by Shane Hampton

Created on: December 14, 2008

Every year, millions of families and students travel throughout the historic cities and landscapes of Europe. While some are able to dine at the most elegant Parisian restaurants and stay at the most luxurious Scandinavian hotels, most are looking to save a comfortable amount of money during their trip. There are lots of ways to save money on your European vacation without ruining the rich cultural experience of visiting this lovely continent.

LODGING

Many people suggest looking for suburban budget hotels in European cities, but often travelers who choose this option end up spending more time and money getting to central city attractions than they save with cheap room rates. Instead, stick to cheap central city hostels. Especially ideal for students, hostels offer extremely low per-person nightly rates in dorm style rooms. For families, many inner city hostels also offer private rooms at about the same price as a suburban hotel.

When you are looking to save money on lodging, be careful not to expect five-star service. Read reviews of hostels and budget hotels before you book and pack a sleep sheet so you don't have to worry about whether the linens are perfectly clean.

FOOD

Especially in major European cities, food can be expensive. Many travelers forget that European cities have local diners and grocery stores just like back home. Instead they get stuck going to the large, touristy restaurants that are in all the brochures. You can often get a better feel for local culture, and a much cheaper meal, by finding a corner diner in a residential neighborhood. Plan to eat out once a day, since vacation is the time to reward yourself and your family, but for breakfast and lunch you can get cereal and sandwich supplies from local grocery stores. On a busy day of sightseeing, street vendors can provide a quick, cheap meal on the go. But be careful when you're extremely close to major attractions, as street food is often overpriced in touristy areas.

TRANSIT

For getting around an individual city, spend some time researching the various transit pass options. Most metropolitan transit agencies in Europe offer daily or weekly passes that will allow you access to subways and buses and be cheaper than purchasing point-to-point or single trip tickets. Talk with a transit official to find out the best option if you aren't sure. Some cities also have bike rental businesses. Bicycles can be a cheap and fun way to explore a European city if you're up to the challenge.

For getting between

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