the cost of things like accommodation, meals, and activities. You’ll also have someone to explore with and rely on if things go wrong. Just make sure you pick someone you get along with and who has a similar travel style to you.

5) Keep Track of What You Spend

Keeping track of your spending is key to sticking to your budget while on a trip. Whether you use a physical notebook or download a budgeting app, make sure you write down every single purchase. At the end of each day, add up your total spending and compare it to your daily budget. This will help you adjust your spending for the rest of your trip. You can also set specific goals like spending less than 50 euros in a week or saving 10% more money. Keep in mind that not all purchases count towards your total spending. Snacks at the airport and bottled water don’t count towards your budget, but hotels do.

6) Manage Your Expectations

Europe is an amazing continent with a lot to offer, such as the Berlin wall in Germany. But it can also be a very expensive place to visit. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to blow your budget quickly. The key to travelling on a budget in Europe is to manage your expectations. You might not get to do all the things you want, but you will have enough money for what matters most. If this is your first time travelling overseas or even visiting other countries within your own country, it may take some time before you learn the ropes and how much things cost outside of the US. Research prices ahead of time so that when you arrive in another country, all of the price tags make sense.