How I Travel Europe as an Au Pair Without Spending a Fortune

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1. Travel Doesn’t Have to Be Luxury to Be Meaningful

I’m definitely not paid a ton as an au pair, and yet I’ve still been able to travel to several countries while living in France. So, how do I do it?

First of all, I came to France with savings because I knew traveling would be one of my priorities. But being an au pair helps more than you might think—I don’t pay rent or buy groceries, which cuts out two huge expenses and allows me to use more of my money toward travel.

Being an au pair has also created unique opportunities to travel, sometimes with the family, but mostly by giving me designated time off that I can use to plan my own trips.

I also genuinely believe traveling around Europe doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive if you’re intentional about what you spend money on. For me, that usually means prioritizing experiences over luxury.

And honestly? You do not need a massive budget to have meaningful travel experiences.

2. Living in Europe Changes Everything

Being based in France completely changes travel logistics.

Compared to traveling from somewhere like the U.S., where flights to Europe can cost a fortune, traveling within Europe is so much more accessible. Countries are much closer together, which means cheaper transportation options and less time spent traveling.

Sometimes flying is actually cheaper than taking the train, depending on the destination, so I usually compare both options before booking.

For trains, I almost always check [SNCF Connect] first because I get discounted rates being under 25 in France. Then I compare prices on [Omio], which is great for planning routes between countries.

For flights, I usually check [Expedia] or budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet.

One of my favorite parts of living here is being able to take spontaneous weekend trips without needing to plan months in advance. Sometimes I’ll decide on a destination and book a train ticket the night before.

👉 (You can read about one of my favorite weekend trips here → [My Weekend Trip to Mont Saint-Michel post])

3. I Prioritize Budget-Friendly Travel Styles

As a solo traveler, I naturally lean toward more budget-friendly ways of traveling.

Hostels

If there’s a hostel option, that’s probably where I’m staying. They’re almost always cheaper than hotels, especially when you’re traveling solo and can’t split accommodation costs.

But honestly, the social aspect is just as valuable. Hostels make it incredibly easy to meet other travelers who are doing exactly what you’re doing—exploring, wandering, and trying to experience a place fully.

👉 (I book almost all of my hostels through [Hostelworld].)

Walking Everywhere

If I can walk somewhere, I will.

Will I end the day with 30,000 steps and sore feet? Probably. But walking is one of the best ways to experience a city naturally. Some of my favorite moments while traveling have happened because I wandered down a random street with no real plan.

And when I do need transportation, I almost always use public transport instead of Uber or taxis. Most cities are much easier to navigate than they seem, especially with Google Maps basically telling you exactly where to go.

Slower Travel

I’m also a huge fan of slower travel.

I don’t love bouncing to a new city every two days. Constantly moving around gets expensive fast, and personally, I’d rather spend more time actually getting to know a place than just checking it off a list.

4. I Don’t Try to Do EVERYTHING

One of the fastest ways to burn yourself out while traveling is trying to cram too much into one trip.

If there’s a touristy experience that truly feels worth it—like a cooking class, a museum, or a major landmark—I’ll absolutely spend money on that. But I’m also realistic about what’s actually worth paying extra for.

For example, I rarely choose upgraded guided tours unless I genuinely think the experience benefits from it. Most of the time, I prefer exploring at my own pace anyway.

I also think it’s important to research alternatives to expensive “must-do” attractions. Sometimes the famous viewpoint with a ticket price isn’t actually better than a free overlook somewhere else in the city.

And honestly, not every second of your trip needs to be planned. Some of the best travel moments happen when you slow down a little.

5. The Biggest Ways I Save Money While Traveling

Booking Transportation Early

The second I know I have time off and decide where I want to go, I start looking at transportation first because prices can rise fast.

Traveling During Shoulder Season

Traveling outside peak summer months has helped a lot with accommodation prices and crowds.

Budgeting Food Realistically

Food can add up quickly, so I usually pick one meal a day that I’m willing to spend more money on.

Maybe lunch is a cheap sandwich or grocery store snack, and dinner is a nice sit-down meal. Or maybe it’s the opposite depending on the day.

And if a hostel includes free breakfast? Huge win.

The hostel I stayed at in Switzerland included breakfast every morning, which saved me a surprising amount because Switzerland is expensive.

Carry-On Only

I also only travel with a carry-on.

It saves money on flights, makes transportation easier, and honestly just makes travel feel less stressful overall.

Before my Spain trip, I bought a duffel bag that doubles as a backpack, and it has become one of my favorite travel purchases because it’s so much easier to carry around than a large suitcase.

👉 (I found a similar one on Amazon here → [link to duffle bag])

👉 (You can also read my travel essentials post here → [link to packing post])

6. What I Do Spend More Money On

The things I’m most willing to spend money on are experiences.

If I have to choose between buying another souvenir or doing a cooking class, I’m picking the experience every single time.

I’ll also occasionally splurge on a really good meal because food is such a huge part of traveling and experiencing a place.

Respectfully, I am not eating PB&Js for every meal just to save money.

And when it comes to hostels, I’ll often spend a little extra for an all-female dorm if it’s available. For me, that extra comfort and sense of safety is usually worth it.

7. The Biggest Thing I’ve Learned

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that traveling more isn’t always about having more money—it’s about traveling differently.

Living in Europe has definitely made travel more accessible for me, but a lot of it has also been about figuring out how to make the most of what I do have.

When I went to Spain, I stayed in hostels, walked almost everywhere, stayed up way too late, and was completely exhausted by the end of the trip—but I loved every second of it.

Travel doesn’t have to be luxurious to be incredible.

Sometimes it’s cheap meals, long walks, missed trains, random conversations with strangers, and figuring things out as you go. And honestly? Those are usually the moments I remember most.

8. Final Thoughts

I’m here to tell you that it is possible to travel and explore without being rich.

When I graduated college, I knew I wanted to travel long-term, but I also knew I couldn’t afford to constantly move from place to place full-time. Becoming an au pair ended up being the perfect balance, and honestly, one of the best decisions I’ve made.

For me, travel has never really been about perfection or luxury. It’s about meaningful experiences, growth, and seeing more of the world in whatever way you can.

And if you’ve ever thought about solo traveling or living abroad, I genuinely think it can change you in ways you never expected.

More Posts You Might Like

• [My Solo Travel Week in Spain]

• [How I Plan My Weekend Solo Trips as an Au Pair in France]

• [What I Pack for Weekend Trips in Europe]

• [What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Au Pair in France]