Europe on a budget? These flight hacks and hidden gems make it possible
Be flexible, swap your destinations and eat local food.
Europe can be one of the most expensive holidays Australians can take, given the distance. But it doesn't have to be that way. Europe can be affordable if you are flexible with your flights, travel off-season and swap tourist hotspots for emerging gems.
Flight Centre global managing director Andrew Stark says value for money and keeping to budget are two of the most important factors Australians are looking for when planning a holiday, starting with your entry point into Europe.
"London has the highest taxes but the most competition, with Gatwick a more affordable option to fly to than Heathrow," he says, adding that the transit hubs of Frankfurt, Rome and Istanbul also offer fair prices.
Choosing low-cost carriers such as Scoot, which flies from Australia via Singapore to Athens, Vienna and Berlin, can help you save. Stark also recommends Lisbon in Portgual which offers "more bang for buck in the local economy".
Intrepid managing director for Australia and New Zealand Brett Mitchell recommends Krakow in Poland, Bucharest in Romania, Budapest in Hungary, Korce in Albania and Plovdiv in Bulgaria.
He says Krakow is "significantly cheaper" than western Europe with budget-friendly accommodation, free historic attractions and cheap public transport. Accommodation in Bucharest is also cheaper, metro rides are under $1 and meals are as little as $8, he says.
For a little bit of luxury, try Budapest, where restaurant meals cost about $12 and the city's famous ruin bars serve beer for as little as $3-$4, according to Mitchell.
He calls Korce one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe, with a thriving coffee culture and drinks costing less than $2, while Plovdiv offers affordable boutique hotels and Airbnb options, even in the city centre.
When it comes to finding affordable flights, it pays to be flexible. Skyscanner data collected on March 6 shows you can get return flights from Melbourne to Athens for as little as $974 when departing on May 8 and returning on May 23 this year. Another top deal is from Sydney to Rome, Italy from $1087 return when departing on June 4 and returning on June 20.
There are also cheap options from Perth to Istanbul from $1288 return, Brisbane to Vienna from $1334 return, and Melbourne to Paris from $1505 return when flying on certain dates.
Beloved locations such as Paris and Rome provide some affordable flight options for Aussies in the European summer shoulder months in particular, such as a return from Melbourne to Paris from $1280 when departing on May 21 and returning on June 10.
Skyscanner Australia travel expert Jarrod Kris says some of the "less popular locations" are proving to be "some of the most cost-effective options for Aussies later this year".
Expedia travel expert Sarah King says there are some serious accommodation savings to be had if you swap a popular destination for somewhere less well known. "For example, in Scotland, simply travelling an hour from Edinburgh to Glasgow could save you more than 40 per cent on your accommodation," King says.
Data collected by Expedia from May to September 2024 shows holidaymakers could have saved more than 50 per cent on average on accommodation if they swapped London ($365 average daily rate) for Manchester ($200).
Similarly, swap Santorini ($544) for Paros ($402) and save more than 30 per cent, or swap Munich ($330) for Berlin ($270) and save more than 20 per cent, judging by last year's prices.
My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.
Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
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