5 Go-To Tips for Saving Money and Loving Europe ✨

I’ve traveled to France, Switzerland, London, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and here are my top tips for saving money during your trip.

1. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

Get a pass for public transport and buy directly from the supplier instead of using online travel agencies (OTAs) when possible.

❤️Netherlands: I got a GVB pass from the GVB app, which works like Singapore's Ezlink based on my travel needs. I purchased a 2-day pass for €15 (about SGD 21.50), allowing unlimited use of GVB trams, metros, and buses. It was super convenient! On Klook, the same pass costs around SGD 24.10.

❤️ Ireland: I bought a 1-day Leap Visitor Pass for €8.60, which I mostly used for trams in Dublin’s city center. It was super affordable and convenient, especially since a one-way tram ride is already about €2.

❤️ France: I signed up for a Lime app subscription to cycle around Paris, which was a great way to save on transport.

2. 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Groceries are fresh and cheaper than eating out. While it's not as convenient as in Asia, as supermarkets are often farther from hotels, it’s worth stocking up if you get hungry at night or crave Asian food.

I usually have 1-2 meals outside while cooking the rest to save money and eat healthier.

For example, in Dublin, I found a pack of 6 yoghurt drinks for less than €1—cheaper than Yakult! My favorite things to buy are dairy products, bread (whole meal breeds which is muchhhh more expensive in Singapore) and fruit (especially strawberries, which were delicious!).

Here are my favorite supermarkets for affordable, good-quality products:

- UK: Sainsbury’s

- Amsterdam:Jumbo

- Dublin: SPAR or Dunnes

- France: Carrefour

- Switzerland: Coop (had the cheapest and decent hot meal at their food court)

3. 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬

I stopped using Revolut because of weekend surcharges and switched to Instarem and a CitiBank credit card to rack up miles. I also use a Trust card as a backup, and I noticed Trust has slightly better exchange rates!

For eSIM, I use Airalo, where I’ve stacked up points (or "Airmoney") and reached platinum traveler status. I’ve saved a lot and redeemed about $10 USD on my eSIM purchases in Europe. The internet worked perfectly during my stay, except for one hiccup in Bangkok LOL

4. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

Different OTAs offer different deals, so always search across platforms like Pelago, Klook, and Trip to find the best price for attractions. For example, when I looked for Anne Frank House tickets, I found the museum tickets on Trip, while Klook only had walking tours. I even read reviews on Google Maps and Lemon8 that it usually takes 3 weeks to secure tickets, but I managed to buy mine just 2 days in advance via Trip.

Don’t forget to use ShopBack before checking out! If you're flying with Singapore Airlines, definitely use Pelago codes for additional discount (30% off). I also shared my experience getting a cheaper Tokyo DisneySea ticket in another blog post here

5. 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Some of the best experiences in Europe are free! In London, I enjoyed the free museums even more than the paid ones—my favorite being The National Gallery, which I preferred over the British Museum. So beautiful!!!

I also loved walking around Notting Hill on the weekends to soak in the atmosphere, visiting Spitalfields Market, or enjoying the beautiful scenery along the canals in Amsterdam. Cycling along the Seine River in Paris, soaking in the vintage, chic vibe, was a high flight for my Europe summer trip 😻

There are so many things to do in Europe without spending a lot of money—whether it’s exploring the rich history, admiring the scenery, or enjoying the local vibe.

#mindfulspending #ThingsToDo #traveltips #europetravel #amsterdamtravel #amsterdam #france #dublin #London #switzerlandtravel