Europe On a Dollar a Day!

by James Klein

Well, maybe in 1947, but today this would be highly unlikely. Europe has long held the perception that it is an expensive place to travel. In many ways it is expensive, but in many other ways it does not have to be. Here are some examples of how you can see Europe on the cheap without having to sacrifice comfort and quality.

As the Euro grows in strength against the dollar, travelers such as me try and find new ways to support the addiction and stay on the beaten path. I know, I know, Europe is usually considered expensive and a luxury most can’t afford. This may be true if you travel with trunks of clothes and are used to silk sheets and fine dining. If you plan ahead and do some research you may just experience a different, nicer, cheaper way of traveling. There are three basic questions to all traveling. How will you get there, what will you do once there, where will you stay? Of course, in this “multi-choice” world we live in, we can answer these questions in many different ways. Unlike our fellow travelers of centuries ago we can now travel further and faster than any other time in our history and choose by which way we go, plane, train or automobile.

Today, traveling to Europe can be done for less than here in the United States. In booking my last flight from Saint Louis, Missouri to Madrid, Spain, I spent less than a flight from Saint Louis to New York City: about $420.00 round trip! In comparing a popular flight booking website today, I found that going to Europe is no more expensive than flying from Chicago to Miami, or New York to San Juan. So no more excuses! Let’s go to Europe!

Now, I am not saying that Europe is cheap, In fact everything will cost you about 30% more nowadays, as the Euro gains strength against our dollar, but this does not mean that with a well executed plan you can’t go cheap and see a lot! It all depends on where you go, how you get there, what you are planning on doing once you are there. I like history, and thus gravitate towards historical sites and museums, others may gravitate towards the beach where they will spend most of their time. Pre-planning is a critical element to a frugal trip to Europe; cheap does not have to mean bad quality. You don’t have to prepare cost analysis or spreadsheets, but a basic idea of where you will be and when. This will help determine your lodging and other expenses. Remember that time is also a commodity and should be budgeted like money.

If you are traveling through various countries on a time-schedule, these plans and research will definitely save you money. For example, lodging in Italy is generally more expensive than Spain or Portugal, so if these countries are in your itinerary, you probably want to plan your trip accordingly. Inexpensive lodging can be found in Italy, especially Rome. If you look deep enough you can stay in a centrally located area for no more than what you could pay in Spain or Portugal. Obviously these cheaper options are not always available through booking agents or they would be the rule instead of the exception. They can be found, it is just knowing where to look. I suggest a call or web visit to the tourism office of the country you are visiting. They usually have information about local hostels or other great lodging options as well as other information that will make your traveling better.

Traveling through Europe is in many ways similar to getting around these United States of ours. However, there are still differences that help the insatiable traveler to get out and still have fun on the byways and skyways of Europe. Here are some examples I think could help:

• European airlines offer very cheap flights that sometimes beat trains and bus rates. Flights for $20.00 can be found between many European cities, making travel fast and allowing you to see more for less.

• Since not all of us have friends that live in Europe and can offer us a “free” stay, lodging is one of the most important considerations in you travels. Where and how you lodge may very well affect how you travel. Hostels give you a place to stay without paying for services and amenities you probably will not use at a resort or hotel.

• Eating out is another cost guzzler. In Europe, American food chains can be more expensive than a good meal at the local bar/pub or restaurant. Become familiar with the type of food that is served up at your destination. This will help in identifying items you like once you are there. Local supermarkets offer a grand variety of lunch options – sandwich ingredients, prepared food, cheese, yogurts and snacks can make for a fine picnic. This fun experience will surely save you money and expose you to a rare cultural experience.

• Having a student pass or certain memberships, like AAA, Hostelling International, or International Student Identification Card (ISIC), can help you get into museums and cultural attractions for free. Europeans are big on culture and take pride in giving access to students. If you are one, do not pass up this opportunity to experience galleries and museums for free. Check on the web or ask local people what museums offer these free passes to students. Special engagements may not apply. Knowing some phrases in the local language allows people to warm up to you. Not everyone speaks English, although it is not hard to find people who do so. Remember - speaking English more loudly does not make anyone understand you any better! Check schedules of certain sites, some places have a “cultural day” where access is free.

• It helps to make friends in the country or countries you visit; locals can unlock many hidden secrets to saving money and experience their culture and country. Europeans are very thrifty people and very proud of their countries and culture. No matter where you go, listen for money saving advice when given, chances are they will save you a lot.

One of the primary rules for any traveler is common sense. Curiosity is never a bad thing as long as it is not used in a rude manner. You will discover things that other travelers may miss. Getting lost most often has led me to places that even today only the locals know about, perhaps sometime I can share them with you. Happy trails.