The rules that decide the cost

Budget travel in Europe

Europe is cheap to move around and expensive to get wrong. Most of the difference is in rules — how long you may stay, what the city charges, and what the bed includes.

6 tips
  1. Learn the 90/180 rule before you book

    Most non-EU passports get 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area — not per country. Count the days you have already used before you add more.

    Count my Schengen days
  2. Almost every city charges a tourist tax

    It is per person per night, collected at the property rather than in the booking, and cities raise it regularly. Over two weeks it is a real line in the budget.

    Fee and tax changes
  3. Let rail carry the short legs

    Europe is the one place where the train genuinely competes: no bag fee, no airport transfer, and a station in the middle of town at both ends.

  4. Know what the bed actually includes

    Hostel, guesthouse, aparthotel and B&B mean different things about the bathroom, the kitchen and breakfast — and the kitchen is what cuts the food bill.

    Compare types of accommodation
  5. Buy an eSIM, not a roaming pass

    One eSIM covers the whole trip at data prices, and EU roaming rules do not apply to every visitor's home plan. Set it up before you land.

    eSIM and WiFi calling
  6. Pack for two climates, not one

    A single European trip can run from a cold northern morning to a hot southern afternoon. Layers do that; two separate sets of clothes only fill the bag.

    Europe packing list
Next step
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