3 Ways to Stretch Your Dollar on a European Vacation

If 2024’s travel patterns were any indication, 2025 is shaping up to be a huge year for European travel. According to data published in February 2025 from the European Travel Commission, a non-profit organization that represents 36 different European tourism organizations, the number of foreign arrivals into Europe was up not only 6.7% from 2023, but even surpassed 2019 levels by 6.3%.

But rising demand also tends to mean rising travel costs. Given that, expect many aspects of European travel to be expensive and crowded this year. But, a few strategies can make a European vacation more affordable.

1. Save money by looking to second cities

Second cities are the lesser-known, less-populated areas around major cities. They can often offer lighter crowds and lower prices than the big tourist destinations.

As far as European second cities (or third or fourth cities) go, you might enjoy Austria’s second-largest city by population, Graz, which is about a 2 ½-hour train ride from Vienna. Between the Graz Truffle Festival and the abundance of places to enjoy Backhendl (Austrian fried chicken), it’s a foodie paradise. And with sites like the Eggenberg Palace and the world’s largest historical armory, it’s a must-visit for history buffs.

In France, you might skip Paris for the country’s third-largest city by population, Lyon, which has a lovely historic district called Vieux Lyon, as well as spectacular Roman ruins that are free to visit.

2. Stretch your budget by being flexible with travel dates

July tends to be one of the busiest months for European travel, and summer crowds are generally busy.

Instead, consider traveling during what's called shoulder season, which is the period between the peak season and the offseason. It often has lighter crowds (and typically lower prices) than peak season. Plus, there’s generally cooler weather and more local things to do.

The exact dates of off-peak versus peak seasons can vary by region, based on factors like weather and tourist attractions. But according to 2019 ITA data, across Europe, the four least busy months to fly were November through February.

The four busiest months in the same year were May, June, July and September. That leaves March, April and October as those shoulder season months — and potentially the best months to travel to Europe.

But even if you can’t be flexible with which month you travel, sometimes adjusting your trip by a day or two could save hundreds of dollars in airfare. Travel booking tools like Google Flights and Hopper offer date grids that show you the cheapest airfare in the period surrounding your intended travel date.

3. Get compensated if your travel is delayed

Even with the perfect flight itinerary, anticipate delays.

If your European flight is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation. An EU regulation called EU261 forces airlines to compensate travelers for most cancellations, denied boarding, or delays of two or more hours on flights into, out of or within the EU.

As long as the flight wasn’t disrupted due to circumstances that are beyond human control — such as weather — passengers are entitled to compensation ranging from 250 euros (about $275) to 600 euros (about $660), depending on the length of the flight and delay.

The regulation is controversial, and some experts say the regulation hasn’t done anything to actually mitigate flight disruptions.

“Penalizing airlines raises airline costs but does not address delays caused by factors over which airlines have no control, such as inefficient air traffic management or staffing shortages at air navigation service providers,” read a June 2023 statement from airline lobbying group the International Air Transport Association.

But at least for passengers waiting out a delayed flight, the compensation serves as a small consolation prize in the event of a disrupted European vacation.