7 cheap (and better) ways to travel Europe in 2023 (2023)

FAQs

What is the most efficient way to travel Europe? ›

Transportation in Europe

Trains are generally the best way to get around in Europe. The rail network is comprehensive, ticket costs are rather affordable, and the scenery is gorgeous. Trains are a great way to visit many destinations quickly and efficiently.

Train. Train travel is our absolute favorite way to travel in Europe: it's much less stressful than traveling by plane, especially once you get the hang of it, far more comfortable, and for those of us hailing from North America, it's a travel experience in its own right!

It is advisable to reach Europe by air first and then cover the rest of Europe by a train. There are a few international trains in Europe such as InterCityExpress, TGV, Eurostar, and Thalys. Train ticket prices vary from country to country and also from service to service.

However, a rough estimate for a 3 week trip to Europe could be anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 or more per person, depending on these factors. It is always a good idea to set a budget and try to stick to it as closely as possible to avoid overspending.

In general, traveling Europe on $50 a day is not very feasible, and you need to choose only certain countries in order to do so. While we were able to visit Iceland on a budget, it was one of the most expensive countries in the world we've ever been to.

As a rough estimation, budget $50-100 per person for each day that you will be away. This should cover your accommodation, food, drink and transportation costs.

If you plan a more extended vacation and need to know how 3 weeks in Europe budget look like, we'd say you're looking at spending about 850 per week, making it 2,550 euros total. To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average.

Is it cheaper to fly or train in Europe? ›

Flying in Europe

Flying is often the cheapest option for medium- to long-distance travel. But don't forget to add in the extra cost and travel time of getting to the airport. This can add an extra 8€-25€ and 2+ hours to the journey. What is this?

If you have 3 weeks in western Europe, you will get to see at least 3-4 different countries, visit historical spots, try out local dishes, and enjoy the scenic locations. All these countries are sought-after by international visitors for different reasons.

It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular. Sometimes it's most economical to fly from the U.S. to London, the busiest route, then take discount airlines to Continental cities.

The Cheapest Time to Visit

The best time to visit Europe on a budget is from mid-October to March, which is when you'll find the lowest prices on flights and hotel rooms throughout the continent.

Buses are probably one of the best and cheapest ways to travel across Europe, if you have time and can travel light. Booking last minute or in advance can be equally as economical, depending on what type of buses we're talking about. Around Europe, the main (best) bus line (in my experience) is Flixbus.

Public transportation – buses, metros, and trains are often the cheapest type of transportation available. Carpooling services – if you're traveling long-distance consider using apps like BlaBlaCar or Moovit to cut down on costs. Renting bikes – keep fit and save money by cycling around the town.

Buses and trains are the most affordable way to travel. Wherever you are, you can find cheap bus and train tickets to various destinations, allowing you to embark on an adventure without breaking the bank. It's convenient.

If buying euros in advance, whatever you do, don't overdo it! In almost every case, euros you can get abroad from an ATM will be cheaper than those you can get back in the States. When buying in advance, get just enough to give you a comfortable cushion and get you through a day's worth of emergency expenses.

Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

Should you get euros before going to Europe? ›

Consider ordering euros before you leave

Check with your bank to see what options they offer, or use another organization such as AAA. Keep in mind that this step is up to you and doesn't always get you the best exchange rate—it's not necessary to obtain euros before traveling to most European countries.

With a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any 180-day period. Do not overstay! You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. To stay longer than 90 days, you must have a visa.

Virtually impossible to predict, we'd advise a figure roughly around €100 a day for spending money in Western Europe and about €40–60 a day for Eastern Europe. Budget Your Trip has thankfully provided a Travel Cost Index that maps out the average daily travel price of real travellers, per person per day.

Advantages of an overseas card

The main advantage of using a debit or credit card overseas is that you won't pay foreign transaction fees every time you spend. While many also won't charge fees for cash withdrawals, you will still usually be charged interest from the date of the transaction if you use a credit card.

Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe.

key takeaways. European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. Credit cards are generally accepted, especially in cities; but check with your card issuer about foreign transaction fees and currency exchange fees.

You will typically get a better rate exchanging your home currency for something else in your home country, for example, than you will by exchanging dollars for a local currency in another country.

Overall, you should spend $40 to $50 per day.

France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium are all similarly priced in terms of food and drink, whereas Switzerland gets a bit more expensive (thanks to the Swiss Franc).

You can use the euro in 20 EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Discover more about the euro, which countries use it and the exchange rates.

What is the easiest country in Europe for an American to move to? ›

What is the easiest country in Europe for an American to move to? Each country has its own stipulations regarding visas and immigration. Portugal has a straightforward Golden Visa investment program, making it one of the most popular countries for citizens of America to move to.

What is Europe's most friendly country? The results are in and, according to the 12,000 people who took the survey, Portugal ranks top of all European countries when it comes to friendliness. The Iberian Peninsula also ranked highly in the 'feeling at home' category, coming in second.

Citizens of the United States with a valid US passport can travel to 27 European member countries of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days without having to apply for or obtain a Schengen visa for short-term tourism or a business trip.

The best time to visit Europe is from late March to early June (spring), or between September and November (fall). You'll avoid the busy summer period and see your money go further.

Although Europe is a year-round travel destination, the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September. This is the time when the sun is high, the beaches are warm and the weather is sunny.

In general, the best time to visit Europe is during the shoulder season. In most European countries the shoulder runs from mid-April to mid-June and again during the month of September.

Don't try to book your flight more than a month or two in advance unless you're flying internationally or around a major holiday. Even then, it's wise to “book smarter, not sooner.” You shouldn't book more than 6 months in advance to score the best prices on airfare.

Will international flight prices go down in 2023? ›

In 2023, travelers should expect higher prices for almost all travel-related expenses, including flights. Expected price increases for many locations around the world are listed below to help travelers prepare for the upcoming year.

Google Flights found that the cheapest days to fly are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when fewer travelers are hopping on a plane. Wednesday and Thursday are the cheapest days to fly if you're flying internationally.

You're generally going to want to book international travel further in advance than you would domestic travel — start gauging these flight prices six to seven months in advance while planning on booking three to five months in advance.

Trains are a fast, comfortable alternative to cheap flights in Europe, especially when you're visiting multiple destinations. A Eurail Pass gives you unlimited, borderless travel across Europe with just one ticket, so you can go a lot further with your money – and you'll be doing your bit for the planet, too.

Flying in Europe

Flying is often the cheapest option for medium- to long-distance travel. But don't forget to add in the extra cost and travel time of getting to the airport. This can add an extra 8€-25€ and 2+ hours to the journey. What is this?

For many travelers, the pleasure of journeying along Europe's rails really is as good as the destination. Train travel, though not as flexible as driving, can be less stressful. On a train, you can forget about parking hassles, confusing road signs, speed limits, bathroom stops, and Italian drivers.

A good rule of thumb for planning a trip to Europe is to take at least six months. And if you really want to benefit from early preparation, a year may be even better.

The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December). It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular.

How much is a Eurail Pass in dollars? ›

How much does a Eurail Pass cost? In 2022, the cost of a Eurail Global Pass purchased directly through Eurail starts at $280 for second-class fares and $374 for first-class seats for the four-days-in-one-month pass for adults. A 15-day unlimited pass for adults currently ranges from $505 to $673.

Train travel is often cheaper than flying, in part because you can generally take more with you before paying extra baggage fees. It can also be more convenient and relaxing than driving, especially if you'd be driving in an unfamiliar place or driving for many hours nonstop to get to your destination.

From the US, regular prices for a flight to Europe range from $700–$1,000+ in low season and $900–$1,500 in high season.

Rail transport is generally cheaper on short journeys, especially where flight routes are monopolised by national airlines such as Geneva-Zurich ($221 compared to $69 by train). But budget airlines offer spot bargains, especially if you're prepared to take very early or late flights.

Is it difficult for an American to drive in Europe? Not really. If you prepare ahead of time and get the right documentation (IDP) and a rental car you're comfortable with (automatic transmission), you should be fine.

If you have a valid license from your home state, you can drive in European countries for up to 90 days without further documentation. However, once you have spent more than 90 days in Europe and wish to continue driving there, it is recommended that you get an International Driver's License (IDL).