Budget Flights in Europe

Domestic European flights are on the rise as cheap airlines have flooded the European market. You can get a one way ticket for $25-$250!

In the United States domestic flights may leave our pockets empty and keep us weary of flying. However, by using a low-cost, one way ticket to different destinations in Europe flying can by a more bearable option.  While planning my 10 day trip through Europe I looked at a Eurail pass, but it was more expensive and more of a hassle to go by train to different parts of the continent in a short period of time.

While I was abroad I took two flights and three train rides to total my transportation costs of around $300-$500. That is less than or equal to one domestic flight within the United States.  If you check your options of different types of transportation and companies, then you can find some cheap deals.

Some websites I used to check flights are skyscanner.com, ryannair.com, and rumbo.es.

Be cautious when using these cheap airlines because the cost reflects the quality which is not high. The tickets are inexpensive so the airlines will tack on many extras including expensive baggage costs, high priced food and more money for priority seating. The way to get around these extras is to bring one bag that can be used as a carry on, such as a backpack, and be as low maintenance as possible.

Another thing to watch is delays. The airline is not making much money off your ticket so they are less invested if you arrive late or something happens. You need to be ready and allow yourself time to be ahead of schedule and prepared for takeoff.

The last thing to keep your eye on is the website you use to book the flight. When booking my flight from Barcelona to London I thought the website confirmed the ticket and the email was faulty. However, the email said that the tickets had not been purchased, so when we arrived at the airport we didn’t have a flight and had to pay for a ticket on the spot which was not cheap.

Europe offers many opportunities for you to explore inexpensively with various means of transportation including Inter European flights. You merely need to find them and know what to expect.

Mind the Gap

Don't waste your money on a taxi or rental car when public transportation is just around every corner. In England, Germany, Italy, France, etc. there is the tube, u-bahn, metro, and/or métro. These public transportation trains can be compared to the D.C. metro or the NY subway system.

Not only are there several stations spread through every part of major cities, but they are almost always conveniently located next to major tourist destinations. In London to see the Queen? Try the Green Park station next to Buckingham Palace. In Rome and in need of a stroll through the Colosseum? Try the Colosseo, Line B of the Rome Metro. A traveler can navigate from the airport to the entrance of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany or navigate through Paris, France to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre using their Métro lines.

These trains all provide visitor rail passes, resident passes, day passes, or one way tickets. They are flexible to a traveler's stay, and most are open from early morning to later at night. Countries are making it more convenient to commute this way, and these commute methods are quick and efficient. Check out their individual sites for ticket pricing, and consider this as a primary travel method when overseas. 

So next time you're abroad, if you need to get somewhere a little too far for a walk or want to arrive quickly, take the trains. 

Homey, Quaint, and Breakfast Too!

When contemplating a place to stay while traveling abroad, many go straight for the generic, corporate hotel. Another option if looking for something unique, and more local, is a Bed and Breakfast lodging.

There are many sites that provide a list and search engine for Bed and Breakfasts and rentable rooms in Europe and all over the world. The site www.bedandbreakfast.eu, has them listed for countries such as the UK, Spain, South Africa, Portugal, Sweden, France, Australia, Thailand, etc. Other useful search sites are: www.bedandbreakfast.com, www.airbnb.com, and www.europebnb.com. 

Depending on the location, Bed and Breakfast lodging can be relatively cheap, on some sites lower than 80 euros or less a night. These include a room consisting of King, Queen, or even Double beds if necessary. The rooms normally have a bathroom attached or down the hall. Bed and Breakfast locations are usually rather large house like units, with a home like quality where the owner lives on site or nearby. The rooms are made to be more cozy then flashy, and aside from great comfort, guests are treated to breakfast early each morning. Some places even provide other daily meals or offer them as options. 

So if you are looking for a home away from home, small, quiet and quaint, then a Bed and Breakfast is for you! Many believe these could be sketchy because they are not as well known as hotel chain, but from personal experience this is not true. They are considerably cheaper, provide great breakfast foods, a chance to stay and interact with locals, and tend to be small and adorable.