Arsenal have topped their group (no that is not a misprint), Manchester City finish second in theirs, and reigning Premier League Champions Leicester all advance to the final 16 of this year’s Champions League. Tottenham looked like they suffered stage fright using Wembley as their temporary home and have crashed out at the group stage. Elsewhere, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have all qualified for the knock out rounds so there is plenty of mouth-watering action to get excited about. If you’re a football fan, here are the best ways for you to go to the matches on a budget.
Travel
There are number of ways to get to mainland Europe from the UK these days, but the quickest and most efficient is still flying. Plus with a number of budget airlines and last minute deals, you can potentially save yourself a fortune. Remember you can also get advanced discounts on leaving your car at the car park at the airport. Many of us would be lost without our cars, which is why many may opt for the Eurotunnel or ferry so they can just drive their own car abroad. However, it is usually far easier to travel by plane and get a local taxi to the stadium.
Hostels
The chances are that you’ll need to say somewhere for at least one night, but don’t go booking that hotel room quite so fast. Although they can sometimes get a bad reputation, you can save a considerable amount of cash by opting for a hostel instead. Hostels are just as clean and comfortable hotel, but at a fraction of the price. Dorm-style rooms are cheapest but be prepared to share your room with a group of strangers, and don’t let that put you off, you never know the friends you might make in a hostel. Make use of comparison websites to find the hostels within your budget based on user experience.
Food
With a wide range of cultures having an influence on the European diet, there is so much choice when it comes to eating on the continent. Keep in mind that restaurants can be rather expensive, and while it’s fine to go to one as a treat, the chances are that your budget won’t stretch very far if you’re always eating out. You can save yourself a fortune by staying in self-catering accommodation and getting your own food from the local supermarkets. Plus it can be a lot of fun experimenting with local cuisines and recipes.
Extra Tips
Research can always save you a lot of time and money in the long run, so don’t be afraid to spend a few hours on Google in the build up to your trip. Getting a hostel close to the stadium can be very convenient as you can simply walk and avoid waiting or paying for a taxi. You should also take advantage of the free Wi-Fi dotted around Europe instead of eating into your mobile data.
