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Steak frites in the bistros of Paris, island hopping in Greece and cycling around the streets of Amsterdam.
As lovely as these experiences are, they’re never going to be ours for bargain basement prices.
Happily, there are plenty of significant savings to be had with a few clever tips. Here’s how.
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Aim high, go low
Sure, you might be dreaming of enjoying a northern summer island hopping around Greece or Italy but here’s the thing: peak season (June to August) flights are always going to gouge you financially.
Since there’s no real ‘bad time’ to visit Europe (unless of course, you’re planning to island-hop in the sun), aim to fly during the cheapest months (December through to February).
Yes, it will be cold so if beaches are a big part of your holiday program, take a look at May or early October where it will still be hot enough to make the most of the sun’s rays.
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Remain flexible with airlines
Full service airlines are great, but a Europe fare with the likes of Emirates or Etihad Airways is going to cost a premium.
Run your dates through comparison sites (you can also check Skyscanner for the most affordable options) but don’t forget to run a search on Scoot.
Depending on how early you purchase your ticket (and remember, about 11 months before departure is your best bet financially) a flight to Athens or Berlin can cost as little as $1200 for an Economy ticket.
Think location, location
Despite what 70 per cent of the population descending on European shores may think, the continent is so much more than the highlights of France, Italy and Spain.
In Western Europe, for example, Portugal continues to offer more bang for your buck, but Eastern Europe is where your dollar can go a lot further.
Take a look at holidaying in budget-friendly destinations such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, Albania and Turkey (yes, half of Istanbul is in Europe).
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Be creative with accommodation options
Hotels aren’t the be-all and end-all of holiday accommodation; provided you don’t mind thinking outside the box, there are plenty of cheap and indeed free ways to stay at the destination of your choice.
Those who are content to keep pets company while their humans are away, for example, would do well to check out Trusted Housesitters, a site that allows (responsible) pet-lovers to stay in homes around the world free of charge.
Provided you don’t mind staying with locals, Couchsurfing isn’t necessarily about sleeping on a couch, but about staying in a spare room of those keen for company and a mutual cultural exchange. Available in thousands of cities around the world, the site has 12 million members globally.
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Dream Italian holiday spot with basically no crowds
Look at all transport options
Travelling to multiple countries? It makes financial sense to buy a Eurail pass, but for those merely getting from A to B and possibly C, always take a look at all options before you book.
Although it seems unlikely, there’s every chance a budget airline such as RyanAir or EasyJet will actually be cheaper than a rail or bus ticket. The only thing you’ll need to factor in? How much luggage you’ve got with you. Since budget airlines often charge for checked-in luggage, this too will need to factor into your decision-making.
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Check out any freebies
It almost sounds too simple to be effective, but the best way to save money in any given destination is to Google ‘free things to do in xxx’.
Sure, you’ll get plenty of suggestions for local parks and beaches, but you’ll also find free walking tours, the best cathedrals, viewpoints for photos as well as galleries and museums with free entry.
Buy a museum pass
You already know (hopefully) to eat where the locals eat, away from tourist areas, and to walk everywhere. Another way to reduce your spending is to investigate whether the destination you’re visiting offers a city pass or card.
Germany’s Berlin Pass, for example, gives travellers entry to over 60 of the city’s top attractions – a huge saving if visits to multiple attractions, as well as Hop On and Hop Off sightseeing tours are planned.
Many cities, such as Paris and Barcelona, have similar passes so it’s well worth investigating.
Bon voyage!
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