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Join Which? TravelWe’re travel experts, here’s how we save on a European city break
12 ways we spend less on flights, trains, hotels, attractions, meals and more, plus the expensive mistakes we avoid
Award-winning editor Naomi has 20 years' experience in travel journalism. She writes Which? Travel’s newsletter and edits magazine and online news and features.
The Which? Travel team has nearly 100 years of combined experience, making many hundreds of visits all over Europe, so we asked them to share their tried and tested methods for keeping costs down.
From always using a mobile to unlock hotel discounts, to securing £29 Eurostar tickets and enjoying free gallery access in Paris and Florence, our travel experts show how to get more bang for your buck on your next city break.
Our insider tips reveal how to make the most of shopping points and explain why you should do the maths before booking ‘cheap’ transfers and ticket bundles.
We also share how to avoid getting stung by card transactions and where to find a decent local meal.
Meet the Expert
I adore travelling and when I’m not on a trip, I can be found daydreaming about the next place I’d like to go. But it’s hard to justify the spiralling costs of holidays so I value any tips our budget-savvy team can share. Which? Travel’s research has helped me to choose under the radar locations, secure the best price on bookings and to find off-season sweet spots in popular destinations.
Naomi Leach, deputy editor, Which? Travel
How I save on my hotel stay...
I never book a hotel on my laptop without checking the price on my mobile first: otherwise I’d risk missing out on mobile-only discounts of around 20% found on sites including Booking.com, Expedia and hotels.com on selected listings. I also contact the hotel directly to see if I can get a better deal or match a booking platform price with a few perks.
Jo, senior researcher/writer
Read more: Why is it cheaper to book a hotel via phone?
How I secure hotel discounts and upgrades...
As I’ve signed up to various hotel loyalty schemes, I save money by using reward programmes on big-brand stays. Most are free to join and offer perks such as room upgrades, a free breakfast, late check out or special members rates on booking. I found a Hotel Indigo stay for 20% off with an IHG membership.
Jo, senior researcher/writer
How I save on flights...
I book my flights two to three months in advance for the best price. Six months before a trip, I’ll have set up a price alert on Skyscanner or Google so I receive an email when the price to my chosen city drops. It depends on the location, but I’ve often found it’s cheaper to fly out on Saturday rather than a Friday and take the Monday off instead of battling the crowds on a Sunday evening heading back to the UK. I very rarely pay to sit with my companions as most airlines seat us together for free anyway (and if they don’t, a couple of hours sat apart for the journey isn't a problem).
I’m also wary of bundled ticket options...
When I’m booking flights, I don’t accept bundled offers (eg with seat selection, several suitcases, speedy boarding and so on) without checking whether it costs less to buy the cheapest fare and then add on only the essentials I’ll need (such as minimum required luggage).
Trevor, senior researcher/writer
Read more: What to watch out for when booking Ryanair.
How I enjoy free companion flights...
I have the free Amex/BA credit card, which we use as much as possible throughout the year to get the free companion voucher. When booking, we often base our trip around availability of dates for the companion voucher to get one flight free (it’s best if you book early and not in school holidays). I then use the built up Amex points to pay for the other flight – meaning we only have to pay for accommodation.
Lauren, senior researcher/content editor
How I save on airport transfers...
Instead of falling for shiny advertisements around the airport directing me to take the most expensive specialist buses and trains into the city, I first check Google Maps or Citymapper to see if I can get public transport cheaper.
You often can (even in London). For example, the Heathrow Express train into London Paddington is £10 if you book in advance, but £26 for a single on the day, and £42 for an open return. It costs more because it gets you into London in just 15 minutes. But if you’re not in a rush, you can secure much cheaper same-day rates by taking TFL’s Elizabeth line (£13.80), and the journey is just under 45 minutes. To travel even more cheaply, take the Piccadilly underground line (tickets start at £5.50) and arrive in central London in just under an hour.
Kate, senior researcher/writer
How I save on European train travel...
I always buy my Eurostar tickets in the sales. You can buy Eurostar tickets up to 11 months in advance, but by far the cheapest way to get them is to wait for a flash sale. If you’re quick, you can get tickets to Paris or Amsterdam for as little as £29 each way – and they’re not all at dreadful times either. Keep an eye on our Eurostar sales news page for updates.
For onward travel, I always buy direct from the national operator, not a third party. And if your train crosses a European border, then check the prices with both countries’ providers. You can often make a big saving.
Guy, principal researcher
How I save on ferry trips...
I save a fortune on ferries to Europe using Tesco Clubcard points. My go-to routes for a family holiday are Stena Line’s Harwich to Hook of Holland and Dover-Calais with P&O or Irish Ferries, and all three companies accept Tesco Clubcard points. We save the points up via the weekly food shop, then exchange them for ferry vouchers (worth double the monetary value of your points). There are some restrictions, and it’s a bit more hassle having to call the dedicated booking line, but it’s worth it for the half-price, or sometimes even totally free, crossings. Wightlink and LeShuttle also accept Clubcard points.
Guy, principal researcher
How I spend less on attractions, museums and galleries...
I book my trip on the first weekend of the month. Many of Europe’s popular city break destinations offer free access to museums on the first Sunday of the month, making a sightseeing trip substantially cheaper if you book your trip to coincide. For example, admission to Florence’s Uffizi and Accademia galleries is usually around €25 (£21) and €18 (£15), respectively. But you could visit both in a day for free and save over €42 (£35). In Paris, you could visit the Musée du Louvre (usually €22), Musée d’Orsay (€16), the Musée Picasso (from €16), the Centre Pompidou (€18) among other tourist favourites for free on the first Sunday of the month. That’s a saving of €72 (£60). And in Lisbon, you could easily visit the Fado Museum (€5) and the famous Tile Museum (from €8) in a day for free, saving you €13.
You do have to check for any timing restrictions at the venues you’re interested in — some only offer free admission in the morning or afternoon, and others might require you to pre-book a free ticket.
Kate, senior researcher/writer
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How I save on dining out abroad...
I like to try a mix of authentic eateries recommended by locals when visiting European cities, but if I’m abroad for a special celebration, I’ll do some research into the top-rated restaurants worth splashing out on, check lots of reviews and then book it for lunch. Although the menu might be stripped back, it’s easier to get a reservation even last-minute. And it's often significantly cheaper, as I found in Florence. If I’m on the go, I also like to eat at food markets like the Time Out market in Lisbon or Torvehallerne in Copenhagen to sample cheap local flavours. Menu deals such as the 'menu del dia' in Spain and 'aperitivo' in Italy can also make dining out more affordable.
Naomi, deputy editor
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How I ensure I don’t overspend...
I use a fee-free debit card (Starling), so all my purchases and cash withdrawals are free – with no nasty surprises. Plus, I follow our guide to tipping abroad, which tells you what to tip taxi drivers and hotel staff, tour guides and waiters, depending on which destination you’re visiting.
Lauren, senior researcher/content editor
Looking for more destination inspiration for your next holiday? The travel team has also shared their pick of favourite long and short-haul locations, plus their dream trips.
How I find cheap or free local gigs and concerts abroad...
I love to hear local music on a trip, so I look for free/cheap concerts and music performances. For example, The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam offers a 'free' (2.5 euro transaction fee) 30-minute lunchtime concert every Wednesday at 12:30pm, from September to June. Free lunchtime concerts at the Berliner Philharmoniker run on Wednesdays at 1pm from September to June. In pleasant weather, open-air concerts, such as Les Kiosque en Fête in Paris from May to December, and Banda Sinfónica Municipal in Madrid from May to September (excluding August), offer free shows, too.
I also always look for free birthday perks (you'll likely have to prove it with your ID/passport). For instance, you can get free entry to Madame Tussauds or Berlin Dungeon in Berlin, or free entry to the National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome.
How I guarantee a crowd-free experience...
I use CruiseMapper or CruiseTimetables to see which days will have the most cruise tourists – and then avoid exploring near the port that day so I can enjoy it at quieter times.
Amy, senior researcher/writer
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