Anyone who’s ever visited Europe’s tourist hotspots in peak season would know it can get expensive. The constant dining out and Aperol Spritzes, the hotel or Airbnb room rates, the beach chair hire and boat trips — they all add up, leaving a dent in your wallet that’s very real.
You’ll be less than impressed, then, to hear that due to surging energy prices, it’s only going to get more expensive. Between May 2019 and May 2022, the average hotel room rate rose 23% in Italy, 21% in Ireland, 17% in Spain and 12% in the UK, reports global hospitality industry analysts STR. Meanwhile, average daily rates on Airbnb increased by 40% during that 2019 to 2022 period.
Now, some Australian industry experts are predicting the room rate rise, prompted by soaring energy prices, will continue into next year. They’re anticipating a 25% increase in hotel prices in Greece and Croatia in 2023, according to Traveller. Tour operators planning trips around Turkey in 2023 are facing between 20% to nearly 50% increase in room rates, in euros.
Related: Shoulder Season Is the Best Time to Travel Euro-Summer Like a Local
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So, what to do? Well, if you’re planning a Euro trip for next year and have a vague idea of your dates and itinerary, it may be a good idea to start booking your accommodation asap. The other thing you may want to do is rejig your itinerary, aiming to bypass or spend less time in notoriously expensive countries and opting for lesser-known, and often much-cheaper, spots instead.
Some more affordable European destinations to visit include Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary.
Another thing to consider if you’re looking to slash costs on your Euro trip? Travelling during shoulder season, which means on the fringes of peak season, either before or after it. So, if you were planning a trip for summer, think about going in late April or May, or September or early October instead.
“’Shoulder season’ is an off-peak period when a destination has less crowds, lower prices, and milder weather,” writes American solo travel advisor Jen in an Instagram post. “It’s a great way to get a more authentic experience while spending less for the same fabulous hotel rooms.”
In terms of airfare prices during shoulder season, the biggest price drops are in the most popular destinations. As for accommodation during shoulder season, expect significant price drops, too. Prices tend to rise during school breaks and holidays so take some time to learn more about the area’s academic and cultural calendar before booking.”
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