How to travel cheaply when you're young
There's a band of age-based discounts that disappears at 26 and that plenty of people never use while they have it. Here's everything available.
Age discounts
Many European museums are free or nearly free under 25 or 26, and plenty of trains and buses have youth fares. International student cards and regional youth cards open discounts on accommodation and transport. Check destination by destination: across one trip the difference can be a hundred euros.
Hostels
A dorm bed in Europe runs 15 to 35 euros a night against 60–100 for a private room. They also solve the problem of meeting people if you travel alone. Always read the cleanliness reviews before the atmosphere ones.
Transport
Long-distance coaches between European cities are by far the cheapest option, though the journeys are long. Regional trains, with no reservation, usually cost far less than high-speed for medium distances.
Eat where locals eat
The difference between eating on the monument street and eating three streets away is half the price in almost any European city. Municipal markets and local bakeries handle meals for very little.
Travel off-season
It's the biggest discount that exists and it doesn't depend on your age. The same week in October instead of August can cost half.
What not to cut
Travel insurance. It costs little and a medical emergency abroad without cover can run into thousands. And if you're under 18, check the documentation and parental authorisation requirements of the country you're going to before buying anything.
Keep reading
Browse every budget destination, or go back to the board and filter by month.