With summer being the ideal time to travel to Europe, consumers may be worried about the crowds and sky high prices of airfare and accommodations even with the falling Euro. Peak travel season (early June through August) is the ideal time to experience all that Europe has to offer –beautiful weather, long days, thriving nightlife and much more.

So how can we travel to Europe on a budget?

For insight on how to book European travel in the summer months without breaking the bank, among other travel tips, CheapOair’s Senior Vice President of Supplier Relations, Tom Spagnola had this to say:

• When is the best time to book flights for a mid-late summer trip to Europe?

At this point, I highly recommend searching and booking your flights today if you’re looking to travel to Europe this summer. The earlier you book, the more affordable your flights will be.

• What are some overlooked must-visit European destinations that are less crowded and less expensive?

A few places I recommend visiting is Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria and Prague. All three places have rich history, great attractions, are easy to get to and aren’t heavily populated with tourists – yet. I believe this will change in the next few years, so definitely visit as soon as you can. • What are some ‘Gateway Cities’ travelers should fly into to save hundreds on airfare? A few affordable European ‘Gateway Cities’ to consider flying into are Madrid, Lisbon, Athens and Dublin. I recommend these cities, because each are affordable, and it’s easy to travel to other cities in Europe by train, bus or plane from each.

• What are some tips when navigating a busy foreign airport?

Before leaving for your destination, research your arrival airport just like you would the country that you’re traveling to. Depending on the airport, you may be able to download an app that will have helpful terminal maps and a list of amenities offered. When departing your destination, always arrive to the airport earlier than normal to ensure that you know where to go and get there before departure.

• What are the best websites and apps to help when traveling abroad?

I have a few free travel staples downloaded on my phone, like CheapOair’s mobile app. Beyond being a great booking tool, this app is like a virtual travel assistant in the palm of my hands. I can refer to to the app at anytime when I need to check the status of a flight or easily share my itinerary with others. I use WhatsApp, an app that helps me stay connected with family and friends through free texts messages and XE Currency, a currency conversion apps.