To splurge or to save; that is the question. Sticking to a travel budget is important but you should take a moment to consider whether to splurge or save on your next trip in Europe.
Planning Tips For Your Next Trip
Staying on budget while traveling is important to ensure you won’t run low on funds when you’re far from home. Having a budget doesn’t mean you don’t get to splurge on certain things, but you must be mindful of when and what you splurge on.
Europe is a massive travel destination that can be costly with travel accommodations, shopping, and more which is why it is important to know what to splurge or save on. Try to plan the budget accounting for everything you’ll need like accommodation, transportation, food, and any other personal necessities.
Once you’ve created your budget, try to save some additional funds that can be used towards splurging and set personal limitations on splurging to prevent going over budget. Determining what to splurge on can determine on a case-by-case basis while keeping your budget in mind.
Splurging may start when it comes to buying souvenirs but one of the best souvenirs from your trip can be the memory of enjoying some cultural entertainment. Whether you go to see a stage show, concert, or art gallery, experiences are once in a lifetime. You may never visit a destination again so explore and enjoy living in the moment when it comes to entertainment and experiences.
World-renowned attractions might seem like tourist traps but can be the cultural experience of a lifetime. Each country in Europe has cultural attractions that define destinations like going to the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe in Paris, taking a gondola ride in Venice, or visiting the colosseum in Rome. Some attractions might break your budget but can be worth splurging on for memories will last forever.
Local guided tours might seem overrated but immerse you in a rich cultural experience that you probably haven’t read about in a book. The best part about taking a guided tour is that most tour guides are locals that can give you tips on the best places to visit along with excellent suggestions for restaurants and entertainment experiences.
One daily cost that is important for your travel budget is food that starts with personal preferences. You don’t have to splurge on all meals and it gives you the chance to enjoy some local cuisine. Many travelers opt to spend less on quick eats like breakfast or lunch on-the-go and splurge on a nice dinner. Splurging on a nice sit-down meal will give you the chance to embrace cuisine and culture while giving you time to reflect on your trip.
Another daily cost to account for in your travel budget is transportation. Europe offers some of the most affordable and efficient means of transportation for local commuting around the area you’re visiting.
The local public transportation system can offer affordable options for local commuting by bus, train, tram, or taxis. Having multiple means of transportation gives you flexible options based on your budget and plans for traveling.
You can also save money by walking shorter distances and spending the savings on longer commutes. Most European countries offer a tour bus pass that you can use all day hopping on and off as you make your way around the attractions.
Europe is also known for the diverse transportation system for traveling between cities and countries. One of the best and most affordable options for travel is by rail with train routes in virtually every direction. Traveling by train can take longer compared to air travel but you get to take in the sights of the surrounding nature and can opt for getting a sleeper train car for longer trips.
Accommodation can be one of the biggest budget items when traveling but most cities in Europe offer a variety of accommodations according to your travel itinerary. If you’re not planning on spending too much time at your hotel, you might want to consider spending less on a hotel room. Many travelers choose to splurge on the room when traveling with a group of people or on a romantic holiday that can provide more comfort.
