How Aussies can do ‘Euro summer’ on a budget – and the big airport mistake to avoid

A young Aussie travel influencer has revealed the big airport mistake she keeps making that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Every year as soon as it starts getting colder in Australia there suddenly seems to be an influx of people on your Instagram feed jetting off overseas for “Euro summer”.

While you’re retrieving your Oodie from the back of your wardrobe where you banished it to at the end of winter the previous year, your social media is filled with people sipping on an Aperol spritz in Rome or relaxing on a beach on Mykonos.

If you’re desperate to have your own European adventure but aren’t sure about how to do it on a budget, there are a few things you can do now to keep your spending in check, while also still making the trip feel a little bit luxurious.

Jacki is an Aussie travel influencer who has been to Europe enough times to understand what it really takes to have a boujee holiday, while also sticking to a strict budget.

She runs a TikTok account under the handle Jetsetting Jacki, where she imparts her travel wisdom onto her more than 52,000 followers.

Speaking to news.com.au, the 28-year-old revealed the big budget mistake she herself is guilty of making, which could set you back hundreds of dollars before you even get on the plane.

Of all the travel the Jacki has done, her biggest regret will always be packing too much and having to pay for extra luggage as a result.

“I promise you, you need about half the things you think you should take,” she said.

“I also love shopping and being able to look back and say ‘I bought this necklace in Turkey’ or ‘I got this bag at a market in Morocco’.

“And I have learnt the hard way many times and I end up being charged hundreds for an overweight bag. Pack less.”

One of the most common questions she gets asked when people are planning a Europe trip is, “How much money should I take?”

Unfortunately, as you would probably expect, there is no one-size-fits all answer.

“Some people are happy to stay in 16-bed hostel dorms and catch 18-hour buses to save some money, and others – like me – think that sounds dreadful,” Jacki said.

Jacki is a travel influencer who has learnt all the best tips for sticking to a budget while still having a boujee Euro summer. Picture: @jetsetting_jacki/Instagram

She has warned against overpacking. Picture: @jetsetting_jacki/TikTok

As someone who travels on a “boujee budget”, the travel influencer said one of her top tips is for people to create a rough budget by working backwards from the day they want to leave and being “super honest” about how much money they can actually save during that time.

“The key here is to be honest with yourself and what is actually reasonable for you,” she said.

“Based on that number, think about whether you prefer a longer trip with a tighter budget or a shorter more ‘go go go’ type holiday.”

When you think budget travel, most people’s minds immediately go to hostels, which are great for meeting new people but not so great if you want accommodation with a bit of privacy.

For those that still want to make friends but aren’t keen on sharing a room with strangers, Jacki suggests trying to snag a private room in a hostel. It will be more expensive than a dorm-style room but it will generally still be more affordable than a hotel.

She also suggests choosing accommodation based on location, noting that even if you have to spend a bit more, in the long run you will save time and money getting around to the places you want to go, especially if they are within walking distance.

Jacki said the “biggest budget-blower” for European trips is definitely partying.

“If you want to be out every night make sure you budget for how much you’ll spend on drinks. And don’t forget that late-night slice of pizza too,” she said.

For the travel influencer, food is a huge part of her trips and she likes to plan at least one nice sit-down meal each day.

In order to find places with the best price and quality, she seeks out where the locals are going and tries to avoid any restaurants near big tourists attractions.

“And then for your other meals try having a supermarket picnic or something from a local market. Half the time this is just as nice or even tastier than a restaurant,” she said.

Ensuring you get the best deals on your flights is another way to save some cash when planning a big overseas holiday.

Ashley Andrew, Group Marketing Manager for travel booking site Mix & Match, suggests avoiding peak times in order to get the best deals.

“Book early bird flight specials usually in September or October for travel the following year for Euro summer to find flight deals and the best availability,” she told news.com.au.

“Fly in off-peak season. Go ahead of the crowded summer season in April or May, or enjoy the last of summer and autumn during the month of October or November.”

Jacki says one of the biggest budget blowers when planning a Euro trip is often not accounting for how expensive a night out can be. Picture: @jetsetting_jacki/Instagram

She said the key is to strike a balance between time vs. money. Picture: @jetsetting_jacki/Instagram

In order to help young Aussies realise their holiday dreams, Mix & Match is offering $100 off international flights for students.

“Mix and Match online travel are excited to launch Student Flight Deals, helping students save up to $100* on international return flights. Compare airlines easily, find the best fares, and fly now, pay later with Afterpay,” Ms Andrew said.

While it is important to have a budget and to stick to it, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t occasions where it is worth spending that little bit of extra money.

For many people, particularly Australians who have to factor in significant flight time, going on a big Europe trip will mean striking a balance between time and money.

“If you’ve only got two to three weeks off work and you want to see and do as much as you can, it can be so worthwhile spending a bit more money to save time,” Jacki said.

For example, a two hour flight may be $200 compared to a $20 overnight bus, but it gives you a whole extra day at your next destination to explore.

“So before you start your trip have a good think about whether saving on time or money is more important to you,” the travel blogger said.

“Also a nice way to think about spending is ‘will this be a good story to tell your grandkids one day?’

“Most of time a nicer hotel you won’t even remember, but paragliding on the Swiss Alps, you definitely will.”