The Hotel Booking Strategy Rick Steves Uses To Save Money In Europe

If a trip to the European continent is on a traveler's bucket list, then the value of the Euro (symbol: €) is an important consideration. The Euro serves as the official currency of 20 out of 27 total member countries of the European Union (EU). As of early September 2025, the Euro trades at a value of $1.165, whereas it was only worth $1.035 at the beginning of 2025. In a nutshell, that means that vacationers from the U.S. have about 13% less spending power nowadays, coupled with a softening economy and job market at home.

With that in mind, one place to save money could well be your choice of accommodations, meaning opting for two-star hotels. After all, adventurous travelers will likely find themselves out all day exploring and then, hopefully, enjoying a local restaurant meal late into the evening, not the hotel's dining room. If staying at a deluxe accommodation isn't strictly necessary, travelers can stretch their hard-earned vacation budget, which was perhaps accumulated in a change jar. For example, staying at a two-star hotel in Paris versus a three-star venue saves approximately $60 per night, according to travel guru Rick Steves on his website. That's more than $400 saved over the course of one week. 

If there's anybody whose advice on European travel should be heeded, it's Rick Steves. A native of Washington State, Steves was spending months per year hoofing around Europe decades before the Euro became the de facto currency. Nowadays, the helpful travel expert has a series of books, television shows, and even guided tours. "The best travelers are not those with the thickest wallets, but those with a knack for connecting with locals and their culture," says Steves.

Regarding Steves' suggestions to resist booking luxury hotels in Europe, a two-star hotel means that the room may be small and without air conditioning, but at least 75% of the rooms in the building must have a private restroom. In some hotels, all rooms have an en-suite bath, and if you're visiting during a cooler time of year, the lack of air conditioning may not be an issue, so don't automatically jump to negative conclusions. Admittedly, you shouldn't count on your two-star European hotel having a traditional elevator  (think smaller lift, if anything), but the lack thereof dovetails nicely with some additional advice to pack light, with the exception of perhaps toiletries.

Obviously, not booking a luxury hotel that you don't truly need isn't just good advice in Paris, but also in all of Europe. Besides the size of the room, air conditioning, and elevators, also consider forsaking amenities like a 24-hour reception desk, room service, and uniformed staff. Per Rick Steves, each of these items can add up to $10 per night, or about $50 per night in aggregate, effective across the whole of Europe. 

To be clear, that's not to say that travelers should always cut corners on their hotel rooms. For example, at a Caribbean resort where more time will be spent relaxing in the room and on the property's grounds, it could be worth the splurge. But not so much when there are oodles of museums, culture, and sightseeing to be undertaken every day.

In addition to seeking out two-star properties, Steves also recommends favoring smaller establishments as part of a strategy to get a smoking deal on a hotel room. The logic behind that suggestion is that larger hotels have greater operating expenses and often pay higher taxes. As well, larger properties may cater to business travelers who are paying with a company expense account and, therefore, are not value-conscious. Finally, inquire as to whether discounts are available for certain types of rooms. For example, is there a shower-only option instead of a bathtub? Or twin beds rather than a single large bed, if that arrangement is acceptable to your party.