Ultimate Guide: How to make your euro go further in Europe

Forget Europe in summer. It's crowded and expensive, making it a traveller's nightmare. "Europe in September is brilliant," says Lynton Jones, founder of agency The Savvy Traveller. "You can even stretch it to October and November. I was still in shorts and a T-shirt walking on the beach in Italy in late October. The weather was fine, but the crowds were gone." And no points for guessing the advantages of fewer people around: lower hotel tariffs and the ability to get into good restaurants more easily.

The biggest tip travel agent Nathan Varney from Flight Centre can offer is to book as much as you can - flights, accommodation, rail tickets - as far ahead as you can. "If you're looking at accommodation, there's a lot of variability [in price]," he says. "And if you get a refundable rate, you can still change your mind later on."

Ask most Aussies how they travel to Europe and they'll mention Qantas or a Middle Eastern carrier. Excellent options all, but they can be exy. "For at least the last six months, travelling via China has been the lowest price option for almost every single option we've looked at," says Varney.

Got the kids with you? Monica Stott, who runs Instagram account The Travel Hack, suggests hunting out accommodation on Airbnb. "Not only is it cheaper than hotel rooms but everyone gets their own bedroom, you have a kitchen to prepare food and space to relax, so you don't constantly need to go out and pay for things," she says.

Budget travel gurus always hit Skyscanner before booking flights. Even better is its new site called Savings Generator (embed.skyscanner-travel-tool.net; still in beta mode). Enter where you are, when you want to travel and to where, and it tells you the average price of a flight that month, the cheapest and most expensive day to travel, and the best time to book. We tried Melbourne to London for October and discovered we could save $677 by booking 23 weeks ahead.

Most people spend a lot of time looking at dates and websites, and praying for sale emails to land in their inbox, but the truth is you can save money by handing all the organisation to a travel agent. "We know what to look for and how to search for things you can't do online," says Varney. "We can also look at routing and tell you whether a one-day stopover or leaving the day before will save you a lot of money."

She's travelled to 12 countries on a budget of just £2400 ($4649), so UK TikToker Em of Em's Budget Travel has investigated every way of getting heavily discounted and even free accommodation. "I've visited nine European countries without having to pay for accommodation by pet sitting," she says. "This can save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds, especially over summer when the price of hotels and villas in Europe skyrockets. Plus, if you're an animal lover, you get to care for one at the same time as exploring a new destination." Try websites like Pet Sitters International and Trusted Housesitters, which have a nominal yearly fee, but can help you find your perfect spot.

Stick to a daily budget by booking a small-group tour. "If you're looking at standard tours [rather than luxury ones], some come out to be $200 to $250 a day," says Varney. "You get your accommodation, an expert guide who's paid to make sure you're having a great time, transfers between cities as well as the entertainment of all the other people on your tour. A lot of activities and meals might be included as well." See also, cruising. You can sail around the Mediterranean for seven nights with Virgin Voyages for about $280 per person, per night (twin share), which includes everything except booze and shore excursions.

Consider the less-travelled parts of Europe. "I love Poland," says Stott. "It's massively underrated and such an affordable country. The cities are gorgeous, and the countryside is beautiful, too. And because it's so affordable you can splash out and enjoy a bit of luxury."

Jones suggests heading into the country: "In Italy, you can go into the Dolomites, travel through mountains and beautiful villages, eat at a local little restaurant, and stay at a little family-run pensione for next to nothing, and you're getting a really good cultural experience."

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Remember sleeping in a bunk bed surrounded by seven snoring strangers? Thankfully, hostels have grown up with us. Many now offer private rooms with ensuites at a fraction of the price of a hotel. Check out Generator, which has stylish offerings across Europe, as well as Hostel World, the Skyscanner of hostels. As well as cheap but comfy rooms, they often offer free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, bars where you can congregate with other travellers, and kitchen and laundry facilities.

"Eat like a local, and locals avoid tourist menus at all costs!" Jones is adamant when it comes to this point. He suggests asking people you meet for recommendations and making the most of supermarkets and farmers' markets to create a quick meal: "A baguette, some cheese and a 4 euro ($6.62) bottle of wine and you've got a picnic."

Keen to try amazing restaurants? Lunch is always cheaper, so make it your day's main meal. For instance, one Michelin-starred Alliance in Paris starts at 175 euros at dinner but 95 euros at lunch.

Once everything else is organised, it's time to work out what you want to do. Visit freetour.com to find a good get-your-bearings option (don't forget to tip). Research any city passes available (Paris, Rome, Barcelona), as these package big attractions and sometimes transport. Some smaller museums and galleries are free; even the big ones might be free on a Sunday or in the evening. Walking around a new city and taking in its sights can lead you to places you might never have otherwise found. And when you can't walk any further, eschew taxis for public transport to make your tour dollars last longer.