What’s the most talked about and popular sections of any European travel guidebook or website? Money. One of the most important things to get right before taking a trip to Europe is your budget. You’ve got to make sure that you bring enough money to see and do everything that you want, but you’ve also got to be decisive and frugal with how you spend your money. People who backpack through Europe take their budget very seriously because one of the most important parts of having a successful trip is how you budget your money. Of course, you’ll be sleeping in hostels, packing it through town, and taking the train from city to city, but how else can you save some money while you’re exploring one of the most popular destinations on Earth. Below, you will find 3 very useful tips to help you have an enjoyable experience without breaking the bank or maxing out your credit card.
1.) Sleep on overnight trains – Although this isn’t nearly as comfortable as a springy hostel bed, sleeping on the train while you’re en route to your next destination will save you money all throughout your journey. Bring some headphones and maybe even a nightcap and you can get just as much rest as when sleeping in a hostel. This is especially useful if you’re traveling with a companion and you can afford a sleeper cabin. So if you’re taking the overnight train to go backpacking in Italy, save some money and sleep on the train!
2.) Look for local markets – One of the most resourceful and useful ways to save yourself some money is to shop where the locals do. Over the course of a two week trip you could potentially save yourself hundreds of dollars but shopping at local markets and small groceries rather than hitting up every restaurant you find. Sure you may miss out on a few neat dishes, but the extra money will allow you to enjoy a few extra attractions.