Traveling Europe on a Shoestring Budget

E.R. Pulgar© 2016

Europe has always been a popular vacation destination, but for so many it seems out of reach. Flights to the continent that saw the birth of Western culture have become increasingly cheaper, but once there, how do you maneuver without spending an exorbitant amount of money, but without living like a starving bohemian?

Here are some tips, straight from someone who traveled and lived in Europe for half a year, on how to best see the sights while getting a bang for your buck.

Buses are Your Best Friend

Forget taking trans-country trains; that said, the experience of riding a train through a European landscape is priceless, and may sometimes be a cheaper method if it's cities within the country. Where country-hopping on a train or flight can cost anywhere in the $60-$200 range, taking a bus can make a huge monetary difference. Even though it takes longer, buses have become extremely comfortable and versatile, especially for longer trips. Getting to Budapest from Prague and back won't cost more than $20 USD, if you time it right.

Breaking the Myth of the Hostel

Not just for wandering tourists and college students, hostels are more comfortable than what most think. Already inexpensive, big groups can sometimes get further discount. The community aspect of the hostel that's unappealing to some not only creates a homey space, but it's extremely easy to have your own privacy and security. Most hostels have safes available, so you don't have to worry about your things despite sharing a room with strangers. And for the price, these little "inconveniences" offer an experience where you can talk to fellow travelers from completely different places and connect. What else could one want out of traveling?

The Kindness of Strangers

This is a bit general, but try and diverge from the group of people you're traveling with and meet those around you. We spoke about this briefly when talking about hostels, but meeting new people should be a given when traveling to another country. Make friends who live in the city you're visiting, and go along with whatever plans arise. See the city through local eyes. They'll tell you what's a rip-off and what isn't, and show you parts of a new city you never even imagined. The art scene in Europe is absolutely exciting, and you have to really seek to find the underground things that may not even cost money. Isn't that better than paying almost 70 USD to ride the London Eye?

Wandering is Key

Lao Tzu once said that a good traveler is not intent on arriving, and he was onto something. You can go to, say, Paris and decide to see the Eiffel Tower after eating at a specific restaurant. Find your way to the big, popular point for visitors later. Skip planning anything, and get completely lost. This is usually a cheaper option than simply taking cab to cab or metro ride to metro ride following a schedule. Travel, even for business, should be enjoyable. Go off the beaten path, find a café that sells 2 euro coffee in an obscure little alleyway, and be that friend who found both the better deal than going to a French Starbucks and the cool experience of exploring.

PayPath
Follow Us on

Artificial Intelligence

Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

Looking for a job? In addition to encountering those annoying never-ending job interviews you may find yourself face-to-face with an artificial intelligence bot.

Companies worldwide increasingly use artificial intelligence tools and analytics in employment decision-making – from parsing through resumes and screening candidates to automated assessments and digital interviews. But recent studies claim that AI does more harm than good.

Keep readingShow less

Jobs don't have to be miserable!

Photo by Helena Lopes (Unsplash)

Though the wave of tech layoffs and the threat of a recession has overshadowed yesteryear's news of the great recession, everywhere you look, employees are asking for more — and getting it. Although this time of uncertainty could have given employers back the power, it's still in the hands of the workforce.

From Gen-Z's boundary setting and penchant for quiet quitting when they're being under-recognized, to labor unions and even the WGA writer's strike, we're in an era where workers can make demands about how they work — and where they work. And for many people, they want to work from home.

Keep readingShow less

Southwest Companion Pass

There’s all this talk about solo travel. And for good reason — no wasting precious time waiting for others to get their act together, take the plans out of the group chat and actually buy the tickets. Going solo, you can be spontaneous. You can plan your trips according to your precise tastes. You can hop on any flight and fly awayyyyyy.

Keep readingShow less