Budget-Friendly Travel Tips for Exploring Europe This Summer

With major airlines expecting a record summer travel season, more travelers than ever will be hitting the skies to visit far-flung destinations around the globe, with countries across Europe leading the top spots for bookings.

When traveling, utilizing public transportation can be an excellent choice to save money on commuting expenses, navigate cities more quickly, and moreover, it is more environmentally friendly. Many countries including Greece, Italy, Spain, and more also have unlimited passes for extra savings. iBestTravel has compiled ways to find affordable public transportation opportunities in major countries across Europe.

France

Travelers through France can utilize the SNCF train system, which provides high-speed rail service throughout most cities in the country and across Europe. SNCF recommends downloading their app to create bookings in advance and save tickets virtually, instead of queuing in-person for long lines, where tickets may be sold out.

In Paris, there are a variety of public transportation options available to save time and money. Single tickets for adults cost €2.10 (or approximately $2.30) on most metro lines and bus services. For travelers making at least six transport trips per day, the Paris Visite travel pass provides unlimited public transport on buses and metro lines, along with special discounts. The Pass costs only €13.55 (or approximately $14.84) for Paris only, and €28.50 (or $31.20) for the expanded zone region that includes transport to major airports and Disneyland Paris.

Passengers flying out of Paris’ Charles-de-Gaulle Airport can utilize public transport starting at only €2.10 (or approximately $2.30) for a bus, or €11.45 (or approximately $12.54) for a train in each direction.

Travelers should be aware of strikes that occasionally happen within France’s public transportation system, and this website has up-to-date status of transport lines.

For travelers heading to Paris, the city’s public transportation system has a network of 170 different luggage drop-off points, allowing exploration of the city hassle-free before hotel check-in or heading to the airport.

Spain

Spain’s main rail system, called Renfe, operates more than 5,000 trains daily across the country that connect to all major cities. For travelers looking to splurge this summer, they can check out Renfe’s new schedule of Luxury Tourist Trains, which provide plush accommodations and dining.

For travelers in major cities including Barcelona and Madrid, local public transportation on bus and rail is an excellent and safe way to navigate the city. Madrid’s Metro offers a Tourist Ticket for unlimited daily use of public transportation starting at €8.40 (or approximately $9.19).

Travelers to Madrid before June 30, 2023, should consider the 50% discount on 10-pack Metro cards.

Italy

For visitors looking to travel among Italy’s major cities, the Trenitalia Pass, is an excellent option only available for foreign citizens visiting Italy to explore the country, starting at €129 (or approximately $141.20).

Within Rome, there are several public transportation options available including rail, light rail, bus, and more. A weekly 7-day pass for unlimited public transportation costs less than $30.

Germany

This summer, Germany has launched a new monthly all-inclusive public transport pass called the Deutschlandticket, which translates to ‘Germany Ticket’. The benefits include unlimited travel for just €49 per month, which is roughly $54 based on the current exchange rate. The travel is valid throughout Germany on all local public transport including regional and local trains.

Thus, it is more appropriate for travelers who plan to visit Germany for an extended period and intend to explore different cities.

The launch of the ticket became so popular that it crashed the website selling the tickets, according to Euronews.

For shorter stays, many major cities in Germany offer tourism cards that provide discounts to attractions and unlimited use of public transit. For instance, in Berlin, the Berlin WelcomeCard gives travelers unlimited access to the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and buses, along with free admission to over 30 different museums or exhibitions.

Hungary

Hungary recently launched a nationwide transit card, which provides unlimited public transport for €49.15, or $54.18 based on the current exchange rate. The national travel card offers access to rail and buses and can be purchased at over 1,000 locations that sell train tickets across the country, as noted on the country’s website.

Additionally, Hungary’s official tourism website states that single trips to and from the Liszt Ferenc International Airport are available by bus for HUF 350 (or approximately $1.04). The same price applies to single trips throughout the city on metro rail or bus.

Visitors to Budapest may find the Budapest Card beneficial, which includes unlimited use of public transportation, free entries to museums, walking tours, thermal baths, and more.

Portugal

Comboios de Portugal, or “CP,” is the national rail system for Portugal. The train service has various promotions and discounts ahead of the summer travel season. The Tourist Travelcard provides unlimited use of the train lines across different cities, starting at only €6.00 (or approximately $6.60).

For younger travelers between the ages of 12-30, the European Youth Card provides 25% off select train services.

Greece

Greece’s Hellenic Train Service is a popular way to connect between various cities in Greece. To save money, 25% discounts are offered when tickets are purchased at least 60 days in advance.

Within Greece’s major cities, public transportation is an easy and accessible option. In Athens, the Athens Metro operates multiple service lines throughout the city, but stops operating at midnight, according to their schedule. Athens also offers a 3-day “Tourist Ticket” for €20 (approximately $21.96) and provides three days of unlimited public transportation, including round-trip service from Athens International Airport.

Austria

In Austria, travelers can utilize nationwide rail service on ÖBB, which operates service for 323 million passengers every year. Travelers during the weekend should consider the Einfach-Raus-Ticket, a group ticket that provides unlimited travel on local and regional trains on weekends for €36 (or approximately $39.54 for two people).

For visitors to Salzburg, the Salzburger Verkehrsverbund GmbH provides main public transportation services. A 24-hour ticket is only €4.50 (or approximately $4.94) when purchased in advance at a kiosk or counter.

Denmark

Visitors to Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, can gain free, unlimited access to public transportation with the purchase of the Copenhagen Card. The card also provides access to 89 different attractions including Tivoli Gardens, Canal Tours, Copenhagen Zoo, Botanical Garden, and more.

The card’s pricing starts at DKK 459 (or approximately $67.67) and is available for various durations, starting at 24 hours and a maximum of 120-hour visits.