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- Pirate Tips Tips & Tricks from Pirates to Explore Europe on a Budget
Pirate-Approved Tips to Planning a European Trip 🌍📍
Here’s a simple truth that doesn’t get mentioned enough—once you’re in Europe, traveling between countries is incredibly easy and, most of all, affordable!
That’s why we’re sharing some of our best tips to help you finally take that Europe trip you’ve been dreaming about. From budget flights to scenic train rides, we’ve got you covered!
Departing North America
The first step is to get to Europe, and there are plenty of airlines offering great fares from North America to Europe, but we’re focusing on two budget-friendly options that consistently deliver affordable prices without compromising too much on comfort.
While both are budget airlines, the value for money you get is hard to beat.
🏴☠️ Pirate Tip: We run a monthly round-up of the cheapest flights to Europe, so if you’re unsure where to begin, that’s always a great place to start!
PLAY Air
Main destination: Iceland, with four North American departure points:
Washington, DC
Boston, MA
New York (Stewart Airport), NY
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Iceland makes for a fantastic gateway to Europe, and once there, you can easily connect to destinations like Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, and more. They also offer a stayover program, encouraging travelers to explore Iceland before continuing their journey.
Norse Atlantic Airways
Unlike PLAY, Norse Atlantic Airways offers nonstop flights from North America directly to more than one European destinations:
Athens: New York & Los Angeles
Berlin: New York & Miami
London: New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles & Las Vegas
Oslo: New York & Miami
Paris: New York & Los Angeles
Rome: New York & Los Angeles
While PLAY and Norse are among the most affordable options, they’re not the only ones! Keeping an eye on sales and promotions from other airlines can also land you a great deal. Additionally, using Google flight alerts can become your new obsession.
Don’t want to do all the searching? Just keep an eye on our website, where we post daily flight deals—including cheap fares to Europe!
Once in Europe
Once again, the best thing about Europe? How well-connected it is! While some destinations still require a short flight, you can travel between countries for as little as $25 one-way, depending on the airline and route.
Budget Airlines
Europe is full of low-cost carriers, including:
Wizz Air
Vueling
EasyJet
Transavia
RyanAir (my personal favorite!)
Now, I know RyanAir doesn’t have the best reputation, but I personally love it. It’s straightforward, and I’ve never had any issues, other than the occasional delay.
🏴☠️ Pirate Tip: Many European airlines don’t include carry-on bags in their basic base fares, leading to unexpected extra fees. While RyanAir’s regular fare costs a bit more, it includes priority boarding, seat selection, and a 22-pound carry-on—making it a solid value!
Trains
Europe’s train network is extensive and offers a unique travel experience compared to flights.
Think about it—by the time you get to an airport, go through security, deal with possible delays, and wait for baggage, taking a train could actually save you time. Another perk of trains is that you can bring more luggage without having to pay airline fees to check it.
Want to skip an extra night of accommodation? Europe has overnight trains connecting multiple destinations, meaning you can go to sleep in one city and wake up in another—without even feeling the distance and helping you save on accommodation.
🏴☠️ Pirate Tip: Train ticket systems can be a bit daunting, depending on the country. I recommend using Omio—it keeps all your tickets in one place and makes booking super easy.
The Eurorail Pass is also an incredible option, allowing you to travel across 33 European countries with just one pass!
Following these tips, exploring any destination in Europe is easier and cheaper than you'd imagine.
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