Europe is cheap as hell for vacationing....

[MMMdude]

Just back from a trip to Italy.  Was really surprised at how affordable everything was even in a city like Florence.  4 euros for a pizza type thing and at the supermarket groceries are like 40% less than Canadian prices even after factoring Euro conversion.

If you want a one month rental in Northern Italy you can find something for 400 Euros a month - granted probably only if you speak Italian - these are places that are about half an hour train ride from Venice and in fairly interesting places on their own.  Generally speaking there is not much need for a car in Europe so you would save there as well.  Trains are cheap and generally on time.

I've always heard Europe is so expensive to travel in but I found out for me at least it's not the case and plan on spending 1-2 months per year there when I eventually pull the plug.

[wordnerd]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

[Imma]

Many places in Europe are really cheap. The only really expensive places are Scandinavia, London and Amsterdam. In both the UK and the Netherlands you can stay outside of the capital for a lot less money and because there is very good public traffic, you don't even have to miss out on seeing London / Amsterdam entirely. One of my favourite cheap destinations is Berlin. We spent about €500 for 2 people for 10 days, travel and B&B included. We ate out every day because the place we stayed at didn't have cooking facilities.

We don't have a car and try to use Flixbus and similar long distance coach services to get from one place to another. It's a lot cheaper than the train and sometimes faster too. They have wifi and a toilet on board so it's not extremely different from train travel.

[Christof]

We were in London a few weeks ago and were surprised how cheap everything was... certainly less expensive than in Germany. We did stay outside the core tourist area most of the time, though (Westminster to London Tower).

[frugledoc]

We were in London a few weeks ago and were surprised how cheap everything was... certainly less expensive than in Germany. We did stay outside the core tourist area most of the time, though (Westminster to London Tower).

That is because our UK currency has recently been devalued due to the Brexit vote.

Usual over reaction as people think disaster is coming but currently UK is very cheap for people visiting from America, Canada, Europe, Anywhere lol

Good time to buy a house in the UK with non UK currency.

[neonlight]

We were in London a few weeks ago and were surprised how cheap everything was... certainly less expensive than in Germany. We did stay outside the core tourist area most of the time, though (Westminster to London Tower).

That is because our UK currency has recently been devalued due to the Brexit vote.

Usual over reaction as people think disaster is coming but currently UK is very cheap for people visiting from America, Canada, Europe, Anywhere lol

Good time to buy a house in the UK with non UK currency.

But UK house prices have been overpriced to begin with, just saying :)

[frugledoc]

We were in London a few weeks ago and were surprised how cheap everything was... certainly less expensive than in Germany. We did stay outside the core tourist area most of the time, though (Westminster to London Tower).

That is because our UK currency has recently been devalued due to the Brexit vote.

Usual over reaction as people think disaster is coming but currently UK is very cheap for people visiting from America, Canada, Europe, Anywhere lol

Good time to buy a house in the UK with non UK currency.

But UK house prices have been overpriced to begin with, just saying :)

In london or south england way overpriced.

[COEE]

I was in Paris recently - nothing cheep about that place, but boy is it an awesome place to go!  I loved it there.

[Vegasgirl]

I have to agree with OP here.  We didn't go to Europe for a long time thinking it was expensive.  Last year we were in Italy, and this year we went to Spain (just got back two weeks ago) already planning our trip to Portugal for next year.   Hotels and food are very good and affordable.  most things are within walking distance at your destination and public transportation is very good. 

Last year it was so disappointing coming back to the states after the trip, same for this year.  At least it helps us save $$$ for months after we come back since there's no desire to eat out back home for a good long while.

[Paul der Krake]

"Europe" is a big place.

That being said, I was shocked by how expensive groceries are in Canada compared to the US. In Calgary I visited No Frills, a discount grocer that proudly announced how much cheaper than everywhere else they were. We were the only white people there, which is usually a good sign for deal-seeking grocery buys, but prices were still significantly more than a US Safeway.

[Davids]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

Prague is one of my favorite European cities and yes it is ridiculously cheap to eat and drink there.

[honeybbq]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

I'm going to Prague next year and skimmed through the Rick Steve's book (from the library). What were your favorite must sees? The castle? Clocktower? Any other words of advice? We'll be there next year with my 6 year old so any family friendly suggestions would be great.

[onewayfamily]

We're moving through South-East Europe right now and most of where we've been (excluding Croatia, Austria and Poland surprisingly) has been very affordable.

Great spots I can recommend that are still pretty cheap include Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and parts of Hungary.

[Optimiser]

We were in Europe earlier this summer (Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels). I found prices to be something like 25% more than where I live in the US. I could be slightly off base because I buy things on vacation that I don't normally buy at home such as hotel rooms, meals out, souvenirs, public transit, etc. Also, I'm sure if I was local, rather than a tourist I would have known where to find things cheaper.

[Kaspian]

I went to Bavaria this year--not bad, affordable.  But I went to the south of Portugal last year and holy inexpensive-ola!  Pints of beer for just $3 bucks, giant ocean-side apartments for less than $70 (split 3 ways with buddies), giant full meals for under $5.  Mustachian paradise. 

[wordnerd]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

I'm going to Prague next year and skimmed through the Rick Steve's book (from the library). What were your favorite must sees? The castle? Clocktower? Any other words of advice? We'll be there next year with my 6 year old so any family friendly suggestions would be great.

We were only there a few days, but we really just enjoyed exploring the old town area. I'd visit Charles Bridge in the morning (say 8 or 9) to beat the crowds and the heat. With a kid, you'll likely be on an earlish schedule anyway. We loved the clocktower as well. Prague Castle was great and definitely doable for a six-year-old. Café Louvre was a great breakfast spot, but everywhere we ate was great. Other than that, I've heard great things about some of the museums (Museum of Communism, in particularly), but we were museumed out by the time we got to Prague. I really enjoyed just soaking in the city. I've never been anywhere where I felt I had so much to look at every time I turned a corner.

[Kellie]

I was shocked by how expensive groceries are in Canada compared to the US. In Calgary I visited No Frills, a discount grocer that proudly announced how much cheaper than everywhere else they were. We were the only white people there, which is usually a good sign for deal-seeking grocery buys, but prices were still significantly more than a US Safeway.

Ain't that the sad truth. I get seriously envious when Americans get on the topic of grocery shopping. You guys have so many more choices, and your prices are much, much better. And don't even get me started on the booze.

[chouchouu]

Sure is. I went last year for three months, Paris,  brussels, Germany,  Poland the London.  Didn't need to budget extra after flights because the difference in cost of living and not paying preschool paid for everything. 1 week air bnb in Paris for 200 euros for a studio. Took the train and kids were free apart from a small sleeper fee. Mother in law is Polish and kept on taking us to fancy ice cream places, I wasn't too happy until I realised it was $1 australian per cone for good quality ice cream. Ate out quite a bit and still costed less than our groceries back home 

[honeybbq]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

I'm going to Prague next year and skimmed through the Rick Steve's book (from the library). What were your favorite must sees? The castle? Clocktower? Any other words of advice? We'll be there next year with my 6 year old so any family friendly suggestions would be great.

We were only there a few days, but we really just enjoyed exploring the old town area. I'd visit Charles Bridge in the morning (say 8 or 9) to beat the crowds and the heat. With a kid, you'll likely be on an earlish schedule anyway. We loved the clocktower as well. Prague Castle was great and definitely doable for a six-year-old. Café Louvre was a great breakfast spot, but everywhere we ate was great. Other than that, I've heard great things about some of the museums (Museum of Communism, in particularly), but we were museumed out by the time we got to Prague. I really enjoyed just soaking in the city. I've never been anywhere where I felt I had so much to look at every time I turned a corner.

Great, thanks. Confirms pretty much what Steves suggested. We are early risers as well as you suspected. THanks for the restaurant rec. :D

[Jouer]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

Prague is one of my favorite European cities and yes it is ridiculously cheap to eat and drink there.

Ditto

[charis]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

I'm going to Prague next year and skimmed through the Rick Steve's book (from the library). What were your favorite must sees? The castle? Clocktower? Any other words of advice? We'll be there next year with my 6 year old so any family friendly suggestions would be great.

We were only there a few days, but we really just enjoyed exploring the old town area. I'd visit Charles Bridge in the morning (say 8 or 9) to beat the crowds and the heat. With a kid, you'll likely be on an earlish schedule anyway. We loved the clocktower as well. Prague Castle was great and definitely doable for a six-year-old. Café Louvre was a great breakfast spot, but everywhere we ate was great. Other than that, I've heard great things about some of the museums (Museum of Communism, in particularly), but we were museumed out by the time we got to Prague. I really enjoyed just soaking in the city. I've never been anywhere where I felt I had so much to look at every time I turned a corner.

Great, thanks. Confirms pretty much what Steves suggested. We are early risers as well as you suspected. THanks for the restaurant rec. :D

It's been a while, but the puppet theatre, paddle boating on the river, the old Jewish cemetery, and two days in Cesky Krumlov (magical) were also highlights for me. 

[Jouer]

Visited Prague this summer, and it was also very affordable and gorgeous. Would definitely go back.

I'm going to Prague next year and skimmed through the Rick Steve's book (from the library). What were your favorite must sees? The castle? Clocktower? Any other words of advice? We'll be there next year with my 6 year old so any family friendly suggestions would be great.

We were only there a few days, but we really just enjoyed exploring the old town area. I'd visit Charles Bridge in the morning (say 8 or 9) to beat the crowds and the heat. With a kid, you'll likely be on an earlish schedule anyway. We loved the clocktower as well. Prague Castle was great and definitely doable for a six-year-old. Café Louvre was a great breakfast spot, but everywhere we ate was great. Other than that, I've heard great things about some of the museums (Museum of Communism, in particularly), but we were museumed out by the time we got to Prague. I really enjoyed just soaking in the city. I've never been anywhere where I felt I had so much to look at every time I turned a corner.

Great, thanks. Confirms pretty much what Steves suggested. We are early risers as well as you suspected. THanks for the restaurant rec. :D

Check out the Letna beer garden. It's a nice place to visit after doing the tourist thing all morning. It's actually a nice park overlooking the city and is very child friendly. Nice picnic tables to sit at or you could take a blanket and sit on the grass. Bonus: pack a picnic for lunch rather than eating out.

If you like beer, don't settle for the usual pilsners. Taste them for sure, but there is a great local beer market in Prague these days providing wonderful beer choices.

A must see: the Jewish Quarter. Incredible amount of (horrible) history took place there. It costs some money to get into the synagogue and museum but it is so worth it. The drawings from the children...oh crap, getting dusty in here......anyways, do this. Between attractions there, I listened in on a tour guide giving some crazy pre-2000th century history. This part might be boring for a child but it is safe for them.

If you like classical music, many of the churches host live music on certain evenings. Hearing some of the classics played on an old church organ was a highlight for me, though they did have very talented string musicians as well. I happened upon a sign on a church advertising it and I've heard many churches do this.

[undercover]

Not only is it cheap when you're there but it's also cheap to fly there. You can fly from most major cities in the US for under $400 (I've seen as low as $320, round trip) pretty much anywhere in Europe if you time it correctly.

[TimmyTightWad]

I spent a month in Paris, Nice, and Monaco. Prices at supermarkets and such were cheap in France (not really the case for anythign else). Monaco was outrageous of course. Ended up eating dinner in a pizza shop because I was too afford to even step foot in any real restaurant there.

Going to SE Asia this weekend for a couple weeks and I expect everywhere to be cheap except for Singapore (sin tax on booze)

[neonlight]

I spent a month in Paris, Nice, and Monaco. Prices at supermarkets and such were cheap in France (not really the case for anythign else). Monaco was outrageous of course. Ended up eating dinner in a pizza shop because I was too afford to even step foot in any real restaurant there.

Going to SE Asia this weekend for a couple weeks and I expect everywhere to be cheap except for Singapore (sin tax on booze)

Welcome to SE Asia :)

Food is super cheap and very delicious!

Sin tax also exists in Malaysia and Brunei, and to some degree Indonesia.

[NinetyFour]

P2F.