Since the euro is giving the dollar a good old-fashioned beating right now, trips to popular European places like England, France, and Spain have become very expensive. Don't worry, though. If you plan ahead, you can still enjoy your trip to Europe without going bankrupt.
Not going to fly across the pond to take a break? No matter where you go on vacation, you can still save money by travelling smart. Read on, you lost soul.
Don't let your wallet get euro-trashed.
If you're going to Europe, make sure you have enough money. Paris and London are places that every American tourist should see, but they can be expensive. Taking a vacation in Western Europe now costs 35–40% more than it did just two years ago. Why? All that matters is the exchange rate. The euro is stronger than our dollar, so if you want to travel abroad, you'll have to pick and choose where to go.
Look into your options before you book. You could save a lot of money if you booked your flight and hotel through an online travel agency like expedia.com or travelocity.com. If you want to stay in one place for a long time, you might want to rent a house or apartment. It costs less than a hotel room, sleeps more people, has more space, and you can cook your own food instead of eating out every day. Also, with many vacation packages, you can "lock in" a rate a long time before your trip. If the dollar keeps going down after you book, you'll save a lot of money and look like a genius. But if the dollar goes up, you lose.
Don't forget that Europe isn't just England and France. Think about going to a country in the Eastern Bloc, like Hungary, Poland, or Lithuania. You'll be pleasantly surprised. During the Cold War, people had a lot of wrong ideas about these countries. Instead, they will find friendly locals, beautiful views, and a lively nightlife. Also, these countries haven't adopted the euro yet, which means your dollar will go much further.
But if you have to live in Western Europe, you can still ease the pain that the powerful euro causes. Make sure you book your trip early to get the flights and hotels you want. Think about going on a cruise if you want to see a lot of Europe. If you're on a tight budget, think about making a short three- or four-day stopover and only seeing the places you have to see. Lastly, when travelling through the countryside of Europe, you should always set a limit on how much you can spend each day.
Where are you going? How to travel on a budget.
No matter where you go on vacation, if you follow a few simple rules, the cost will be less and you'll have more fun. Don't forget to:
Compare prices. You can find deals on anything if you know where to look. Find the best deals by looking at online resources.
Use a travel agent only for big trips to places far away. You know how to plan a trip for the weekend.
Travel when it's not busy. Find out when the most people go to the place you want to visit, and don't go then. Prices are much more reasonable when it's not high season.
The key is to be flexible. Changing your plans by just one or two days can save you a lot of money.
If you book a cruise early, you can save a lot of money. If you use an agent, find one who knows a lot about cruises. She can probably save you money and get you a few perks along the way.
When you rent a car, get the smallest one you can drive. It costs less, and so does gas. Ask for a free upgrade at the front desk; it doesn't hurt to ask. Fill up the rental car's gas tank before you bring it back to avoid being overcharged by the return lot. Don't rent a car at the airport, because the prices are higher there. Lastly, use the city's public transportation instead of renting a car if you know how to use it.
When you're travelling, bring a cooler with drinks and snacks in it. Stopping at a grocery store to stock up on supplies (like aspirin, water, sunscreen, and film) before wandering around the countryside will keep you from getting ripped off by roadside tourist traps.