Summary of Insider Tips to Save Money on Your European Vacation 2025:
We have solicited insights from writers across several prominent European destinations to share valuable tips for cost-effective travel.
Spiraling inflation has undeniably influenced various expenses, including fuel, food, transportation, and accommodation costs throughout Europe this year. Consequently, this increase has affected holiday pricing as well. Reports indicate that the cost of a week-long trip to Greece surged by approximately 30% in 2023, while vacations in Italy and Spain saw a rise of about 20% compared to the prior year, as documented in a Guardian report. Unfortunately, these price hikes are anticipated to persist, with only a slowdown in the rate of increases expected.
However, there is no need for concern! Numerous strategies exist to economize while traveling throughout Europe this year. Adopting flexibility in your travel plans, such as opting for mid-week flights during the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October, can significantly reduce costs. Additionally, booking directly with hotels instead of through tour operators or booking platforms may yield financial savings, along with utilizing debit or credit cards without transaction fees. Once you arrive, you will find a plethora of activities to mitigate the impact of rising living costs.
We reached out to colleagues residing in several of our most frequented destinations, including Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, to provide you with their expert advice on enjoying your travels while maintaining your budget.
Denmark
Laura Hall is a travel writer and journalist based in Copenhagen, Denmark
Should you choose to travel by train, utilize DSB.dk and remain vigilant for limited quantities of heavily discounted Orange tickets. These tickets become available two months prior to travel, therefore, make certain to reserve them in advance.
Copenhagen boasts several free museums; among them is The David Collection, showcasing Islamic art, European 18th-century art and early Danish modern art.
For an engaging experience navigating Denmark’s cities via water, reserve a Green Kayak free of charge; the only requirement is for you to collect litter during your paddling. These kayaks are accessible in locations such as Copenhagen, Aalborg, Aarhus, and Odense.
Open-air floating harbor swimming pools are available throughout the year at no cost. Simply pack a swimsuit and towel, as they serve as wonderful venues for mingling with locals and forging connections. Numerous cities also offer rental floating saunas on an hourly basis.
If you’re seeking an affordable lunch, request a boller med ost—a cheese roll. Every bakery provides them, even if they are not visible on the menu, showcasing a healthy competition among bakeries for the best version. A noteworthy Instagram account highlights and rates these offerings.
France
Julien Marsault is a reporter, writer and photographer from Rennes, France
For cost-effective meals, seeking out local bakeries or boulangeries often yields advantageous results. The variety is extensive, and service is typically satisfactory (expect to pay around €4-5 for a jambon-beurre and a croissant). It is advisable to focus on independent establishments, which tend to offer superior quality.
Consider utilizing carpooling services to travel throughout France. Many locals rely on platforms such as BlaBlaCar for transportation, which offers a valuable opportunity to connect with others and gain insights for your journey.
Enjoy a bottle of wine in a park rather than a bar, as public alcohol consumption is permitted in France. As the weather warms, it becomes a pleasant activity to engage in an outdoor apéro (with prices generally ranging from €5-10 for a decent bottle of wine from a local caviste or wine merchant). However, it is essential to drink responsibly.
Participate in the numerous free cultural events that occur nationally throughout the year. These include La Fête de la Musique, celebrated on June 21, which features free concerts and events nationwide, alongside La Nuit des Musées, which offers nighttime museum access without a fee.
Opt for seasonal products, paying attention to their origin and production season. For instance, spider crabs, an invasive species in Brittany, now present a cost-effective and delicious local treat.
Greece
Sarah Souli is a freelance travel journalist living in Athens, Greece
There’s no need to pay for dessert in restaurants in northern Greece, as it is customary for establishments to serve complimentary sweet treats post-meal—ranging from sliced fruit to lemon curd to kormos, a traditional biscuit and chocolate cake.
In tsipuradika or mezedakia (establishments serving tsipuro, a triple distilled liquor), patrons receive a complimentary small plate of savory snacks with their drink order. By consuming enough, one can essentially enjoy a complete dining experience.
Beach access at organized locations incurs a charge for sunbeds and umbrellas; however, unorganized beaches allow visitors to enjoy the sun without any fees.
Pharmacies frequently offer promotions on beauty products, though these may not be prominently advertised. It is prudent to inquire about discounts, particularly for local luxury skincare brands like Korres and Apivita, which can be significantly cheaper in their country of origin.
If you intend to utilize ferries extensively in Greece, consider obtaining a loyalty card from ferry companies, such as BlueStar Ferries and SeaJets. This allows you to enjoy discounts and accumulate reward points.
IrelandSasha Brady is a GoTravelDaily editor from Dublin, Ireland
Consider acquiring a Leap Visitor Card, a straightforward method for unlimited travel across Dublin’s bus, Luas (tram), and DART (city train). For weekend visits, the 72-hour card priced at €16.00 represents a strong value proposition, and no deposit is required.
While car rental can be prohibitively expensive in Ireland, traversing the country via train is generally efficient; it allows for significant travel without a vehicle. Ensure you purchase your tickets online, as in-station prices could be considerably elevated, sometimes even doubling.
Many of Ireland’s cultural institutions, including various museums and galleries, offer free admission, allowing you to appreciate the arts without incurring costs. This includes all National Museums, Cork Public Museum, Galway City Museum, Chester Beatty Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and several more. Additionally, heritage sites throughout the country can be visited at no cost on the first Wednesday of every month.
While Temple Bar is known for its vibrant nightlife, it is often the hotspot for tourists due to the high costs associated with drinking in this area. Pints of Guinness can reach close to €10 here. Though alcohol generally carries a premium throughout Dublin, and “happy hour” specials are virtually nonexistent, cheaper alternatives abound once you venture beyond the Temple Bar locale.
Consider downloading Early Table, a restaurant app providing discounts of 25% to 50% on food bills during quieter dining hours, assisting establishments in optimizing trade during slow periods.
Italy
Benedetta Geddo is a journalist and content creator from Turin, Italy
In Italy, a significant portion of the coastline is privatized, making the rental of sunbeds and umbrellas a frequent requirement. Such costs can escalate to €160 daily in upscale regions like the Italian Riviera. Nevertheless, free public beaches are accessible, and locals can often recommend hidden gems that offer authentic experiences without added expenses. Inquire with your hotel or Airbnb host, as Italians typically have their preferred sites that may not be widely recognized.
Italians are accustomed to walking, particularly in cities such as Venice and Florence, minimizing reliance on Uber and taxis unless absolutely necessary. This not only conserves funds on transport but also enhances the experience of immersing oneself in the local lifestyle. Many Italian cities are compact and pedestrian-friendly; however, should time require, single tickets for buses and subways are generally affordable compared to cities such as Paris or London.
Prior to renting a vehicle, familiarize yourself with limited traffic zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato or ZTL) to avoid fines commonly associated with tourist-heavy areas like the Centro Storico (historic center), where parking is often prohibited during peak hours. Generally, it is prudent to select parking locations situated further from crowded tourist attractions and utilize public transport whenever feasible.
Many public restrooms require payment, prompting most Italians to purchase coffee at a nearby café. This practice allows for restroom access without incurring an additional fee—ultimately you pay; however, you also receive a coffee in exchange for your visit.
Regarding coffee, one should note that sitting at a table in a café may incur a higher charge, particularly in tourist-congested areas or outdoor settings. This is why many Italians opt to stand at the bar for their espressos; the cost of coffee tends to be lower for those standing versus seated at a table—this custom is commonplace throughout Italy.
Portugal
Joana Taborda is a travel writer and editor from Lisbon, Portugal
Capitalize on the menu do dia, widely offered around lunchtime in most restaurants, which presents a fixed-price or daily dish (prato do dia) priced below €10.
It’s advisable to decline starters; although the bread and olives presented by the waiter may appear enticing, they typically incur an extra charge. Politely abstaining can prevent unforeseen costs on your bill.
To economize on public transportation, including those charming funiculars and trams, consider acquiring a prepaid card such as Navegante in Lisbon or Andante in Porto. For long-distance travel, such as buses and trains, plan to purchase tickets up to one week in advance for discounts of up to 50%.
Engage in free entry opportunities; Sundays often provide complimentary admission to local museums, including the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. Alternatively, consider timing your visits to coincide with International Museum Day on May 18th.
Consider buying drinks at a supermarket instead of bars; this allows you to avoid costly cocktails while enjoying the sunset alongside locals at nearby viewpoints.
Spain
Natalia Diaz is a guidebook author and journalist who lives in Madrid, Spain
Opt for the menú del día during lunch hours. On weekdays, most establishments provide a fixed-price lunch option (ranging from €8 to €17), which includes a hearty three-course meal comprising dessert, beverages, bread, and coffee.
Consider purchasing “marca blanca” products at supermarkets, which are manufactured by third-party producers and sold under the supermarket’s brand name rather than a recognized label. These items are typically more affordable and maintain good quality across food, household, and personal care categories.
Utilize the Renfe AVLO (high-speed, low-cost) train service. This mode of transport can save you up to 70% on long-distance fares while still ensuring comfort; it departs Madrid at 6:30 am, connecting to various Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, Málaga, Sevilla, and Valencia, with fares starting as low as €7.
Prefer to dine inside the restaurant rather than at a terraza (outdoor terrace). While open-air dining is appealing, particularly in sunny Spain, many places charge a premium for outdoor tables. By choosing to eat indoors, you can conserve several euros.
When dining, if the server inquires if you would like bread, it is advisable to question whether there is an additional charge for it.
