Follow the red diamonds. Photo by Diorama Sky.

By Cynthia Kane in Madrid—

Transportation is easy in Madrid, but if you aren’t aware of your options, you may end up losing money when you’re trying to save it. Here are some tips to help you get to where you’re going and still have money to spend once you get there!

10 bus or metro rides with the “billete de diez”

Although metro tickets are only €1 for a single ride within Madrid, buying multiple single journey tickets can actually cost you more than if you buy a metro pack. One option is to buy a ticket for 10 rides, which is otherwise known as a “billete de diez” or “Metrobús.” The cost is €7.40 and you can use this ticket to travel anywhere within Zone A, which is where most of the tourist attractions in the city are located.

What’s great about these tickets is that they can be used on both the metro and buses, and there is no expiration date! You can buy the “billete de diez” at any metro station, “estanco” (tobacco shop), and at the kiosks located in the metro station. You can’t, however, buy these passes on the bus.

Unlimited travel with the “Abono Turistico” pass

The second option for cheap metro travel is the “Abono Turístico.” This pass gives you unlimited travel throughout the city of Madrid on the metro and buses, and is also valid on the “cercanías,” trains that take you to Madrid’s surrounding areas. You can buy a pass for either 1-5 days or 7 days, and for either zone A or to for the entire Community of Madrid.

This pass is a great option if you know you are going to be traveling outside the city center for day trips. A one-day adult pass for only zone A is €5.20. For a 1-day pass that includes the Community of Madrid the cost is €10.40. A seven-day pass for travel in zone A is €23.60, and for travel that includes the Community of Madrid it is €47.20.

You will need your passport to buy the “Abono Turistico.” It can be purchased in metro stations, the tourism office in Madrid, at hotels, or online.

The “Abono” ticket for longer stays

A third option if you are in town for a month is to buy a season ticket, simply called an “Abono.” The “Abono” is valid for the entire calendar month, so it’s beneficial to buy the pass before the month begins. Zone A should cover everywhere you’d want to go, unless you are planning to travel outside the city.

An adult “Abono” for travel within Zone A costs €46. There are reductions in cost for young people and those over 65. To purchase the “Abono,” you will need your passport and a small passport size photo, and they can be purchased at most tobacco shops around the city.

Taxi Tips

Two quick tips about taking a taxi in Madrid:

For normal rides you do not need to tip the driver. Of course if you want to, go ahead. But again, you can save an extra euro just by knowing it’s not customary to do so.

Secondly, the meter always starts at €2.05, but depending on where you’re going and the time of day, you may be charged an extra fee on top of that.

There is an additional charge from 11 PM to 6 AM, on Sundays and public holidays, and there are extra supplements for travel starting from a bus or train station (€2.95), from the airport (€5.50), and to and from the IFEMA fair complex (€2.95).

About the author: Cynthia Kane is the editor of MAPMagazine.com, a Madrid travel e-zine, written by native English-speaking Madrid experts.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Maiden's Tower at sunset. Photo by Audrey Sykes.

By Audrey Sykes—

It’s unsurprising that a city like Istanbul, with a population of about 12.6 million, offers an endless list of sight-seeing must-visits. Considering that even small expenses can add up, here are five pointers to help keep your budget in check.

Transport: Use one-ways wisely

Getting around Istanbul can be tough to figure out. One of the most important things to know is that the city’s public transport fares are one-way. The driver will charge about 1.5 Turkish Lira each time you hop on. In short, plan a destination route from Point A to B as directly as possible before boarding the bus or tram. This will help avoid frivolous spending, getting dumped in an unfamiliar spot, and developing a serious headache.

Bazaar Tip: Shop outside the Bazaar’s center

Istanbul’s Bazaar is full of flavorful smells, sights, and sounds… most of which is available for purchase. Bargaining is common, although prices can start high and flexibility might not be as loose as desired. The best way to find a cheap price is to venture through the 60+ alleyways that cut through the heart of the Bazaar. In the end, finding the “local’s corner” can mean finding scarves for one-fourth of the price quoted in the Bazaar’s center.

On the Bosphorus: Regular ferries are the cheapest

Many boat companies advertise similarly-routed tours along the Bosphorus at high prices. The best price, however, for a few-hour’s journey along the strait will be found by simply taking the local ferry. For 7.50 Turkish Lira (roundtrip) take the ferry from Eminonu leaving at 10:35 AM (winter and summer), noon, and 1:35 PM (summer only). The ending point is Anadolu, a scenic area from where the Black Sea is visible.

Nightlife: Head to Taksim for moderately-priced Istanbul fun

Forget about finding affordable meals and deals near the Sultanahmet area. Head to Taksim to experience a lively nightlife scene to which the city’s locals flock. Nargile cafes, restaurants, and a slew of clubs are packed into the district, and prices won’t shock your budget. Places along Taksim Square and the major shopping street are still costly and lack the local flavor found within alleys and side streets.

A Breather: The easiest escape for peace and romance

In-between the Europe and Asian side of Istanbul is the Maiden’s Tower (or Kiz Kuelsi), a small island smack dab in the middle of the Bosphorus ideal for gazing at sunsets and panoramic photo ops. At the bottom sits a restaurant a bit on the steep side; on top you’ll find a more modestly priced café. Ferries frequently run back and forth from both sides of the city (7 Turkish Lira roundtrip). It’s an overall incredible view of Istanbul’s sparkling city landscape in a quiet, tranquil setting.

About the author: Audrey Sykes hopped across the pond from the US three years ago for a Masters degree in global journalism. Since then, she’s lived all over Europe, reporting and editing for music sites, snowboard mags, and travel media.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Outside the Boom Chicago comedy club. Photo by ramblingrovers.

By Amy Goemans in Amsterdam—

You’ve been to all the famous Amsterdam attractions—the zoo, the Van Gogh Museum, and other popular spots. But what about Amsterdam’s beloved comedy club scene?

Stand-up gigs, improvisation shows, and all other forms of comedic performance are immensely popular in this city. As it is, you will come across a number of Amsterdam shows by famous comedians like Eddie Izzard. Unfortunately, these will most probably be sold-out and a tad expensive.

On the other hand, there are a number of regular acts and visiting shows in well-known clubs which, with their affordable rates and popularity amongst the locals, are definitely worth checking out. Here are a few of Amsterdam’s most noteworthy comedy clubs:

Comedy Cafe

Max Euwplein 43-45
Phone: 020-638-3971
Show starts: 8 pm
www.comedycafe.nl

This cozy little cafe is a great place to drop by for a few drinks and a good show. Most of the shows are in Dutch, but there is an English show every Sunday named “Hole in the Boat.” The English-language act consists of two comedians, Gerry and Martijn, putting on a great improvised show. With an entrance fee of €13, this cafe’s shows involve music, anecdotes, plenty of creative thinking, and input from the audience.

Boom Chicago Comedy Club

Leidseplein 12
1017 PT Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 423 0101
Show starts: Check site for details
http://www.boomchicago.nl/en/

If you are going to try out Boom Chicago, be sure to arrive early and plan ahead. This club, with its group of talented comedians, is cherished by many fans and thus, shows are usually packed. There are often a few shows running, based on different themes. As for their style, it is mainly improvisation, with a good number of sketch comedy acts as well.

The rates at Boom Chicago can range from €20 to €40. For a taste of their style, why not try the cheaper late-night improvised show for €13? Visit their website for full details of dates, show details, and opening times.

Comedy Theater in de Nes

Nes 110
1012 KE Amsterdam
Phone: 020 - 422 27 77
Starting time: Varies
http://www.comedytheater.nl/en/

Comedy Theater in de Nes is one of Amsterdam’s biggest and most popular comedy clubs, making it also one of the hardest tickets to get. This lovely theater presents a wide variety of comedy acts, both local and international. Keep an eye out for “Comedy Explosion” shows at the theater. These are hilarious shows by skilled comedians, be it improvisation or stand-up gigs. The tickets themselves are usually €13.

Note about food

Most of the comedy cafes and clubs offer food, which will usually be paid for with the ticket price. Since this can be a bit hard on the wallet (averaging a hefty €33), it might be a good idea to grab a quick bite beforehand, maybe at Maoz or even some of the street food like loempias or Turkish pizzas. Then, hop over early for the show and relax with your favorite drink as the show starts.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The audience at Barcelona's Liceu Opera House. Photo by scalleja.

By Regina Winkle-Bryan in Barcelona—

When people think about Catalan Culture, they think Gaudi, Modernista Architecture, and laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle. They should, however, also think music. Barcelona loves music. While jazz and classical are perhaps the most popular genres in the city, all music is embraced with open arms in Barcelona.

This love of music means that there are concerts every night of the week. See classical on Monday, opera on Tuesday, jazz on Wednesday, blues on Thursday, and rock on Friday. Groove to internationally-renowned DJ’s over the weekend. There are plenty of shows to pick from and venues which range from posh to underground.

If you’re in the mood for something classical, the city offers an array of locations and programs to fulfill your desires. Here are a few of the best to consider.

L’Auditori

Concerts at L’Auditori range from inexpensive (€10) to pricey (€100). It is a matter of looking over their website and seeing what’s available. Quite often, performances on weekdays are cheaper than those on the weekend.

If you’re in town now, I recommend Camerata Aragon on December 17th, 2009 which is FREE. Another good one is Carmina Burana on December 18, 2009 for €18. Also, the Gran Gala Strauss featuring the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra plays on December 26 and 27, 2009 for just €10.

Liceu Opera House

It’s also possible to see an opera at Barcelona’s prestigious Liceu Opera House on Las Ramblas. For good seats to “The Magic Flute” and their other fabulous productions, you will have to pay a hefty sum.

However, if you don’t mind not seeing the stage, and just hearing the music, then you can get a ticket to most of the performances for about €10. From your €10 seat, you will be able to hear the performance and see it on a small TV screen set up in front of you. It is less than ideal, but it is a budget-friendly option. The Liceu has some biggies coming up in the next couple months including Montserrat Caballe, Verdi’s “Troubadour,” and said “Magic Flute.”

Bonus tip: Look for deals at El Palau de la Musica

Finally, it is always worth taking a peek at El Palau de la Musica’s concert listings. They often have deals on Sunday mornings. El Palau is a Modernista masterpiece and is absolutely the best place to see a concert in Barcelona.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Kickin' cupcakes. Photo: Magnolia Bakery

As the weather gets colder and New York gears up for the holiday season, we’re daydreaming about sugary treats and high-kicking entertainment. We were happy, then, when we learned that two of our favorite city traditions are pairing up to offer a sweet deal.

Magnolia Bakery (the cupcake boutique made famous in “Sex and the City”) has joined forces with the Rockettes to offer a 25% discount for tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the purchase of a special “Rockette Red Velvet Cupcake.”

The cupcakes (pictured here) cost $3.50 and are only available at the bakery’s Rockefeller Center location (which is convenient if you plan to pop into Radio City afterward to purchase your tickets).

Full-priced tickets to the “Christmas Spectacular”, currently in its 76th year, run $45-$250, making the Magnolia discount especially welcome. This year, the show runs from November 13, 2009 through December 30, 2009. The cupcake deal is valid for the entire run.

We don’t know about you, but we think this is one offer that has legs.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The SNCF station at Charles de Gaulle airport.

By Liz Webber–

As Cheapos know, it’s almost always less expensive to buy train tickets directly through the website of a country’s national rail service rather than through RailEurope’s English-language site or overseas agents, especially for France’s TGV system. Fares can also be cheaper booking online than buying the tickets in person at the station.

However, booking a ticket in another language can be intimidating. France’s SNCF website is fairly easy to navigate, but if your French doesn’t extend much beyond “Parlez-vous anglais?” use this cheat sheet to book day trips from Paris or crisscross the country!

Step 1: Choose where and when you’re going

The SNCF homepage. Be strong!

On the SNCF homepage, there is a box on the left-hand side for quickly booking trains. First, enter the “départ” (where you’re ”departing” from) and “arrivée” (where you’ll be “arriving”).

Next choose your departure date in the box next to “Aller le” (”going the…”) and return date in the box next to “Retour le” (”returning the…”). If it’s a one-way journey (“aller-simple”) leave the return date blank. Note that the dates follow the European format of DD/MM/YYYY.

Also choose your desired departure time for both directions (“à partir de” means “starting from”). Remember that these times will be written in standard 24-hour format.

Specify how many people will be traveling using the drop-down menu next to “Adultes” (adults), and select either first or second class.

For direct trains only (without transfers), click the box marked “trajets directs.” Then hit the orange “Rechercher” (”search”) button to begin searching for tickets.

Note: Under the search box, you’ll notice a tempting array of little flags. If you’re already feeling a bit nervous, you’ll understandably be drawn to the English flag. Sure, clicking it will change the language to English–but it will also send all results through RailEurope, a helpful agency for foreign tourist that usually adds a substantial mark-up to ticket prices.

Step 2: Select your tickets

Now a page will open with options for the first half of your journey. Prices can vary greatly depending on the travel time and the day of the week, and only reflect half the cost of the total journey for a round-trip ticket (“aller-retour”). However, when booking for more than one person at a time the price reflects the total cost for all tickets.

The box at the top shows all the options at a glance, from which you can then scroll down to select the one that best fits your specifications. Tickets are color-coded by price range, whereby orange designates the cheapest fares, blue more moderate fares, and gray the most expensive.

When you check one of the circles to choose a ticket, a so-small-you-might-miss-it box pops up underneath all the options for that departure time that says “Choisir Ma Place” (“Choose My Seat”). From the drop-down menu, specify if you’d like to sit “à côté de” (next to) a particular seat, or simply give a preference for “fenêtre” (window) or “couloir” (aisle). Pretty much all trains in France have assigned seats, so be sure to keep that in mind when you go to board.

Note: If you’ve selected an “iDTGV” train, you will be permitted to choose your “ambiance.” “iDzap” is a train friendly to portable electronics, DVDs, cellphones, etc., while ”iDzen” restricts electronics, cellphones, and anything that makes noise.

Be careful of tickets marked only “non échangeable” (non-exchangeable) or “non remboursable” (non-refundable), though most fares cannot be exchanged or refunded “après départ” (after departure). Certain tickets must be paid for online and printed at home – if so the fine print will read “Paiement en ligne. Billet à imprimer vous-même” (”Online payment. Print your own ticket.”)

Once you have figured out what time you want to leave and have chosen your seat, click the orange box directly underneath marked “Valider cet aller” (”Validate this part of the trip”). Make sure you hit the right one!

You’ll then go through the same process again for the return journey. Again, remember that the price is for one way of the journey.

Step 3: Payment

On the following page, confirm that all parts of your journey are correct then click “Valider votre réservation” (”Validate your reservation”) to proceed.

Next come three questions before the actual payment.

IMPORTANT: Since the majority of SNCF ticket machines do not accept American credit cards, be sure to click “Gare ou boutique” (”Rail station or boutique”) for question 1 in order to pick up your tickets from a ticket window at the station. Also note that if you’re booking an iDTGV (as pictured), you will only be given the option of printing your own ticket.

Question 2 requires the input of a “civilité” (”title”), “nom” (”LAST name”), “prénom” (”FIRST name”) and e-mail address for confirmation purposes.

Under question 3, check the box to indicate that you agree with the SNCF terms and conditions. Then click “Valider votre commande” (”Validate your order”).

Finally, it’s time to enter your credit card information. Note: The card you use to book must be presented to pick up your tickets, so be sure to use the card that you’ll be taking with you on your trip.

After entering all your data, hit the “valider” button one last time to complete the transaction. A screen should pop up with your confirmation code, which will also be sent in an email along with your itinerary. Print either for your records and to bring with you when you collect your tickets.

Step 4: Picking up your tickets

Now comes the easy part! Simply head to your departure station with your credit card and booking number to get your tickets. Many SNCF agents even speak English and so can help you make any changes to your reservation and get you to where you’re supposed to be.

Departure tracks are usually announced 20-30 minutes before the train is scheduled to leave, so be sure to leave enough time to pick up your tickets and figure out where you need to go. And don’t forget to stamp your ticket in the machine by the track before getting on the train!

Bonus tip: Reserve now, pay later

The SNCF website lets you reserve a ticket online without paying for it in advance or even giving a credit card. On the pre-payment page, instead of clicking “Gare ou boutique” under question 1 hit “Option.” The red text lets you know the date and time by which you need to confirm your reservation (usually 24 or 48 hours before departure), and you’ll receive an email with a booking code.

If you’re not sure what your schedule will be like or don’t want to give out your information online, reserve your seat then bring your confirmation number to the station before departure to pick up and pay for your tickets.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Drink your coffee with the locals at the bar. Photos by Theadora Brack.

By Theadora Brack in Paris–

Being “frugalicious” whilst painting the City of Light red need not be a chore.  In fact, I often find in Paris that the very act of pinching pennies actually enhances the overall experience (said not in a Polly Anna sort of way, I assure you!).

Here are five of my favorite tricks for saving a buck, er, euro. In the words of my grandmother Helen J. Wentz, Cheapos, “It all adds up!”

1.  Stand up, stand up!

Order (”take”) your morning (or anytime) café while standing at the bar in the café. Not only will this give you an opportunity to get down and gossipy with the locals and the apron-clad wait staff, but it’s also cheaper!

Amount saved: About one euro per espresso. Bar perspective with the in-crowd?  Priceless.

2. Solid as a rock

Someone is "fidèle" to Yves Rocher.

Who says money can’t buy you love? Certainly not the French. Repeat business is highly valued and often rewarded with a “carte de fidélité” (fidelity card). Restaurants, shops, and even hotels give them out to their patrons as a way of saying thanks and “come again soon.”

Looking very much like a business card, each time you make a purchase, the card gets hand-stamped or punched, soon adding up to super discounts or delicious prizes! Didn’t receive one? Just ask. It will be taken as a compliment, and a signal that you’ll be back. (Tip: Often the cards don’t have expiration dates, and can be used for years.)

Amount saved: 10% to 30% off transactions. Solid friendships and the proof of commitment? Priceless.

3.  ”Un carnet, s’il vous plait!” (A 10-pack, please!)

For the love of sanity, don’t buy your Metro tickets (good for both the bus and Metro) one or two at a time. Purchase a “carnet” (10-pack)!  With a thick stack of tickets in your hot little hand, you’ll not only save about €5 over the single-ticket price, but you’ll also be able to focus on more pressing matters like shopping, museums, and most importantly, food!

Amount saved: €5 per 10 rides. Skipping the line of ticket buyers? Priceless.

4.  Picnique with a view

Order take-out from a restaurant. ”Avez-vous des plats pour emporter?” (”Do you have take-out dishes?”) is your key phrase. 

All restaurants, of course, don’t offer this option, but often they do, especially ethnic restaurants (Asian, African, Mediterranean, and so on). You’ll save 10-15% off the total bill, since there’s no service fees or value-added taxes.

Amount saved: 10-15% off total bill. Slurping Pad Thai (à la “Lady and the Tramp” style) with your beloved on the steps of Sacre Coeur with the city twinkling below? At twilight? You guessed it… Priceless.

5.  Make that beer ”un demi”

Double your pleasure, but not the bill.  Beer lovers, take heed: Often the total cost of two short 25 cl beers is less expensive than one tall 50 cl beer. Stop scratching your head and order up “un demi” straight away. “Je voudrais un demi, s’il vous plaît” are the magic words.

Amount saved: About one euro per beer. Unwinding with two demi’s of pale ale after a long day of sight seeing? Ab-so-sipping-lutely priceless!

About the author: Theadora Brack is a writer working in Paris. Her fiction has appeared in more than 30 literary publications, including 3AM International, The Smoking Poet, Beloit Fiction Journal, Mid-American Review, and the Haight-Ashbury Literary Journal.

Popularity: 8% [?]

London's famous double-decker buses. Photo by Salim Virji.

By Justin Bergman in London—

Any visitor to London will undoubtedly leave singing the praises of the Oyster card. Not only is the Underground’s “pay-as-you-go” card efficient—you just swipe in when you get on the Tube and swipe out when you get off and the fare is deducted from your pre-paid account—it can also save a traveler loads of pounds. A single-ride ticket on the Underground costs a whopping £4 (or $6.50… Yes that’s right, $6.50). A single ride with an Oyster card in the center of the city is only £1.60 ($2.50).

But the Tube doesn’t go everywhere. Here’s what you need to know about one of the city’s other major transport options—those giant cherry-colored double-decker buses.

Get On The Bus

It’s weird. In London, as in most of the rest of Europe, people actually use the city’s bus system. Having lived in New York for four years, I think I can count on two hands the number of times I took one of the grindingly slow city buses. You can probably walk across Manhattan on 14th Street faster than the M-14 bus can get you there.

The London bus system, aside from affording some of the best views of the city from the front seat on the top floor of the double-deckers, is also fairly speedy, thanks to dedicated bus lanes on most city streets. Most bus stops also have electronic screens telling you in real-time which buses are coming next and how long they’ll take to reach the stop. And unlike the Tube, the buses run all night long.

Plus, buses are cheap. The Oyster card works—just tap the card on the sensor when you get on; each ride is £1 ($1.60). Or, if you don’t have a card, you can buy a ticket with cash at a ticket machine at some bus stops or from the driver on the bus (£2, or $3.25).

Mapping the Route

The bus stop. Photo by Fabbio.

But here’s the big question: With so many buses whizzing about the city, how do you figure out where you’re going? Map out the route before you leave the hotel by using the handy Transport for London website. Here you’ll find bus maps for every section of the city, as well as a nifty journey planner.

This tool is absolutely brilliant. This is how it works: On the right-hand side of the home page, enter your starting point and destination point—it can be an address, a post code, a Tube station or even a place of interest. Then click on the “Leave Now” icon, and the site will give you up to a dozen different transport options on how to get there.

For instance, to get to the Tate Modern from my house in East London, the site tells me to walk to St. Thomas’s Square, jump on the 48 Bus to London Bridge and then walk to the museum. Or, if I want to include the Tube, I can walk to St. Thomas’s Square, take the 254 Bus to the Bethnal Green Underground station and jump on the Tube to St. Paul’s, a short walk from the museum. Each trip takes an hour. And maps are included on the site to show you ever step of the way.

Hailing a Bus

Here’s an extra tip, one I wish someone had told me when I moved to London. Buses don’t automatically stop at every bus stop on the route—you need to flag them down if you’re waiting to catch one. Otherwise, you’ll be left at the curb, frantically checking the screen to figure out when the next one is coming.

Oh, and while you’re waiting, stand back from the curb. I know this goes without saying, but the buses drive extremely close to the curb in London, so much so that you could be clipped if your backpack is hanging out in the street even a few inches.

The last thing you want to do on vacation is go head-to-head with a seven-ton double-decker bus. Believe me, you won’t stand a chance.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Ernests Gulbis practices before taking on Andy Murray. Photo by e01.

By Justin Bergman in London—

Taking in the tennis at Wimbledon last week was a peculiarly British experience. Pimms cup in one hand, strawberries and cream in the other, I sat 10 feet away from the players, dressed all in white (of course), and watched them bash a ball at each other for hours on the magnificently green courts.

On a few occasions, the crowd would respond to an amazing backhand passing shot down the line with a spirited “Hoorah!” This being Wimbledon, though, what I heard most of the day was just polite applause.

Then there’s the queue to even get into the championships. This is by far the most British thing about Wimbledon—the fact that thousands of fans queue up (”line up” for you Yanks) at the break of dawn just for a chance to get tickets to the main courts or a day pass to the grounds. Some hardy folks even camp out over night. For tennis tickets. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge tennis fan, but this isn’t the Rolling Stones we’re talking about.

A “Guide to Queuing”

Queuing is part of the British identity—nobody complains about it, people just do it, and there are unspoken rules about how to do it. At Wimbledon, the organizers even hand out a “Guide to Queuing” that contains protocol for joining the queue.

For example, you are not allowed to reserve a place in the queue for your friend who slept in—he’ll have to go to the back of the line. And if you have to run to the toilet, you’re instructed to “negotiate your position with those around you and/or a steward.”

As I said, Brits take queuing seriously. But they also know how to make it enjoyable. Everyone around me was chatting with their neighbors, sprawled out on the grass in the sun. Picnic baskets came out; some people even cracked open beers (at 8 AM!). Every once in awhile, someone would come down the line selling newspapers.

On the ball for 2010

The championships may be wrapping up for this year, but it’s never too early to start planning for next. Here are my tips for queuing up, and avoiding the queue altogether:

Getting tickets through the ballot

Every year, a select number of tickets for the three show courts—Centre Court, Court 1 and Court 2—are sold in advance through a public ballot, or lottery. Entering is very “old school.” Anytime after Aug. 1, 2009, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Ticket Office; AELTC; P.O. Box 98; London SW19 5AE; United Kingdom.

You’ll receive an application for the ballot, which you must complete and mail back by Dec. 31. You can’t download it from the website. You also can’t request specific dates or courts—lottery winners are picked at random. If you’re selected, you’ll receive notification by mail and then you’ll have to pay for the tickets online at wimbledon.org. (Prices vary by day and court, from £ 33 pounds ($54) for Court 2 in the early rounds to £ 100 ($164) for the finals on Centre Court.)

Queuing up

You can also try your luck by joining the queue on the day you want to attend. For show court tickets, you really need to camp out overnight to have a good shot. There’s a park near the Wimbledon grounds at the Southfields tube stop on the District Line where campers are permitted to set up their tents. Once you get your ticket in the morning, you can store your camping gear at the Left Luggage facility outside the grounds.

There are 6,000 grounds passes available for general sale each day, too. These tickets give you access to all 16 of the outer courts and are by far the best deal on the first few days of the tournament when you have a good chance of catching top players that haven’t been scheduled on the show courts. (They cost £ 20 pounds or $33 on these days.) Even though the grounds don’t open until 10:30 AM, you need to be at the park near the Southfields tube stop at 7:30 AM at the latest. Once you join the queue, you’ll receive a card guaranteeing your spot (and preventing queue-jumping). Two things to remember: You must pay with cash. And only one small bag will be permitted per person.

Popularity: 7% [?]

A concert at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. Photo by ioniriq

By Audrey Sykes in Amsterdam—

The Dutch thrive on a passion for deal-making, and Amsterdam’s lively theater and music scene is, fortunately, not immune to great deals. Locals in search of half-price tickets to a wide-variety of entertainment events (from high to low-end), head straight to the Last-Minute Ticket Shop.

Always half off, no more, no less

Located at the southwest corner of the Leidseplein (Leidseplein 26, trams: 1, 2 and 10 from Central Station), the Last Minute Ticket Shop offers same-day half-price tickets to the theater, classical and rock concerts, cabaret acts, comedy shows, movies, and more.

It’s wise to show up early as tickets are limited (hours are daily from 12.00 to 19.30), yet ticket lines are rarely long. Chances of getting tickets are good, as you are only able to snag the half-priced tickets from the shop in person. Note that the shop’s ticket phone line (+31 (0) 900-0191) and website are reserved for those paying full price. (However, you can check out the website to view the day’s half-priced offerings.)

At the shop, large computer screens list available shows, listing artists, show times, locations, genres, language options, prices and ticket availability. The helpful staff is ready to answer questions about translation and events. Individuals may be limited to the number of tickets they can purchase, depending on availability. Cash, major credit cards, and EU debit cards are accepted, and the shop charges a €1 service charge per ticket.

An all-Amsterdam affair

Participating venues range from Amsterdam’s most famous concert halls to local stages. Whether it’s opera at the glamorous Concertgebouw or rock fests at Melkweg, the Last-Minute Ticket Shop offers a wide variety of options… at a great discount. Classical orchestra performances for €22, local comedy theater for €7.50, and feature flicks at the Filmmuseum for €5 are just some of the many offers we’ve seen.

Tell us: Have you ever bought a discounted seat or know other ways to score cheap tickets in Amsterdam? Leave your comment below!

About the author: Audrey Sykes hopped across the pond from the US three years ago for a Masters degree in global journalism. Since then, she’s lived all over Europe, reporting and editing for music sites, snowboard mags, and travel media.

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