As all sorts tourism services in Europe have conveniently become digitalised, so you can easily research the countries and plan your trips without heavy paper documents. There are several ways to travel cheap by cutting down the cost of transportation, accommodation and food. Here are the top 7 useful websites and applications for digital-savvy travelers.
Save on flights
Google Flights lists the cheapest flights around the world based on your departure destinations and desired flight time, including the best deals from popular low-budget airlines in Europe such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizzair, Vueling and Norwegian Air. A popular way to fly cheap is to book many one-way flights to multiples destinations. Google Flights and Ryanair offer ideal searching tools for this, as you can choose one starting point based on your budget. This advantage makes the two sites better flight search engines than others such as Skyscanner and Momondo.
Travel by bus
The GoEuro and CheckMyBus search engines list all the necessary bus companies you need to know in Europe. Some reliable companies with good service and great deals are Flixbus and Megabus. Subscribe to their service and you can even book on their application with deals as low as 1 EUR (~1.12 USD) for a trip from one city to another city within a country. Their buses do not operate in all parts of Europe, including the Northern or Balkan countries.
Blabla Car or Uber
Another way to save on transportation is to use a car sharing service. BlablaCar is convenient for users to move from one city to another, and even cross borders easily within the EU countries as there’s no border check. On the site, many car drivers post their journey from one destination to another. You can contact them and ask to join their trip, or book directly on the site. Using BlablaCar is generally safe but your schedule cannot be guaranteed as the driver may cancel the trip last minute. There’s a full refund if the driver does not show up, or if you decide to cancel the trip. To move within a city, taking a ride with Uber is often cheaper than ordering a local taxi.
Interrail or Eurail
Travellers to Europe frequently book a Eurail pass (for non EU citizens) or Interrail pass (for EU citizens) to travel with unlimited train rides during a certain period of time. Discounts are available for travelers under 26 years old. You can also get the Balkan Pass for trains in the Balkan countries. These passes are convenient for short-term travellers; however, I consider these passes more expensive than buying many single train tickets and not useful for long-term travelers. Avoid buying these passes and be more spontaneous when traveling in the cheapest parts of Europe including the east, south and the Balkan countries. There can be hidden fees and restrictions, and prior bookings for night trains are mostly required, otherwise you may end up paying a fine.
Save on accommodations
Hostelbookers, HostelWorld, Booking.com and Airbnb are the best sites to book your next travel accommodation on a budget. The reviews and ratings from previous guests are extremely useful for travellers. The sites usually charge no commission for the booking service, except for a small proportion of your total payment in advance. It’s best to secure your accommodation prior to your arrival, but there are also great last minute deals.
Couchsurfing
Another way to save your budget for accommodation, besides taking a night train, is to use Couchsurfing. This is a reliable international website for travelers and locals to connect with each other. You and your host share an accommodation, possibly food, travel stories and lots of fun. Many solo women travelers hesitate to use this site to secure a place to stay due to safety reasons, but it’s always possible to check the user’s references before submitting a hosting request. I have been hosted by many locals and participated in many Couchsurfing events organized by international members throughout Europe. This is one of the best ways to meet people at your next destination. Keep in mind to always have a backup plan, meaning an emergency budget for travel accommodation just in case. If there is a problem you can leave a negative reference for the host and even contact the Couchsurfing safety team.
Google Map - Use It Map
If you are not good with paper maps or directions, mark where you want to go on Google Maps and download it to use offline. The offline map does not show the fastest routes from one point to another, or the public transportation schedule. However, the historic central areas in most European cities are small and walkable. You can also keep a pocket paper map from a local hostel or a Use It Map. Use It organization publishes free and up-to-date maps of many cities around Europe for travellers that will guide you through the city, made by young locals. These suggest many famous attractions, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops that are in important non-touristy points in the city.
Travel Guide - websites or blogs written by locals and travellers
Experience visiting a city like a local by reading detailed reviews written by them on Spotted by Locals. For foodies, BookALokal is a fun way to meet with locals, enjoy dining at their homes and even join hands-on cooking workshops. The site also connects you with ideal venues for large groups to plan birthday parties, team-building events, retreats or reunions. If you love reading blogs written by experienced travellers, I recommend some of my favourite popular blogs such as Nomadic Matt, Adventurous Kate, World of Wanderlust and Legal Nomads.
Other great resources
There are many great online resources for you to plan your next Europe trip. For example, WikiTravel gives more detailed explanations and suggestions about how and where to get around as well as what to enjoy in the city. Do your research thoroughly and eventually when landing in Europe, you know it’s worth it to plan ahead! Be brave and come talk to local people at a bar or on the street if you need help, advice or just company. Interacting spontaneously is also one of the best ways to know the culture and to explore Europe.
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