Bram ReusenWith its diverse array of landscapes, no fewer than fifty countries, and an even greater number of cultures, Europe truly defies a simple description. While it may be the second-smallest continent, surpassed in size only by Australia, it’s arguably the most culturally and geographically diverse of them all. Home to approximately 740 million people, it’s also quite densely populated, ranking as the third-most populous continent.
From the ancient civilisations of Greece and the Roman Empire to the age of the Vikings and the Renaissance, Europe’s historical richness is simply staggering. The sheer number of cultures and countries can feel almost overwhelming. As the location of both the world’s smallest country (the Vatican City) and the largest (Russia), Europe is a continent of remarkable contrasts. Its landscapes range dramatically, from the dry Mediterranean climate and the expansive plains of northwestern Europe to the majestic Alps and the breathtaking fjords of Norway.
To put it briefly, Europe is a continent that absolutely warrants a visit. Fortunately, all of Europe’s cultures and countries are well-connected through an excellent network of public transport routes and superb highways. Although it’s generally considered a rather expensive continent to travel around, there are several effective strategies to minimise the portion of your budget allocated to transportation. Keep reading to discover how you can navigate Europe affordably.
Also Read: 15 Experiences Every Traveller Should Have in Europe
Flights
Image credit: Doug
Europe is the continent of low-cost airlines. There are several budget airlines and more are being founded on a regular basis. Competition is fierce, which keeps the prices incredibly low. Cross-continent fares of only USD 20 are no exception. A few weeks ago, I flew from Milan-Bergamo (Italy) to Eindhoven (Netherlands) for no more than USD 15.
Flying is by far the cheapest way to cover great distances in Europe. Flying, however, as cheap as it is, also has the downside of requiring you to skip regions. Instead of seeing certain parts of Europe, you will fly over them. Another downside of flying with low-cost airlines is that you have to fly light. Many of them charge extra for checked baggage.
Popular budget airlines in Europe are Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling and Germanwings.
Trains
Image credit: Matt Buck
Trains are arguably the best way to get around Europe. Just like planes, trains cover huge distances in Europe. Trains, however, have the additional perks that they depart and arrive in the middle of cities and that they are an incredibly scenic means of transportation.
Short train rides between two destinations in the same country tend to be quite affordable. If you want to cross borders and cover greater distances, you may want to opt for a railpass—Eurail for non-EU citizens and Interrail for Europeans. These passes allow you to travel by train for a certain amount of days within a particular period of time. They can save you a lot of money when you’re travelling between cities that are far removed from each other. Be aware, though, that travelling on high-speed and sleeper trains may require you to make reservations and/or pay an additional fee.
Buses
Image credit: Glen Wallace
Buses are also a cheap option to travel around Europe, but they have the downside of being less comfortable than trains and slower than planes.
People travelling around the United Kingdom should definitely look into getting around with Megabus, a company with routes across England, Scotland and Wales, and a few other countries in western Europe. They’re unbelievably cheap, with fares as low as $1.50—fares that only apply to pre-booked tickets on popular routes.
Another bus company is Busabout. They offer bus services all over Europe and you can hop on and off wherever you want. There are a few different passes you can buy, depending on the length and location of your trip.
Eurolines is the continental bus company in Europe. While individual countries have their national bus services, Eurolines serves the entire continent with its long-distance routes. These buses are generally cheaper than trains, but are, of course, less comfy.
Self-drive
Image credit: Andi Campbell-Jones
It’s a small continent and it’s possible to drive across Europe in less than a day. No one wants to do that, though, for there are way too many stops on the way that shouldn’t be missed. Although fuel is very expensive, the distances between places of interest are (relatively) short, making car travel a pretty economical way to get around Europe as well.
When renting a car, it’s not necessary to get a GPS. With a detailed map and decent map reading skills, you will be able to find your way around easily. Only within larger cities, things may get confusing. Therefore, if you only want to visit cities, you’re better off with trains and buses. To see the countryside, however, driving is absolutely recommended.
When driving in Europe, you will notice that road numbers aren’t always useful. Instead, plan your route beforehand and write down the cities and towns that you will pass on the way. Following signs to those towns and cities is much easier than following specific roads.
Car rental companies are found virtually everywhere in Europe. Each decently sized city has several of them.
Cycling
Image credit: stefan m
The place of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta, and many classic one-day races, Europe is a cycling-mad place. Bicycles are a preferred means of getting around in cities, while signposted long-distance bicycle route crisscross the continent.
From laidback cycling holidays in a certain region to epic and adventurous long-distance bicycle tours, Europe is the place to explore on two wheels. The best countries for cycling, in my experience, are France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries. That being said, you will be able to find world-class bicycle routes in pretty much every country.
The Danube Cycle Path, for instance, follows the mighty Danube river and passes through Vienna and Budapest—definitely making for a memorable active holiday.
Cycling in Europe is generally safe; the bike paths often separated from the road by hedges, trees or fences. Facilities are among the best in the world.
If you’re an active traveller, cycling in Europe is definitely a must-do!
Any questions? Let me know in the comment section below!
