If you’re currently studying abroad in Europe, planning a trip overseas, or thinking about studying abroad sometime in the future, one of the must-dos of this experience is traveling! Obviously, just being in your new European city will be new and exciting for the first couple weeks, but one of the ways to make the most of your abroad experience is to travel, travel, travel. From London’s Big Ben, to the Eiffel Tower, to the David in Florence, you’ll want to see it all, but you may be questioning how much you’ll be able to travel on a budget. Here are a few tips for traveling specifically in Europe on a college student’s budget.
1. Hostels
Sleeping in hotels in Europe can be expensive, so a less expensive option is a youth hostel. Although you will probably have to share a room or at the very least a bathroom with some other travelers, staying in a hostel will be about €30/night. Breakfast may or may not be included. As a general rule, you will get a cheaper room in a hostel if you book the room directly with the hostel, and not with an outside booking agency.
2. Trains v. Planes
It is advisable to take trains if you are traveling to places that are relatively close together (for example, from Florence to Rome). If you would like to set up your travels so that you can see the countryside and make a number of stops, traveling by train might be a good idea. However, train travel is not always the cheapest traveling option in Europe. For example, a Eurail pass for 10 days of travel within a two month period is around €450! Converted into American currency, that’s over $600. Be aware of the costs of train travel.
3. RyanAir and EasyJet
Europe does have a few smaller, more reasonably priced airlines, most notably RyanAir and EasyJet. There is no exact equivalent of either of these airlines in the United States to compare it to. Keep in mind the advantages and disadvantages of using cheaper airlines. The price of the flight may be more affordable, but the planes have the bare minimum amenities and generally land in airports well outside of large cities. If you are thinking about using one of these airlines, factor in the cost of transportation to your hostel/hotel/wherever you may be going from the out-of-the-way airport.
4. Bus2Alps
Bus2Alps is a tour service for students studying abroad in Europe. They have tours all over the continent (and not just around the Alps, contrary to its name), from England and Scotland, to Spain, Italy, Greece, and even Morocco. The tours range from day trips to weekend stays to full week-long spring break adventures. The tours are reasonably priced for what they offer to students (transportation, guided sightseeing, and usually a meal).
5. Restaurant Alternatives
One of the largest costs of traveling, apart from transportation and lodging, is food. Eating out at a restaurant can be a drain on your expensive. Wherever you are in Europe, know that you can always find a cheaper and still quite delicious alternative to eating at a restaurant for every meal. Explore the options of street markets, grocery stores, and take-out cafés as alternatives.
Happy travels and make the most of your time abroad, Collegiettes. Remember that wherever you’re studying abroad, or whatever budget you may be on, your abroad adventures have already made all of your friends back home insanely jealous!