How to Travel [in Europe] on the Cheap [Part Two]

Well, Hello there! 


Glad you decided to pop in! As promised, I have part two of this post for you today.

So. You want to know even more ways to travel ridiculously cheap while you're in Europe? You've come to the right place. 
1. Couch-surfing. You guys. I honestly cannot believe I forgot to mention this in my last post! Thanks to Megan and Erin, though, I remembered it for this post.
If you don't know what couch-surfing is, it's basically sleeping on someone's couch in your travel destination. You may be really hesitant to try this, thinking things like, is it safe? I don't blame you - I was the same way until... I found this site. It's an excellent resource for anyone interested in either surfing or hosting. You can do quite a bit of research on the hosts, message them back and forth getting to know them, arrange a meeting before you sleep in their home, etc. etc.
Bonus: Many hosts have room for more than one traveler, so this is an option whether you are alone or with friends. Plus, you could make some new friends. 
2. If you do eat out, do it the smart way. Bakeries will be your best friend. Seriously - you can get pre-made sandwiches for a couple of euros. Another good idea (this one thanks to Megan again) - go where the locals go. Most of the time, these will be the less expensive, more authentic places. Turkish food is always a tasty, cheap, and filling option as well.
3. Mitfahrgelegenheit - or hitching rides with other people. This, like the couch-surfing thing, might have you a bit worried, but, like the couch-surfing thing, it's actually a pretty reliable thing. Most of the time, you can catch rides to major cities, and you just chip in for gas. It's a pretty nifty deal - just make sure you go through sources like this one - I feel like it's the safe way to go.
4. Avoid tourist traps/souvenir shops. This may seem like a no-brainer if you're trying to save money, but I feel like I should mention it anyway. Not only do souvenirs take up space in your luggage (possibly adding extra costs), but they are likely to break in transport, and are usually over-priced. Instead, take tons of pictures, and if you really want to buy something for the folks back home, stick to things that are small and inexpensive, like postcards, shot glasses, and playing cards. 
5. Pack and Travel light. Not only does this make it easier to drag your crap around, but it helps you to avoid those things like excess baggage fees, and those can be a beeee-yatch, especially if you're traveling with a budget airline. 
So, how do you guys save money while traveling? 

PS: I have one feature ad, three medium, and two small ads left for June. Snatch em up while you can! 


Linking up here, at Anything Goes Monday. Join me? 

43 comments:

Katrin said...

I have never tried couchsurfing. But it sounds promising. Have you done it a lot? Never met a freaky person?

Anonymous said...

wow thanks for the double shouts here ;) either means im cool or just ridiculously cheap haha :)

i have never heard of this carshare service?! i wonder if they have one in norway. what would be better is if they have one where i can share someone's car and not give them gas money ;) hahhah :)

great tips!!!!!

Unknown said...

Going where the locals do is definitely a great tip!

Anonymous said...

Woah...sweet deal with the couch-surfing! I've never heard of anything like that before. Wouldn't really work for a family of 3, but excellent if it's just u and your husband! Unless you somehow find yourself on the couch of a Hannibal Lecter-wannabe.

Alana Christine said...

I so want to try couch surfing, but definitely not by myself. haha

Dorothy Explora said...

i'm making a mental note to consult with you any time i plan on going to europe!

even if it's 10 years from now. remember i said this! ;D

Why Girls Are Weird said...

I'm not so sure I could be a couch surfer even if it does save money!

Alex, Speaking Denglish said...

I think I lived off Doner and Happy Meals (actually come with a side of fruit, too) while I was traveling. Both are always filling and cheap and you get a variety of things with it. Gotta love it.

Becky said...

These are such good tips. I never knew there were actual sites for helping you couch-surf and hitch rides from people. That makes me feel a lot better about the whole idea--it's much safer.

Couch-surfing actually sounds like fun, too...how much more authentic do you get than actually staying with a local?

Unknown said...

going to Europe has always been a dream of mine, if it ever comes true I will be sure to look back at this post. I love your blog and are following it. www.findyoursparkle2.com

Brianna said...

Indeed - going where the locals go to eat is the best way. You always know where that is, too, because at lunch time there is a massive line wherever said restaurant is. And usually it's a bakery, yes! Packing light (aka, just a carry-on or backpack) is the way to go. Another tip: Bring a small travel size detergent and you can do your laundry almost anywhere. That way you really CAN only bring like 2 or 3 outfits. It also cuts down on the room you have to buy souvenirs and fit them back in the suitcase ;) Another tip for traveling light: Make friends you can stay with NEXT time you go. Germans were the most sincere people I have met, and the most friendly. I was invited to dine at someone's house a ton of times and I didn't even know them! Take it!

twiggy@thedirtlife said...

omg. couch suring.

this. sounds. awesome.

Danavee said...

Gave you a little shout out on the blog just now. For your Pinterest pic embedding tutorial!

Thanks again!!!

his little lady said...

now i have no excuse not to go to europe ;)
xo TJ

Blond Duck said...

Those are so fun!

Liz Brown said...

I always save up any tips on European traveling. Just in case I ever get to go.

The whole 'packing light' thing though ... I already have that one down. I think its because I actually hate packing and never do until the last second. :D

Amie said...

This is so cool! I thought about couch-surfing when I was in california stranded with nowhere to stay. I still want to try it, so thanks for the positive recommendation :) Next trip I go on i'm going to try super hard to only bring one big backpack, it would make everything so much easier.

Great blog!

Sara Louise said...

Dining with the locals is always a good idea, and the food is usually better too!

Cocalores said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cocalores said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cocalores said...

Great tips for travelling through Europe, Alyx! Those youth hostels in Scotland are really great, especially in the remote locations like the Isle of Skye! Even though I'm more likely to splurge on a nice hotel room nowadays, I still try to keep the costs down, having used a lot of your tips, too. I've collected some tips for Paris travellers, in case anyone is interested: http://cocalores.blogspot.de/2012/06/paris-five-great-tips-for-visitors.html
(Sorry, something was wrong with my last attempt to comment)

Unknown said...

I really love the article, quite interesting indeed. Thank you for posting this. Keep up the good work! Surfing Europe

Unknown said...

I've never known a dog who doesn't wolf down anything food-related at the drop of a hat. He's clearly a very discerning gentleman!

raybanoutlet001 said...

ray ban sunglasses
nike polo
nike air huarache
michael kors factory outlet
nike roshe run
links of london sale
yeezy shoes
cheap nfl jerseys
ray ban sunglasses outlet
adidas nmd runner
links of london
jordan shoes on sale
air max thea
michael kors handbags
adidas stan smith men
oakley sunglasses,oakley outlet sunglasses
nike air zoom pegasus 32
jordans for cheap
cheap basketball shoes
ralph lauren uk
adidas neo
nike huarache
michael kors handbags clearamce
tiffany jewellery
adidas nmd
basketball shoes
michael kors handbags
adidas tubular x
cheap jordan shoes
michael kors outlet store
michael jordan shoes

Unknown said...

birkenstock shoes
adidas shoes
polo ralph lauren
cheap jordan shoes
louis vuitton outlet online
cheap jordans
ferragamo shoes sale
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors uk
nike air huarache
20170614lck

Unknown said...

nike factory store
ralph lauren uk
oakley sunglasses wholesale
denver broncos jerseys
ugg slippers
michael kors bags
cheap ugg boots
louboutin shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
air jordan

1111141414 said...

adidas tubular x
yeezy boost 350 v2
michael kors outlet
chrome hearts
van cleef necklace
michael jordan shoes
cartier bracelet
michael kors outlet online
nike roshe run
atlanta falcons jersey

Unknown said...

links of london sale
michael kors outlet online
pandora charms
adidas ultra boost 3.0
links of london
lacoste outlet
longchamp bags
golden goose
michael kors factory outlet
curry 3

Unknown said...

adidas stan smith
louboutin shoes uk
longchamp
converse outlet
stephen curry shoes
cartier bracelet
michael kors factory outlet
asics running shoes
nike dunks
adidas outlet

raybanoutlet001 said...

eagles jerseys
polo ralph lauren
nike factory store
coach outlet online
true religion jeans
miami heat jersey
snapbacks
cheap ray ban sunglasses
polo ralph lauren
fitflops sale

raybanoutlet001 said...

cheap nba jerseys
ralph lauren outlet
texans jerseys
detroit lions jerseys
nike air max 90
jordan shoes
lions jerseys
basketball shoes
hugo boss sale
michael kors outlet

raybanoutlet001 said...

mbt shoes outlet
falcons jersey
fitflops sale clearance
michael kors handbags
cheap ray ban sunglasses
vikings jerseys
nhl jerseys
coach outlet
nike shoes
salomon boots

adidas nmd said...

cheap basketball shoes
kate spade handbags
kate spade outlet
nike outlet
coach outlet online
nike outlet
coach factory outlet
nfl jerseys wholesale
san diego chargers jerseys
coach outlet

Unknown said...

adidas tubular
yeezy
basketball shoes
adidas eqt support adv
michael kors outlet online
bape clothing
michael kors factory outlet
hogan outlet
michael kors outlet online
hermes handbags

jjjjjjjjjjjjj said...

nike outlet store online shopping
tom ford sunglasses
nike lebron soldier 10
curry 4
nike polo
tom ford eyewear
adidas tubular shadow
birkin bag
nike foamposite
yeezy boost 350

Unknown said...

zzzzz2018.7.21
christian louboutin shoes
new nike shoes
reebok
nike shoes for men
giuseppe zanotti
nike shoes
nike air max
ugg boots
michael kors outlet
ralph lauren outlet

Unknown said...

www0901

mbt shoes outlet
kate spade outlet
canada goose uk
ugg boots clearance
nfl jerseys

Anonymous said...

ایمن فک
درب اتوماتیک
درب ریلی پارکینگ
راهبند
راهبند ستونی
درب اتوماتیک شیشه ای

Anonymous said...

قفل برقی
انواع راهبند
استاندارد محصولات فک
ip چیست
تفاوت راهبند هیدرولیک و الکترومکانیک
بولارد
درب اتوماتیک شیشه ای چیست
دورژانس
درژانس
<a

Anonymous said...

doorgans
dorgans
تعمیر درب اتوماتیک شیشه ای
عیب یابی درب اتوماتیک شیشه ای
تعمیر راهبند
عیب یابی راهبند
تعمیر درب اتوماتیک پارکینگی
عیب یابی درب اتوماتیک پارکینگی

Unknown said...

jordans
mlb jerseys
fake rolex
air max 2018
air max 90
kobe 11
harden shoes
off white
moncler jacket
moncler outlet

Ahmad Heydari said...

http://www.itsalyx.com/2012/05/how-to-travel-in-europe-on-cheap-part_07.html

seneeh said...

why not try this out b0q71g4a77 replica gucci bags replica bags near me w5s00l3b68 my website u4s00e6z99 replica designer bags wholesale replica bags in london replica bags thailand replica gucci f6l86z8r08 9a replica bags