Caravan and motorhome trips often evoke the idea of escaping to the beach or the countryside, but they also make a great option for exploring cities.
Having your own transport and accommodation immediately keeps costs down when pitching up close to some of Europe’s most bustling metropolises.
But there are a whole raft of other measures you can take to make your city break as affordable as possible and FlightsFinder.com has provided a rundown of some of them.
Shahab Siddiqui, founder of FlightsFinder.com said: “January can be a dreary month and a lot of people are looking for a quick getaway, meaning city breaks are very popular.
“There are plenty of ways you can be savvy with your money while still enjoying a beautiful break away.”
The CaravanTimes team have also added a few of their own personal money-saving hacks to the list.
Factor in the tourist tax
When budgeting for your next European city break, it’s worth factoring in the new tourist taxes that are becoming common across the continent.
Venice, Naples and Valencia are all now leveraging the fees on visitors and despite only being a few euros, these soon rack up for every night you stay.
Book free tours
While free tours can save you money on a city break, it’s important to be prepared to tip your guide, as that’s how they make it worth their while.
Many European capitals and other cities have a selection of free tours and even after tipping, these can work out a lot cheaper than those with a set fee.
Purchase a travel pass
Once you’ve pitched up near your city destination, you may not intend to move your caravan or motorhome for the duration of your trip.
That usually means relying on public transport and a three-day or weekly travel pass is likely to save you cash in the long run, especially if you’re catching a bus, ferry or train into the city each day.
Research the best local travel routes
While we’re on the subject of public transport, some local routes can offer great views of a city’s landmarks at a fraction of the price of a hop-on, hop-off bus.
In Lisbon, this is tram 28, which travels through the Alfama, Baixa, Estrela and Graca districts; and in Paris the 69 bus goes from near the Eiffel Tower to Pere Lachaise Cemetery, taking in the Pont Neuf, the Louvre and Notre-Dame along the way.
Invest in a tourism card
If sightseeing is top of your to-do list during your city break then a tourism card is a great way to get discounts on entrance fees to museums, galleries and other attractions.
You usually have to pay upfront for the card, but will quickly recoup the cost and there’s often further discounts on partner restaurants, cafes and bars too.
Use offline maps
We’ve all become accustomed to using our phones for navigation, but roaming charges can be expensive on the continent.
Download maps to your phone when you have Wi-Fi or prior to departure so you can still get around without being stung by charges. Make sure the route to your campsite is among these.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Archana Reddy
