Europe offers huge variety for travellers, including great diversity in costs. However, you don’t have to avoid the eurozone entirely to find cheap deals on European holidays, as it’s possible to enjoy a low cost break in whichever country you’re hoping to travel to.
You could be paying a lot more than you have to for accommodation if you choose to stay in popular areas such as city centres or beach resorts, so a top tip is to look for cheaper alternatives a little further out. If you’re visiting Paris, for example, you could save a small fortune by switching your expensive Paris hotel for cheaper accommodation just south of the city in Creteil, where you’ll still be able to access all of Paris’ central attractions via the local Metro system, meaning you won’t have to miss out. You could also enjoy a better night’s sleep when staying in less bustling areas, away from the city’s nightlife districts.
Opting for a self-catering break could also help you save the euros, compared to paying for all-inclusive accommodation. While the latter can certainly be convenient, the truth is that Paris’ supermarkets are quite cheap, so you won’t necessarily have to pay for expensive restaurant meals every day of your stay.
Booking ahead is always advisable if you wish to secure the best deals on European holidays – not only for accommodation, but for transport too. Don’t rely on flight comparison websites, as some budget airlines are not included on these sites, and will need to be hunted down independently. On the other hand, looking for last minute deals can also be a great way to save money – as long as you’re feeling adventurous and are open to destinations you may not have previously considered.
Some countries that used to seem like havens to budget travellers have been forced to increase their prices during the recent recession – most notably Greece. But there are still many countries where the cost of living is comparatively low compared to the UK, particularly in Eastern Europe. An added bonus is that many of these more distant nations could offer very different climates and scenery to your traditional idea of ‘Europe’ – despite being located in the same continent.
Included among these budget travel destinations are Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, which often offer just as much in the way of activities and entertainment as their counterparts in Western Europe – with the advantage that prices are so low, your travel money can be stretched a lot further on cheap holidays to remember.
Bob Taggart writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content. Image by LlewelynPritchard
