Tips To Save Money On Train And Air Travel In Europe

Email

Print

share/save

rss

Whether you are a student, a backpacker, or a briefcase toting businessman everyone is looking to save a few extra dollars while traveling. Though traveling in Europe can be pricey, you don’t have to let it wear a hole in your wallet. With the number of great special reduction cards, travel packages, and discount airlines across the continent you can make a small amount of money stretch enough to get you where you want to go.

Eurail Passes

Eurail passes can be bought online before you start your travels. These train travel passes cover your ticket fee and offer some added incentives like discounts for young travelers to upgrade to first class. There are also special discounts for groups of two or more. Eurail passes are a convenient way to see Europe by rail. There are a range of different schemes to suit your travel plans: a 21 country pass, select a few countries to visit, select a few regions to visit, and a one country pass. With the Eurail pass you are also eligible for qualifying free ferry rides, hotel stays, special private trains, and other attractions such as museums.

Discount Cards

Most countries have their own discount cards for youth and seniors which will give you discounts on various forms of transportation. These are ideal if you plan to spend a significant amount of time in a certain country. In France, for example, the Carte 12-25 (carte douze – vingtcinq) saves those between the ages of 12 and 25 up to 60% and a guaranteed 25% off on train journeys. The card also lets you take advantage of other deals like discounts on car rentals, hotels, and so on. France also offers a Carte Senior for senior citizens which gives an additional 25-50% on train travel. Be sure to check online if the country you are visiting has discount cards like these.

Budget Airlines

This is where you can save big-time. If you take the time to search what deals are out there you could end up flying for just a nominal fee. Europe is famous for its budget airlines including Ryanair, Wizzair, EasyJet, Clickair, and many others. These airlines link cities all over Europe and are reliable. However, be warned. These are no-frills airlines. The airplanes are generally smaller in size and in-flight service tends to include only drinks.

To find the best deals you should check each airline’s website for special offers that might be going on. Also, try to book your flight as early as possible to get a lower far and remember that midweek flights tend to be cheaper than those on the weekends. You can also compare prices on ticket search engines like kayak.com or mobissimo.com. These sites show you the best fares by comparing tickets from an assortment of the most popular travel sites and airlines. You will also find a number of special deals right here on budgettravel.com.

When traveling in Europe, remember that there are always ways to save. There is no need to pay more than you need to, all it takes is a little online research and you could save enough to add another trip to your itinerary!

Lyndsey writes for www.briefcasesdirect.com, a website that offers luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer.  She is currently living in Kolkata, India.

Related Articles