An Easy Hack Lets Tourists Find The Cheapest Eurostar Tickets

Planning a budget-friendly European vacation is no easy task. Even places once favored as the best European cities for budget travelers and backpackers are becoming more popular and thus more expensive. The chances to score bargains on transportation and accommodations are becoming few and far between. Still, with some careful planning and effort, it's totally possible to plan an epic adventure to European destinations without breaking the bank. The times of traveling around Europe for $25 a day may be long gone, but you can still snag cheap tickets on Europe's extensive network of trains.

Eurostar makes traveling internationally throughout Europe easy, with an extensive rail network that connects France, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Train travel is one of the most iconic European travel experiences, and it allows you to travel between nations and cities in comfort and style without the hassle of heading to the airport. Eurostar's trains are super fast, and some of them reach up to 186 mph, so you're sure to reach your destination quickly. Trains are also a more eco-friendly method of transportation and can sometimes be even cheaper than flying on a budget airline. If you want to experience all that Europe has to offer and watch the scenery zoom by from the window of a high-speed Eurostar train, make sure to book your tickets directly through Eurostar's website. With a little planning, research, and flexibility, you'll be able to find some incredible deals on tickets and free up funds to spend elsewhere during your European getaway.

Good deals come to those who wait — or those who book well in advance. Whether you're someone who has your entire year scheduled on January 1st or you prefer to play it by ear and keep things spontaneous, it's possible to find great deals on train tickets to some of Europe's most amazing destinations.

The Eurostar website offers discounts to travelers who plan their travel ahead of time. According to Eurostar, "the earlier you book, the better value the fares." Using the Eurostar app or website, you can book your tickets up to 120 days in advance. You don't even need to know your exact travel dates if you book a flexible ticket. You'll be able to make changes to your itinerary as often as you need to with no additional fees. Just make sure you finalize your dates seven days before the scheduled departure.

If you're able to remain somewhat flexible with your travel plans, you can also score some incredible prices on last-minute train tickets with Eurostar Snap. The Eurostar Snap program is perfect for spontaneous travelers looking to save some money. You'll simply choose your travel dates and destination, and Eurostar will choose your train times. Expect to receive an email with your tickets and travel details 48 hours before departure, and your ticket price will be 50% cheaper. You can also travel with up to three friends and be guaranteed travel on the same train, but you may not be able to sit together depending on availability. Round-trip routes that qualify for Eurostar Snap include Paris and Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam, Paris and Cologne, as well as London and Brussels. You can also travel one-way from London to Amsterdam.

When it comes to finding the best prices, when you travel matters. The best prices on train tickets are usually on weekdays, and the cheapest days of all are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mid-week is also an excellent time to get discounted prices on hotels. Eurostar even offers some packages that bundle train tickets and hotels for further savings.

Throughout the year, Eurostar offers special deals that will certainly give you the cheapest rates. You can keep an eye on the website, which is frequently updated with new special offers, but the best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for the newsletter, so you can be among the first to know about sales. If you're ready to purchase as soon as sales go live, you'll have the best chance of scoring a ticket. Seasonal tickets sell out fast.

If you're a frequent traveler, joining Club Eurostar is another excellent way to save. For every dollar you spend on traveling with Eurostar, you will receive one point. Your points can be redeemed for future travel and travel upgrades. Once you know the hacks to transform how you travel, train trips become super easy in Europe.