Euro 2012

Supporting the boys in green doesn’t have to break your budget. Follow these money saving tips and make your EURO 2012 budget go further this summer!

Before you go:

Consider all your travel options and most importantly shop around. Many tour companies are offering packages but you may find it cheaper to book all the different parts of your trip separately but remember that your protection under consumer law is less if you book each part of your holiday separately. Consider other options such as renting an apartment, hostels, campsites or camper vans. Not only are these options likely to be better value for money, self catering will also save you money on eating out.
Don’t get caught out by bank and foreign exchange charges. Shop around for your foreign exchange. Check out our cost comparisons for current accounts and credit cards and make sure you know what charges you’ll pay for using your cards abroad.
Shop around for travel insurance. If you are booking a Euro 2012 package, travel agents and tour operators may sell travel insurance as part of a package but you do not have to take their insurance. You may be able to get better value by buying your travel insurance separately from another provider, particularly if you need travel insurance for more than one trip this year. If you have private health insurance you might be able to get discounted travel insurance.
Plan ahead before you go, research the local area, public transport and places to eat out. Consider investing in a guidebook, research local areas online or borrow travel books from your local library for free. You are less likely to end up at an overpriced tourist area or paying too much for a taxi if you do your homework before you go.
Know approximately how much Polish Zloty you can get for 1 Euro. When you are shopping or eating in a restaurant, it can be confusing to know how much the prices are in Euro and it’s easy to lose track of your spending. For example, the zloty/euro rate on 13 January 2012 is approximately 4.5 zloty for every €1, not including bank charges. So if you buy a meal for 20 zloty, it will cost you about €4.50. Keeping account of your spending in euro will help you keep track of your budget while you are away.
Get the Polish Pass. The polish pass is especially set up for fans planning on travelling to Euro 2012 and offers accommodation, network rail and public transport tickets, airfares and health insurance all at cheaper rates.

When you get there:

Set a daily spending limit based on your overall budget.This will help you keep track of your spending during your trip and make sure you don’t go over budget or run out of money.
Take time to visit the local tourist office. They can provide you with maps, information and tips on where to eat and places to see, free of charge. If you like sightseeing tours, shop around for value and always haggle to get a better price. Many companies offer discounts if you book multiple tours in advance or for a group.
Avoid eating in busy tourist areas when eating out. Choose restaurants where the locals go. Consider alternatives to eating out such as shopping in the local supermarket and making your own snacks and lunches.
Take public transport such as trams and buses or walk rather than get taxis. If you do get a taxi, watch out for rogue drivers, agree the price before you set off and don’t be afraid to haggle.
Be aware of roaming charges – text, don’t call or try to use local pay phones. If you have a smart phone. Find out how much data roaming will cost on your phone and think about switching it of when you are there. Go to local internet cafes instead of using the internet on your phone.