Looking to Travel Europe on a Budget? Here Are 7 Tips We’ve Used Over 20 Years of Slow Travel (#3 Saved Us Over $2,500!)
After 20 years of slow travel in retirement, we’ve learned how to experience Europe’s most iconic destinations without breaking the bank. From sipping wine in Paris apartments to cooking market-fresh meals in the hills of Tuscany, we’ve discovered that the best experiences aren’t always the most expensive — they’re the ones that give you time, flexibility, and a sense of connection.
Here are 7 proven tips we personally use to stretch our budget and still enjoy the soul of Europe — with comfort, culture, and great food.
Europe is glorious in spring (April–May) and autumn (late September–early November). Prices are lower, crowds are thinner, and locals have more time to engage. Bonus: you’re not sweating in long lines or shivering on cobblestone streets.
We base ourselves in one town or city for at least 5–7 nights, which often unlocks deep discounts on VRBO and Booking.com. It also lets us live like locals, not tourists — from shopping at open-air markets to catching concerts in neighbourhood churches.
Affiliate savings tip:
Book your European apartment using our links:
This tip saved us over $2,500 on a 6-week trip.
We always book self-catering accommodations with a decent kitchen. Why? Because shopping at European markets isn’t just cheaper — it’s more fun. We’ve prepared mussels from St. Malo, pasta from Tropea, and roasted vegetables from roadside stands in Portugal.
With wine at €5 a bottle and market meals under €15, we eat better for less than a single dinner out would cost.
You don’t need to book expensive high-speed trains to get around. Regional trains are slower but far cheaper — and often more scenic. We’ve paid as little as €4 for a two-hour ride in Italy and enjoyed conversations with locals along the way.
Tip: Always book direct from the national rail websites — no third-party markups.
We rarely join expensive group tours. Instead, we download audio guides, use Rick Steves’ walking tours, or visit attractions early or late to beat the crowds. Most cities offer free museum days and open-house events — you just have to look for them.
If you’re willing to open your home occasionally, consider joining a home exchange network. We’ve traded our home in the Canadian Rockies for flats in London, Paris, and Rome — all with no money changing hands.
It’s one of the most affordable and immersive ways to travel slowly and meaningfully.
Most hosts prefer longer stays — it means less turnover and less cleaning. We’ve had great success negotiating better rates by staying a week or more and offering to care for the place like it was our own (because we do).
If you’re retired or travelling flexibly, this strategy can cut lodging costs by up to 40%.
We travel Europe in comfort — just not at tourist prices. The secret is to travel slowly, wisely, and with purpose. When you build relationships, cook your own meals, and explore on your own terms, the value adds up quickly — both in dollars saved and memories made.
Ready to start your own affordable European journey?
➤ Visit our destination guides for insider tips:
The post Travel Europe on a Budget appeared first on Slow Travel.
After 20 years of slow travel in retirement, we’ve learned how to experience Europe’s most iconic destinations without breaking the bank. From sipping wine in Paris apartments to cooking market-fresh meals in the hills of Tuscany, we’ve discovered that the best experiences aren’t always the most expensive — they’re the ones that give you time, flexibility, and a sense of connection.
Here are 7 proven tips we personally use to stretch our budget and still enjoy the soul of Europe — with comfort, culture, and great food.
1. Travel in Shoulder Season
Europe is glorious in spring (April–May) and autumn (late September–early November). Prices are lower, crowds are thinner, and locals have more time to engage. Bonus: you’re not sweating in long lines or shivering on cobblestone streets.
2. Stay a Week or More in One Place
We base ourselves in one town or city for at least 5–7 nights, which often unlocks deep discounts on VRBO and Booking.com. It also lets us live like locals, not tourists — from shopping at open-air markets to catching concerts in neighbourhood churches.
Affiliate savings tip:
Book your European apartment using our links:
- Booking.com – Europe Deals
- Expedia – Affordable Stays in Europe
- VRBO – European Vacation Homes
3. Cook Local, Eat Better — and Save Hundreds
This tip saved us over $2,500 on a 6-week trip.
We always book self-catering accommodations with a decent kitchen. Why? Because shopping at European markets isn’t just cheaper — it’s more fun. We’ve prepared mussels from St. Malo, pasta from Tropea, and roasted vegetables from roadside stands in Portugal.
With wine at €5 a bottle and market meals under €15, we eat better for less than a single dinner out would cost.
4. Use Regional Trains, Not High-Speed Lines
You don’t need to book expensive high-speed trains to get around. Regional trains are slower but far cheaper — and often more scenic. We’ve paid as little as €4 for a two-hour ride in Italy and enjoyed conversations with locals along the way.
Tip: Always book direct from the national rail websites — no third-party markups.
5. Skip the Big Tours — Do It Yourself
We rarely join expensive group tours. Instead, we download audio guides, use Rick Steves’ walking tours, or visit attractions early or late to beat the crowds. Most cities offer free museum days and open-house events — you just have to look for them.
6. Use Home Exchange When Possible
If you’re willing to open your home occasionally, consider joining a home exchange network. We’ve traded our home in the Canadian Rockies for flats in London, Paris, and Rome — all with no money changing hands.
It’s one of the most affordable and immersive ways to travel slowly and meaningfully.
7. Book Longer Stays and Negotiate
Most hosts prefer longer stays — it means less turnover and less cleaning. We’ve had great success negotiating better rates by staying a week or more and offering to care for the place like it was our own (because we do).
If you’re retired or travelling flexibly, this strategy can cut lodging costs by up to 40%.
Final Thoughts: Budget Doesn’t Mean Bare-Bones
We travel Europe in comfort — just not at tourist prices. The secret is to travel slowly, wisely, and with purpose. When you build relationships, cook your own meals, and explore on your own terms, the value adds up quickly — both in dollars saved and memories made.
Ready to start your own affordable European journey?
➤ Visit our destination guides for insider tips:
- London Travel Guide
- Paris Travel Guide
- Rome Travel Guide
- Barcelona Travel Guide
- Palermo Travel Guide
The post Travel Europe on a Budget appeared first on Slow Travel.