Posts by author Craig Nelson
The author in Paris.
Heading out on your own for a solo adventure is a great way to experience Europe. However, it can present unique challenges that you don’t face when you’re on the road with friends or family — especially if you’re not used to striking out on your own. One of the biggest obstacles can be the price. » Read more
Take off on a cheap flight to Europe with email deals. Photo: Willem G
Are you planning a trip to Europe? Finding a flight that won’t break the bank is one of the biggest challenges facing budget travelers. While airfare to Europe from the US might not be cheap, there are actually more deals than ever if you know where to look. There are a number of websites that » Read more
Welcome to the Big Apple! Photos: Booking.com
Even as New York has moved on from the pandemic, a visit to the Big Apple can still mean a towering price tag for your hotel. But that doesn’t have to be the case when you check into one of the best budget hotels in New York. As you probably know, on EuroCheapo we keep » Read more
Central Park foliage in peak form. Photo: Craig Nelson
When is the best time to visit New York? Easy Answer: Much like Paris, we’d argue there really is no bad time to visit the Big Apple. From the bustling crowds and bright lights during the holidays to a crisp autumn stroll through Central Park, New York has something to offer no matter what time of » Read more
Hotel de Nice in the lovely Marais neighborhood. Photos: Booking.com
Don’t you wish that you could be transported back to the glory days when most hotels in Paris were dripping with character, charm, and class? But without the rates to make you Misérables? As more and more affordable hotels in the city transform themselves into much more expensive boutique (or worse, charmless chain) hotels, the » Read more
The Eiffel Tower at dusk. Photo: Kent
While arguably the most recognized monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower hardly survived the 1889 World’s Fair. Few tourists today realize that, as the tower was constructed for the event, the city planned to tear down the tower in the days following the fair. Good thing that they never got around to it, because » Read more
The bright lights of Times Square! Photo: Kevin P
Good news theater lovers! Broadway is slowly returning to the stage for the first time since it closed on March 12, 2020, due to COVID-19. This fall promises a number of shows to see including Hamilton, Chicago, and To Kill a Mockingbird. Before you get your tickets, just note that vaccinations and masks will be » Read more
Photo: French bee
As Europe starts to open up to Americans, there is good news coming out of France for budget travelers. French bee airline has launched a brand-new route from the East Coast. Flights started from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Paris Orly Airport (ORY) on July 15, 2021. And prices for this direct flight start » Read more
Fish and chips from Grandi Food Hall in the harbor. Photo: Craig Nelson
Eating out in Iceland is not usually a budget option, except for take-out foods like hot dogs, burgers, and fish & chips. For those of us who would like to eat well and affordably, here are some ways to save on food in Reykjavik. Note: This article is part of our budget travel guide to » Read more
Munich becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas. Photo: Heinz Bunse
Germany lights up the holiday season every year with 140 different Christmas markets across the country. And Bavaria gets into the spirit with dozens of markets from Munich to Nuremberg. These community celebrations, known as Christkindlmärkte in German, transform center cities into holiday wonderlands. Locals and visitors come out to shop for gifts at open-air booths, enjoy » Read more
Sleeping near Rockefeller Center during Christmas is cheaper than you think. Michael Vadon
The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit New York City. The city shines even brighter, and despite chilly temperatures, a festive atmosphere takes hold across Manhattan. Go ice skating in Central Park, pick up unique gifts at the many holiday markets, and view the dazzling window displays along Fifth Avenue. You can feel the excitement » Read more
Save on hotels in NYC. Photo: Fernando González
New York City is notoriously expensive to visit — especially when it comes to hotel prices. A basic room in a standard chain hotel that would cost $85 a night anywhere else in the country may soar to $250 or more when you book it in the Big Apple. So how can you save on New York » Read more
Yes, Venice is expensive. But it also contains plenty of overlooked cheap and charming hotels -- like these five options. Photo: Booking.com
Ah, Venice. Just picture yourself strolling through the romantic streets and sitting down to a delicious Italian dinner along the canals. But what about your hotel? It’s easy to spend a fortune if you’re not careful, but luckily, it’s also possible to find a cheap and charming hotel in Venice. Before you lay down a » Read more
Hotel Jan is right in the heart of Old Town Krakow.
Headed to Krakow? Budget travelers will be very happy when making hotel reservations in this popular Polish city. There are plenty of affordable places to stay right in the heart of Krakow, especially in Old Town. If you want to splurge, you can find four-star rooms for just over $100. But for loyal Cheapos, spending » Read more
Bella Bologna! All photos by Craig Nelson
Maybe you’ve been to Rome, Florence, and Venice, but what about Bologna? Boasting Europe’s oldest university and a rich food culture, Bologna entices travelers that love exploring Italy but might want to get off the beaten path. And as the capital of Emilia-Romagna, the culinary riches of the region will impress even the most discerning » Read more
The view of central Bordeaux from Hotel Opera. Photos: Booking.com
Bordeaux, France might sound like a fancy destination to the unacquainted, but it’s actually quite affordable if you plan it right. With our budget guide to Bordeaux in hand, you can save on everything from restaurants to attractions. But what about hotels? Of course, wine is the most famous calling card of this port city » Read more
Get a guidebook and get yourself oriented! Photo: Racky Salzman
Paris is always at the top of my list when I’m drawing up vacation plans for the year. And although I’ve strolled down the streets many times and know my way around a fair bit, I still like to have a little help by my side. I always travel with a handy friend — a » Read more
The National Gallery is just one of the many free museums in London. Photo: Skaja Lee
Planning to visit London on a budget could initially give any Cheapo a nervous breakdown. Everything just costs more than most other European destinations in this international city. And despite the oncoming Brexit issue, with the British pound still holding fairly strong against other currencies, we don’t expect prices to be dropping anytime soon. However, » Read more
Make your visit to the Vatican more holy enjoyable by following these 10 simple tips. Photo: davehamster
Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums rank among the most visited sights for a traveler coming to Rome. And for good reason — the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state, is the home base of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. It also houses the world’s most important collection of classical sculptures and » Read more
Editor’s Note: Wow Air ceased operations in March of 2019. Attention Cheapos! 2019 is getting off to a good start with the latest fare announcement from Wow Air. Starting today, you can book a flight to Europe for only $49. If you’ve been waiting for a good deal on a trip to Iceland, Ireland, London, » Read more
The official flag of Bulgaria, EU, the city, and Plovdiv 2019.
It’s never too early to start planning next year’s European vacations. If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore in 2019, you should think about booking a trip to one of the European Capitals of Culture: Plovdiv, Bulgaria. If you’ve never been to Plovdiv, you can enjoy a new European destination while soaking in world-class » Read more
New York at night. Photo: Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
Welcome to New York, one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It’s home to the bright lights of Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and not surprisingly, some of the most expensive prices on the planet. Whether you want to visit one of the world’s top museums, grab a bite to eat, or catch » Read more
Go back in time on a walking tour of NYC.
Attention history lovers! If you love New York City, you’re in for a real treat this fall. The Bowery Boys, podcasters Greg Young and Tom Meyers (who is also the founder of EuroCheapo), are kicking off a brand-new series of small-group walking tours that will reveal the city’s history in a whole new way. If you » Read more
Join Parisians (and a few tourists) for a glass of wine at Le Baron Rouge. Photo: Gideon
Long gourmet lunches, flaky croissants, endless glasses of wine… eating in Paris is a dream come for most visitors. But finding the right places can be frustrating for budget travelers if they’re not careful. Some restaurants are so overrun with tourists that the experience is not fun or the food just isn’t up to par. » Read more
Might as well check off Notre Dame on your first day!
So the time has finally come for you to hop on the plane and take off for your long-awaited adventure in the City of Light. As your plane is descending into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORL), you start dreaming about all the fun things you’ll do. You may not count your arrival » Read more
