EuroCheapo's Travel Smarts Articles

Train Travel in Europe: The substitute bus

Sometimes your train... is a bus. Photo: Danny Schuhmann
Sometimes your train... is a bus. Photo: Danny Schuhmann

Nov 16 Rail travelers through Germany who have no great aptitude for languages usually manage to pick up the bare essentials after a few days. Among those essentials is the marvelously Germanic compound tongue-twister Schienenersatzverkehr (“SEV” for short). It’s not a word you’ll want to use a lot. And it’s not a word you’ll want to hear too » Read more

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Bordeaux, Bus, Finland, France, hidden europe, Practical Info, Train, transportation, Travel Smarts, United Kingdom

Dublin: Tourist traps in Dublin to avoid

Dublin: Tourist traps in Dublin to avoid

Nov 10 By Jessica Colley— Tourist traps are the same everywhere: Prices are higher than they should be and they’re packed with tourists instead of locals. In some cities – like Dublin – certain tourist traps change by day and by night. It isn’t enough to avoid entire areas, you need to know when to avoid them. » Read more

Posted in Bars, Dublin, Ireland, Local Customs, Practical Info, Travel Smarts

Tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, a lot, and nothing at all

Tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, a lot, and nothing at all

Nov 01 Jessica Colley— Cheapos can rejoice when it comes to tipping in Dublin. While etiquette varies according to the situation, generally locals believe in keeping their money, and tips aren’t expected like they would be in other countries (especially the United States). For example, approach a bar in Dublin and order a drink. The total will » Read more

Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Bars, Dublin, Ireland, Money Matters, Practical Info, Travel Smarts

Worst Idea! Things NOT to do in Florence

Worst Idea! Things NOT to do in Florence

Aug 19 By Marc Justin in Florence— Instead of my usual banter about the best things to do in Florence, I’m going to try something different. No recommendations this time. At least, not the usual kind. Instead, here are some activities to avoid – expensive bad ideas, hence the crummiest things to do in my city. 1. » Read more

Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Florence, Italy, Practical Info, Restaurants, Train, Travel Smarts

Exploring Luxembourg City

Exploring Luxembourg City

Aug 17 Diminutive Luxembourg City is certainly not the smallest capital city in Europe. Indeed, it is a dozen times larger than Vaduz which serves as the pristine, albeit rather sterile, capital of Liechtenstein. Luxembourg City deserves to be much better known, and it is a great spot to stop off and relax for a day or » Read more

Posted in churches, City Guides, hidden europe, Hikes, Luxembourg, Practical Info, Train, Travel Smarts

Planning Tip: Navigating school holidays when picking travel dates

Planning Tip: Navigating school holidays when picking travel dates

Aug 10 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. Summer » Read more

Posted in Denmark, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, hidden europe, Italy, Local Customs, Money Matters, Practical Info, round-up, Travel Smarts, Trip Planning

Prague: 10 things to do for under 10 Euros

Prague: 10 things to do for under 10 Euros

Aug 09 By Joann Plockova in Prague— The prices aren’t what they used to be in Prague, but the city still offers a variety of cheapo-friendly activities. Here’s a list of a few of them that are sure to keep you entertained, with a few crowns left over to spare. 1. Prague Zoo – Lions and tigers » Read more

Posted in Czech Republic, Other, Prague, tips, Travel Smarts

Wales: How to explore Wales by bus

Wales: How to explore Wales by bus

Jul 27 Brits may not always be the first to appreciate it, but Great Britain has Europe’s densest network of local bus routes – one that stretches well beyond urban areas to spread a fine mesh over the entire country. And “local” does not always mean short. Some local routes may extend to several hours traveling. Services » Read more

Posted in Bus, Day Trips, hidden europe, Practical Info, Train, transportation, Travel Smarts, United Kingdom, Wales

Switzerland by Train: Is the Glacier Express worth the ticket price?

Switzerland by Train: Is the Glacier Express worth the ticket price?

Jun 29 “The most famous of Switzerland’s railway lines,” burbles the guidebook. Frommer’s Switzerland is given to hyperbole, and particularly where the Glacier Express is concerned. “The route is one of the most spectacular in the world,” the authors advise. Yes, the 180-mile journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt is a very fine trip, though hardly the » Read more

Posted in Day Trips, hidden europe, Practical Info, Switzerland, Train, transportation, Travel Smarts

Florence: How to survive the Uffizi Gallery

Florence: How to survive the Uffizi Gallery

May 27 By Marc Justin in Florence— Last week I visited the Uffizi Gallery for the very first time. I know, I know, it’s in my backyard but walking past never-ending queues of people does something to a man’s motivation. Finally, one of my recent guests harassed me into surrender. So how did this crowd-hater survive Florence’s » Read more

Posted in Art, Florence, Italy, Museums, Practical Info, tips, Travel Smarts