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No one is ever going to claim that travel in Europe is cheap. Between taxes, higher prices and exchange rates, you could easily spend more than the cost of your ticket in a week just on housing, local transportation and food. This expense definitely does not have to be the case. With a lot of planning and some practical ideas, you can travel in Europe on a tight budget and explore the continent without breaking the bank.

Step 1

Plan everything. If you want to keep your costs down while traveling in Europe, leave nothing to chance. Build an itinerary to follow, noting how many nights you plan to stay in each place. This schedule will help you book your travel arrangements and accommodations in advance. Develop your itinerary carefully, however, as once it is in place, you will need to stick to it to keep your costs low.

Step 2

Book early, and book online. Although a standard rail pass and airfare are basically fixed costs, most other transportation is significantly cheaper if you can book it more than a month in advance. This tactic includes bus transport and trains between cities, as opposed to those covered by a national pass. Buying in advance, particularly when compared to buying tickets the day of your journey, can lead to substantial savings.

Step 3

Join CouchSurfing.org. This website is dedicated to helping international travelers find free accommodations. It costs a donation to verify your bank account and thereby your legitimacy, but after that, the service is free. It is based on a social media platform, similar to Facebook, where you can make friends and lists, but the basic mechanic allows you to find people to stay with wherever you happen to be traveling. You can also offer to host travelers yourself. Accommodations vary dramatically, with some people offering couches or air mattresses and others offering rooms or suites that you may use. Hosts specify how long you can stay, which can vary from just one night to more than a week. With even a hostel bed costing at least $20 a night, this resource is well worth exploring to keep your European travel costs down.

Spend cash. Withdrawing money from an ATM may include small fees, for currency exchange or withdrawal, but they are less than the fees a money changer will charge you or that your credit card company will charge you for the same service. For large purchases, some merchants may even offer cash discounts. Keep your cash in a safe place, such as a money belt, but in general, spending cash will save you money. The euro is accepted in most European countries and is therefore the recommended currency to carry.

Eat like a local. Backpackers save money by purchasing sandwich fixings and picnicking across Europe rather than eating in restaurants. If you do eat in restaurants, look for tourist menus, which offer fixed-price meals that often include beverages. Otherwise, avoid the restaurants near the tourist attractions, and look for those frequented by locals. The cost will always be lower than those restaurants serving visitors and tourists, and the cuisine will often be more authentic for the area.