Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and it's easy to see why! With stunning scenery, fascinating history, and gorgeous weather, it has so much to offer - which makes it especially important to plan ahead and budget accordingly. If you have your heart set on an exciting European tour, but you don't want to break the bank doing it, here are Ten tips for how to plan and enjoy an exciting European adventure on a budget. you can easily book a spirit airline flight.

Check Airline Deals
There are two ways to research plane tickets, especially if you’re planning a long trip. The first is to check airfare deals using online tools such as Google Flights and Hopper. The second way is to call your local travel agency and get advice from one of their experts (which will cost you more than doing it yourself, but it may be worth it). Whichever method you choose, start by checking fares within six months or so of your desired departure date; when I was considering plans for a 10-day Greece trip over Christmas, I found flight prices ranging from $800-$2,000 per person one month before departure.

Rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel
It may seem like common sense, but one of the best ways to save money while traveling is to skip expensive hotels and rent an apartment instead. Plus, renting apartments allows you to really immerse yourself in a destination rather than just passing through like you would in a hotel. Think about it: In most places you visit, there are amazing hidden gems waiting behind front doors. Use sites like Airbnb or TripAdvisor to find unique apartments and houses from locals.

Avoid Expensive Tours
A guided tour can be tempting if you're looking to maximize your cultural exposure, but think twice before booking one. The biggest problem with tours is that they often cost several times what an independent excursion would run you. Additionally, touring large cities with a guide can limit your ability to learn about them on your own terms—which is ultimately more rewarding than constantly being told where to go and what to see. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a guided tour, plan small excursions of your own while at each stopover.

Don’t Rely on Public Transportation
Buses, trains and subway systems are convenient when you want to travel across town or spend several days in one city. However, they can be a huge drain on your wallet because they often cost more than you think and take longer than anticipated. To save money, it’s best to avoid public transportation as much as possible—especially if you have to pay for every little trip individually. There are other ways to get around Europe without spending too much money (you don’t have to fly everywhere). Always check with locals first about less-traveled alternatives; sometimes walking is faster and cheaper than taking buses or trains.

Use Google Translate App
Learning a language before your trip is crucial to making new friends and having great experiences when you’re there. But what if you only have time to learn a little bit of Italian? Or don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars for private lessons? Using Google Translate can help: just download their app, type in whatever it is you want to say, and they’ll translate it into Italian. Though they currently offer translations in more than 70 languages, some words will be lost in translation (pun intended). For example, you can’t translate something by saying this or that, and proper names might not be translated correctly. Don't let that stop you from downloading their app, though!

Skip souvenirs
A couple of years ago, I met a British family at my favorite Turkish restaurant. They were traveling in Turkey and also wanted to visit Istanbul but had only two weeks to explore both countries. So how could they make it work? We're only buying souvenirs, said one of them, with an exhausted sigh. She went on to say that they'd decided not to buy any souvenirs except for keychains or mugs that they could use every day when they got home; everything else—knick knacks, scarves, tchotchkes—was out of their budget. I was so envious! How much more relaxing does that sound than spending every evening wrangling over which gifts are worthy enough purchases?

Use the Right Credit Card
Traveling across Europe can be costly, so make sure you’re using a credit card that offers rewards or other cash back options. Try to find one that gives you travel points or miles, because you’ll want to save up enough of them to pay for flights and hotels before departure. You could also use your credit card to pay for gas and transportation while abroad. That way, you won’t have to pull money out of your savings account just yet.

Befriend Locals
Many travelers make the mistake of surrounding themselves with tourists and English speakers, so they can connect to their comfort zone. After all, it’s often easier to speak in your native tongue than learn another. However, connecting with locals can provide you with valuable insight into local culture and experiences that are completely off most tourist itineraries. Get out there! Be bold! (But do research first!) The more effort you put into immersing yourself in your destination's customs and language, the more you’ll be able to enjoy its unique offerings. This is not just true of travel—it’s true in life. When we immerse ourselves in new experiences—when we get outside our comfort zones—we grow as people.

Don’t Rush from Place to Place
There’s no way around it, European travel can be expensive. But if you plan carefully and practice patience, there are countless ways to have an affordable (and exciting) time while in Europe. The quickest way to lose money while traveling is by hitting each city like a tour guide. After all, how much time do you think you’ll spend in Paris versus Bruges? Three days? At most? You’ll want to make sure you experience both cities with that amount of time or else your trip will feel rushed and unfulfilling. If possible, give yourself at least five days in each place—you won’t regret it!

Stay in Touch with Family and Friends Back Home
Whether you’re going away to school or spending a semester abroad, plan to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Home can become your safe haven when you’re trying to adjust to new surroundings, so call or email every once in a while. It will make you feel less homesick and it will help your loved ones know that you’re okay. Plus, if they see that they can help out with anything while you’re gone, they may be more willing to lend an ear when something goes wrong. People like helping people and talking about problems with friends always helps—even if it is just vicariously through someone else's experiences (e.g., I remember how homesick I was in my freshman year of college. Whether looking for Spirit flight Booking to visit tampa, detroit, or New Orleans!