Is flying to Iceland first a money-saver? 9 tips for smart and affordable travel in Europe

By Rita

Traveling has become a global lifestyle trend, and among the options, independent travel offers a deeper experience, almost replacing group tours. For the ever-popular travel destination “Europe,” the online knowledge-sharing platform Learnist recently compiled “9 Smart Ways to Travel Europe on a Budget,” offering more ideas for those planning a trip there soon—not only helping you save money but also allowing you to experience authentic local culture.

▲ Planning to go to Europe? Check out these 9 smart ways to travel on a budget (Image / Ctw / Illustration)

1. Start with a cheaper city
Countries like Italy and France are generally more expensive travel destinations in Europe, but there are also more affordable options, such as Lisbon in Portugal, Riga in Latvia, Krakow in Poland, Budapest in Hungary, Vilnius in Latvia, Prague in Czech Republic, Istanbul in Turkey, Berlin in Germany, and Kyiv in Ukraine. Next time you visit Europe, consider starting your journey from one of these places.

2. Fly to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, first
Reykjavik is one of the cities in Europe where you can find cheap flights. You can fly here first, then take a budget airline to your desired destination.

3. Use buses to get around cities
“Eurolines” is a large-scale bus service across Europe, covering 33 countries and 600 destinations—pretty much anywhere you want to go will be within this network. The service includes good facilities, meals, and Wi-Fi. Just be prepared that the speed and efficiency of buses can’t compare with trains or other transport, but one advantage is that taking an overnight bus can help you save on hotel costs.

4. Book open-jaw or circle tickets
Typically, we’re used to round-trip flights between the same two cities, but “open-jaw” tickets allow you to return from a different location—for example, flying from Amsterdam to Helsinki but returning from Stockholm to Amsterdam. “Circle fares” let you make two stopovers in other cities before reaching your final destination, and the price is often similar to a one-way ticket. Both options can help you save money and offer more flexibility in trip planning.

5. Never buy first-class train tickets
First-class train tickets usually cost about 1.5 times the price of second-class, yet the difference in comfort isn’t nearly as significant as it is with airplanes. Most Europeans who choose first class do so because someone (like their company) is paying for it—even locals avoid it. Don’t fall into the trap of overpaying as a traveler.

6. Stay in a B&B (bed and breakfast)
Staying in a B&B not only gives you a taste of local warmth but is also usually only half the price of regular hotels. Although B&Bs are often located in suburban or less convenient areas, you’ll get a more authentic local living experience—especially in Europe, where many B&Bs are converted from historic buildings, farms, or castles. That charm simply can’t be replicated by upscale boutique hotels.

7. Buy a good budget travel guidebook
Consider purchasing publications from Lonely Planet—they’re especially useful for backpackers. Remember, don’t print out tons of information and weigh down your luggage; it’s more important to read reviews online and choose a good guidebook.

8. Learn how to book cheap flights
Schools don’t teach you how to book flights—you have to figure it out yourself. Start by doing some research and reading related articles. Check out “Want to Save Money on Trips? 6 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights” and “When Is the Cheapest Time to Buy a Flight? A British Study of Three Years Concludes: 53 Days Before Departure.”

9. Refer to travel experts’ advice
Taiwan has many travelers who frequently share tips on TV. For European trips, you can also refer to the experience of Rick Steves: he advises against using traveler’s checks or credit cards, recommends hiking more (to save on transport), and cautions against tipping too much (see “How to Tip? Get These Principles Right!)”) If you plan to stay in the area for several days, consider purchasing a museum pass.

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