Top 10 Money Saving Ideas for a European Vacation - Part 2
February 11th 2009 05:10
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Eiffel Tower
In Part 1 of this article, I covered four great ways to save money on your European vacation: pre-booking
excursions to places of interest; shopping for airline deals; using public transportation whenever possible; and carrying your food with you instead of eating meals in restaurants. Here are six more great ways to save money and still enjoy the European vacation experience of a lifetime.
5. Get Cash at ATMs.
Even the smallest towns in Europe have ATMS that are part of the largest worldwide networks. Furthermore, the exchange rates at airports and other large currency centers are less favorable. Don't worry about having lots of local currency before you go; just have your credit card handy and use the local ATMs.
6. Travel to Cheaper Destinations
Countries like Bulgaria, Portugal, and Greece cost less to travel in and still offer amazing cultural, historical, and sightseeing opportunities. Investigate the advantages and points of interest available in countries like these, where your money will go a lot further and you'll still encounter unforgettable sights and sounds.
7. Plan Your Travel for Off Peak Times
Unless your vacation is built around school schedules, you can travel much less expensively during the off seasons: fall, winter, and early spring. Airfare can be dramatically less, and lodging is often more reasonable during these times, too.
8. Rent a Flat or Apartment
If your plans include a stay of a week or more in the same area, check out the Internet for rental apartments, flats, or villas. With many, you have a kitchen or kitchenette, so you can cook some of your own meals and save on food costs. The daily rates also come way down when you rent, as opposed to one or two night stays in hotels.
9. Walk Around!
Europeans generally get lots more exercise than Americans. One main reason is that they walk or bike to many destinations, instead of hopping in the car. Explore your immediate surroundings and make sure you're soaking up as much as possible of the local people, culture, and atmosphere. Walking is free, and when you're walking in Europe, it can be fascinating and entertaining, as well.
10. Learn the Language!
This is actually closely related to #9. Take some time before you leave to pick up a few essential phrases, at the
very least. This has several benefits: you'll be able to interact with more people at your destination, which will make
your trip more memorable and enjoyable; you'll create a more favorable impression on the locals, even if you stumble over their language, than if they think you're one of those Americans who assumes the rest of the world speaks English; sometimes, you can actually find out how the local people save money by knowing the cheap places to eat, buy fuel, etc. Local advice is better than the guidebooks, almost every time. But you'll never know unless you can at least try to speak their language.
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