There’s a certain blissful calm of arriving at your destination by sea on a ferry. There are fewer, grander perspectives in travel than arriving in a new destination, your eyes feasting on the broad expanse of the harbour, being serenaded by a whirl of seagulls, with a crisp breeze in your hair. It is a world away from the stress of modern day flying – no stress of airport security, being jammed tightly into your minuscule seat with no social distancing possible, the hassle of packing all your holiday items into one cabin sized friendly bag. For me it is finding the sweet spot between comfort, experience and good value that makes it so much easier to choose a ferry over the plane. Then there is the added benefit of choice – keep in mind the vast array of amazing day trips and longer breaks you can enjoy living in Britain. From Bilbao to The Isle of Wight, Guernsey to Amsterdam, there is such an incredible number of places you can visit by ferry. In the following guide, I’ve tried to pack in some general tips on how to get the best value from ferry travel. I’ve pulled together a wee guide to the best ferry holidays from the UK with the help of Discover Ferries, an industry body that represents 13 ferry operators in the UK, Ireland and the British islands.

Ferry good advice: 8 tips for making the most of your ferry holiday

Here are some general tips on how you can make the most of travelling by ferry

1. Flexible tickets

If your travel plans are uncertain, then booking a great value flexible ticket is the best option. You can change your travel plans at short notice at no extra cost.

2. Book in advance

To get the best possible value tickets, always book in advance. This is also important if you are travelling during peak season, when you have fixed travel dates, or when special events and festivals are taking place.

Bag the lowest fares by travelling in the shoulder or low season and also consider midweek or daytime crossings

3. Travel Off Peak

Travel off-peak and in the shoulder season to get the best deals. You will also have the best choice of cabins (if applicable) and sailing times. Opt for travelling midweek over weekends and daytime rather than overnight crossings.

4. Luggage included as standard

Travelling with your car means you can fill your boot without having to worry about baggage weight or cabin-bag size. N.B. some services charge more for bike racks and roof racks based on vehicle dimensions and some services, such as crossings to the Isles of Scilly, charge additional for transporting bulky items including surfboards and kayaks – pricing here.

5. Save with duty-free shopping

On-board duty-free shopping where you can get a whopping 50% discount on RRP for spirits, gifts, perfumes is available on routes to Europe, the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland.. Return day-trip offers for example with Condor Ferries, DFDS, P&O Ferries and Stena Line enable travellers to enjoy a day out and great value shopping.

6. Book ferry/travel or attraction tickets to make your holiday money go further

Many ferry operators offer joint ferry/rail or bus, ferry/attraction tickets to give visitors even better value travel. For example when travelling to Isle of Wight with Hovertravel, book the Hover Rover Bus ticket (£34 for adults, £16.50 for children 5-15. Note that these tickets can be booked online via Hovertravel ) which includes a Day Return on the hovercraft and unlimited use of the Southern Vectis buses on the island which includes the Open Top Tour Breezer buses.

7. Travel with pets, stress free

Pet-friendly travel means no member of the family needs to miss out – some services have pet-friendly cabins, onboard kennels and pet lounges.

8. Upgrade your experience

Many ferry services offer first class lounges, a la carte restaurants, kids’ play areas and even nightclubs – Stena Line and Brittany Ferries both have an on board spa on selected services.

Top 9 best value ferry holidays from the UK

1.Head to the Isle of Wight – from under £20 return

Isle of Wight is serviced by three ferry operators: Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink. To choose the most appropriate service you’ll need to consider where you want to leave from (Portsmouth or Southsea, Southampton or Lymington) and where you want to arrive on the island (Ryde, Fishbourne, Cowes or Yarmouth) and whether you want to travel by foot, with a bicycle or vehicle with –Wightlink’s service from Portsmouth you can visit Fishbourne, Isle of Wight as a foot passenger for the day from £18.60 return. Journey time for this route is 45 minutes. There is also the FastCat route for foot passengers only to Ryde Pier that takes 22 mins with a journey time of 25 mins on the RedJet fast service or 55 mins on the ferry. By ferry, day return prices for a foot passenger are from  £20.20.

If you want a really unique experience Hovertravel offer the only scheduled passenger hovercraft service running in Europe, from Southsea-Ryde. The journey time to the Isle of Wight is just 10 minutes. Choose the off peak day return from £25.70 and £34.20 (90 day return) or Family ticket which costs £78 (2 adults and 3 children).

Tips for Isle of Wight

Stay in self-catering accommodation to save money on eating out and you can still enjoy a taste of luxury for less.  Create your own tasting menu using local Island produce bought from Farmer Jack’s Farm Shop – you’ll find a mouth-watering selection of local and speciality foods here. Pick from seasonal fruit and vegetables grown just minutes away, meat from their in-house butcher and pick from the deli’s vast array of local and hand-selected delights- have a look at https://farmerjacks.co.uk/  

Isle of Man Credit: Visit Isle of Man

2. Pleasure island- Visit the Isle of Man from just £31.50 return

Go for a hike up the island’s tallest mountain, Snaefell Mountain or pop into the Manx Museum (free entry) to brush up on your knowledge of the island, from its modern love of motorbike racing, back to the time when the Vikings ruled the island.

You can visit the Isle of Man for £31.50 return on a day-trip ticket as a foot passenger with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company or you might consider a short break-Isle of Man Steam Packet Holidays  is currently offering a fantastic offer of £115 return, per person for a 2 night short break on the Isle of Man. The price includes your stay at the 4 star Empress Hotel (minimum of 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis for 2 people sharing a standard twin/double room. No single occupancy available) return ferry travel, a full Manx breakfast to start your day, plus a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival. The offer is valid till the 31st March 2022.

Aboard the Scillonian
Credit: Visit Isles of Scilly Travel

3. Day trip to the Isles of Scilly from £35 return

Another pleasant day trip with a difference in the UK is a trip to the Isles of Scilly that lie just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. Blessed with white sandy beaches and azure blue water, a great mix of trails to explore by bike or foot, the famous subtropical gardens of Tresco and the unspoilt, rugged St Agnes – there’s plenty to see and explore on a day trip to this island.

The Scillonian III sails from Penzance to St Mary’s from March to November, up to seven days a week, from just £35 for a day return ticket booked via Isles of Scilly Travel website.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers sailing past the Shard
Photo credit: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

4. Travel from Tate to Tate for £7.30 with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

One of the most unique ways to travel through central London and beat the traffic is the high speed ferry service run by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. The service stops at 23 piers along the Thames between Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) Pier in the East and Putney Pier in the West.

If you are visiting London to soak up the culture, then I recommend hopping on the River Bus from Millbank (for the Tate Britain) to Bankside (for the Tate Modern), which allows you to go from Tate to Tate in just under 20 minutes. While on the boat you can tick off all the key London landmarks – Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and St Paul’s Cathedral. The fare costs £7.30 for adults or £3.65 for children. Alternatively, you can buy the River Roamer and you can hop-on and hop-off the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services all day.: £18.40 for adults, £36.70 for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children. Best value tickets can be bought online or via the Uber App

Visiting the Tate Galleries

London’s Tate galleries house part of the UK’s national art collection and were founded under the belief that access to art should be free for everyone. Tate Britain houses some of the most influential works of British artists, including a vast collection of Turner’s most famous works, while Tate Modern displays some of the most renowned works from international modern artists.

It is free to visit both the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern but you will require to book your ticket and time slot in advance to visit. More details are here.

Pride of Hull P&O ferry that serves the Hull to Rotterdam route

5. Ferries to Holland: Sail to Holland from as little as £56 return

DFDS, P&O Ferries and Stena Line all offer ferry services from the UK to Holland with a choice of different UK departure ports. All services offer on board entertainment, a range of lounges, bars, restaurants and cinemas, with DFDS and P&O Ferries ships featuring nightclubs for the night owls amongst us.

Based on 4 people sharing a standard inside 4-bunk cabin you can travel on the DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam for £56 return as foot passengers.

I’ve done the Newcastle to Amsterdam crossing a few times when I lived in Scotland and it is always a great way to visit Europe, for a few days or if you are starting your Europe trip by car, van or Interrail. The ferry leaves Newcastle at 5pm and reaches IJmuiden, the ferry terminal at 9.45am. There is a whole range of things to do on board – from cinema, live music, a casino to a bar with nightclub, where you can dance until the early hours of the night. The 4 bed standard cabins are functional and decent enough for a night’s sleep.

From IJmuiden take bus 74 from the Oranjestraat stop to the centre of IJmuiden and subsequently, hop on the bus 82 to take you into Amsterdam.

Alternatively, you can take the Hull to Rotterdam service with P&O Ferries where 4 people can also share a 4-bunk standard cabin for £75 each return, travelling as a foot passenger. If you are living in the south of England, you can hop on the Stena Line service from Harwich to Hook of Holland for as little £78 return for a foot passenger.

Tips for Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the city of canals and serene waterways. What better way to relax, than to take in the city’s architectural glory from the water. I would recommend Pure Boats, whose cosy vessels offer a welcome change from the big tourist boats. They cater to small groups only, so you can have a much more intimate experience of riding the canals. Book their highlights of Amsterdam cruise (1 hour, includes a welcome drink) from as little as €23.50 

Also, when in Amsterdam, you have to try herring, the Dutch version of sushi. Scattered across Amsterdam you will find numerous herring stands. My go to place is Vishuisje on Herengracht (For more about where to eat in Amsterdam, checkout my Cheap Eats Amsterdam guide.

Fermain Bay, Guernsey
Images courtesy of Visit Guernsey

6. Go on a short break from Poole to Guernsey for as little as £70 per person with Condor Ferries

Just 9 miles long and 6 miles wide, the island of Guernsey with its pristine beaches and relaxed lifestyle is a great choice for a day trip or a weekend short break – you can leave on the Condor Ferries service from Poole on a Friday or Saturday and then return on a Sunday or Monday. Return fares are as little as £70 per person. The crossing takes roughly 3 hours and has great views of Sandbanks and the cliffs when sailing out across the Channel

Walking Above Saints Bay
Image courtesy of Visit Guernsey

Tips for Guernsey

Soak up the beautiful white sands and crystal blue waters of Como Bay, get an insight into what life on the island was like under German occupation during World War II at the Occupation Museum (Adults £6, Children £3) and relax in the picture postcard setting of Beaucette Marina, framed by the stunning St Martin Cliffs and beautiful boats.

Checkout this excellent blog post by Condor Ferries for things to do in Guernsey.

Things to do in Dublin: The National Gallery of Ireland is a must

7. Rail and Sail from London to Dublin

You can rail and sail to Dublin with Irish Ferries and Stena Line  from any station in the UK. The Rail & Sail ticket starts from £34-£50 one way depending on where you are starting your journey from and takes you all the way to Dublin from your nearest train station. Take the train to Holyhead station and from there, you can catch a ferry to Dublin. 

Tips for Dublin

All art galleries are free to enter, so immerse yourself in the national art collections. The National Gallery, IMMA and Hugh Lane are three that are worth highlighting. Poetry is the new rock and roll. If you want to experience a night with a difference, hop over to the Underground Beat (€Free night of music and poetry. The International Bar, Wicklow Street every Wednesday. 8PM to midnight) or the Circle Sessions (Monday night. €Free Doors open at 7pm. First act: 8pm) to listen to Dublin’s most talented poets. I love Cornucopia (19/20 Wicklow Street Dublin, 2) for their whole food and vegetarian fare. Mains with salads are around €12. I highly recommend their burritos.

Set sail for France with P&O Ferries Photo credit: P&O Ferries

8. How about a trip to France?

Have you been to Calais? Another idea for an easy day trip is to visit Calais. DFDS, and P&O Ferries offer day return fares from just £45 ( and /). There are lots of restaurants in Calais, bars and brasseries, specialist French food and goods stores, a lovely sandy beach, monuments, churches, museums and galleries. Checkout this excellent guide for things to do in Calais.

Or alternatively, you can take a 3 day break in Northern France with Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries as well as DFDS offering services from the UK. Another great trip idea is to visit the city of William the Conqueror, Caen with Brittany Ferries service from Portsmouth to Caen. Caen is a lively university town with a fantastic market on Friday which takes over the city centre. Enjoy sample superb seafood at places like La Casiniere (10 rue aux Namps, 14000 Caen France) where you can enjoy 3-course menu for as little as €29.  Located in the vicinity of the D-Day Landing beaches, Caen Memorial Museum is another essential place to visit. One of the best WW2 museums in France focusing on the Battle of Normandy and the tragic impact the war had on the city.

Couple standing on the old walls overlooking St Emilion. Credit: Brittany Ferries/ Peter Cade

Tips for your trip to Northern France

Besides exploring the coast of Normandy in Caen, Cherbourg, Étretat, Honfleur and Mont St Michel, you can obviously visit Paris (here’s my guides to Paris, including my 50 free things to do in Paris) and also consider nearby Rouen.

In terms of accommodation, consider booking a stay at a gîte, french equivalent of a bed and breakfast. Have a look here at the Gîtes de France website for more inspiration and ideas for your trip  .

Also look at Bienvenue à la Ferme , a programme supported by the French government that allows travellers to stay at farms. This is also a great option for food lovers. You will be able to have a homemade meal with fresh ingredients from their own farms.

Another simple but important tip:  When dining out in France, look out for great value set menus which, especially at lunchtime offer great savings over a la carte menus.

Arriving at Brodick, Isle of Arran with Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries Photo Credit: Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries

9. Sail to Isle of Arran from just £12 per person with Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries

They call Arran ‘Scotland in miniature’ and it really sums up the beauty of Scotland – castles, beautiful beaches, delicious cheeses, distilleries and mountains -it has it all. You can visit Arran from just £12 per person with Rail & Sail tickets from Glasgow or just £8.20 return from Ardrossan with Caledonian MacBrayne ferries. 

Tips for Isle of Arran

Scale Goatfell, the largest mountain on Arran, go whisky tasting at Lochranza Distillery, visit Arran Aromatics for their heavenly scented soaps and shower gels, cheese tasting at the Isle of Arran Cheese shop next door (Smokey Garlic Cheddar and the Chilli flavoured cheddar is the stuff of dreams) and if you’re passing through the village of Corrie, a visit to the Mara Fish Bar & Deli shop (Opening in Spring this year) for their range of seafood specialities like Loch Fyne Kippers or Goan Fish Curry.

Please note prices quoted are correct at blog publication, and are subject to availability.

Disclaimer: This article was produced in partnership with Discover Ferries ( www.discoverferries.com) a ferry industry body, that represents 13 ferry operators in the UK, Ireland and the British islands. All opinions expressed here, good and bad, are entirely my own. Thanks for reading and your support.

1. Use the stopover feature on Deutsche Bahn’s international tickets to travel from Berlin to Prague with stopover in Dresden for €18.90

Plan a stopover at no extra cost thanks to this incredible feature from Deutsche Bahn!

If you are visiting Berlin for example with plans to continue to Prague, via the Deutsche Bahn website, you can add a 24 hour stopover in Dresden at no extra price.

For example, searching in March 2022, you can buy a ticket from Berlin to Prague for as little as €18.90 with a 24 hour stopover in Dresden.

Or if you are planning to visit Budapest, you can book a ticket from Berlin to Budapest for €46.90 with a 24 hour stopover in Prague.

PS: If you are planning a trip to Prague, checkout my guide to the best budget places to stay in Prague,  Prague on a budget and also my guide to the best things to do in Prague

These are Deutsche Bahn’s Sparpreis advance-purchase cheap fares.

For an extra €19.90 you can also upgrade your ticket to 1st class where you’ll get a slightly better seat and legspace but honestly in my opinion, there is not really a big difference between travelling 1st and 2nd class on these trains.

2. Prague to Budapest- €16 and Vienna to Budapest- €9 with Regiojet

One of the best value cheap train Europe deals- tick off three classic Europe destinations with one incredible fare

Formerly the Student Travel Agency which started out offering low-cost luxury bus services within Czech Republic, the agency has now rebranded as Regiojet offering incredible value low-cost train services within Czech Republic and beyond.

The best value deal of the lot, was launched last summer when Regiojet started a new train service that linked up three key European capitals that are a staple of every Eurotrip- Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Currently there are 2 trains servicing the route daily. Tickets start from as little as €16 between Prague and Budapest and just €9 from Vienna to Budapest.

A quick search pulled up a few of the €16 Prague and Budapest fares in March 2022. The basic fare includes seat reservations and WiFi. For an extra €2.30 you get a better seat, free newspaper water and access to their built-in LCD screens.

3. Prague to Budapest with Czech Railways for €21 in advance

Another slightly more expensive and alternative option is to book Eurocity train from Prague to Budapest for as little as €21 or 514 CZK. You can only book this ticket in advance only via the

Czech Railways website.

4. Prague to Munich for €15 via Czech Railways

Czech Railways, portal for Czech trains can sometimes offer some great deals on train travel….

If you are travelling from Czech Republic to Germany, I would also strongly urge you to look up fares on Czech Railways website where they can be often a third cheaper than when booking via Deutsche Bahn website.

For example on 30th March, travelling from Prague to Munich on the direct train, ( 11.38am ) the fare shows up as €42 one way via bahn.de website but if you look at the Czech Railways website, same train and fare shows up as 360 CZK which is €14.76 which is a massive saving.

Promenade Anglais, Nice

5. Paris to Nice €19 with the French low cost train service Ouigo

A low-cost, high-speed train service operated by SNCF 

Visiting France soon? While many are familiar with their amazing TGV trains, Voyages SNCF also has a low-cost train service called Ouigo which offers fares as cheap as €10 between Paris Marné la Vallée and Lyon or Bordeaux & €19 from Paris to Nice. These super cheap fares open 9 months in advance so you should book early to get these fares.

For example, a quick search on en.oui.sncf, I can see a bunch of fares for €10 from Paris to Bordeaux in June 2022. It is worth noting that this fare is valid from Marné la Vallée which is the TGV outpost for Disneyland Paris and is a 12 minute , €15 ride from Paris CDG airport. Or you can take the underground to Châtelet-Les-Halles from where you take the RER-line A to Marne-la-Vallée. Journey time is 35 minutes and costs €7.50.

If you are planning to travel to Paris and Nice, Ouigo also operate a low-cost service on this popular route. In June 2022, I can see fares for as little as €19. Trains leave from the more central Gare de Lyon to Nice.

Ouigo also has a few extras to keep in mind. If you want a seat with electric sockets for an extra €2 and if you want to be in the quiet carriage, there is an extra €5 fee.

Trainline’s cheap fare finder feature is a really handy feature to find out the cheapest fares in the next month

PS: Another brilliant value train deal to also keep in mind is the Milan to Paris route. Being offseason, there is a bunch of their cheap €29 fares on sale now on the route ( Trainline’s excellent low fare calendar is a very handy tool )  Journey time is 7 hours. Extra €10 snags you a seat on 1st class.

6. Barcelona to Madrid by €9 with Ouigo Spain

Low-cost, high speed rail service revolution comes to Spain

Last summer ( 2021) Ouigo brought their unique low-cost train services to Spain. From May 2021, Ouigo started offering a 5 times a day, daily return service between Barcelona and Madrid. The service also serves the cities of Zaragoza and Tarragona.

Simple search on Ouigo website, reveals a bunch of the bargain €9 fares on the Barcelona to Madrid route for dates in June and July 2021. Ouigo applies low cost airline dynamic pricing so the sooner you book, the better the fares so keep that in mind.

Worth noting that for the basic €9 fare, passengers can bring a small bag/ handbag and a carry on cabin sized luggage. If you have a rucksack or suitcase, there is an extra €5 fee.

7. Stockholm to Gothenburg with Flixtrain for €12.99

If Sweden is on your itinerary and you are planning to travel between the two main cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg, have a look at Flixtrain who offer fares for as little as €12.99/135 kronor between Stockholm and Gothenburg. To give you a comparison, main operator in Sweden SJ offer fares of 194 kronor/ €18.60 so you make a big saving.

8. Berlin to Frankfurt for €9.99 with Flixtrain Germany

Flixtrain also operates on a number of routes in Germany and is the main competitor to Deutsche Bahn. Frequency is less and they operate on a handful of routes but their fares are much cheaper.

To give you an idea, fares with Flixtrain cost as little as €4.99 from Hamburg to Berlin ( Journey time 2 hours 39 minutes ) €9.99 Berlin to Stuttgart ( Journey time 5.56 hours ) and €9.99-Berlin to Frankfurt ( 4.09 hours )

9. Deutsche Bahn Länder ticket/ Regional day tickets

Unlimited train travel across any of Germany’s 16 federal states for as little as €22

If you are visiting Germany, especially with your partner or a group of friends, another brilliant deal is the Lander regional tickets which offer you unlimited travel within the state for as little as €22. This ticket is valid only on local and regional trains and excludes the faster ICE/IC trains. You can travel with up to four fellow passengers per ticket for as little as EUR 3 per additional passenger.

The tickets are valid from Monday to Friday from 09:00 until 03:00 on the following day.

We used this ticket when visiting Munich last year for a day trip to Zugspitze, beautiful Lake Eibsee and Garmisch Partenkirchen.

The other great thing worth remembering is that you can buy these tickets on the day from any Deutsche Bahn ticket machine in the train station.

10. Paris to Vienna for €60 with Nightjet train service

Night trains in Europe a great way to save money on accommodation plus time if you are on tight itinerary

If you are on a tight budget and travelling between countries, I would highly recommend looking into booking an overnight sleeper train to help you save money on 1 nights accommodation and also you are not wasting the whole day in a train.

For example you can travel from Paris to Vienna on the Nightjet service. It leaves Gare de l’Est at 6.58pm and reaches Vienna at 10.12am in the morning.

The basic fare for a seat in a 6 seat compartment carriage is €60. From the picture above, as you can see, not the most comfortable seat to be cooped up and try and sleep.

If you are on a tight budget, it will get you from A to B. If you splurge on a couchette , you pay an extra €20 which might be worth the investment if it means getting a decent night sleep.

I’ve taken the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh and also the Helsinki to Kolari ( Prices start from €49 for private cabin and with shower, €69 ) overnight train on my way to the 7 Fells Hostel in Finnish Lapland- ( Read more about my trip to Finnish Lapland here ) great way to travel and the journey itself is an experience that will remember.

Other great services on Nightjet train worth keeping an eye include the Munich to Zagreb service ( leaves Munich at 23.20pm and reaches Zagreb at 8.32am) -booking in advance, you get a seat in the compartment for as little as €29.90 or for an extra €45 on top, you can get a sleeper bed.

11. Buy a Eurail pass

The first entry on my first Interrail pass from 2012: ICE 36, Copenhagen to Hamburg,
The journey begins…

When I first started researching how to backpack for cheap, I found a lot of helpful tips on how to save money, but has it ever crossed your mind to work for accommodation?  I’m sure you’ve heard the same advice: plan in advance, use certain websites to find cheap flights, cook meals yourself instead of eating at restaurants three times a day, etc. These tips are useful, but when I was planning my backpacking budget, it quickly became clear that the largest expense I was facing was accommodations. 

Accommodations can be prohibitively expensive when you need to backpack for cheap. Even hostels can be pricey, depending on your destination and the length of your trip. But you have to sleep somewhere so what’s a budget traveler to do?  For a while, it felt impossible to experience all the places I wanted to see on the budget that was available to me. But then I discovered Worldpackers and the concept of work for accommodation, or work exchange, and it’s a total game-changer when it comes to keeping backpacking trips cheap. The idea of working for accommodation is simple. You trade your skills and some of your time in exchange for free accommodations. That simple.

So how exactly does Worldpackers work? Where can you go, and what skills do you need to score free accommodations? How can you be sure that work exchange will be a good fit for you? Instead of listing out all the available opportunities, to help get a better understanding of the platform and what it offers, I’ve shared with you a few Worldpackers experiences- we start with Gabby Boucher.

Volunteering in Ecuador and Peru with Worldpackers

Gabby (@gabbyboucher), a 26-year-old traveler from the United States volunteered with Worldpackers twice in South America:

‘’I volunteered with Worldpackers in Ecuador and Peru. It was my first time visiting South America, and Worldpackers allowed me to have a real, authentic experience. I was also fresh out of college so I didn’t have much money. Working in exchange for accommodation was such a cool and easy way to travel without spending a lot. I was able to improve my Spanish, explore gorgeous places and meet lots of incredible locals and other travelers.

In Ecuador, I volunteered with a local family and also did some writing for a local business. In Peru, I bartended in a hostel. Now, years later, writing, hospitality, and bartending are valuable skills that I still use in my career to this day. Worldpackers was an accessible, affordable, and fun way to gain work experience in an international environment. It was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!’’

Teaching English in Genoa

Olivia (@livlet) is a 28-year-old traveler who lived her first volunteering opportunity with Worldpackers while teaching English for an Italian family in Genoa.

‘’After completing my university degree and deciding to go backpacking solo, I was eager to immerse myself in different cultures and develop new perspectives about the world and living in it. I had studied for some years, but I realized I didn’t want to work in the field I was educated in, so I had to get out there and try new things and step outside of my comfort zone. I felt as though experiencing first-hand what it was like to be a part of an Italian family would help me to feel closer to my Italian heritage, and I considered this as an amazing opportunity. I exchanged a few hours of help per day and I was granted a private dorm, typical Italian food and a got to know the surrounding areas really well, walking peacefully with my host family.

Furthermore, with my love for language, I was interested in trying to teach English abroad whilst hoping to learn some Italian along the way too! The most important lesson I learned was with regard to communication; it wasn’t just me helping the couple with their English, but they helped me with my English too. When I first arrived, I was overwhelmed by their openness, kindness, and generosity, so I felt a strong desire to express my appreciation for all they were doing for me. This was difficult for me, but they were very accepting and open from the beginning, so learning how to open up to them brought us closer together”

Volunteering in Vietnam and Cambodia

Christopher (@christophertabet) is a 30 years old traveler from Australia, who lived in both Vietnam and Cambodia as a Worldpackers volunteer:



‘’I was seated at a bar across from a British girl who was telling me about her travel plans through Southeast Asia when she pulled out a piece of paper that mapped out everywhere she was going and what she was doing there. “I use this platform called Worldpackers”, she said. “I am traveling long term and use Worldpackers to break up time and spending.”

I was on my first solo trip overseas and followed a long series of events going all the way back to my days at university. It had taken me six years to complete a three-year degree in business and finance. I recall wanting to travel overseas during this time, but my student wage held me back from being able to afford the expensive volunteering opportunities I found online. I estimate that I sent about 20 applications before one host in particular stood out to me — a digital marketing role for a hospitality company in Siem Reap, Cambodia.



The company was a family business founded by a 36-year old Khmer man, his wife and siblings who grew up around the region of the Angkor Wat and its surrounding jungle. 

There were around 70 employees, three of which were expats. For many years, the family struggled with poverty, each having to adopt their own set of entrepreneurial and social skills from an extremely young age in order to survive through the tough and trying times of Cambodia’s all-too-recent dark past.

I volunteered with the company for 10 months before leaving Siem Reap for a more rural experience in the Cambodian countryside. Ultimately, the highlights of my journey were the connections I was able to make. I never expected that I’d make as many close friends as I did. I now feel like Cambodia is a home away from home. Since I was traveling alone, it meant a lot to have local people be there for me and offer me a place as part of their own family. I can’t show enough gratitude towards those people for that. 

My experiences with Worldpackers in Vietnam and Cambodia changed the trajectory of my life. I went on a spiritual journey, an entrepreneurial journey, and a personal growth journey — all in one. Travel changed me for the better.

What is Worldpackers?

First and foremost, Worldpackers is a traveler community. In comparison to other work exchange platforms, Worldpackers stands out because it is run by travelers, for travelers. With just a quick visit to their website, you can find tons of other community members just like you. You can ask experienced Worldpackers travelers questions about their experiences or read about other travelers’ experiences with work exchange. All the resources and information that you need to have a successful (and cheap!) backpacking trip are there. 

But practically speaking, Worldpackers is a company that facilitates work exchange by connecting travelers with potential hosts from all over the world. The Worldpackers team does all the behind-the-scenes work to make it easy and safe for you to find a host you’ll be compatible with, and they are there to support you, even while you’re traveling.

How do I get started with Worldpackers?

The Worldpackers website is very easy to navigate. You’ll pay a yearly membership fee of about US$ 49 to get started, which is less than what you’d likely pay for a single night in a hotel. There is no limit to how many work exchange trips you can schedule within the membership period.

If you want to save some money, create your account with this link and you’ll get US$10 off your annual plan!

Once you’ve become a member, you will fill out your profile, where you’ll have a chance to tell potential hosts more about you, your interests, and your skills. There are even video tutorials and blog articles to help you make your profile shine!

From there, the next step is to find a host. I remember the excitement of scrolling through the hundreds of potential hosts. The hardest part is choosing just one (to get started, at least!). You can filter hosts based on a number of factors, such as where you’d like to go and what type of work you’ll be doing during your stay. 

Hosts will list what skills you’ll need to have to volunteer with them, which tasks you’ll be expected to complete, the number of hours you’ll be volunteering for them each week, and what exactly they’re offering in return for your help. Some hosts offer other incentives other than working for accommodations, such as free breakfast each day, language lessons, etc. You’ll also be able to chat directly with your potential host, which I especially loved, because it helped me get a good feel for their personalities and how we’d get along before I committed.

Once you’ve found the right host match for you, you’re all set to begin backpacking for cheaper than you ever could if you were paying for a place to sleep each night. It’s really that easy!

What are the types of work exchange with Worldpackers?

There’s a huge variety of skills that Worldpackers hosts are looking for, anything from teaching yoga to farming to photography and more. 

• Live and work in an Italian bed & breakfast owned by an American!
• Help us in a children’s home in Transylvania, Romania
• Help us grow mushrooms in our innovative project!

Worried that you don’t have the right skills to find a host? Don’t be! Many hosts only require a good attitude and are willing to teach the rest. 

Where can I go working for accommodation?

Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and Latin America are all available destinations for Worldpackers travelers. Again, I go back to that overwhelming feeling of possibility when I was first scrolling through the seemingly endless number of potential hosts. Worldpackers has hosts all over the world, and you’re sure to find one in a destination that interests you.

With Worldpackers, you’ll be able to spend an entire month really getting to know the city and sharing your home country with other people who are traveling through. It’s completely up to you how far away from home you’d like to go!

Is work for accommodation with Worldpackers safe?

So sure, Worldpackers is a great way to go backpacking for cheap, but is it safe? In my opinion, this is the area where Worldpackers stands out the most among other work exchange platforms. The Worldpackers team verifies all of their hosts beforehand. But in addition to that, you’ll be able to read reviews from other travelers who have volunteered with each host.

And if you’re still uncertain, your Worldpackers membership includes Worldpackers Insurance. If you arrive at your destination and conditions are not as they were advertised by the host, Worldpackers will find you a new host in the area to stay with. If they’re not able to find you a new host, they will pay for you to stay in a shared room at a nearby hostel for up to three nights.  Love this feature.

Is Worldpackers and work exchange right for you?

Well, that depends. If you prefer luxury travel, would have an issue sharing space with other volunteers, or generally have an unpleasant attitude about work, then you should probably stick to paying for your own accommodations. But if you’d like to backpack for cheap, love meeting new people, and want to fully immerse yourself in local culture, Worldpackers will be a great fit for you.

Look, I know I’ve been very positive about Worldpackers in this article, but I truly believe that traveling makes us more empathetic, compassionate human beings, and so the Worldpackers mission of “democratizing meaningful travel experiences through a collaborative mindset,” really speaks to me. 

Because of Worldpackers, thousands of people have been able to travel longer and further than they could have ever possibly traveled otherwise. Meet people who will become some of your closest friends, build practical skills that will help your career in the future, discover hobbies that you never would’ve tried if it hadn’t been for Worldpackers.

Traveling with Worldpackers could change your life. Go sign up to become a member of this amazing community. 

Started planning your trips for 2022? To help you plan your travel better, in partnership with the team at Curve, I am excited to share with you my best travel hacks and tips to save money in 2022. My aim with the blog has always been helping you to find creative ways of how you travel better in style on a budget so in keeping with my mission, I thought his post is timely. Travelling can at times seem unobtainable and difficult, especially in times like this but the truth is if you’re frugal, smart with destinations you choose wise and pick the right places to stay, it doesn’t need to cost half as much. So without, further delay, I share with you my 52 travel hacks & tips for 2022.

1. Get a Curve Card

There are no transaction fees when using your Curve card abroad. How much you can withdraw, fee free depends on which card you use. The free classic Curve card version offers upto £200 free while Curve Black (£9.99 a month) gives you £400.00 while Curve Metal ( £14.99) gives you £600.00 a month which is a fantastic and helpful amount. If you are a Curve Metal user, you also benefit from access to 1000+ airport lounges across the globe with LoungeKey at a great price of £20 per day- this benefit is great if you have a long layover and need access to a hot shower, food, drinks and a place to work from. Another major feature of Curve is the ‘Go Back in Time’ option. If you’ve paid for something on the wrong card, Curve allows you to switch the payment to the correct account up to 30 days after making the payment.

However the key benefit for me personally are the security features- you can consolidate all of your debit cards, credit cards, and loyalty cards in one app and card- Curve Mastercard. This means on a night out in town, you don’t need to carry multiple cards on your person, just one. This is huge plus for me, especially when you are travelling abroad. Plus paying with Curve card means you don’t have to disclose your bank and primary card details to anyone, making all your transactions safer. Plus you have protection upto £100000 on transactions and you have the option of locking and unlocking your Curve card through the mobile app at any point- handy if you can’t find your card.

Sign up for Curve here via this link and get a £5 reward when you use it for your first transaction.

2. Always fly on a Tuesday

When booking flights, Tuesday is almost always the cheapest priced day of the week to travel, due to the low demand for flights on this day. If you’re willing and able to travel out and/or back on a Tuesday, this will save you some money. 

PS Travelling midweek by train or plane makes a huge difference.

I have created an itinerary for you where you can see 15 cities in Europe for less than $250 or £182

3. Always check the foreign website of your airline for prices

When booking flights, you should always check the foreign website of the airline you’re booking to compare prices. For example, when I was flying with Tiger Airlines one year from Perth (Australia) to Singapore, there was more than a $100AU saving for booking with the flight via the Singapore version of the website than from the Australian version of the website. I recommend signing upto a VPN and then accordingly setting your location.

4. Clear your website cookies after every flight search

If you’re making a number of flight searches for the same destination, it gets stored in your web history. Airline websites read this and up the price to the destination you’re looking for. Delete your web browsing history after every search to make sure you’re getting the cheapest price possible.

5. Be flexible where you sit and avoid seat charges

If you remain open to where you sit (which is especially easy if you’re travelling solo) then you can quite easily save on seat charges for reserving your seat. I’ve often bagged a window or aisle seat 8 times out of 10 this way.

6. Consider an indirect flight or stopover

Whilst it may be a pain to not fly direct, with more time spent in transit, it is usually cheaper if you’re willing to fly indirect. Just take a quick search on search engine comparison sites like Skyscanner and Momondo and you’ll see indirect routes are (usually) a lot cheaper. Or consider a stopover flight- like to see two destination for the price of one? Have a look at Airwander

7. Check flights from other nearby airports

You can sometimes save hundreds by merely choosing a different airport. For example, we saved over £150 per head by simply flying from Munich instead of Berlin on a pre pandemic flight to Bangkok. This more than covered the cost of getting to/from Munich by train and some sightseeing. On Skyscanner, you’ll find the feature ‘Add nearby airports’ just below the main search box.

8. Join frequent flyer programmes

Joining a frequent flyer programme and racking up airlines miles (particularly on long haul flights) can earn you free flights or a nice upgrade when flying long haul. It’s a no brainer. I am member of TAP Portugal’s Miles and Go frequent flyer programme and with my miles, I’ve enjoyed flight upgrade, tickets and also other benefits like lounge access when flying with TAP Portugal.

9. Sign up for travel credit cards

Another way to accumulate airlines miles (and in turn free flights) is to buy a travel credit card and earn points for every penny that you spend. I have an American Express card where I get frequent flyer miles for everything I purchase with the card – flights, hotels and even household bills. Many cards have large sign-up bonuses and allow you to gain more points by spending money at partner shops and restaurants.

10. Use a free fee card on overseas purchases and when withdrawing money

Curve card we mentioned before allows you gain cashback on your purchases ( 1%, limits apply) It also allows you to withdraw upto £200 free a month ( with the Curve Blue ‘free’ card) and fee free overseas purchases upto £500 a month, unlimited with Curve Black and Metal cards.

Sign up for Curve here via this link and get a £5 reward when you use it for your first transaction.

11. Bring your own food and water on-board

Why pay premium prices for not-so-good airline food when you can just bring your own packed lunch onboard? I always travel with a reusable bottle , tupperware box and reusable wooden cutlery to save leftover food or for carrying a sandwich. I would recommend Flying Tiger Copenhagen– their reusable bottle starts from €2 and lunch boxes from just €5.

12. Travel with only carry-on luggage

Save more money while flying by taking carry-on luggage only and avoid hold luggage fees. Here’s a handy guide I’ve written to best carry on luggage options while flying with low cost airlines.

13. Weigh and measure your luggage beforehand

Make sure you weigh and measure you luggage before you go to make sure you’re not paying excess baggage fees. Or buy a digital portable electronic scale like this one, the FREETOO which for $11 is a great buy.

14.Take the night train/bus

Save a night’s money on accommodation and take the night bus or train. Particularly in Europe, you’ll find the night trains can be quite comfortable. In countries like Argentina, the night buses often offer 180 degree reclining seats. Here’s a guide to my 5 best travel hacks for travelling by train in France and the best budget bus companies in Europe 

Research. Research. Research.

15. Research your destination before you go

Research. Research. Research. I can’t emphasise this enough. There’s only one way to know you’re not getting ripped off by a vendor or a taxi driver and that’s to have a rough idea of what things cost before you go. A quick google search before you go or a guidebook will usually tell you.

16. Take a Free Walking Tour

In almost every major tourist city in the western world, there’s a free walking tour available nowadays. For example, Sandeman’s New Europe offer free 2.5 hour walking tours in many cities and all you’ll have to do is offer a tip if you wish to the guide.

Parks are a central part of public life in Berlin, especially in the summer where you’ll find flea markets, food stalls and a few cracking bars like the picturesque bar on the Island of Youth in Treptower Park-a must visit when you are in Berlin.

17. Explore parks and public spaces

Exploring parks and public spaces is also another free activity you can indulge in whilst travelling. It’s also a great place to people watch and mix with the locals.

18. Free Festivals/Concerts

Most cities around the world have free festivals, concerts or outdoor events at some point throughout the year. Find out when they are held and time your visit accordingly. For example, the Edinburgh Festival has many free shows throughout the month of August. Here’s a guide I wrote on how you can find free music concerts in Europe.

National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is free year round.

19. Visits Museums & Art Galleries for Free

Almost every museum or gallery around the world has a free-entry day either once a week, once a month or once a year. A little research could save a fortune. Here is my guide to the best free museums in the world.

20. Spend a day taking photos

Looking for something to do that doesn’t cost money? Spend a day taking pictures of outdoor sites, people and sunsets- photographs are the best souvenirs no? ( Or if you are in Berlin or Dresden, get your photos taken at the classic Photoautomat- costs just €2 for 4 photos )

21. Sign up for a bank card / foreign currency card with no ATM fees.

One way you can lose a lot of money abroad is in ATM fees while using your debit or credit card at the cash machine. Sign up for a bank card like Curve that doesn’t charge ATM fees and you could quite easily save between £1.50 – £5 per withdrawal.  Remember to signup for Curve via this link and get a £5 reward when you use it for your first transaction.

22. Check exchange rates well in advance before you go

Exchange rates at airports are the worst so keep an eye on the exchange rate before you travel and order your money online where the rate is better.

23. Stay in a luxury hostel!

Staying in a large dorm room at a hostel is much cheaper than staying alone in a hotel room. And these days with many luxury hostels popping up there’s no need to sacrifice comfort either whilst travelling on a budget. For a guide to the best hostels in the world, look no further than my guidebook, ‘The Grand Hostels, Luxury Hostels of the World’

24. Work in hostels

Save even more money on accommodation by working in them too. Most hostels need cleaners and reception workers and many offer work exchange programmes where you work a few hours per day in exchange for free accommodation. Worldpackers are a great resource for finding work exchange programmes. Annual membership fee is $49 but if you signup via my link, you will save $10 off your joining fee.

Budapest

25. Choose cities with cheaper hostel prices

Where you choose to travel can also determine how long you can afford to travel, as some destinations are a lot cheaper than others. There are many cities in Eastern Europe like Budapest or Belgrade where hostel dorm beds are much cheaper than London or Barcelona, starting from as little £5 – £10 per night.

One of my best backpacking trips was to Argentina-recent years it has becomes much more cheaper to visit,especially if you earning in $ or £ or €( Place in picture- The stunning Laguna Torre, Patagonia, Argentina )

26. Travel Asia & South America

Where hostel accommodation is really cheap though, is in Asia and South America. Both have well woven backpacker routes and many backpacker hostels to choose from. Check the Covid-19 situation before you go but South America is definitely a safer bet for winter travel this year. Asia will probably be in a better situation in mid to late 2022.

27. Choose countries where you don’t need to pay for a visa

Save some more money by choosing countries where you don’t need to pay for a visa. Pegasus Airlines has an excellent tool for finding countries where you don’t have to pay for a visa/

Hammocks at Ostello Bello, Milan

28. Bring a hammock

In my experience, some overbooked hostels will let you set up a hammock (and for a cheaper fee than a dorm bed).

Cooking classes at the YellowSquare kitchen, Rome

29. Eat in hostel kitchens

Most hostels have hostel kitchens. By eating in, you can save an absolute fortune on meals.

30. Buy food in local markets

It’s a lot cheaper to eat local and buy fresh produce from local markets. It’s also an excellent way to experience life like a local.

31. Eat street food

When you do eat out, don’t be afraid to try street food. It’s the cheapest form of food out there and it also gets cooked in front of you – so you can check the cleanliness and standards. Checkout my cheap eats guides on the blog.

32. Haggle/negotiate prices in local shops/markets

Whenever you’re shopping in local street markets or anywhere that isn’t a chain store, be sure to haggle and get the best deal you can.

Lunch menu at JO&JOE Vienna is one of the best deals in the city-€10.50 for 3 courses!

33. Make your biggest meal lunch – it’s usually cheaper when eating out

If you do decide to eat out in more expensive restaurants, eat out at lunch instead of dinner. In most places a lunch deal is a lot cheaper, almost half the price of what they charge at dinner

34. Choose local brands of beer and wine+ find happy hours

When drinking in or out, be sure to buy local brands of beer and wine. It’s usually a lot cheaper than the more well known international brands. Plus also keep an eye for happy hour deals in the hostel and other bars- you can have a very cheap night out this way and probably a rotten hangover the next day. Also, definitely out my cheap beer index to findout the cheapest beer in Europe.

35. Order draft beer

Drink from draft instead of by the bottle too. Again, over time it will save you quite a bit of money.

36. Stand at the bar while drinking coffee in continental Europe – it’s usually cheaper

In continental Europe, simply standing at the bar to drink your coffee instead of taking a seat, will usually save around 2 Euros off the cost of your drink.

37. Make friends – get group discounts on tours

Making friends while you travel also pays as you can negotiate group discounts on tours. This is particularly easy in hostels as you’ll be meeting so many other travellers in dorm rooms and common rooms.

38. Take public transport from the airport

Taking public transport from the airport to your hostel is always cheaper than taking a taxi. For example, taking public transport from Prague Airport to my hostel cost me the equivalent of £1. Compared to a taxi which would have cost around £18 – that is a huge saving.

 These streets were made for walking- Bruges

39. Walk wherever you can

Whenever the distance isn’t too far, avoid any kind of transport and just walk! It’s the cheapest way of getting around and allows you to see parts of a city you just wouldn’t be able to by any other means.

40. Rent a bicycle

When you need to travel that bit further, rent a bicycle! Not only does it allow you to get around on the cheap but it also keeps you fit!

Go local in Prague, get out of the city centre and go to neighbourhoods like Karlin where you’ll find prices are lower plus you’ll find more authentic, locals only places like Veltlin, my favourite wine bar in the city.

41. Go local! Check out the suburbs , the prices are usually lower

When you’re heading out to experience the local bars and restaurants of a new destination, make sure you don’t miss out the suburbs! They’re usually a lot cheaper for eating/drinking out than the city centre and allow you to see a destination through the eyes of a local.

When in doubt, always speak to a local. Andreas, from Athens who I met through the ‘This is Athens-Locals Tours’ shared with me all his favourite bars to drink in- thanks to him, I went off the beaten path and discovered some great bars like the one in picture, Bel Ray in Koukaki.

42. Ask the locals where the cheapest bars/restaurants are

Make friends with the locals and ask them where the cheapest bars/restaurants are. There is no guide book better than a local when it comes to destination knowledge!

43. Speak in the local language – you’ll sometimes get charged less

If you can converse in the local language – make sure you do! In some destinations such as Tenerife and Delhi, there’s a locals rate in the shops and a tourists rate. Sometimes just by speaking the local language when you go into the shop, they charge you the local r

44. Bring your student ID card

Just like you can get student discounts at home, you can get student discounts abroad too! So if you have a student ID card – make sure you bring it! You’d be surprised how many attractions offer a discounted rate for students…

45. Get an ISIC card

Get an official International Student Identity Card and you could get thousands of extra discounts in up to 45 different countries. There is also a youth card available for those under 30 but not in full-time education.

Musee de louvre ( Photo by Michael Fousert on Unsplash )

46. Play the age card – get into attractions for free or at discount rates if you’re over 65 or under 26

People under 26 and those over 65 are often entitled to discounted or even free entry to attractions ( Like the Musee Louvre in picture which is free to people under 26 ) provided they can prove their age.  It’s therefore important you bring some photographic proof of age with you.

47. Earn money as you travel on a working holiday visa

Don’t have enough money to travel? Don’t worry! In many countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand, you can apply for a working holiday visa. This typically gives you a 1 or 2 year visa, part or all of which (depending on the country) is valid for work. It’s one of the best ways to pay for a long term trip without having to save up huge amounts of cash.

48. Use a mobile phone provider that doesn’t charge for calls abroad

When you go abroad make sure you don’t get caught with nasty call charges and make sure you choose a provider that allows free or affordable calls abroad. Three Mobile for example were offering free calls in many countries and especially Europe but post Brexit will be reversing that and applying roaming charges. That currently leaves O2 as the only mobile provider that will offer free roaming in Europe ( o2 will charge an extra “fair use” charge if customers use more than 25GB of data in a month ) Alternatively, make sure your phone is unlocked before you go and use a local sim card.

49. Buy a prepaid internet simcard in destination

The best solution if you’re planning to spend a few weeks in a country or travelling Europe, is definitely  to buy a simcard in destination. Even if you switch simcards, you can still keep your old phone number for Whatsapp so it works out pretty well. Prepaid simcard with a decent amount of data, 10GB will cost you from €15-€20. Checkout my guides to getting prepaid internet data cards in Portugal, Italy and Germany on the blog.

Strandkorb aka roofed wicker baskets scattered across the beach of Wyk auf Fohr, Germany

50. Don’t use the sun loungers – find a quieter beach further along

Sun loungers can quite often cost up to £20 per day depending upon where you are in the world. Save money on this, walk further up the beach and just lie on a towel. It’s much cheaper and in most cases you’ll probably find walking a bit further along gives you a more secluded spot.

51. Find free Wi-Fi in libraries

Most bars and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi – which is great – but you can save even more money on having to buy a drink/something to eat by simply going to the local library wherever you are. Most will allow you to use a visitors login provided you have identification with you.

52. Have Travel Insurance

This is strictly not a budget hack but don’t plan any trip without having any adequate travel insurance. Travel insurance will cover you for a few important things like cancellation of flights, theft of personal items and medical expenses and any accidents you may have when on the road to name a few. Luckily if you are a Curve Black or Metal customer, you get travel insurance from AXA within your membership.

Remember to signup for Curve here via this link and get a £5 reward when you use it for your first transaction.

Disclaimer- This post was produced in partnership with Curve Card but all the views, opinions-good and bad are entirely my own. Thanks for reading

Like love, with some cities it is just a weird impulse…you just love them unconditionally. I don’t when I fell in love but I maybe I can tell you how I fell in love with Olomouc and why it is worth visiting in 2021.

I first came across Olomouc in a worn out, tattered edition of Lonely Planet’s fabulous ‘Europe on a Shoestring’ guidebook. I think it was the summer of 2012. I had just picked up the book from a flea market in Edinburgh. It was a pretty tough period in my life. I was heavily in debt from the failure of my first business venture. I was working a few odd jobs and in my spare time had started working on this very blog. It was a Sunday morning. I grabbed a coffee and a cheap bacon roll from Greggs. I would find a seat on a bench in Holyrood Park with the dreamy views of Arthurs Seat. I started flicking through the pages. Names of exotic sounding countries popped up – France. Germany. Croatia. All these names sounded distant and far out of my reach, as if I was standing at the diamond counter of Tiffany’s. While flicking through the Czech Republic section, I came across one of the rare colour plates you would find in the old LP books. I loved this in the old guidebooks – briefly, these unknown parallel universes that would magically bring the world alive. It was an assortment of pictures of famous cities and landmarks in Czech Republic. Prague. I think there was an image of the Charles Bridge at dawn, the bridge shrouded in a beautiful mist. Then there was the fairytale city of Český Krumlov with its mesmerising castle, straight out of a Disney fairytale.

Then popped up an image of Olomouc. It was an image, I think, of the UNESCO World Heritage listed 18th century Holy Trinity Column in the city’s Horní náměstí central square. I had never heard of Olomouc and quickly flicked to the entry page in the book. Author, Mark Baker had me hooked with the first few lines.… ‘Is Olomouc Czech Republic’s best kept secret? Olomouc (pronounced olla-moats) has it all, including UNESCO-protected architecture, great museums and energetic, student-oriented nightlife.’

There started my love affair with Olomouc. The more I read about the city, the more I was desperate to visit this place. With passing years, the legend of the city slowly grew in my head. I went back to Prague in 2016 but sadly never made it to Olomouc. Then in the spring of 2019, an opportunity to visit Olomouc finally presented itself to me. I was researching and visiting a few hostels in preparation for writing my new book, The Grand Hostels Luxury Hostels of the World  which would be published later in the year. One of them was in Olomouc!

I often stand by the fact that the best hostels you visit, in a way, become like a world of their own ….where you meet the best people, have so many amazing experiences, a place of sanctuary where you can retreat into your thoughts, lots of quiet corners for sitting down with a notepad scribbling thoughts on your life – you’re in a perfect bubble. The Long Story Short Hostel in Olomouc is exactly that kind of hostel, an oasis of bliss in the heart of the city.

The sense of blissful seclusion might be because of the fact that the hostel in situated in the historical Podkova fortress building that dates from the 17th century. The moment you step in here, it feels like you entered a different universe. You walk up the stairs (front or back entrance) and find yourself in their beautiful outdoor garden terrace.

You would find me here on most days. Cradling a cup of filter coffee, first thing in the morning, to enjoy the sunshine on my skin or maybe with a book in hand. Then, there is the matter of their sumptuous buffet breakfasts – probably in my top 3 hostel breakfasts in the world. Filled with fresh fruit, greens, tomatoes, eggs, cheeses, cured meats, delicious red cabbage salad, freshly made hummus, freshly baked sourdough bread and cakes from the onsite bakery and of course great coffee, it is the perfect start to the day.

In the evenings, the terrace slowly transforms into one of Olomouc’s most popular entertainment spots – on any given day you’ll have live DJ’s spinning everything from RnB to minimal techno. Once a week, local bands perform. It is a popular hotspot for local expats so on any given day you’re always guaranteed some banter with a bunch of interesting people.

An organically arched hall, leads you from the reception to all the rooms. I love the minimalist style of the rooms. Pure white plastering instantly has a calming effect.  This contrasts with the concrete floor, the stylish wooden chairs and carefully chosen pastel colours in some common spaces –  like the elegant upholstery of the chairs. You have this overall effect of calm and quiet elegance which is not something you would often associate with a hostel, right? On the ground floor, there is a fantastic co-working space for digital nomads. If that wasn’t enough, right across, is the hostel’s brand new Long Story Short Eatery and bakery, an attraction in its own right. The food is locally sourced, Czech classics with a modern twist. You choose from several tapas style sharing dishes or something more substantial. The open air setting in the fort’s ivy draped courtyard is very romantic and magical.In short, Long Story Short Hostel is in itself a destination and a perfect reason for you to visit Olomouc.

Once you do step out of the hostel, you’ll find a city that’s really nice on the eye. It is very compact so within a short radius, there’s a wealth of gorgeous architecture, cute boutique shops and bars that spill out onto the cobbled streets.

It is a city made for perfect aimless wandering.

Every twist and turn you are greeted by something interesting.

One of my favourite parts of the city is the main Horní náměstí square, one of the nicest in the Czech Republic, surrounded by historic buildings . One of my favourite buildings on the square is the splendid 15th century baroque Town Hall with a tapering tower that features a highly unusual astronomical clock on one side. This was almost completely destroyed by the Nazis and remodelled during Communist years to display scenes of proletarians at work to mark the passing hours, rather than saints.

Just across from the town hall you’ll also spot that UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column, which I saw all those years ago in the Lonely Planet guidebook. The magnificent 18th century monument is ornately decorated with sculptures of various saints. It is supposedly the biggest single Baroque structure in Central Europe. Via the Lower Square, head east to the old city walls through pretty Bezruc Park – ideal for a picnic or romantic stroll – up to the city’s grandest church, the Wenceslas Cathedral, dating from 1131 but rebuilt in the 19th century in Neo-Gothic style. If time permits, climb the church of St Michael’s with its bell-tower and superb views of the city.

25% of Olomouc’s population are students so it may come as no surprise that the bar scene here definitely packs a punch for a city of its size. My favourite bar is the Vertigo student sky club, a basement club with rooms designed with scenes from Hitchcock’s classic thriller Vertigo. The cheap beers and eclectic range of cocktails here (try the Angry Dog) will leave you for sure with a vertigo inducing hangover the following day. If you love your Guinness and whisky, also pop into the stylish Black Stuff, Irish Pub and Whisky Bar – fab service and great atmosphere. If you are a jazz, blues aficionado, pop into the Jazz Tibet Club which plays host to local and international bands from the jazz, blues and world music scene.

Last not but not least, a fact not so well known to Brits, Moravia is famous for producing some pretty decent local wines so make sure you spare a few hours to visit one of the many ‘vinarna’ (wine bars) around town where you can have a glass of wine for a fraction of the price of what you would pay in the UK. My favourite vinarna is the down to earth Vinný šenk U Zlatého beránka  (Univerzitní 2, 779 00 Olomouc).

There are some cities you just fall in love and feel at ease instantly. Olomouc is one of those places where I always feel at home. It is a small city and everything is within reach – cafes, bars, cinema (Kino Metropol is my favourite showcasing latest independent cinema plus the art deco building in which it is located is stunning) and supermarkets. I love the juxtaposition of architectural styles, from the bombastic Baroque and moody Gothic to the pretty socialist architecture. I also love the fact, that at most times, the city feels very laid back. In the summer especially, when students disappear, the city feels so peaceful. After the hustle and bustle of Prague, coming to Olomouc feels like a real escape from the elements, a place where I can reconnect with myself and just enjoy the simple act of living. If that sounds like something for you, hop over soon….before the crowds come.

Disclaimer

This post was made possible thanks to Czech Tourism. All views expressed here are entirely my own.

Gratitude

First of all a huge thank you to Eva and everyone for the invitation to Olomouc and Long Story Short Hostel. Also a huge thank you to Czech Tourism and Traverse Events for inviting me to be part of the #CzechIn2021 campaign where you can discover the 21 best things to do in Czech Republic. For more inspiration and ideas for visiting Czech Republic in 2021, please visit the Visit Czech Republic tourism website. 

Further reading

Checkout this excellent guide on best things to do in Olomouc from our friends Nat & Rob at LoveandRoad.com. Plus, don’t forget to read our brand new alternative guide to Prague and my guide to the best things to do in Český Krumlov.

The hard soil and four months of snow make the inhabitants of the northern temperate zone wiser and abler than his fellow who enjoys the fixed smile of the tropics. “

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

I usually have never been a fan of travelling in winter, especially to cold destinations. I don’t handle the cold very well, the lack of sunlight can feel debilitating plus the people you tend to meet in the destination seem to equally as miserable as you. In recent years, as I’ve grown older, I’ve started feeling a little less miserable about the cold, I’ve pushed out my comfort zone and experimented with a few winter trips with mixed results. So last year, when I was invited to Ottawa to experience winter there, I definitely approached the trip with a level of excitement and trepidation.

Taking part in Winterman was one of the major highlights of the trip

Winters in Ottawa are definitely not for the ordinary person or traveller. It takes a certain kind of resilience to enjoy winters here. As I referred in my earlier piece about winter in Ottawa, locals can either choose to mope at home and hibernate during the long winter. Or, you just make the most of the season and all the inches of beautiful pearly white snow.

Travel, like life, all depends on your perspective. Sometimes, when you are unsure about how to go forward, the best thing is to let go and challenge yourself. Try something new.

In that respect, my winter in Ottawa was perfect and quite transformational.

Winters in Ottawa are all about time for yourself. Stretching your horizons and trying something new. If that sounds like your kind of holiday, I’ve shared a video below of what makes winters in Ottawa unique plus I’ve listed below 5 reasons why you should choose Ottawa as your next winter escape.

Ice skating on the Rideau Canal which in winter freezes to form the longest ice skating rink in the world

1.Go Ice Skating on the world’s largest ice-rink

In the spirit of trying new things, I went ice skating on the world’s largest ice rink-the Rideau Canal which freezes over in winter and become’s Ottawa’s biggest winter playground. Some context. Last time (and also the first time) I went skating, I was 23, on a date with my university crush. I had hoped the experience to bond us further together but instead, I fell horribly and almost broke my ankle. I was left to watch on gloomily, from the side as she went off skating with another male friend. So, I have painful memories associated with ice skating. Still, I had to try ice skating in Ottawa. If you speak to anyone in Ottawa, ice skating on the Rideau sums up the magical beauty of winter in Ottawa. On a cold but sparkling sunny day in February, I went down to the canal, fearful but hopeful. I was no better than last time-I have no sense of balance, think the elegance of Bambi on ice. Still, I’m glad I tried. Plus there was the added consolation of treating myself to a Beavertail- a fried doughnut sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. You can buy it from one of the many kiosks lining the skateway along with a warm hot beverage.

Me and Sabrina snowshoeing in Gatineau Park

2. Try Snowshoeing!

There are other alternatives if ice skating is not your thing. How about snowshoeing in a beautiful forest? I had gone snowshoeing in the Three Valleys in France few years ago and had found it a very cool way to explore the beautiful landscape. On the doorstep of Ottawa, locals and tourists alike have the luxury of exploring a 361 square kilometer park, whose main entrance is located 4 km north of Downtown Ottawa. This is a beautiful expanse of greenery that turns into a snowy wonderland during winter. Biking among the many trails, cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the cold months and zip lining are just some of the lovely activities the park affords. I loved the peace and tranquility of the park in winter. It felt like I was a world away from everything.

We did it! Running in -15C temps…Winterman Festival was an amazing experience.

3. Take part in Canada’s ultimate winter race

However my favourite winter-in-Ottawa experience was hands down taking part in Winterman– Canada’s ultimate winter marathon! We did the 5k race. I had only recently started getting into shape and going to the gym. Running the 5k race was our first test of our new found fitness regime. There’s one thing running 5k on a grey winters morning in Berlin and another thing running in -15c! It was painful at times. On top of that ( as you can see in the video) the ice-crystals forming all over my beard and face, that was hilarious. Crossing that finishing line was a great feeling, one that I will stay with me for many years to come, even if I go onto run bigger races in the years to come.

One of the highlights of my visit to Ottawa in Winter: The amazing Nordik Spa Nature

4. Checkout North America’s biggest spa!

Fret not. Winters in Ottawa can also be quite relaxing. One of the ultimate winter experiences you must try before leaving is visiting the Nordik Spa Nature, North America’s biggest spa.With a host of indulgences on offer , from outdoor baths and saunas to a restaurant, lounge and even a beer garden with terrace, this really is the perfect day out in Ottawa. Admission is a $68 or $136 for 2 people. The admission fee allows you to use their facilities for a full day. Within the price you can enjoy their baths (hot, cold and temperate), saunas, outdoor and indoor relaxation areas as well as the restaurant & lounge with terrace. This will be one of the more expensive experiences of your trip but definitely well worth the splurge-perfect for getting over the jet lag on day 1 of the trip.

5. Ottawa has the best winter festivals in Canada!

Winter in Ottawa is a time for celebration of life with some amazing festivals taking place. We were in Ottawa in time for their annual Winterlude Festival. Not only is this festival a celebration of the Canadian season of winter, it is also a celebration of diversity with the addition of numerous cultural events to the program. The NCR encompasses Ottawa, Ontario Gatineau and Quebec, so the festival is well spread out. Every year, new locations are added to the festivities including Downtown Rideau, Sparks Street and ByWard Market. Enthusiastic volunteers and generous sponsors make the event possible. The festival hosts some classic winter pleasures like the famous bed race, “Trotting on Ice”- a horse race on the Rideau Canal Skateway, skating, the Brewfest, ice and snow sculptures plus the Winterman race I just mentioned.

‘Ottawa has a vibrant food and drink scene with tons of energetic festivals throughout the year. The cuisine ranges from uber-Canadiana (think BeaverTails, poutine, maple-everything) to Vietnamese, Lebanese, French-Canadian, and much more. As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is home to high commissions and embassies which represent countries from around the world, and this is reflected in our cuisine and food festival offerings.’

Julia Thomson

Ottawa Tourism

Cheeseboard at Nordik Spa Nature is highly recommended!

Winters in Ottawa are not only food for the soul but for your belly.

You can find food from all 4 corners of the world. If you love Mexican cuisine and your restaurants intimate and boisterous, then  El Camino in the Byword Market is an excellent choice. For karaoke queens and lovers of Oriental cuisine, Shanghai Restaurant with its wonderful art displays and crazy karaoke nights with drag queen as hostess is the place to be. ( More tips of places to eat here in my winter in Ottawa guide)

In short, winters in Canada are the perfect escape.

Not for the ordinary traveller.

Only for those with an open spirit for adventure and life.

Cafe with a view: The cafe at the National Gallery of Canada is affordable plus offers dreamy views of the surrounding winter wonderland

Disclaimer

I hope this post has inspired you to experience Ottawa in winter. If it has, I recommend reading my Winter in Ottawa guide and also for a more in-depth account of the trip, checkout out this post.

This blog post was created in conjunction with Destination Canada as part of a collaboration with their #ForGlowingHearts project.

To find out more information about visiting Canada, please check out the Explore Canada website for further details.

Planning your trip to Europe

1. How to find the best hostels in Europe

To find the best hostels in Europe for your trip, my first port of call for searching hostels is always Hostelworld. They have the most comprehensive selection of hostels in Europe and my go to people when booking and finding the cheapest hostels in Europe.

For further research, if you a hostel lover, I also would highly recommend you having a look and buying my new guide to designer ‘luxury hostels.’ : The Grand Hostels Luxury Hostels of the World. These are what I would call premium hostels- a mix between a hotel and a hostel. You can book yourself a private room in these hostels and still enjoy the social aspects of a hostel: common room, bars, kitchen and an extensive list of social events. These  new breed of designer hostels focus on creating an experience for guests. What can you expect in a luxury hostel? Besides ensuite rooms or custom built pod beds in dorms you can find amazing facilities in these hostels like a swimming pool, sauna, a cinema , or a gym and swimming pool or dine with fellow guests and enjoy a 3 course meal prepared by inhouse hostel chef with bottle of port wine for as little as €10. This book is also the story of 116 unique hostels and the amazing people who run them.The people who run these hostels were travellers like you who went travelling around the world and fell in love with the drug of meeting and connecting with people from all over the world. When they couldn’t afford to keep travelling, they started a hostel of their own so that they could keep alive that magical sensation of meeting with people and connecting. These hostels, are in many ways, their dream come true. In this day and age, when we live in a world ruled by idiots, despots and plagued by misunderstanding, hatred and indifference, these hostels are a beacon of light, bringing people together from all divides and making the world a better place. So when you buy this book and visit these hostels you are really supporting an ideal, a dream and in the process adding something new and beautiful to you life. These hostels changed the way I travel, maybe they will change yours?

More details of the book , click here

2. Use Worldpackers

If you want to make your Eurotrip memorable, consider a more unique and immersive travel experience with volunteering and work-exchange platforms such as Worldpackers. In exchange for a few hours of help, you’re not only going to save 100% on accommodation but will also connect with locals and loads of world travelers. In addition to Hostels, you’ll find farms, homestays, ecolodges, NGOs, and schools among the 4.000+ volunteering opportunities available. A platform like Worldpackers provides you with safe and peer-reviewed experiences, in addition to a comprehensive support team and insurance. From 1-week up to 3-month long opportunities, you can fit a purposeful travel experience within your schedule. To make it even more budget-friendly, join Worldpackers here and earn a US$10 discount to become a Member.

….or try Housesitting

Another way to travel around the world almost for free is try Housesitting where you can stay for free at unique homestays around the world, in exchange for caring for people’ s pets. I recommend Trusted Housesitters.

You can find out more about Housesitting works in this guide.

3. Consider Airbnb when visiting Europe

I am a huge fan of Airbnb when travelling across Europe. They have a fantastic range of places to stay and always offer great value. As much as I love staying in hostels, I love sometimes to have the comfort and privacy of a flat, especially if I am travelling for a few weeks on the road. You can extremely good value for Airbnb in expensive cities like London, Paris for example so do have a look at their site.

Tip: If you are new to Airbnb , signup using this link to get £25 off your first booking.

4. Checkout my city guides to finding the best cheap hostels and hotels 

I’ve done the research and keep these guides updated on a regular basis to add new favourites- if you planning a trip to any of these cities, do take the time to checkout my following city guides

51 free things to do in London

50 free things to do in Paris

26 free and fun things to do in Berlin

20 best things to do in Rome on a budget

23 free and fun things to do in Lisbon on a budget

24 best things to do in Prague on a budget

Locals guide to Amsterdam

Plus, here are my guide to my favourite budget places to stay in London, Amsterdam, Lisbon,  Copenhagen, Berlin, Edinburgh , Venice , Prague , Oslo and Paris

5. Get off the beaten path

Main cities of Europe are overcrowded and also overpriced so if you are looking for good value when travelling in Europe, seek out some of the lesser known destinations.

For example, instead of Amsterdam consider Haarlem and staying at the boutique hostel Hello I’m Local , instead of Helsinki take a look at Tampere or head to Finnish Lapland, instead of Berlin consider Leipzig or maybe Dortmund, instead of Paris try Bordeaux, instead of Rome try Bologna, instead of Prague try Brno or Ostrava.

Other articles to checkout

Also do checkout the following europe hostel guides: these are perfect if you are a foodie traveller, or someone who is travelling with your family or someone who is looking for a quiet nights sleep and not interested in party hostels

Best Gastro Hostels of Europe

Best Quiet Hostels of Europe

Best Family Hostels of Europe

What is the cheapest way to travel in Europe

6. How to find cheap flights when visiting Europe- Use a VPN

You can save a few euros or dollars when playing with the location from where you book your flight. For example, I’ve often booked flights in the past and found discounts when booking from a Dutch website and also from Expedia Australia’s website. The fare difference can be often 10-15 euros so we are not talking about a huge saving here but still it is significant, especially if you are looking for flights for you+ loved ones.

I recommend Express VPN

Play around with the location ( Express VPN allows you to set your location to 94 different countries ) 

VPN also is handy when travelling and helps hide your IP address, browsing activity, and preventsusers stealing your data, like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, browser cookies, and other identifying information.

Using this link, you can get your first 3 months for free from your Express VPN or alternatively, this link will give you a 30 day free trial- choice is yours.

7. Download the Skyscanner App for cheap flights

Skyscanner are my go to app for booking flights and now you can also book trains in the UK. Just plug in your dates and Skyscanner will find the best possible flight deals. My favourite feature of the Skyscanner app is when you can search flights to all around the world on any date or even for a whole month from a city. If you are flexible with your travel dates and destination, it is possible to find the cheapest possible destination on any given month.

8. The ultimate guide to low-cost airlines in Europe

This guide is a comprehensive low down of all the low-cost budget airlines in Europe

Not much of a secret but travelling by coach is the cheapest way to travel across Europe. ( Click on the link to take you to my guide to the 10 best budget bus companies in Europe )

9. How to travel across Europe for 1 month under £182/$250?

One of my most popular posts to recent date is my 1 month itinerary to backpacking Europe on a budget for under £182/$250/€220.

This post is a comprehensive guide of which cities to visit in Europe, things to do in each city, how to travel across Europe using a smart combination of bus, train and low budget flights. This guide is really a must read so please download it now and bookmark this for planning your trip to Europe.

10.  Best value train journeys in Europe?

Checkout my brand new guide to the top 10 best value train journeys across Europe.

11. How to save time queuing for major European attractions? Book your tours and activities in advance

You have a few options when it comes to planning tours and activities in each city. You have free walking tours in most cities across Europe. Sandeman’s is the market leader and I’ve heard good things about the tours. Tours are comprehensive and you can tip the guide if you enjoyed the tour. If you are looking for more specific experiences , I recommend taking a look and booking your tours via Get Your Guide. By booking in advance you can save time and  hassle of queuing and skip the line for the Eiffel Tower in Paris or  skip the queues for the London Eye. Bit of planning can go a long way!

When is the best time to travel to Europe?

12. Don’t travel to Europe in the summer if you can avoid it.

This is actually the worst time to visit Europe. Prices are at their highest, everything is booked up, the cities are uncomfortably crowded and all of the locals are on holidays. Travel off-season instead for a more local experience. In winter, hotels can be discounted by upto 40% so you can get a great deal.

Before Sunrise: Virtual trip and love letter to Vienna

13. Cheapest trip to Europe: A Virtual trip to Europe

Here is a list of movies that have hugely inspired my travels in Europe-maybe they will inspire you too.

14. Saving up for the big Europe trip?

Here are some key tips to spend less travel more for your big trip in 2017

I also recommend you check out Adventurous Kate’s cracking post on how she saved $13,000 in just 7 months.

When you arrive in Europe

15. Visit the Tourist Information point

When first arriving in a new city make sure to stop by the tourism bureau for discounts, free maps and cost-free events.

16. Try to find if the city offers an all inclusive pass that gets you access to museums plus also public transportation

If you are planning to pack in a number of visitor attractions, in the end , you save a lot of money when using these kind of passes. For example I saved a lot of money with the Oslo Welcome Card when visiting Oslo. Other great welcome cards is the Berlin Welcome Card which includes free public transportation and lots of discounts to sights, tours, restaurants, museums and more.

17. Walk or use local transport 

Walk as much as you can, but if you can’t then use public transport over taxis; buy 24-hour, 3-day or even weekly public transport passes, which work out cheaper than single tickets.

18. Do as the locals do 

Join local workers at pubs for happy hours; check out local sports matches which are often free or cheap; and if you see a local fair or festival advertised, get along to it. All of these things can provide a terrific insight into how people lead their lives and be just as rewarding as visiting a major visitor attraction.

Check

19. Mobile internet- how to avoid a costly bill at the end of the trip

Roaming charges and accessing internet abroad is still ridiculously expensive so my tip here is to go local and get yourself a local internet data only simcard. If you can unlock your phone, brilliant. If your phone is locked then I suggest buying a mobile wifi (mifi) device which costs around €50. I’ve written a guide to how to get the best deal on prepaid mobile internet in Portugal,  mobile internet in Germany and Italy. In terms of making free phone calls to friends and family- you’ve got FaceTime (if you both own an Apple phone) or try the Viber app ( free to download) or Skype. Skype offers fantastic rates so I highly recommend them. The other app that I find very useful in terms of free messaging is Whatsapp which is free to download.

How to travel on a budget across Europe

20. Take the train

When booked in advance, you can get huge savings on train travel in Europe. I’ve shared in the post below all my best hacks and tips for getting cheap train tickets in Europe.

Plus also checkout my tips for cheap train travel in France.

21. Taking the train? Consider going point to point

If you can plan your Euro trip well in advance, there are some great savings to be made from booking train fares in advance.

Plan your schedules using the German D Bahn website and also check out  the excellent Voyages SNCF.  For example you have can go from Paris to Milan for €29 currently, Frankfurt to Amsterdam or Paris in less than 4 hours from just €39 or from Copenhagen to Hamburg in 4.5 hours starting at only €29. ( An epic 45 minute ferry ride included. Here’s my account of the trip )

Consider making longer connections by overnight train

22. Take the night train?

A great way to save time and money when travelling across Europe is by taking the night train.There are lots of sleeper trains between major cities in Europe and they are comfortable and convenient. For example you can take advantage of Deutsche Bahn’s excellent SparNight promo fares where you can go from Amsterdam to Copenhagen for around €29-€49 range.

23. Go slow and cheap 

Use bikes or try trains, especially regional and local trains, which can be very cheap in countries like Poland and Hungary.

24. By bike?

If you can, travel by bike. Travelling by bike not only saves you money, it’s great for your health,probably the safest form of travel during Covid-19, plus you can sign upto the Warmshowers website. Warmshowers is like couchsurfing but for cycle tourists. The website and community matches hungry, shelterless cyclists with lovely locals who are willing to accommodate them. The emphasis is on an exchange of experiences and cultures rather than an exchange of money.

25. Travel with a friend or partner?

Travelling in Europe is still not as solo travel friendly as you might think it should be in the 21^st century. Lots of hotels charge supplements for single travellers which is unfair. Plus single rooms tend to be quite basic and stripped down. The cost of a double is almost the same as a single so if you can travel with a friend or partner, great. Otherwise, I’d recommend choosing a luxury hostel. Plus do check out the crowdsourced fantastic free guide that the Solotraveler has launched which gives a lowdown of all the best solo friendly places to stay across Europe and the world.

26. Fly with a low-cost airline?

Thanks to the low-cost airline revolution that was inspired by easyJet and Ryanair, travelling across Europe is a lot cheaper. Even with hidden extras like paying for checking in your luggage, their prices are pretty good, especially over longer distances.  To get the best fares, book and plan you trip far in advance as possible plus also travel carry-on to save money. Here’s my guide to best Ryanair easyJet carry on luggage 

27. Hate travelling by Bus? 

Maybe it’s time to reconsider this. There is a new revolution of low-cost luxury bus travel sweeping across Europe.

28 . On a non existent budget- How about hitchhiking?

Hitchhiking expert Amy Woodyatt shares some tips on how to hitchhike across the UK and also the do’s and don’t of hitchhiking

29. Consider ride-sharing

Long-distance ride-sharing is becoming popular in Europe, with millions of people now hitching rides with complete strangers on a monthly basis. Companies to check out include BlaBlaCar and Carpooling.com

PS: Again, with the onset of Covid-19, you may want to consider the safety of ridesharing and also hitchiking.

Moneywise

30.  Don’t withdraw money abroad from an ATM. 

You are likely to get a very poor exchange rate from your bank and be also charged a fee for every withdrawal.

31.  Don’t buy you travel currency at the airport

Don’t leave buying your travel currency till reaching the airport-you will get ripped off. Use something like the Börsen App to compare best local exchange rates and get a better deal.

Where to sleep in Europe on a budget

32. Travelling with family? Try a hostel

Apartments are excellent but if you are looking for cheaper alternatives, you should also consider hostels. There is a new breed of family friendly hostels popping up across Europe.

33. Try Worldpackers 

Worldpackers is a global community of conscientious travelers and welcoming hosts. Since 2014 they have fostered thousands of connections and unique experiences, focusing on developing and transforming the world into a more social and environmentally sustainable place.’

34. Rome in August?

In August, take advantage of cheaper rates in cities like Rome where the locals have ‘gone to the coast’

35. Stay at a budget hotel chain

Stay at one of the budget hotel chains like a Travelodge or an Ibis on your next trip to Europe. If you are just looking for a cheap, comfortable sleep- these hotels are a great option.

The Student Hotel, Rotterdam

36. Considered staying at a cool budget boutique hotel? 

There is a new breed of budget boutique hotels popping up across the world. Examples you can check out include Yotel in London Gatwick, The Student Hotel in Amsterdam, Tune Hotels in London or Bazar in Rotterdam

37. Stay away from the city centre.

In almost every major European city you can get significantly cheaper prices if you are willing to stay away from the city centre.

Quad rooms at Travelodge

38. Stay in a family room or a quad 

You pay little more and get more better value. If you choose to stay with a budget chain brand like Travelodge in the UK , the family room costs the same as a double room.

39. Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing.org is a great way to meet new friends & to explore a country

40. Try Housesitting

Another cool option for finding free accommodation in Europe is trying out Housesitting. For the unintiated, James Cave did an excellent guide to Housesitting on the BudgetTraveller recently.

41. Sleep cheap, spend your money on something cool

Stay somewhere really cheap but live it up by having a drink at the grandest hotel you can find — and take lots of Instagrams

42. Finding decent affordable and nice accommodation in London , Paris or Edinburgh?

London, Paris and Edinburgh can be a bummer for finding good value, decent budget accomodation. So I created a guide earlier to my favourite budget places to stay in London , Paris and Edinburgh

43. University rooms? 

I was visiting London in the summer last year and struggling to find anything had decent below £100 a night until I discovered University Rooms.

I can’t think of a better deal for central London. For example searching in the 1st week of September, I can find a single room with breakfast in Bankside House, Southbank ( as central as you can get in London) for as little as £45 per person, per night including breakfast. The rooms are no frills but comfortable for the night.  They have bed and breakfast or self-catering budget accommodations scattered across 120 cities worldwide so do checkout their site.

Where to go in Europe 

44. Visit Portugal

Portugal remains the best value for money destination in Western Europe. I love the country for its old world European charm, the medieval towns and the most amazing pastries in the world like Pasteis de Nata  The seafood here is out of this world and very cheap. Enjoy a plate of grilled limpets with a squeeze of lemon juice for as little as €5 in the beautiful island of Madeira or tuck into charcoal grilled sardines or the excellent sopa de peixe, fish soup (€3 ) with a glass of Vinho verde ( €2) at one of Lisbon’s century old kiosks in Lisbon

Visit Porto , one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It has a beautiful location by the winding Douro river, stunning architecture, amazing gastronomy and a cracking nightlife. Here is little glimpse into what life in Porto is like and also the lowdown on what might be the world’s best hostel.

45. Go to Czech Republic

Czech Republic remains one of the best value for money destinations in Europe. There’s fairytale castle, lovely locals, the best beer in the world, fantastic wine too plus great culture- Czech Republic has it all.

Checkout my guides to Prague, Brno , Olomouc  and Cesky Krumlov

46. Sarajevo

Sarajevo has to be one the hottest travel destinations this summer for the budget traveller! There is so much to see, do and eat, and you complete the Bosnian experience by staying with a local family – request a home-stay.

47. Visit Berlin

Berlin. Besides Lisbon, Berlin is probably hands down the best value destination to visit in Western Europe. You have a wide range of excellent value budget accomodation-from apartments to luxury hostels. In terms of free things to do, from visiting the East Side Gallery to free lunchtime concerts at Berlin Philharmonic to visiting the Reichstag or simply strolling down the historic Unter den Linden- there is so much you can do in Berlin without spending a penny. Plus in terms of street food, Berlin is the king. You can sample the best kebabs in the world at Mustafa’s in Kreuzberg (Mehringdamm 32 ) or try currywurst at places like Curry 61 ( currywurst with fries- €3.20) I recommend you have a peek at my guide to the best outdoor activities in Berlin, a guide to the best things do in Potsdam– perfect day out of Berlin and my free self guided walking tours of Berlin Mitte and the upcoming Berlin Wedding

For more about Berlin, I highly recommend Uncornered Market’s excellently researched and comprehensive Berlin resource guide.

48. Visit Germany

I’ve had the pleasure of living and exploring Germany over the last 10 years.

Have a look at my Germany travel guides, to help you plan your trip.

49. Visit Malta & Gozo

I recently visited Malta and Gozo and contrary to popular belief, the island is very budget friendly and definitely worth including if you are backpacking away around Europe. For example you can get one-way fares for as little as €40 in April 2015 from Italy to Malta with Ryanair. For more details have a look at my 21 things to do in Malta & Gozo piece.

How to eat on a budget in Europe

50. Restrict restaurant meals 

Limit eating out to once a day and if you’re a foodie go to a gourmet restaurant for lunch rather than dinner when many restaurants offer great value set menus and business lunches.

Cook in to save money. Many hostels ( like Loft Mountain Hostel ) have amazing kitchens where you can prepare your own meals.

51. Cook in 

An advantage of holiday rentals and most hostels is that you can cook in a kitchen and cooking can be great fun if you’re travelling with friends, a couple, or family or for bonding with new people who are staying at the hostel.

52. Shop locally

Buy your groceries at local markets; look for farmer’s markets and watch what the locals are buying to get the best deals. Ask the hostel/apartment owner or receptionist where they shop, as they’ll know where the bargains are.

Pop over to the local grocer for preparing a perfect picnic in the park

53. Picnic in the park

Public parks and gardens can be a great source of entertainment; take a picnic lunch and take in the action and just delight in how differently people live their lives in other places.

54. Menu del Dia

In Spain the cheapest way to eat out is by ordering the Menu del Dia-a fixed price menu which is offered to guests at lunchtime.  The menu consists of a first course, second course followed by a dessert and coffee.

Aperitivo. Ostello Bello Hostel, Milan.

55. Aperitivo

In northern Italy, the cheapest way to eat out is in the evening when you can go out for an ‘aperitivo.’  The hours are generally between 7 and 9pm. You order an ‘aperitif’ –glass of wine or martini ( around €6- Beer/Wine. €8 cocktails ) and you get access to a buffet or some tasty snacks are delivered to your table.  The general rule of thumb is to have one plate of food from the buffet with one drink. I always go in for seconds though…..

Cichetti- delicious and cheap Venetian tapas

56. Cicchetti -Tradition of Venetian tapas

In Venice, they have the tradition of eating ‘Cicchetti’ –a Venetian style of tapas served typically in a ‘bacari’-small, traditional local bars where alongside some spritz, you can order some ‘cicchetti’ –these are bite sized snacks that consist of cheese or fresh fish or meat and price ranges from €1 to a few euros. Here’s a guide to where to find the best Cicchetti bars in Venice

57. Check out my cheap eat guides.

Love your cheap eats? Highly recommend you  check out my cheap eats section where you will find guides to over 20 cities including Malta,  London ( Part 1 , Part 2 ) Seville , Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Cardiff, Bari,  Rome, Krakow, Tenerife + Florence   Oslo

58. Cheapest beer in Europe?

Do you decide which city to visit in Europe based on how cheap the beer is? Then you should definitely check out my Europe cheap beer index which gives you a lowdown of what beer prices to expect across Europe and where you can find the cheapest pint.

59. Cheap eats in Spain and Portugal- Empandas

A panadería (bakery) in Spain or Padaria ( Portugal) will often have fresh hot pasties aka empanadas( ESP) / rissois (PT) , making a light lunch for around €3.

60. Head for the caffeteria in Italy.

It may not sound so attractive, but in Rome and other Italian cities, the tavola calda (caffeteria) offers cheap homemade food at lunchtime for locals on a budget.

61. When in Italy…eat at the bakery. 

Bakeries in Italy prepare products that are economical, fresh, and support the local economy (unlike most supermarkets).

62. Free tapas in Spain?

A tradition that is dying out in many parts of Spain, search hard and you can still find traditional bars serving tapas (small dishes) with every caña (small beer, €1-2 ) Your best cities for enjoying free tapas are Granada ( All along c/Elvira ) Leon (Barrio Humedo area) and Salamanca ( c/ Van Dyck).

63 Athens cheap eats ?

At the €3.50 mark: Savvas & O Thanasis are two of the best gyros & souvlaki joints in Athens, on Monastiraki Square, right across from the Metro station.

64 The best menu del dia in Madrid?

The no-nonsense €10 menu del dia at La Sanabresa (www.restaurantelasanabresa.com), just off Plaza Santa Ana is one of the best deals in the town.

Music

65. Go to a free concert in the Vondelpark.

There are all sorts of free concerts from June-August, Thursdays till Sundays.

66. Free music concerts across Europe?

Here are some more tips on finding free music concerts in Amsterdam, London, Paris or Berlin.

Visiting Museums

I love visiting museums when travelling in Europe and discovering the cultural and historical heritage of cities. Here are some cool budget friendly tips for visiting museums in Europe

67 Best Free London Museums?

Here is a great list from Laura Porter who is also the authority for all the best free stuff to do in London http://bit.ly/cDlTHq

68.  Remember that entry to state run museums in the UK is free of charge for people of all ages.

69. In Italy, families can take their kids under 18 for free to state run museums like the Uffizi.

70. When visiting museums and other notable sites, always ask if they are special rates are available for students, seniors, or small groups. Some discounts aren’t clearly visible and can be overlooked

71. In Paris, plan your trip around the first Sunday of the month when all the main museums are free.

72. The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin is free for the last 4 hours on Thursday. ( 4-8pm )

73. In Berlin you can also visit these following museums for free:

1. Deutscher Dom, The Berlin Wall Memorial
2. Information centre of the Holocaust Memorial Berlin, Allied Museum
3. Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen, German-Russian Museum Berlin
4. Kunstraum Kreuzberg/ Bethanien,
5. Mies van der Rohe- Haus
6. Museum of Oddities
7. Sugar-Museum

74. Following Berlin museums for free on certain days or hours

1. Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin

Admission free every Monday .10am to 8pm

2. Märkisches Museum

Admission free every first Wednesday of the month

3. Academy of Arts, Pariser Platz

Admission free every first Sunday of the month 11am – 8pm

4. Academy of Arts, Hanseatenweg

-Admission free every first Sunday of the month 11am – 8pm

5. Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design

-Free guided tour every Sunday 2pm. (Admission to the museum 4 – 7 euros)

6. Domäne Dahlem – unique open-air museum of agrarian history

-Admission free Wednesdays from 10am to 6pm

75. Free art in Madrid! 

Contemporary Art Museum Espacio Conde Duque has 3 art galleries with quality exhibitions, plus special events (these sometimes cost)

Other ideas and general money saving tips

Walk the streets of Paris by night or in the rain. For free. No Gill Pender included.

76. How about 2 days in Paris with just €100 ?

77. Don’t forget these essential tips from Amy for first time visitors to Paris

78. Here is a bunch of 20 essential money saving travel apps to download if you are visiting UK on your trip to Europe

79. Save money and keep cool in Rome and Venice’s heat by refilling your water bottle with fresh spring water running freely from their fountains. 

78.  Drink coffee at the bar in Italy

If you’re only planning a quick coffee in Italy, walk to the bar, order it and stand there to drink. Sitting down can treble the price.

80. Mother of all free festivals- Free Fringe

There are free festivals and then there is the Free Fringe in Edinburgh, the rebellious, lesser known cousin of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that takes place in August. Last year visitors enjoyed over 4000 performances from 365 different shows. There were 40 *5 star* and 140 *4 star* shows to give you an idea of the quality of the festival.

81. Check out a free open air film festival?

In many cities across Europe you can find free open air film festivals. For example in Amsterdam you can attend Pluk de nacht: One of the best free open air festivals, with national & international films and documentaries.

Visit Bologna from end of June till end of July for their annual open air film festival, the Sotto le Stelle del Cinema, held in Piazza Maggiore. For more about this festival and what to do in Bologna check out my 48 Hours in Bologna.

82. Cheap alternative to Greek Island hopping?

Take Athens metro down to Piraeus then hop on a ferry for a day-trip to one of the Saronic Gilf Islands: Hydra, Poros, Aegina.

83. Try a free walking tour

While I am not the biggest fan of guided walking tours I know many travellers swear by and love free walking tours so it is something I recommend you check out for yourself. Sandeman’s New Europe operate free walking tours on a tips only basis across all major cities in Europe. For a 1-2 hour free walking tour you could tip anything from €5 upwards.

84. When in London…

Always use an Oystercard for London transport

85. Visit Latvia and of course Riga

Latvia for me remains one of the best value destinations in Europe-With a great concentration of hip bars, affordable and excellent range of dining options for travellers of all tastes, a bunch of cool and very affordable hostels to sleep in, a lively and vibrant nightlife plus you have easy access to the Baltic coastline, acres of forests and greenery just a short bus hop away. Checkout my Latvia travel guides that includes my guide to the best places to eat, drink and sleep in Riga

1. Split ticketing: buy a package of multiple tickets on the day

In the ideal scenario, you’ve booked your rail ticket, months ahead of time, saved heaps of money and are sitting down, all smug, planning what to do with the extra funds. But life doesn’t always comply to such rules of order, does it? In the unfortunate event of having to book train tickets on the day of travel, I recommend buying a pack of multiple tickets. Often splitting a journey into different segments and buying multiple tickets, saves you money over buying the entire ticket as a whole.

If figuring out the logistics of multiple ticketing sounds too complicated to you, there are dedicated websites that will split the tickets for you TicketClever. Other websites to look at include TicketySplit, RailEasy and Split Ticketing.

Always check if two singles are more affordable than a return.

2. Book in Advance

“All things are ready, if our mind be so”

Will Shakespeare very wisely said and I’ve always stuck to this adage, particularly in situations when I know in advance, that I have travel to a particular place on the cards.

If you are looking at planning travel around an annual getaway, like taking the kids away during the summer holidays, or visiting relations during the winter festivities, or a hiking trip, or a trip centred around a festival or event, it always pays to book in advance.

In the UK, it is possible to book train tickets 12 weeks- 90 days in advance (with certain companies like Virgin even earlier upto 24 weeks in advance). The further in advance you book your tickets, the higher the chances of securing the cheapest fares. The only thing to remember is that these tickets are valid only the time and date of travel. If you miss your train and choose another service, you’ll be liable to a pretty hefty fine which is what happened to me on the Edinburgh to London service-I paid £150 for the fine and new ticket which still irks me.

Also worth remembering that advance fare prices are available up to and even the day of travel- for some routes even 15 minutes in advance. Don’t queue at the machines-just book via the Trainline app ( on the day of travel you pay no booking fees )

3. Travel Off-peak

The most expensive time to travel in the UK is Monday to Friday is in the peak morning commuting hours. It makes sense to travel when the commuting crowd are not travelling i.e. during the off-peak hours. Not only does it mean less jostling for space, it entails cheaper train fares. The off-peak fares are also valid for travel throughout the whole weekend. The timing varies according to the train company but general rule of thumb to bag the off peak fare is to travel after 10 am and avoid the return journey between 4 to 8 pm.

Different types of UK railcards listed on the Skyscanner app

4. Get a Railcard

It pays to take advantage of any railcard perks that might be available to you. These cards come in a number of forms. If you search hard enough, there is a railcard out there that fits you.

Here are a selection of rail cards that are on offer. There’s the 16-25 card that students can use, family railcards for families travelling together, the Two Together card that can be snitched by couples or best friends. There’s even a card for 26-30 year olds along with service personnel on HM Forces. The Network Railcard allows you to travel within a fixed radius of London.

If you are over 60 or disabled, there is a railcard for you.

The average price of a Railcard is 30 pounds per year.

The railcards provide you with savings of up to a third of the cost of the ticket, totally making the initial purchase of the Railcard worthwhile after a few trips. Plus, the Railcard discount can be applied in conjunction with advance ticket fares, or split ticketing, maximizing your savings.

Tip: You can purchase the 16-25 card a day before your 25th birthday, thus enabling you to use it for practically the entirety of your 26th year.

5. Groupsave

Another not so well known but cool money saving train hack is when you travel together on train in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to a third of the cost -actually 34% of the actual fare if you travel together.

6. Travel mid-week

As you’re learning throughout this piece, it really pays to be flexible when you’re travelling by train the UK. Another common hack is travelling midweek on trains in the UK. Train travel is always expensive on weekends in the UK so if you can flexible with dates, it can be lot more cheaper to travel mid-week. In fact, travelling on a Wednesday can be upto 20% cheaper on average than say booking on a Friday.

7. Get free stuff with your train tickets

Many people don’t know that entry to a number of UK attractions is free or discounted upon purchase of a rail ticket. Listed attractions range from Cadbury World, Kew Gardens, View from the Shard to the London Zoo, with 2 for 1 vouchers available on the Days Out Guide site. Present the voucher along with the rail ticket at the listed attraction. You can also get meal discounts.

If you pay for your tickets with certain credit cards, chances are that you can gain cash back rewards.

You can also earn Nectar Points if you book via Great Western Railway, Transpennine Express, Virgin Trains or Hull Trains.

With the cost of day trips on the rise, availing of these options is ideal for a half-term or holiday-time day out with the kids.

8.  Pack your own lunch/ grab a ‘Boots Meal Deal’

Despite the luxurious feeling of ordering food on the train, you’re more than likely to feel disappointed with the food selection offered onboard the train. When the food comes attached to a hefty price tag, you might find yourself pondering alternative options. With a little bit of planning, you can treat yourself to a Boots Meal Deal, or as my Mum would advise, pack your own lunch.

For non-UK people who might not be in the know, Boots is an age-old, respected druggist and chemist who have been on the UK high street for eons. Sounds a bit strange that you should be purchasing your sandwiches from a chemist, huh? Well, Boots are also highly respected for their wide range in making specialty sandwiches as part of a meal deal (featuring sandwiches, a drink and a snack) which costs £3.99 You can find Boots on most UK high streets and also at most UK airports.

There are a number of different ranges of sandwiches, starting with the flagship ‘Delicious’ range, the ‘Shapers’ calorie conscious range, the ‘Nutritious’ range and even a range created by gourmet-chef Jamie Oliver.

9. Never buy from the ticket machine -buy via Trainline App and save queuing plus you pay no booking fee

Buying directly from the ticket machine on the day travel will incur much higher costs than purchasing tickets online, presumably with a booking app like the Trainline app. Not only will it save you booking fees, you’ll also be spared having to queue in line before train departure. 

Search for off peak, peak or advance ticket options for your particular journey and apply your railcard discount in conjunction with the search engine results.

10. Claim a refund for train delays

Different companies have different rules, but depending on the fine print associated with your train ticket you can avail of refunds- sometimes from 50% to the total cost of the ticket with a train delay. The delay times vary- sometimes the stipulated times are 15 minutes, 30 minutes or up to an hour. Especially if you are on a split ticketed journey with two different companies, where delay in the first journey means you miss your connecting train to the destination, you should enquire about the refund policy of the first company.

You end up paying a lot more for an off peak return but if booked in advance, handy ticket to have if you want to break your journey on the way back

11. Break your journey with an advance

Another not so well known UK train travel hack is your ability to break your journey on the return/outward leg of your journey. You can break your journey only on Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets.

To give you an example if you were planning a train trip to Edinburgh, Scotland from London, you could use the following option break your journey on the way back.

You would have to book the more expensive offpeak ticket here but this ticket allows you the option to break your journey in the picture postcard pretty Roman town of York. You could with this ticket, spend the night there and then travel onwards to London the following morning ( before 12pm)*

*Off-Peak Singles and the outward portion of Off-Peak Returns are valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket. Where a passenger wishes to stop overnight or the journey cannot be completed within one day, break of journey for an overnight stay is allowed. Where a journey does continue into the next day, travel must resume before 1200 and any relevant time restrictions apply (except where regarded as an unbroken continuation of the previous days’ travel where the first connection of the day may be taken). No further break of journey is allowed except for the purpose of changing trains. Please note that break of journey is not permitted on some journeys, as detailed in the ticket restrictions.

If you’re clearly in a hurry to get to Bruges, then the P&O Ferries Hull to Zeebrugge ferry is probably not your best choice. There’s plenty of flights that will get you to Brussels and then onto Bruges in a few winks plus, there’s also now a new direct train service from London. Clearly, you have to be a fan of slow travel to enjoy the concept of taking a ferry.

If you’re looking to travel with your family and bringing the car to Europe, then the choice of taking the ferry is an easy choice to make. Plus if you have pets, it is a far more easier bringing them by ferry. I can’t think of anything more terrifying that being stowed into the cargo hold of a plane and being stuck there for the duration of a flight.

Pride of Bruges

However, I don’t have any pets. No car too. Which begs the question- why on earth am I taking the ferry to Zeebrugge in the first place?

Open disclaimer. P&O Ferries invited me to experience their route plus secondly, I really don’t know Bruges. Last time I visited, it was a cold December night, just 2 days after the Brussels attacks, There was a sombre mood in the air and I wasn’t particularly feeling in the Xmassy mood to soak up the markets and melting snow.

Creating memories on the sun deck, Hull to Zeebrugge ferry

My other reason, is simple. Nostalgia. I took this trip based on a memory of a previous crossing to Amsterdam with a rival ferry company. It was February and not the ideal time to cross the North Sea. However, I was with a great group of friends. We weren’t in any particular hurry to reach Amsterdam and the fares were pretty decent. The ship and facilities were nothing much to write home about. I did enjoy the novelty of watching the latest Indiana Jones movie onboard in their cinema. The rest, the dining experience was nothing much to write home about. Nor was the terrifying spectacle of drinking beers with a bunch of inebriated stag and hen groups tearing up the bar from the early hours. Luckily, we were tired enough and slept through the night with hardly any disturbance. Then there’s the fact of waking up in a boat and hearing the ship’s horn bellow as it is about to enter port. It is quite a thrilling way to reach somewhere. Beats waking up for a 5am cheap flight anyday.

Depature time for our Hull to Zeebrugge ferry

Hull to Zeebrugge by ferry

So almost 10 years later, for a variety of reasons, I am back on a mini cruise , from Hull to Zeebrugge with the girl. The trip gives us the opportunity to spend the night in the beautiful and historic city of York. From York, Hull is just over an hour and 30 minutes by train. We hop on a cab at Hull Station and soon find ourselves in Terminal 2 in the Port of Hull which is where we will depart for Zeebrugge.

Boarding the ferry with no waiting lines or queues

The ferry terminal is pretty chill. There is hardly any queue for checking-in. It was 2 hours before departure and a surreal sight to see no queues. The chatty and friendly lady at check-in tells us that with only 200 passengers ( it can hold upto 930 passengers ), it will be a pretty quiet crossing given it was a bank holiday Monday. Security is a breeze and barely 5 minutes after getting our tickets, we were walking up the ramp via the rear of Red Deck 5. Curious, we have a wee wonder and find the deck has a Sunset Show Lounge, a Bar, a casino that is no longer in operation, a Starbucks Coffee café, duty free shop, a reception, a Bureau de Change, and cabins to the front.

Inside Cabin

We have a standard inside no frills cabin with two bunk beds. The room comes with an ensuite shower and toilet. The room is a bit dated but functional. You have a reading light, plug points (including a USB port) and the beds are itself are pretty comfy. Granted, it is pretty cramped but given the amount of time we intended to spend in the cabin , we were pretty happy with this. However if your budgets permit, definitely do consider the option of upgrading to one of their club class cabins. They are quite spacious and I’d love to wake up to the view of the sea.

Sabrina quaffing our £14 bottle of white wine on the sundeck

After dumping our bags in the rooms we head to the outer decks as the ship is about to leave port.  There is a nice outdoor sundeck where you can grab a bottle or glass of wine from the ship’s bar and have a drink. It was a gloriously late April sunny afternoon and perfect for alfesco drinks. At £14 a bottle for their house wine, granted this is not the cheapest bottle of wine you will buy in your life but then again, I have spent far more on far worse wine.

We soak up the sun and get chatting to some of our older fellow passengers. When I asked them what made them choose a minicruise they mentioned they loved the onboard dining options and also the entertainment provided- ‘Its a holiday within a holiday plus we can bring the car with us so it gives us a lot more freedom.’

Their feedback whets our appetite and after we polish off the wine, we clearly look forward to our meal.

The Kitchen-Gorging on the curries from the fantastic buffet

You have the choice of two restaurants on the P&O cruise ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge. You have the Kitchen, an all-you-can-eat dining venue with a very impressive selection of meal options. On the other hand you have the Brasserie, à la carte restaurant offering a more premium dining experience. I check the prices for the Brasserie and the Kitchen and they are not too far apart but we had already pre-booked a package of dining in the Kitchen plus breakfast which for around £24 which is pretty decent value.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the all-you-can-eat buffet type restaurants but when you have the leisure of time and the luxury of an open evening, it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.

Cheese board selection and the delicious icecreams

The buffet options are impressive as I mentioned and include a salad bar, a selection of hot soups, a hot buffet that include meal, fish and veggie options and a themed hot buffet which had a nice selection of curries plus naan bread and poppadoms. I really enjoyed the curries and the salad bar. To top it all of they have a fantastic cheese board selection plus dessert selection that included mousse, baked desserts, fruit and a range of gourmet ice-creams. This was the mother of all buffet meals. I think I went a bit overboard with the buffet and ate too much.

After the meal, I was naturally comatose. We went for a stroll around the ship to walk off the post dinner coma and found ourselves pretty much alone on the outer sun deck again. To our left was the last stretch of sun drenched land we would see in awhile. A quick look at Google Maps revealed the place to be the Spurn National Nature Reserve.

We head back to checkout the range of entertainment options available onboard. There’s plenty to keep you amused. We discover a games arcades , a small play area for kids ( worth noting that during the summer months children’s entertainers are employed to keep the kids entertained plus there are specially trained staff to help run a kids club). There’s even a quiet lounge where you can sit down with a book and just enjoy the sea views. There’s also a programme of live music and bingo which pulls in the crowds. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too enamoured by the live musicians but they had the sparse crowd of onlookers entertained. The floor later transforms into a disco which I imagine pulls in a few punters. We leave soon. We don’t know whether it was the incredible amount of food we consumed or whether we were just tired but we go for another wee stroll on the outer deck for a breath of fresh  sea air.

Sunset from sea

We had timed it perfectly. The sun was about to sink into the horizon and given the clear weather conditions, the sky looked spectacular. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing the sunset from the sea but it really is something else, especially given how perfect the weather was. We huddled together on one of the benches and enjoyed the sky turn red, pink and then that beautiful shade of pale blue when you can’t tell the difference between the sea and sky.

Spot of Duty Free Shopping..

We head back to our cabin but get distracted by the duty free shop enroute. It is a good time to catch up on a bit of window shopping. We try out some designer shades, try out the latest range of perfumes and even buy a few essentials- extra storage memory cards for the GoPro! While shopping, we had duty manager Carrie who has been working on this route for the last 18 years! We were curious to know more about what life was like onboard and what motivated her to do the job all these years.

‘I love meeting people and onboard you’re always meeting people from all walks of life. Plus our staff are multinational so it is a pretty diverse and interesting work environment. We all take care of each other here and are one big family. The work itself is enjoyable but pretty intense but I have the flexibility of working a few weeks then taking a few weeks off. I have a good work/life balance and I can’t see myself doing anything else.’

We go to bed at around 11pm and sink soon into a deep sleep. At 6.30am we have a wake up call and bleary eyed head to the kitchen for breakfast. There’s a nice selection of hot food on offer but we’re both still heavy from last nights epic buffet so we slurp on lots of caffeine and grab some fruit before heading back to the room to pack our bags. Around 8.30am the ship finally comes into sight of land. Skies are blue. Sun already has a nice sting. The prospect of another beautiful day in a different country. The seagulls whirr above our head as the ship honks loud and clear to announce journeys end. We grab our bags and return our keys at reception. The end of any journey in life is always a bittersweet moment. The end of an experience and the beginning of something fresh, unknown. What next?

Journeys end. Pride of Bruges docking at Zeebrugge

Securities and custom is a doddle and within 5 minutes we’re walking our way towards our transfer coach that will whisk us to Bruges in little over 30 minutes. Ostend is just 25 minutes away while Antwerp is 1 1/2 hours away so there’s plenty of choice of places to visit. If you are returning in the evening, you have little under 7 1/2 hours in  Bruges to enjoy yourself. We had the luxury of staying for 3 whole days and then travelling to Portugal so that was pretty much our journeys end. I’m not a fan of rushing through a place and I would much prefer staying for a 2 night short break before returning. The P&O Ferries site give you the option of booking your onward stay in Bruges so checkout their site for more details.

What next?

Verdict

So. In the end to summarise, we both enjoyed it. The food was a major highlight and surprise compared to my previous experience of mini cruising. While the entertainment am sure will appeal to others, I’d love to see other options like the in house cinema making a comeback. Another plus were the staff who were really friendly and helpful.

The overall package works well if you have the luxury of time and in no particular hurry to get from A to B. Taking the mini cruise harks back to a more distant era of travel when the journey itself was truly the adventure. Cruising is making a comeback, maybe a reaction to the frantic pulse of modern life and the difficulty of getting away from it all.

After an hour of leaving land, the night before my GPS signal disappeared and I could no longer track the ship’s route on my phone. No wifi ( you can buy it onboard if you feel the need to be connected) and no clue of where we were in that wide stretch of blue sea between the English and Belgium coast- it felt strangely exciting and peaceful.

Out to sea. No stress and strains, just the gentle waves below lulling you in a deep sleep.

Factbox

P&O Ferries run frequent crossings to and from Hull to Zeebrugge. There are lots of choices of cruises, with the Bruges minicruise a very popular one. The mini cruises (based on a short break, car and two adults and an inside cabin) from Hull for £129. For more information and offers ring 0800 130 0030 or check out the P&O Ferries website.

Disclaimer

I was invited by P&O Ferries to experience their mini cruises from Hull to Zeebrugge. All opinions expressed here, are entirely my own.

Top apps: Skyscanner and Omio

To travel as cheaply and efficiently as possible, I recommend downloading both Skyscanner and Omio.

When it comes to flights, Skyscanner is my go to app. My favourite function off this app is how I can search flight to everywhere on a specified date and it gives me a range of the cheapest destinations I can visit on that date. Skyscanner also allows you to track flight prices in their app so that you can be updated about flight price changes without having to search for the flight prices.

Other app I really recommend downloading is the Omio app.

You can search and compare prices for Train, Coach and Flights so based on your budget , you can pick the best option for you. I much prefer using Skyscanner for flights so I would use the app mainly to compare train and coach prices.

Other general tips and advice: try and book in advance to get the best possible deal. I recommend booking around 60-90 days in advance to get the best possible deals on flights and trains. The itinerary below I have shared is 2 months in advance. April/October also is off peak season so again, to get the best possible deals on transportation and accommodation in Europe, travelling in the off peak/shoulder season of September to October and April to May can offer the best value.

Europe 1 month itinerary, 15 cities for less than $350

Below you’ll find my itinerary for travelling across Europe for 1 month, visiting 15 cities for under $350 Dates I’ve selected were from September till October 2024. I’ve outlined some quick tips of things to do in each city, linked to previous articles and also shared my personal recommendations of where to stay. If you have any questions about this itinerary, please leave a comment or drop me a line at kash@budgettraveller.org

1. LONDON

Since London is a starting point for most people’s Eurotrip, I’ve kicked off sharing some tips of things to do in London on a budget and also where you can stay.

Things to do in London a budget

Checkout my guide to 50 things you can do for free in London , family travel guide to London and my previous cheap eats guide to London.

Where to stay in London on a budget

My favourite hostel in London is the

BUDGETRAVELLER RECOMMENDS!

Wombats City Hostel London, London

From €15

Wombat’s City Hostel London opened in December 2014 and sets a new standard for hostels in the UK’s capital. Formerly a seaman's hostel, the building was converted to an traveller’s palace. It features a huge bar, courtyard, cosy hangout area in the lobby and all the amenities a backpacker could ever wish for. All rooms come with comfy wooden beds, a private shower, toilet facilities and lockers for belongings. They provide a set of bed linen, a small welcome drink, Wi-Fi, and our own city map with essential information with all the going-ons in town.

Book now

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Part 1:  London to Paris: Monday September 16th 2024

Via Vueling Cost: £26 /€32 (without luggage)

Book via Skyscanner

2. PARIS

Things to do in Paris on a budget

Cafe Fiore

Checkout our new guide to 50 free things to do in Paris on a budget and rest of our Paris guides.

Here are my 5 top tips to enjoy Paris on a budget

1) Musée D’Orsay (free to enter on the first Sunday of the month along with many other city museums).

2) Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (free entry).

3) A walk through the Tulieries Gardens (113 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris).

4) A coffee at the famous Cafe de Flore– at the corner of Rue Saint-Benoît and Boulevard Saint-Germain, Saint Germaine des Prés in the sixth arrondissement. Preferred meeting spot of intellectuals Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.

5) A shot of the Eiffel Tower at night from the top of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, at La Terrasse.

Where to stay in Paris on a budget

The bar

My favourite place to stay is

BUDGETRAVELLER RECOMMENDS!

Les Piaules Hostel Paris

From €25 for dorms, €70 for doubles

Book now

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

BUDGETRAVELLER RECOMMENDS!

Generator Paris

From €20

The stylish social spaces of Generator Paris are designed to meet all your travelling needs whether you want to relax in the café or enjoy a few cocktails during the weekly events program in the bar. Enjoy affordable luxury in one of their Premium rooms with a private terrace or choose a Shared Room, Quad or Private En-suite. City experts in their onsite travel shop will help you to find the hidden gems of Paris.

Book now

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Checkout my 7 best budget places to stay in Paris.

2. Paris to Amsterdam. Wednesday 18th September, 2024

BlaBlaCar bus  Cost: €20 one way

Journey time: 7 hours 56 minutes. Leaving 8.05 -16.01pm

Found via Omio

Or the quicker option is the Eurostar which would cost €35. Leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 8.25am and reaching Amsterdam Centraal at 11.53am

3. AMSTERDAM

Things to do in Amsterdam on a budget

Here are my top 5 things to do in Amsterdam on a budget.

PS Checkout my earlier guide to cheap eats in Amsterdam

1.) Discover the city’s rich history at The Amsterdam City Archives, which is free to visit. The city’s stunning treasury collection is to be found in the basement of the building.

2.) Head to Vondelpark, the green lungs of the city. Visit the Royal Concertgebouw on Wednesdays to be treated to free lunchtime concerts, featuring classical music, popular music dance and theatre.

3.) Visit the Albert Cuyp Market. Scour the market for everything from fruit and vegetables, fish, wigs, clothes and snacks.

4) Sample herring from one of the city’s many herring stands. Vishuisje on Herengracht serves herring with pickles and onions starting from €3.

5)The Anne Frank House is the house in Prinsengracht, Amsterdam where her family were in hiding from the German police. The entry fee for adults  of €9 is not budget but provides an unmissable glimpse into a unique and poignant piece of war history (Anne Frank Huis: Prinsengracht, 263-267, 1016 GV, Amsterdam).

Where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget

Checkout my guide to my recently updated guide to the best cheap hostels hotels in Amsterdam and my favourite budget places to stay in Amsterdam.

Part 3. Amsterdam to Rotterdam: 20th September, 2024

Via BlaBlaCarBus. Cost €4

Journey time : 55 minutes

Found via Omio

4. ROTTERDAM

Things to do in Rotterdam on a budget

Rotterdam: one never ending party

Here are my top 5 tips for things to do in Rotterdam on a budget. Also do checkout my recent guide of the best places to eat in Rotterdam on a budget and a video of cool things to do in Rotterdam on a budget.

1. Make a trip to Fenix Food Factory in the Katendrecht district. You can sip on local craft beers or sample delicious cheese. Eating a snack outside on the benches provides a pleasant view of the historic Hotel New York and the surrounding harbour.

2.Visit Mr Hans Bode, local icon and maker of the delicious Rotdog. His food cart, named ‘Hans Worst’ offers delicious sausages, often with a side of chillies or an especially hot variety of habanero peppers.

3. Visit the fabulous Museum Bojimans van Beuningen. There’s a wide selection of Dutch art, also featuring impressionist work from Van Gogh, Monet and Gaugin

4. The Netherlands Photo Museum has a stellar collection of photography from the twentieth and twenty first century.

5. Visit one of the amazing festivals that Rotterdam is famous for (notably Rotterdam Unlimited, North Sea Jazz Festival).

Where to stay in Rotterdam on a budget

King Kong Hostel Rotterdam

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Hostel ROOM, Rotterdam

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Part 4. Rotterdam to Ghent. 23rd September 2024

Via Flixbus Cost: €7.98

Journey time : 2 hours 55 minutes

Found via Flixbus

5. GHENT

Things to do in Ghent 

Here are my top 5 things to do in Ghent. Also checkout my new video & guide to 12 cool things to do in Ghent.

1. Visit Gravensteen, a 12th Century Flemish castle.

2. Visit the MSK Art gallery. The collection is heavy on works of art from Belgium and the Low Counties.

3. Step back in time at the St Pietersabdij Abbey. This is the ideal place to visit in a summer’s day. The gardens are free to explore.

4. View the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb at the St Baafskathedraal along with works by Rubens.

5. Learn about 70,000 years of Ghent’s history at the STAM. This former nunnery, recapitulates the many faces of Ghent, down the ages.

Where to stay in Ghent on a budget

With my favourite hostel, the Backstay closing down for temporary renovation choose the

Hostel Uppelink

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Hostel Uppelink, Ghent - 2024 Price, Reviews - Hostelworld

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Part 5. Ghent to Leuven, 25th September, 2024

Via Flixbus

Journey time: 2 hours

Cost: €6.98

Found via Flixbus website

6. LEUVEN

Things to do in Leuven on a budget

1. The Stadhuis (Town Hall) is a brilliant example of Gothic architecture dating back to 1439. The exterior is remarkably ornate, with spectacular niches.

2. The M-Museum in Leuven has a collection of Flemish Masters, not to be missed.

3. Visit the Stella Artois brewery if you are a beer fan.

4. Visit the University Library. This was majorly destroyed in the First World War by the Germans but was later renovated.

5. Visit the historic centre and St Peters Church.

Where to stay in Leuven on a budget

My top pick for Leuven is the Hostelling International DE Blauwput Hostel With a great location right behind the train station, the hostel gives you say access to all the main attractions. The hostel has a good onsite bar , clean comfortable rooms,  great buffet breakfast included in the room price and the staff are friendly, helpful.

HI De Blauwput Leuven, Leuven - 2024 Price, Reviews - Hostelworld

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Part 6. Leuven to Cologne. Friday 27th September 2024

Via Deutsche Bahn Trains

Cost: €35

Found via Deutsche Bahn website

7. COLOGNE

Things to do in Cologne on a budget

Here are some of my favourite things to do in Cologne on a budget and also checkout my earlier 48 hours in Cologne guide.

1. Visit Köln Cathedral.

2. Walking by the Rhine in the Koln Aldstadt has to be one of life’s great experiences.

3. Visit Museum Ludwig.You can feast over a treasure chest of pop art plus you can look forward to some outstanding temporary exhibitions. Time your visit to the first Thursday of the month when locals can visit the museum (Heinrich-Böll-Platz ) for free and tourists pay a reduced price of €7.

4. Cologne has a hive of flea-markets. The best flea markets are held at Wilhelmplatz, at the South Stadium and at the horse track.

Where to stay in Cologne on a budget

My top pick for Cologne is the fantastic

Die Wohngemeinschaft Cologne

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Checkout our new video and guide to the hostel here. As a basic and good alternative , I also recommend the Cologne Downtown Hostel

Part 7. Cologne to Berlin. 30th September, 2024

Via Deutsche Bahn Cost: €28

Found via Omio

8. BERLIN

Things to do in Berlin on a budget

Here are some of favourite things to do in Berlin on a budget but do checkout my new video and guide to cool things to do in Berlin on a budget, my self guided free walking tour Berlin Mitte and self guided free walking tour of Berlin Wedding, one of Berlin’s upcoming districts. Also definitely checkout Sam Wood’s 15 free things to do in Berlin and 10 movies that inspired me to visit Berlin 

1.) Once a symbol of a divided city, the Brandenburg Gate is now the iconic symbol of Berlin and of the reunified Germany and should be visited on a trip to Berlin.

2) A  few steps away from the Brandenburg Tor, the Holocaust Memorial is another moving and symbolic architectural gem of Berlin.

3) Enjoy a free lunchtime concert at Berlin Philharmonic on Tuesdays.

4) Invest in the excellent Museum pass Berlin which allows you free entry to all the top museums on 3 consecutive days for just €24.

5) Hop on over to the river Spree embankment in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Here lies the longest stretch of the old Berlin Wall (Berlin Mauer) and is Berlin’s most visited tourist attraction.

6) My favourite day trip from Berlin is the historic city of Potsdam. Checkout my recent guide to my favourite things to do in Potsdam.

Where to stay in Berlin on a budget

Circus Berlin Hostel

Here is a comprehensive list of the best budget places to stay in Berlin on a budget.

Part 8. Berlin to Budapest. 2nd October, 2024

With Deutsche Bahn Cost: €38

Journey time : 11 hours 12 minutes (

9. BUDAPEST

Things to do in Budapest on a budget

1.Walk to Heroes Square along Andrassy Way and enjoy the fabulous architecture of this square dedicated to the memory of fallen war heroes.

2. Eat your way through the Jewish Quarter. The area has some of the best authentic and most affordable cafes and ruin bars.

3. View the marvelous architecture at St Stephen’s Basilica.

4. Kerepesi Cemetery is one of Europe’s largest cemeteries. At over 56 hectares in area, viewing the marvellous statues and architecture is a memorable experience.

5. Budapest has many museums that cost very little money to enter. Don’t miss The Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum among others.

Where to stay in Budapest on a budget

Stay at the

Wombats City Hostel Budapest

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Part 9. Budapest to Venice. 5th October, 2024

With OBB Railjet. Cost: €50

Journeytime : 12 hours 10 minutes with change in Vienna

Found via Omio

10. VENICE

Things to do in Venice on a budget

Here are some of favourite things to do in Venice on a budget. If you are foodie, then do checkout my earlier guide to my favourite cheap eats in Venice.

1. Eat at a cicchetti bar in Venice. Cicchetti is a form of Venetian tapas or inexpensive snacks served all day in bars around the city. Locals usually start nibbling ‘cicchetti’ over glasses of local fine Prosecco, often late in the morning, or as an afternoon snack or in the evenings when locals will go on their version of the pub crawl.

2. Visit the Basilica di San Marco. This famous cathedral dominates the famous square with its imposing presence. It’s free to enter and admire the splendid domed interiors.

3. Walk along the Rialto Bridge and take in the cityscapes that have inspired generations of painters and photographers.

4. View Tintoretto’s famous ‘Marriage Feast at Cana’ at the Santa Maria della Salute. The church itself, is an example of Baroque architecture at its best.

5. Take the waterbus to the island of Murano– famous for its glasswares.

Where to stay in Venice on a budget

Generator Venice

Checkout my guide to my favourite budget places to stay in Venice.

Part 10. Venice to Milan: 7th October, 2024

With Trenitalia. Cost: €23

Found via Omio app

Things to do in Milan on a budget

1.Visit one of Milan’s many places of worship for free or for a nominal fee. These include the Duomo, Sant’Ambrogio (beautiful ceiling frescoes reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel) and others.

2. Step into the grounds of Castello Sforzesco. This Italianate castle houses museums and other exhibits that cost money to visit, but the green grounds of the castle are free to roam to your heart’s content.

3. Visit the Natural History Museum, the Museum’s of the Castello Sforzesco, and the Archaeological Museum after 2pm on Friday for free.

4. For a fee of €4 you can climb the stairs to the top of Milan’s Duomo for a spectacular panoramic view of Milan.

5. Visit the La Scala Museum for a small fee and gain entrance to one of the most historic and opulent opera houses in the world. It certainly saves on the hefty concert fees.

Where to stay in Milan on a budget

My favourite place to stay in Milan is

Ostello Bello Milan

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Ostello Bello Grande Milan

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Ostello Bello Lake Como

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Part 11. Milan to Bologna: 9th October, 2024

With Trenitalia. Cost: €10. Found via Omio

12. BOLOGNA

Things to do in Bologna on a budget

Bologna

The real charm of Bologna does not lie in a museum but in the simple act of walking under the row of porticos and just observing the flow of everyday life. One of the most captivating streets to catch the flow of life in this city is Via Zamboni which besides being home to the Teatro Communale is also home to the University of Bologna.

Bologna is the city of porticos and walking under these historic colonnades is one of the highlights of any trip to this city. The perfect way to admire these iconic porticos and also walk off the excesses of the day is to undertake the unique journey of travelling under 666 arches (the longest arcaded walk in the world) to the UNESCO world heritage site of Santuario della Madonna di San Luca (Via di San Luca 36), a beautiful basilica that lies outside the city perched on a hill. The walk to San Luca begins at the arches at Meloncello. It’s quite a hike but a spiritual experience.

Visit the Museum of the History of Bologna housed in the beautiful Palazzo Pepoli. The museum condenses the 2220 years of the city’s history into a few hours, helping you retrace the amazing historical, cultural, artistic and scientific heritage of the city of Bologna. The entry fee is €5.

Visit one of the most important, historic buildings in Bologna- the Archiginnasio, home once upon a time to the oldest university of Western Europe (1088 )- the University of Bologna. Present day it functions as a library. However the main draw for visiting here is the wooden Teatro Anatomico. It’s quite morbid and fascinating at the same time sitting on the benches of the theatre gazing up at the skinless humans of Enrico Lelli overlooking the dissecting table. Dating from 1637, this was the first university to allow dissection of the human body.

If you love movies, the best time to visit Bologna is from the end of June till the end of July when the annual open air film festival- Sotto le Stelle del Cinema is held in Piazza Maggiore. It’s free for locals and tourists.

Checkout also my 48 hours in Bologna post for more tips.

Where to stay in Bologna on a budget

Furnishing using 99% handmade materials inside an old and fascinated building of Bologna downtown ( only hostel in the area )

Dopa Hostel Bologna

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Part 12. Bologna to Florence: 11th October, 2024

Trenitalia. Cost: €15

Found via Omio app

13. FLORENCE

Things to do in Florence on a budget

River Arno, Florence

1. Step into Orsanmichele, a church and former granary. The famous statues embellishing the exterior of the church are copies but the originals can be viewed for free inside the church’s museum.

2. The first Sunday of each month offers free admission to the city’s museums. Please utilize the opportunity to visit the Uffizi Gallery among others, although, be warned that they might be very crowded.

3. Visit one of Florence’s many green spaces to escape the buildings and hubbub of human voices. Consider one of the following for your garden oasis: Garden of Cascine, Torrigiani Garden, the Iris Garden or the Etruscan Tomb of Montagnola.

4. Florence, like many Italian cities is an outdoor museum. View the replica of Michelangelo’s David at the Piazza della Signoria. There is lots more to view, so keep your eyes open. Admission to the Duomo is free from specific times every day. Don’t forget the un-missable photo opportunity of capturing the bronze doors of the Baptistery of St. John, embellished with scenes from the Bible.

5. A trip to one of Florence’s many outdoor markets is a real pleasure and an opportunity to steep yourself in the local culture.

Also might want to checkout my self guided walking tour of Florence.

Where to stay in Florence on a budget

My top pick for Florence is Ostello Bello Florence..

Features here include a fantastic onsite bar, the loveliest and most helpful hostel staff you will meet on your travels, a good breakfast to start your day, a stunning wee terrace and self catering kitchen and also there is an extensive schedule of events planned in 2022.

My other top pick is

Plus Florence

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Part 13. Florence to Rome: 14th October, 2024

With Italo. Cost: €22. Found via Omio app

Things to do in Rome on a budget

St Peters Basilica, Rome

1. Eat gelato sitting on the Spanish Steps and spend an evening people watching.

2. Visit the Pantheon.

3. Visit the Basilica of St Peter’s in the Vatican. Inside, you will be able to view Michelangelo’s famous statue Pietà.

4. Enjoy the grounds surrounding the Villa Borghese. Full of leafy, green, shaded pathways, walking leisurely through this beautifully park is an alternative way to enjoy Rome.

5. The Piazza Navona, apart from the splendid fountains and architecture on display at the square, is a great place to watch street performers.

Where to stay in Rome on a budget

My favourite places to stay in Rome on a budget are the

The Beehive

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The YellowSquare, Rome

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14. Rome to Athens: 17th October, 2024

With Ryanair. Cost: €35. Book via Skyscanner

Things to do in Athens on a budget

More street art in Psirri. Street art scene is amazing in Athens. One of the best in the world.

1. A visit to the Monistiraki Flea Market is a must when visiting Athens. You can find all kinds of stuff here. My great find was a bunch of DVD’s including the classic Notting Hill. Each DVD for the princely sum of €0.50

2. Try the Souvlaki at Kostas which for 65 years has been serving Athenians probably the best souvlaki in town.

3. Tucked right at the foot of the Acropolis, checkout the colourful streets of Anafiotika especially early in the morning when they are blissfully quiet and devoid of tourists.

4. Head to TAF: an old backyard turned art exhibition space plus bar with great drinks and some of the best coffee in town

5. Sign up for a free tour with a local via the fantastic ‘This is my Athens’ Greeters scheme. Andreas and Magda, two passionate locals showed me a different side of Athens, an Athens slightly off the beaten path. Andreas and Magda took us to the lesser known neighbourhood of Metaxourgiou. Located north of the historical centre of Athens, between Kolonos to the east and Kerameikos to the west, and north of Gazi. Metaxourgeio is a neighbourhood of immigrants and one in transition. You’ll find plenty of interesting anonymous street art pieces that have both English and Ancient Greek sayings, containing statements such as “Art for art’s sake” (Τεχνη τεχνης χαριν). During the tour we tried another variation of the Souvlaki at the hipster paradise , Elvis. It was a good decision. Delicious and super cheap. We ended the tour at Andreas’s favourite bar: Bel Ray Bar in Koukaki. This is a completely non touristy neighbourhood but filled with great bars and places to eat.

For more inspiration, checkout my guide to Athens

Where to stay in Athens on a budget

Stay at the fabulous

City Circus Athens Hostel

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GRAND TOTAL

15 Cities. 1 month. Trip comes to a grand total of €286 which is £246 or $313

There are some caveats to the figure. It doesn’t include the cost of luggage fees and also transfers from airport to city centre. This is where coach trumps planes. Train travel is the best in my opinion for seeing Europe, when booked in advance.

If you want to leave the nightmare of planes behind and be more sustainable using mainly trains with the odd bus journey involved, then skip Athens and maybe head to Naples after Rome or hop to Ancona and take the ferry to Split or Zadar.

If you head to Naples you add only €45 to the figure, If you want the option of the ferry to Split which costs €64 in April 2024, then you’re looking at an extra €100 on top.

The other excellent option is to get the 2 month Eurail pass with 15 travel days allowed for the amazing sum of just €394.