EuroCheapo's Travel Smarts Articles

Planning Tip: Navigating school holidays when picking travel dates

Hellooooo holiday!
Schools out for summer. Photo: satbir

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

Paris: 10 ways to save time (and see more) in Paris

Paris: 10 ways to save time (and see more) in Paris

Jun 21 By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Visitors to Paris quickly realize that, even before hitting their last centime, time is the city’s most precious commodity. Tourists want to do and see it all in… but have limited time. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the bottom of the Catacombs the options are vast. So » Read more

Posted in France, Money Matters, Paris, Practical Info, tips, 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

Cheapo Basics: 10 ways to save on the “big items” in your travel budget

Cheapo Basics: 10 ways to save on the “big items” in your travel budget

Apr 21 By Tom Meyers— 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 » Read more

Posted in Airlines, Ask the Cheapos, Cheap Hotels, Europe, Money Matters, Practical Info, Travel Smarts, Trip Planning

Paris: 7 ways to avoid crowds at sights, stores and more

Paris: 7 ways to avoid crowds at sights, stores and more

Feb 28 By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— When you’re visiting Paris and “hitting the sights,” you shouldn’t spend half of your precious time waiting in lines. If you follow a few simple tips, you could curtail those lines and large groups and spend more time strolling the streets and relaxing in cafés after a day of successful » Read more

Posted in Ask the Cheapos, France, monuments, Museums, Paris, Practical Info, Travel Smarts

Florence Museums: Book in advance? Museum card? Neither?

Florence Museums: Book in advance? Museum card? Neither?

Feb 24 By Laura Mongillo in Florence— With so many must-see museums, churches and palaces, Florence is a treasure trove for art and history lovers. It’s almost impossible to visit them all in a lifetime, much less a weekend trip! How do you choose which museums are worth your time–and budget? There are a few ways to » Read more

Posted in Art, churches, Exhibitions, Florence, Italy, Museums, Travel Smarts

The Littlest Cheapo: Baby’s first passport

The Littlest Cheapo: Baby’s first passport

Jan 27 By Meredith Franco Meyers in New York—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 » Read more

Posted in children, Family, New York, Travel Smarts, United States, Wandering Cheapos