As an American, planning an extended vacation has always been challenging. The average paid time off (PTO) for most employees in the U.S. has traditionally been two weeks. So when I had the opportunity to travel even longer, I decided to act impulsively. One of the most rewarding adventures I took this year was an extended trip through Europe.
However, I also understood that upon returning to reality, I would have limited access to funds, as I was unemployed at the time. I wanted to ensure that, despite this trip being a last-minute decision on my part with very little planning, I still tried to be frugal while traveling.
During my 30 days, I traveled across seven countries and 18 cities. The most time I ever spent in one city was 4 days, while some were only day trips. These were the best things I learned as a solo traveler on how to enjoy myself on a budget.
How To Solo Budget Travel
Set a Daily Budget
Figuring out your budget is the first step to any trip and part of making sure you are prepared for long trips abroad. You need to know your travel style. Are you a backpacker type willing to share space with others? Or do you prefer comfort and luxury alone at four and five-star hotels? Will you be eating out every day? You may only want to visit completely free attractions and skip others that require an entry fee.
Once you have decided on the answers to those types of questions, you should break them down into their categories and determine how much you are willing to spend each day on each category. An example daily budget for something small to mid-range would consist of the following:
- Hotel: €60/night
- Food: €30/day
- Transport: €15/day
- Attractions: €20/day
- Extras: €15/day
- Total: *€140/day
- €140 x 30 days = €4200 Travel Budget
*The total amount can increase or decrease due to changes in region/country and currency exchange rates
With this, you can determine your maximum travel budget and see if it matches or is close to your original estimated travel budget. Or decide on your total travel budget first, then divide it between categories to help narrow down your choices. You should stick to your total every day, but it’s not mandatory. Some days you spend less or more, depending on your itinerary. You need to set a maximum budget line and work hard to avoid overspending.
City Tourism Cards
City cards or city passes are now a popular way to save money and skip the line in busier cities. Purchasing one gives you a whole range of discounts on a city’s popular major attractions, partnered restaurants, public transportation, guided tours, and local experiences. Your savings will vary, ranging from €100 to € 350, but every little bit helps to stretch your total budget across 30 days. Some smaller cities and towns in Europe may not offer this option due to the value-to-cost ratio, but it’s always a good idea to research and find out.
The value exceeds the cost when you don’t only want to focus on things that are 100% free and are looking to pack your schedule with multiple activities. Thanks to this, I enjoyed some delicious meals at several restaurants I probably would not have considered, as well as many museums.
As an independent travel blogger, I reached out directly to each city’s tourism board, requesting a city card, as I was planning to write about my time there. Determine how long you plan to spend in a particular city, as they typically accommodate itineraries ranging from 1 to 10 days, which starts the clock as soon as they are activated. Some were very helpful and even provided me with these cards at no charge. This approach can be applied to those readers who are travel influencers, journalists, freelance writers, and others seeking to showcase a particular city through their social media and publications.
Free Walking Tours
I discovered Freetours when I visited Europe and decided to book a spot in both Brussels and Cologne. You might think that going on a free walking tour in a European city can seem dangerous or a potential scam, but it’s the opposite and benefits you more.
Most tourists opt for a paid tour at a set online price, as they want to help support the local tourism industry. But suppose they already have your money, plus a tip that subconsciously makes you feel obligated to pay. In that case, you might get the feeling that your guide is less enthusiastic and is just going through the motions or reciting a preferred script. As a result, the value was not worth the cost.
What I like is that these guides are designed to provide only tips, which all depend on your satisfaction with their performance. They are also properly vetted, just like those who sell tour services on GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor, and Viator. This motivates them to do a good job, and you can see it in their personalities, which are showcased as part of the tour. In each city, my guides were motivated, informative, and well-deserving of their tips. I didn’t notice any significant differences between a free tour and a paid tour, but for budget travel, this will help keep you within your daily budget.
Free Attractions
You may have decided not to purchase a city tourism card or forgotten to sign up for a free guided walking tour. That doesn’t mean your whole budget strategy is ruined. You can still enjoy plenty of free attractions on your own, regardless.
Famous landmarks and historic sites always seem to be open to the public on the outside. You only need to pay an admission fee if you wish to enter. If you feel the landmark isn’t worth entering anyway, enjoy exploring the outside. You can also enjoy scenic and panoramic city views from some of these points without spending a cent.
Museums are always a good option. Some major museums are free every day, depending on the location. Other national museums can offer free admission on specific dates and times of the month, such as the first Sunday or last Thursday of each month. Museums also like to offer free admission on national holidays. If you find a museum you want to visit, check their official website for hours and admission dates.
Peaceful green spaces, such as parks and gardens, are often open to the public at no cost. You can enjoy an open, contemplative space, have a picnic, people-watch, or attend a local event or small festival. Religious sites, such as cathedrals and churches, are typically open to the public and free to enter. Walking around the city all day, this could be a great place to sit and rest your legs while enjoying the European architecture and artwork inside.
Bus and Train Travel
For transportation through Europe, buses and trains are the best way to explore on a budget. Each option offers discounts, scenic routes, and a large enough network to reach almost anywhere.
Buses are slower but cheaper if you are going a long distance in Europe. Tickets can cost as little as €15-20, depending on the service and how early you book, such as FlixBus. They also tend to spend most of the time on freeways traveling between countries. Which means the scenic routes won’t be that scenic. The comfort level is also fairly basic, especially when the entire bus is full and you don’t get an extra seat to yourself, which would provide a bit more room.
I felt trains were a better choice, both for expediency and comfort. So I purchased a Eurail Global Pass for 1 month because it allowed multi-country entry and regional trains. This is only used for citizens and residents outside the European Union. If you’re a European citizen or resident, you can purchase an Interrail Global Pass instead—same benefits, just a different name for legal purposes.
Now, with the app and pass, once you choose your next destination, you will be able to find the closest train to your accommodations, the train’s departure and arrival times, and, if desired, reserve a seat. With your itinerary already set, you can schedule the next few days or the entire month of your trip. Plans change? You can cancel your train ticket or reschedule for a later time at no additional cost.
The only drawback I found was that some train rides require you to reserve a seat for an additional cost, or it is mandatory to do so. So if you choose an open seat at random (which I did), you could be giving up your seat at the next stop (which happened to me several times over the 30 days). You may have picked a popular train and departure time between major cities. It might arrive full, and you have to stand between train cars until a seat becomes available. Better that than spending another €15-20 in my opinion.
Budget Accommodations
When traveling in Europe, this is one of the most effective ways to save money. It all depends on what you need to enjoy yourself during your travels, the region/country you are in, and its tourism season. I used booking.com and filtered out my preferences. Then I read the most recent reviews (less than 3 months) of each location for location, safety, and cleanliness.
Hostel – Everyone knows hostels are the cheapest way to go. These are perfect for solo travelers and backpackers who want an added social experience with other like-minded travelers, and also seek a place centrally located to the destination city’s attractions. Hostels tend to focus on a younger crowd, and some may have an age limit restriction. Additionally, you may be too old for a dorm room setting, where you share bunk beds and bathrooms in limited comfort. Hostels provide just the essentials and basic amenities, which is why they are affordable. If it’s something you’re willing to put up with, you can spend €15-€40 per night for a dorm setting and €40-€70 for a private room.
Budget Hotel – Budget hotels are the best option, and this is what I did for most of my trip. The accommodations are a little more comfortable and private, without a considerable price increase, usually ranging from €50 to €100 per night. It’s quieter than a hostel and often reliable, but don’t expect room service here. These, though, tend to be found outside of the city center, and you need to take public transportation to explore.
Airbnb/Apartment – Sometimes, renting a room is even cheaper than some budget hotels. I was able to find a studio apartment for 4 days in Budapest. I also had the added benefit of a kitchen, as well as a washer, so I could do a load of laundry without having to spend extra time looking for a laundry mat and waiting for my clothes to be cleaned. My host also offered their insights into local activities and recommended casual restaurants for enjoying local cuisine.
Eating on a Budget
You want to enjoy the local flavors without emptying your wallet? It’s delicious and doable if you plan out a solid strategy.
Street food is king for budget traveling! It’s affordable, easy, and perfect for when you’re on the go. Better not to stop and think about a full course meal when you can grab a quick bite. Food halls and local markets are great places to find stalls offering these options. Some major tourist attractions can also have a few independent carts selling ready-to-go meals and drinks for your convenience.
Supermarkets and convenience stores are the next best option. If you’re staying in a place with a fridge, you can stock up on ready-made meals and snacks to take with you during the day, so you won’t feel the urge to splurge. Knowing you are already set on food helps get you out of the mindset of going into a restaurant to eat. It also helps that you can find a lovely spot while exploring, sit down for a bite, and enjoy the atmosphere.
If you want to eat at a restaurant, focus on dining during lunchtime and choose a location where locals tend to congregate. Avoid the ones near major attractions; otherwise, you will be overcharged. Europeans already focus more on enjoying a larger lunch than dinner. The set menus for lunch are a much better choice with 2-3 courses at a lower price than dinner as well. Of course, you might get the sudden urge to treat yourself, but that’s perfectly fine; you don’t need to be overly strict all the time.
Other Tips
Smart spending – Always try to book in advance for cheaper prices. If you need cash, consider visiting a major bank to make ATM withdrawals, as you may incur additional fees.
Budget Tracking Apps – Several budget tracking apps are available for download to your phone, helping you better manage your expenses during the trip. It will also already have categories and the currency you are currently using, making things much easier.
Conclusion
Following these strategies, I was able to stay under my travel budget for the entire 30 days and came back home with leftover in my pocket. It allowed me to see more of each country while spending less. Making just a few of these wise choices and being flexible in my planning and itinerary didn’t impact my experiences or make them any less rich and fulfilling. That’s all you need to do, too. Just keep your head in that mindset, and you could go even further than I did in your travels across Europe.