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Tips for keeping travel costs down when moving between European cities?

travelbudgeteurope
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Stefan_85
Joined:
30.05.2020
Posts: 2453
Topic Starter
07.02.2025 23:45
I'm planning a three-week backpacking trip across Europe this summer and I'm starting to get overwhelmed by the transport costs. I've heard mixed things about booking trains months in advance versus relying on budget airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet. Does anyone have a preferred strategy for balancing convenience and price? Also, are there specific booking platforms or apps that actually find the best deals, or is it better to just book directly on the carrier's site? Any advice from seasoned travelers would be greatly appreciated.
16 replies in this topic
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Oli_L
Joined:
10.07.2021
Posts: 1779
27.02.2025 15:33
Honestly, FlixBus is your best friend for budget travel. It takes longer than the train, but it's usually a fraction of the cost.
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Denis_P
Joined:
13.07.2021
Posts: 1798
28.02.2025 22:33
In reply to a previous post
I second the FlixBus suggestion. Just make sure you bring a neck pillow because those overnight rides can be brutal on the neck.
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mati_123
Joined:
10.12.2020
Posts: 233
30.03.2025 09:33
Don't sleep on the Eurail pass. If you're moving between a lot of cities in a short time, it can actually end up being cheaper than individual tickets.
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iztrit_potrebitel
Joined:
14.09.2024
Posts: 1057
05.04.2025 04:12
In reply to a previous post
Careful with the Eurail pass, though. You still have to pay reservation fees for high-speed trains, which adds up quickly.
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Znaesht
Joined:
17.03.2024
Posts: 2361
06.04.2025 07:25
Always book directly on the airline or train site. Third-party sites often charge hidden fees or make it a nightmare to get a refund if something goes wrong.
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otgovor_BG
Joined:
13.10.2021
Posts: 472
21.04.2025 06:40
In reply to a previous post
Exactly! I learned that the hard way last year. Never use those aggregator sites for flights.
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damian_varna
Joined:
13.04.2020
Posts: 657
06.05.2025 13:25
Use Omio or Rome2Rio to compare routes, then go to the official carrier's website to finalize the booking. Best of both worlds.
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Kaya_J
Joined:
23.07.2023
Posts: 280
21.05.2025 15:41
In reply to a previous post
That's exactly what I do. It saves so much time compared to checking every site individually.
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vesko_55
Joined:
11.12.2023
Posts: 1424
09.07.2025 03:02
If you are flying budget airlines, watch out for the baggage fees. They lure you in with a 20 euro ticket, but charge you 50 for a carry-on.
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Marius_C
Joined:
17.01.2024
Posts: 742
19.07.2025 09:17
In reply to a previous post
This is so true! I try to travel with just a backpack that fits under the seat to avoid those fees.
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SivaMishka
Joined:
19.04.2024
Posts: 647
30.08.2025 10:18
Check out BlaBlaCar as well. It's a ride-sharing app that's super popular in Europe and usually cheaper than buses or trains.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
10.09.2024
Posts: 1610
30.08.2025 16:08
In reply to a previous post
Used BlaBlaCar a few times in France and it was a great way to meet locals too!
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Misho_B
Joined:
12.06.2022
Posts: 2374
14.09.2025 11:48
If you're under 26, look into youth discounts for trains. Most national rail operators have specific deals for that age group.
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Viktoria_S
Joined:
28.10.2020
Posts: 942
23.09.2025 10:14
Also, try traveling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Prices are almost always lower than on weekends.
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Lori_N
Joined:
20.12.2022
Posts: 426
28.11.2025 13:14
I've found that booking trains 2-3 months out is the sweet spot. Any earlier and the schedules aren't fully released, any later and the prices jump.
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anonimen_bg
Joined:
28.05.2022
Posts: 2076
24.02.2026 10:17
In reply to a previous post
Great advice everyone, I'm definitely going to look into the FlixBus routes now. Thanks!

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