Right after Christmas of this year I will be heading on a 3 month trip to Europe to explore, create memories, and maybe meet new friends along the way. I'll keep you updated in the next couple months.
But the road to booking this trip wasn’t as easy as it might sound.
When I told my family and friends about my plans, the reactions were a mix of shock, excitement, and confusion. “How are you going to afford this?” they asked. “Why are you doing this so suddenly?” (Trust me, I’m still trying to figure that out myself.)
As I shared how I managed to afford my plane ticket, secure free housing, and pack light for three months, I realized that many of you might be wondering the same thing. So I thought it would be helpful to break down exactly how I was able to make this once-in-a-lifetime trip happen. Here are the three biggest things that helped me save up for my European adventure—and how you can use these tips for your own travel goals!
Stay Home
When it comes to saving money for big adventures, one of the simplest—and most effective—ways to cut costs is by staying home more often. Think about how much money you spend going out to eat, going out to the club that weekend on a cover charge and a crazy priced Uber. Not to mention that cute shein outfit or that sweet treat you got yourself for not calling out of work (okay maybe you deserved that). Those “small” expenses can add up quickly.
For example, how often do you end up spending $10 to $20 at your favorite restaurant, or $30 or more for drinks on a Friday night? I’ll be the first to admit that I’m guilty of it. But here’s the thing—those nights out (or mini splurges) quickly add up, and that money could be better spent elsewhere—like on an epic flight to Europe or an unforgettable experience abroad.
My point is, you don't have to be a hermit or hide in your house like SpongeBob in that one episode where he's only talking to a penny, napkin, and potato chip.
(Don't be like that!)
If anything you don't want to do that. It's nice to get out of the house and hang out with friends! But being more mindful of where you spend your money can have a huge impact on your travel savings. Here are some ways to cut back on everyday expenses:
Free Activities: Look for free or low-cost events around your town. Many cities offer free outdoor concerts, art shows, local festivals, and community meetups. A walk in the park or an afternoon at a museum can be just as fun (and less expensive) than a night out on the town
Limit Impulse Purchases: How often do you walk into a store and leave with something you didn’t need? It’s all too easy to pick up something “just because,” but those little purchases can quickly pile up. That 5 dollar coffee you get from Starbucks every morning is actually costing you 140 dollars a month.
Cooking at Home: No Uber Eats, no Postmates, no Doordash. To save money I decided to make a meal plan and stick to it. By no means am I a chef. I was in college and using my air fryer and cafeteria food. But instead of spending money eating out with friends or Door dashing a meal when I was studying I deleted all the food order apps and focused on getting meals I know I enjoyed.
A good mindset to have is the more you stay home, the more financial freedom you'll have on vacation. Besides who says you can't have fun at home?
Work Exchange Program
Doing a work exchange program on vacation isn't for everyone. Some people want to kick their feet up by the pool or just be able to do what they want when they want which is understandable. On my trip I wanted to experience what it is like for the people who actually live in Europe so I wanted to work. I wasn't very picky on the country.
The most popular types of work exchanges involve staying in a hostel (often as a receptionist or housekeeper) or working as an Au Pair, where you help a family take care of their children in exchange for room and board. But my experience turned out to be a bit different.
I stumbled upon a unique opportunity as a bar crawl leader in Poland—leading groups of travelers to the best local bars while making sure they have a fun (and safe) night out. It's not a traditional job, but it's going to allow me to meet people from all over the world and get a taste of life in Poland without having to pay for lodging.
You might be wondering: “What’s the catch?” Well, there are a few things you should consider before signing up for a work exchange program:
Time Commitment: Work exchanges aren’t always as carefree as they sound. Depending on the program, you might be expected to work anywhere from 10 to 40 hours per week. For example, the bar crawl position I had requires me to work a few evenings per week. The rest of the time, I am free to explore Poland and take in the sights.
Type of Work: The kind of work you do can vary greatly. Some positions are more physical (like cleaning and maintenance), while others might involve more customer service or teaching. Make sure you choose something you enjoy or can handle, and that matches your skills or interests.
Payment: Most work exchange programs don’t pay you in cash, but they provide free accommodation and sometimes food. This is a great deal if you’re planning on staying in one place for a few weeks or longer and want to save money.
I used the app World Packers, a platform that connects travelers with hosts offering free lodging in exchange for work. The entry level free is $50 for a year and after signing up I found my job in a week which seems like a while but I was also rejecting offers that were asking me to work 30+ hours. I mean I still want to kick my feet up at the pool too.
Discounts, Discounts, Discounts
If you’re not a fan of the idea of working while traveling, don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to save big on your trip. One of the biggest tips I can offer is to never pay full price for anything—whether it’s flights, hotels, or tours. With a little research, you can find discounts that will help stretch your travel budget.
If you're from America like me, you know being in Europe isn't exactly the most expensive part. Not to say that hotel, local transit and food do not add up but the most expensive part is getting there. Some plane tickets overseas can go up to 2 grand which most people don't have, especially people my age.
When I booked this trip I was in my senior year of college and still had my student email and I used it for discounts on everything. Clothes, food, online shopping, and airplane fare.
So students or parents of students I'd like to introduce you to Student Universe. Student Universe gives students a discount on things such as flights and hotels. My airplane ticket originally on Expedia was 1,200 and I was able to get it on Student Universe for 850. Which is still a lot don't get me wrong but that's a big difference in price.
If you're not a student that's okay I still have some flight tips for you.
Be flexible with your travel dates! This is super important when booking international flights. Prices can fluctuate dramatically depending on the day of the week, time of year, or even how far in advance you book. For example, flying mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) tends to be cheaper than flying on weekend.
Signing up for fare alerts isn't a bad idea either. Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper allow you to track flights and get notifications when prices drop. These websites help you monitor price trends and find the best deals for your destination.
Go and Travel Europe On Your New Budget!
Now I had the luxury of saving up money throughout college and not having to pay things like rent, groceries, etc. I'm not naive and know I most likely wouldn't be able to afford to go on this long of a trip if I had to pay these things the last four years. But to someone wanting to go overseas even for a week or even wanting to travel in their country these tips can still apply!
My advice to anyone dreaming of travel is this: don’t let your budget stop you from seeing the world! You don’t have to be wealthy or have a full-time job to explore new places. By staying home more, taking advantage of work exchange programs, and searching for discounts, you can make your travel dreams a reality—even if you don’t have a huge budget.
If I can pull off traveling to Europe on a budget as a college student, so can you! You just need a bit of creativity, flexibility, and a little determination. I’ll keep you updated with how my European adventure unfolds, but for now, I hope these tips help you plan your next trip, big or small.
Happy Travels!
Comments