European Travel On A Budget

It's always seemed just out of reach, that amazing European vacation made up of weeks spent wandering picturesque countrysides, admiring works of art by the masters, marveling at ancient castles and churches, and mixing with the locals in pubs and sidewalk cafes.

An experience like this really is within reach of everyone, from college students to young families to those in their golden years. It simply requires a different way of planning, a willingness to share skills and abilities and enthusiasm for new experiences.

Affordable opportunities to travel Europe abound, whether it's backpacking, house sitting, or simply finding the best deals anywhere. Depending on how you want to travel, there are many ways to spend weeks, if not months, traveling Europe on very little cash.

For travelers willing to do a little work in exchange for room and board, there are many programs. Some are geared toward younger travelers, while others specialize in families and seniors. Working on an organic farm in exchange for room and board is one of the more popular ways to see Europe. Some farms even pay a small stipend. Other work for room and board programs include house sitting, cooking, childcare and teaching. There are numerous organizations that connect travelers with hosts. Simply google "work exchange" or visit a site like http://www.wwoof.org.

Another option, geared to those who don't mind lack of privacy and sharing space with others, is "couch surfing." Essentially, hosts in different countries agree to allow travelers to stay with them in their home, typically for two nights, at no charge. Some programs offer intense screening programs, while others are a little less vigilant, so caution is needed, but it can be a great way to really get to know the locals and see areas outside of the usual tourist attractions. Find programs by Googling "free travel" or visiting a site like http://www.hospitalityclub.org.

What about travelers who want regular hotels and transportation? There are many ways to reduce costs and make a European vacation affordable. One of the first, and perhaps largest expenditures is airline tickets. Don't be in a rush to buy your tickets, but if you find a great deal snap it up. Start with an online search, visiting travel websites as well as the airlines' official sites to compare ticket prices. One good place to also check is http://www.farecast.com, a free service that offers predictions on airline ticket prices.

Next, before you buy, check out hotel rates for the places you hope to stay. Again, check travel sites and the hotel's own website to compare. Don't forget to check surrounding areas. Sometimes staying a little further away from tourist attractions can mean hundreds of dollars in savings. European travel expert Rick Steves recommends checking into a bed and breakfast rather than a regular hotel.

"A B&B offers double the warmth and cultural intimacy for half the price of a hotel," Steves notes.

Once you've got a list of airline ticket and hotel prices, go back and search for packages and compare the price to the individual prices to see if you can find a great deal. If you still haven't found the price you want, check the travel section of the local newspaper for specials and deals, call the airlines and hotels themselves and keep asking for the best price. Many hotels have unpublished rates that they are authorized to offer customers -- if they ask.

Finally, try calling a travel agent and see if they can beat the prices you've found. The travel agents still in business after the explosion in online travel sites are likely to be the best at finding amazing deals.

Once in Europe, there are still plenty of ways to save money and keep your vacation affordable. Some top tips offered by Steves include picnicking for some meals, skipping renting a car in bigger cities, obtain cash from an ATM not an exchange bureau, purchase museum passes rather than individual entrance tickets, use public transit, ask locals where to find blue plate and early bird specials to save money on meals and, finally, spring for a guidebook.

"Guidebooks are $20 tools for $3,000 experiences. Saving money by not buying one is penny-wise and pound-foolish. An up-to-date guidebook pays for itself on your first day in Europe," Steves says.

Tammy Gray-Searles is a featured writer for Xomba.com. Read more of her work here .