7 Travel Hacks That Saved Me $3000 on My Last Trip to Europe

Ever looked at your bank statement after a vacation and thought, “How did I spend that much?” Yeah, same here. But this time, I got smarter. On my recent month-long trip across Europe, I managed to cut over $3,000 in costs — without sacrificing comfort or experiences. 

Here’s exactly how I did it:

1. I Flew on a Tuesday and Used “Hidden City” Tricks 

Flying mid-week saved me hundreds already, but the real game-changer? Using Skiplagged to find hidden city fares. I booked a ticket from NYC to Milan via Zurich — then got off in Zurich. Risky? A bit. But it worked. I saved $470 on that flight alone. 

🧠 Tip: Don’t check bags when doing this — you can’t skip layovers with luggage.

2. Airbnb Was Out — I Used Trusted House Sitters 

Instead of paying $100+/night for Airbnbs, I spent $0 for 10 nights by watching someone’s dog in Barcelona. Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Nomador let you stay for free in exchange for pet-sitting or plant care. 💰

 Total saved: $1,000+

3. eSIM Apps > Buying Local SIMs 

Roaming charges? No thanks. I downloaded Airalo, got a regional eSIM for $15, and had data across 10+ countries. No fumbling with SIM cards. No overpriced airport kiosks. 

🌍 Recommended: Airalo or Nomad for reliable coverage in Europe.

4. I Used Trainline and FlixBus for Cross-Country Travel 

Forget expensive high-speed rail tickets. I mixed and matched cheap buses (FlixBus = €9 from Berlin to Prague!) with budget trains using Trainline. With proper planning, I never paid over $35 for any ride. 

🚆 Bonus: Book overnight buses = save on accommodation too.

5. Free Local Tours & Museum Days 

In Paris, I joined a free walking tour from Sandemans — and learned more in 2 hours than any guidebook. I also planned museum visits around free entry days (Louvre is free on the first Sunday of each month!). 

🎨 Pro hack: Google “Free museum days + [City]” before you go.  

6. Credit Card Perks I Never Knew 

I Had My Chase card covered rental car insurance in Portugal — something I nearly paid $180 for. Plus, using it for booking gave me 3% cashback on travel-related purchases. 

💳 Lesson: Check your card’s travel benefits before your trip. You might already have coverage.  

7. I Tracked Every Expense With a Free App 

I used TravelSpend to log every coffee, every Uber, every hostel. Watching my money move in real time helped me avoid splurging on random €12 pastries. 📱

Apps I recommend: 

TravelSpend  (for budgeting) 

Splitwise (for group trips) 

Hopper (to watch flight prices drop)

✨ Final Thoughts: Cheap Doesn’t Mean Boring 

I still ate amazing local food, saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle, and cruised through Venice. But I didn’t pay full price for any of it. 

If you’re planning a trip and want to stretch your budget without living like a monk, these hacks are exactly where you should start.