Europe is arguably the most popular destination for first-time travelers abroad, but the reality is it’s incredibly expensive, especially with the current pace of the dollar versus the Euro. However, that shouldn’t deter you from heading abroad. We’ve got a few good tips that can save you money.

1. Travel in fall
Why fight crowds and pay higher prices on hotels and flights? Granted the weather is fantastic, but if you go in autumn the weather is still fair (and not blazing hot in some parts), and you’ll pay significantly less.

2. Fly, don’t train
One of the neat things about traveling in Europe is taking the train. You see the countryside, and can visit multiple countries in one ride. However, the train takes extra time you can be using touring the local attractions, and costs hundreds more. Europe has many low-cost carriers like Ryan Air and EasyJet. For instance, you can travel from Paris to Rome from as little as $40 Euros.

3. Research, research, research
Find out when the local holidays are, because that’s when the prices really jump. Read reviews about the hotel you’re thinking of staying at… some will charge 5-star prices for a 3-star location and room. Find out about local restaurants that don’t charge an arm and a leg. Finding out as much about your destination can really help your pocketbook.

4. Visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
Everyone should go to Paris at least once in their lives. However, there are dozens of other towns throughout France that offer the same culture and ambiance, and won’t overcharge you for a hotel room. Think about what country you want to visit and do some research about the areas. You could find a nice villa to rent for the same price as a hotel room in a major city.

5. Take a cruise
This is especially true if you’re touring the Mediterranean. Did you know you can see Barcelona, Malta, Rome, Florence, and Monte Carlo in one trip on board a luxury liner? We’ve seen seven-night cruises in peak summer for as little as $599 per person. That’s less than $100/day, and that covers your meals, room, as well as transportation (obviously). You won’t have to worry about overplanning, and some cruises even go across the Atlantic from the U.S., so you only have to book a one-way flight as well.

Anyone else have some suggestions? Drop them in the comments section!

This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 12:34 pm and is filed under Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.