Discount Europe Travel
From LoveToKnow Travel
Discount Europe Travel: It can be done with a little care and advanced planning. Europe is small but packed with diversity. Over 40 different countries, 230 languages and 700,000,000 people fill Europe's borders. But wading through the tangle of cultures doesn't have to drain your wallet. Discount Europe travel is a surprisingly simple matter. Discounts for trains, buses, cars and flight discounts are easily obtained with just a little bit of know-how. Keep reading for the scoop on traveling Europe on a budget.
About Discount Europe Travel
Europe is made for travelers. Many people visit the continent each year to drink its blend of old world style with modern flair. A thick network of railways, bus routes and highways cross the ancient landscape. Moving from one place to another is a sight-seeing trip in itself.
You can spend a lot of money traveling in Europe. But if you're savvy, you can do it for practically nothing. All it takes is a little flexibility, preparedness and resourcefulness. If you don't mind hopping on a plane, then a train, then a bus to get where you're going, discount travel in Europe is the way to go.
Discount Europe - By Train
The easiest way to travel in Europe is by train. There are major stations in reasonably sized towns within an hour of each other. Most have English-speaking staff and make announcements in English about train departures and arrivals.
Traveling by train at first seems more expensive than by plane. After you factor travel to and from airports, however, it's often the cheapest way to go, especially within a country. And you can't beat the convenience.
Train fares are usually fixed rates no matter what day or time of year you travel. To get discounts, look for trains that take a little more time to reach their destination. Slower trains are usually cheaper than fast ones, and your journey will only be extended by a few minutes. Kick back and enjoy the landscape!
Also, ask for second class if the railway offers it. You can usually get a hefty discount on your ticket by avoiding first class (which, on most trains, offers nothing that second class doesn't have). If you're going a long distance the prices are usually set with no class choices.
Discount European Train Resources
- Find the official railways website of the country you're traveling to. Type in "cityname railway" in any search engine for a good start.
- http://www.europeanrail.com/
- http://www.eurail.com/
- http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm
Discount Europe Travel - By Plane
Flying is the fastest and cheapest way to travel Europe. Several discount airlines operate within the continent and can fly you for pennies across many countries.
Three of the cheapest and most customer-friendly airlines within Europe are Aerlingus, RyanAir and easyJet. You can often get amazing discounts by searching their sites on a regular basis.
Flight prices are wildly variable. In general, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest days to fly. For better discounts, search many different departure dates long before your departure time arrives. A month before you want to leave should be a minimum. If you're flexible in departure date and time, you can often find intercontinental flights for under 10 euro. Be sure to arrange transportation to and from the airports you fly into, as these carriers sometimes land in smaller airports.
Discount European Train Resources
Discount Europe - By Car
If you want to travel Europe with your own four wheels, there are a number of car rental companies that are happy to help you. However, be warned that roads in Europe are a very different affair than in North America. Streets are smaller, drivers are more aggressive, and gas prices hover around $7 per gallon. Renting a car isn't the cheapest way to explore Europe.
To gauge car rental prices, check out AutoEurope.com. Expect to pay around $40 per day in most countries, not including gas. Be sure to have an international driver's license ($10, get it before you leave).
Discount European Car Rental Resources
Discount Europe - By Bus
Buses are great for moving back and forth between towns within any European country. They're often a necessity when flying into smaller airports outside of the main part of the city. Bus fares are generally cheap, only a few euro, and you can usually buy a ticket from the driver. Find a good bus schedule and you can hop your way across many towns in a surprisingly short amount of time.
Buses usually run only within small loops between cities. Some tour buses can take you across towns and into new parts of the country, but they're generally more expensive and not really worth it.
Other European Discount Tips
The most effective way to save money while traveling Europe is to be patient and flexible. Keep an eye on plane ticket prices and buy them a month in advance. Train and bus prices are generally stable, but take slower trains and always ask for second class seats. You'll often save as much as 75% off the full fare.
Related European Travel Links
This page has been accessed 1,407 times. This page was last modified 19:15, 4 April 2006.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
