Getting around Europe can be quite costly. Plane tickets, express trains, sleeper trains, and ferries can quickly consume your tight travel budget. After all, you came to indulge in tasty cuisine and fine wine, not to spend on transport!
But recent developments have made it easier for travelers to save on European travel: favorable exchange rates, the growth of the sharing economy, new bus services, and many new low-cost airlines.
The Top 7 Ways to See Europe on a Budget
Exploring Europe with Megabus
Megabus offers an affordable way to travel within the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales) and to cities like Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. If you book at least a month ahead on popular routes, tickets can be as low as 1 GBP. Even without those incredible deals, fares rarely exceed 20 GBP, making it cheaper than the national bus system. I recently paid just 5 GBP for a bus from London to Bristol, booked only a day before—the train would have cost 45 GBP! Megabus also runs trains to some UK destinations, starting at 10 GBP. It remains the most economical choice for UK travel and now also for reaching Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam.
Getting Around Europe with Busabout
Busabout is a hop-on/hop-off bus service popular with backpackers, similar to the Oz or Kiwi Experience in Australia and New Zealand. You can board and alight at any stop along their preset routes. Tickets allow you to travel their entire network with a fixed number of stops—for instance, a nine-day flex-pass gives you nine stops from your starting city. The main drawback is that visiting cities off their route requires extra travel at your own cost. Many backpackers use this service to get around and connect with fellow travelers. The pass includes a guide and sometimes group activities. A two-week pass costs $299 USD. If you visit about six cities in two weeks, that’s $50 per trip. Considering the added benefits of a guide, included excursions, and social opportunities, Busabout is comparable in price to trains and flights, though pricier than regular buses. Their unlimited pass for $1,499 covering six months of travel is the best long-term deal.
Traveling Europe via Flixbus
In recent years, a new company has revolutionized the bus system in Europe! German-based Flixbus operates in 20 European countries and thousands of cities, with fares starting as low as 5 EUR. Their buses offer WiFi, power outlets, up to three free bags, and comfortable seating. It’s essentially like Megabus but more pleasant and covering all of continental Europe. Flixbus quickly became my preferred non-train option for affordable European travel after its launch. It’s the best and cheapest way to get around continental Europe!
Another option is Eurolines. Each European country has its own national bus service, but for international long-distance routes, they combine under the umbrella company Eurolines. While they serve more destinations than Flixbus, I prefer Flixbus for comfort and pricing when given a choice. Eurolines fares typically start around 20 Euros for a 5-6 hour journey.
Navigating Europe with Budget Airlines
One of the cheapest ways to cover long distances in Europe is by using budget airlines. These carriers are widespread across the continent, and competition leads to incredibly low fares, sometimes as cheap as 1 Euro. When I need to go somewhere and want to avoid a long bus or train ride, I opt for budget airlines. My favorites include:
- Vueling
- Ryanair
- Easyjet
- Aigle Azur
- Wow Air
- Eurowings
- Flybe
- Norwegian Air
- Wizz Air
I use Skyscanner and Momondo to find the best deals—they do all the searching for you!
Keep in mind that these budget airlines generate most of their revenue through fees, and any mistake can lead to hefty charges. They are strict about baggage limits and printing your boarding pass. Follow their rules carefully. Sometimes, due to all these fees, budget airlines can end up costing more—if you’re traveling with lots of luggage, it might be cheaper to fly with a major carrier (which have also lowered fares due to competition).
For more tips, check out this complete guide to finding cheap flights around Europe.
Using a Eurail Pass for European Travel
A rail pass is a solid choice if you plan to cover vast distances without flying. Europe’s rail system is among the best and most extensive globally. I love train travel—sitting in a spacious seat, relaxing with a book, and watching the beautiful scenery pass by. It’s more comfortable than a bus and far less stressful than flying.
For short city-to-city trips, trains are hard to beat on price and convenience. For longer journeys (overnight trips, cross-border travel, or high-speed routes like Paris to Bordeaux or Berlin to Munich), trains can be quite expensive. If you’re planning a grand tour of Europe, a rail pass is your best money-saving option. Your cost per trip will be much lower than buying individual tickets.
For more details, see this complete breakdown of Eurail passes and when they can save you money.
Traveling Europe with BlaBlaCar
The sharing economy has enabled travelers to catch rides with locals heading their way, and BlaBlaCar is the leading service for this. Hugely popular across Europe, I’ve used it many times. This website allows you to rideshare with people who have extra space in their car. You find a ride, they agree to take you, and off you go. Fares can be as low as 5 Euros. It is the absolute best paid way to get around Europe. You meet a local, have a friendly chat, save a lot compared to bus or train travel, and enjoy the countryside instead of highways.
Alternatively, there are websites where you can request rides as long as you contribute to gas costs. Gumtree is popular among backpackers.
The Most Affordable Way to Travel Europe: Hitchhiking
The cheapest way to travel Europe is to not pay at all. Hitchhiking is common in Europe, and I’ve met many travelers who have done it. I hitchhiked myself in Bulgaria. Always use common sense when hitchhiking.
There are many ways to get around Europe on a budget. But what’s the best for your trip? MIX AND MATCH YOUR TRANSPORTATION. The key to affordable European travel is knowing when to use each method listed. For short trips, I prefer trains and BlaBlaCar. For medium distances (half a day), I’ll take a bus, BlaBlaCar, or train. For long distances, I fly, take a high-speed train, or overnight buses. If you don’t care about the mode of transport—just want the cheapest option—use a site like Rome2Rio. Simply enter your destination, and it will show all ways to get there with prices for each method.
When seeking cheap ways to travel Europe, choose the transportation options above that fit your needs, and you’ll always get the best deal!
Photo Credits: 2, 4
The post 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe appeared first on Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site.
