What are some tips on saving money while traveling Europe?

Question

Besides eating cheaply, because it is Europe! The food is amazing I want to eat my brains out there! Food is half the reason i am going to Europe!

Answer 1

First, eastern Europe is much cheaper than the west.
Mostly it is cheaper to stay in smaller towns, the capital of the country is mostly the most expensive town by far, but in the big towns you can often also find real bargains if you look well, in small towns there are fewer extremely cheap places.

Hostels, bus travel and cheap airlines for the long distances, but book early for cheap bus and plane tickets.

If you love your food, have a good cooked lunch, and keep the dinners low profile, like the small eateries or get some bread and toppings in specialist stores like the butchers. Quality you do not get anywhere else.

Answer 2

I find that most hotels etc have breakfast included in your price, so eat big there and that helps to fill up and keep you going longer!!!

You can still eat good food, but there are cheaper options. You can maybe buy cheaper lunches and splash out on flasher evening meals....
I did not buy many souveniers except postcards...the only place I really bought anything was Italy..and very little. Window shopping is good and you can price compare.....the markets are great for cheap things ( I'm more into cheap than expensive anyway, so this was good for me)....
I also went on a couple of guided tours eg to Cesky Krumulov in Czech republic and to pompeii from Rome and these included lunch...I liked these as they take you to the places, give you info etc. saves you stress too.
Taking photos, gives you the pleasure, while not costing you money...excpet for your memory card etc ( get a big one!). You can print them out when you get home too.
Accommodation, travel and food are your biggest money epxenses, so thats where you should save if you want to eat.
Other costs will be entrace fees to things....

Answer 3

Dont sit down for a coffee - standing in a coffee shop is significantly cheaper in countries such as Italy, France, Italy etc. choose your country - IMHO Spain has some of the best food out and Portugal too -but they are not the most expensive places to visit To get good authentic food get out of the tourist ghettos - stop off in out of the way places and you will not only eat better but also more cheaply. Go for the menu del dia (or similar) at lunch time and you will get a 3 course meal including wine for the same price as a single course in the same restaraunt at night. Check out more european tips here: http://HowToTravelTips.info

Answer 4

Try to eat at some small ma and pa style restaurants. they are the best anyway. You can also take advantage of small groceries that can save you a LOT of money on less essential meals. You can get basic meals for next to nothing in places that are away from the touristy places. For example, do NOT eat anywhere near major attractions like the Eiffel Tower. You COULD get generic food, but pay a lot. Do NOT eat in Venice's San Marco unless you want to pay a LOT and have some way to verify the quality of the joint before you go in. Pick a small town a decent drive from a major city and ask the locals where the food is exquisite. They always know the best and cheapest. Just like we do in our own cities. Think like yourself at home and then go get that information from the locals. They LOVE to offer their best to tourists. Good luck!

Answer 5

Make sure to get the cheapest exchange rate, that means at ATMs, banks, its usually more costly in other exchange rate places and its faster than travellers checks. But don't frequent, you have to pay a fee every time. Buy a Eurailpass, its gives discounts transportation. Look for free entertainment. Opt for B&B instead of Hotels, don't care for Hostels myself. Eat more for lunch and less for dinner.