Traveling through Europe can be expensive. The plane rides, excursions, gelato, hotels and many other costs add up quickly. Coming into this experience of studying abroad in Italy, I had a set budget in mind. I quickly learned once being in Italy that it would be much harder to stay in budget than I expected. Along the way, I have learned when it is either necessary to splurge for a once-in-a-lifetime experience or to save money. 

Saving money doesn’t always mean missing out on experiences. Here is a list of different situations on when to save and when to splurge.

When to save: 

• Buy plane tickets through Skyscanner. This website offers the cheapest flights through airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet. These airlines are cheap but charge for every extra amenity, such as baggage. Because of this, travel with a backpack or small, condensed duffel bag. It is only for 3 days, so an abundance of clothing is not necessary. 
• Get a credit/debit card with no foreign transaction fees. Capital One has a great program called Capital 360. This debit card has no minimum, no monthly fees, and no foreign transaction fees. 
• Walk. Walking everywhere eliminates the bill of private or public transportation. This is also an awesome way to explore and see the whole city. 

When to splurge: 

• Reserve a taxi from the airport. Even if you think you can ride the train, book a taxi. The walk from the Albano train station to the Chigi Palace seems much longer with luggage. 
• Lodging in a good location. It is not necessary to stay in the nicest hotel with all the amenities. Although, it does make traveling much easier when staying in a central location. A hostel or Airbnb are good alternatives to save money while still in a good location. 
• If the experience is once-in-a-lifetime. These types of experiences don’t come often, so when they do, it’s imperative to take advantage of them. 

Best,

Kelsey Ching | Junior in Accounting