Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Strasbourg

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared rooms in student areas

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

University cafeterias, local boulangeries, supermarket meals, street crepes, self-catering

Transportation

$3-8 per day

Public trams and buses, walking, bicycle rentals for city exploration

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free cathedral visits, self-guided walking tours, public parks, occasional museum entries

Eat lunch at university cafeterias and local boulangeries instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-70% cheaper)

Use the complete tram and bus system instead of taxis (saves 80-90% on transportation costs)

Visit during shoulder seasons in spring or fall for accommodation savings of 30-50%

Buy groceries at supermarkets and prepare some meals yourself (reduces food costs by 40-60%)

Take advantage of free walking areas like Petite France and cathedral visits instead of paid tours

Book accommodation in residential areas slightly outside city center for 25-40% savings with easy tram access

Purchase multi-day museum passes if visiting several attractions (typically 20-30% savings over individual entries)

Eating exclusively in the tourist areas around the cathedral and Petite France (typically 100-150% markup over local neighborhoods)

Taking taxis for short distances instead of using the efficient tram system (costs 4-6 times more)

Booking accommodation during European Parliament sessions without checking dates (can increase prices by 50-100%)

Not researching free activities like self-guided architecture walks and public gardens (missing significant savings opportunities)