Planning a trip to Europe this year and deep in the list-making process? Now’s a great time to quickly review your itinerary and “trip strategy” to make sure that you’re not about to make any common mistakes that will add unnecessarily to your travel costs. From hotels to flights, rental cars, and train tickets, there » Read more
Trip Planning: Budget Travel Guide
Whenever you are on the road in Europe, you are bound to have a few frustrating experiences. This happened to me a few years ago when I was on the road inspecting hotels across Europe. I had a bad feeling when I checked into my second hotel on my trip to Lisbon. While in town » Read more
Chapter 4: How to Save on Hotels in Europe Whether you’re planning to travel for two days or 20 days, where you stay can have a big impact on both your budget and your trip experience. We’ve spent the past 23 years hunting down the best hotel values in Europe’s priciest cities. While we’ve seen » Read more
Chapter 1: The Best Time to Go to Europe for Budget Travelers If you have the flexibility to choose the timing of your next trip, you can find big savings and probably have a better trip. Note: This is Chapter One in our Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Europe. Let’s start with the Cheapo basics: » Read more
Just like much of the rest of the world, Greece is recovering from a sobering economic recession followed by the crushing weight of a pandemic. Unlike much of the world, however, Greece has also become home to masses of refugees. So please, don’t negotiate with anyone on the islands this summer as a way to » Read more
Chapter 2: European Itineraries for Budget Travel When putting your travel itinerary together, try to remain calm and realistic. If possible, give yourself a minimum of two nights at every stop in order to minimize travel expenses and keep everyone happy. Note: This is Chapter Two in our Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Europe. The » Read more
On the face of it, this should be a great time for Americans to think about traveling to Europe. Just a few years ago, it took $1.38 to buy a euro; today, a euro can be had for just $1.13. But despite this trend, Western Europe can still be expensive for Americans, and, for that matter, » Read more
I’ll be the first to point out this irony: I started EuroCheapo, a budget travel website, back in 2001, and yet I still love traveling around Europe with a guidebook. Furthermore, I’m conveying this information to you — on a website. Ironies aside, I believe that when it comes to trip guidance, there’s room for » Read more
You’ve dreamed of this moment: the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Buckingham Palace… The excitement builds—until you turn the corner and see the gigantic line and the fed up faces. Welcome to European travel at its most popular—and most frustrating. And these most popular attractions only seem to get busier with each passing year, filling up » Read more
Planning to travel to Europe next year? Sure, it can seem like a long way off, but savvy travelers know that there are some smart moves you can make right now — many months in advance — to hep make that trip more affordable and enjoyable. From plane tickets to trains tickets, cars and hotels, » Read more
For Americans, Europe looks set to be particularly budget-friendly this year. This is all well and good, as summer season is just around the corner. But favorable exchange rates only go so far; for most travelers, high-value and modest costs remain objectives. Below are a few affordable, attention-worthy European destinations. I came up with three of » Read more
For American tourists heading to Eurozone countries, the news just keeps getting better. When I wrote this piece celebrating the strong dollar back in January, the euro had stumbled to $1.17 for one dollar, the lowest it had been since 2006. As of today, the euro will cost you only $1.07. (For the latest rate, » Read more
Americans traveling to Europe this year will finally have a little relief at the register, or at least a smile on their faces when they examine their credit card statements once they get home. The euro has fallen significantly against the dollar in the past six months, tumbling down to US $1.17 for 1 euro » Read more
Preparing to take off for a big European adventure? You’ve got your flights and hotels booked, and are already thinking about what to pack. The anticipation can be so much fun. However, as responsible Cheapos, we must point out that this is also a critical moment to examine the “small print” of your trip. After » Read more
Lately I’ve received quite a flurry of emails from friends seeking advice as they prepare to head from the US to Europe for the first time in several years. As it turns out, they’re not alone. According to several industry surveys, more Americans are planning to visit Europe in 2013 than in previous years. So » Read more
We have become great fans of less-planned journeys. Cast back a generation and travelers were much less worried about having every aspect of their itinerary planned out in advance. There was a happy spontaneity to travel. That’s changed. Nowadays, travelers view their vacations as investments that need to be properly planned and carefully managed. The » Read more
If you’ve been traveling in Europe this week, were you caught unawares by a spate of public holidays? Over 40 countries and territories across the continent took time out Tuesday for May Day while some countries opted for a double dose of May Day festivities. In Russia, for example, both Monday and Tuesday were public holidays, » Read more
“I’ve done central Europe and have no real interest in going back,” said the traveler we ran into on the train though Spain last month. Cities from Berlin to Budapest had, it seemed, been ticked off as done and dusted. It’s a common view that, as long as there is virgin territory waiting to be » Read more
Having a sense of local travel patterns is a smart way of seeing Europe at its best and trimming costs. High school holiday dates are often a key determinant of accommodation costs. And with kids already heading back to school in some parts of Europe, that opens up opportunities for Cheapos looking for bargains. Related: » Read more
If you’re planning a trip to Europe this year and nervous about how to afford it, we have a few basic rules that, if followed, should help you save on the biggest items in your travel budget. Sure, everyday small charges like cafe cremes in Paris (€2-4) and vaporetto rides in Venice (€6.50) do add » Read more
Baby Cheapos grow up so fast. Before you know it, they’ve gone from diapers to economy seating and they’re flashing you a passport. When this recently happened to me, I had to hop into action fast (especially since I had already booked a plane ticket for me and my mini shadow). So, in the spirit » Read more
Don’t let the fear of expenses get in the way of a trip across the pond. When done right, touring Europe can be cheaper than traveling through North America. If I can manage a four-month jaunt for under $1500, you can manage a two-month trip for $1000 or less. Here are 10 ways to make » Read more
May 27, 2010. Like a good Cheapo, you’re planning to avoid currency exchange counters and head for the ATM upon arrival in Europe. But if you’re American, we have a couple of questions for you. How much does your American bank charge to withdraw money from a foreign ATM? Do they take a percentage? What’s » Read more
Europe’s recent financial troubles, propelled by the debt crisis in Greece and other countries, have given European markets the jitters in the past few weeks. As a result, many investors have turned away from the euro, causing its value to plummet against the US dollar. As of today, the US dollar is stronger against the » Read more
We’ve all been there. Your flight is booked, your itinerary is nearly finalized and now all you need to do is book your hotel rooms and your travel plans will be complete. But there’s just one small problem: It’s the summer. And you’re planning on going to, say, Paris, and are freaked out that all » Read more
