Luckily, a good portion of European cities have amazing public transportation options. Sometimes though you do need to get a rental car. For both options, here are some tips that have saved us money.
In our opinion, there are only 2 times you need a rental car: 1) if you are touring a country and want to be on your own timetable and path, and 2) you are visiting multiple European cities that are not easily connected by public transportation.
If you must book a rental car, go for the smallest car you can. This not only saves you money in the rental price and gas, but it will also help you navigate the tiny, winding roads and miniscule parking spots throughout Europe. When booking a rental car, we start by identifying which companies are located in our destination airport. Then we find the best quote, making sure to check the special offers and other promotions at the time. Be aware that you will pay extra for more than one driver.
If you’re not renting a car, you first need to decide how to get from the airport to your hotel. Check for airport shuttles, buses, or trains to find your least expensive option. Many times Ryan Air and Easy Jet will offer a shuttle that coordinates with your flight times and takes you to and from the city center. Our biggest tip is to avoid taxis if at all possible.
Most major cities offer a multi-day, unlimited use public transit pass. We highly recommend these for larger cities when walking from Point A to Point B may be quite far. It’s also easier than trying to figure out every day what tickets you need to go where. The key is to do your research and plan your itinerary well to maximize your public transit pass (it also helps to marry an industrial engineer who always makes our trips so efficient!).
Stay tuned tomorrow for the last in our budget travel series: Eating Out When Traveling.
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