Welcome to EuroCheapo's guide to saving on your trip to Europe

We have thousands of articles about ways to save on your trip to Europe. From Amsterdam to Venice, Paris, London and Rome, we've got budget tips for you!

locals in Amsterdam
No sweatshirts or sneakers on these locals. Photo: FacemePLS
Maybe it’s because I’m American, but I can spot our style from a mile away. I see it all over Amsterdam: The baseball cap, the oh-so-handy cargo pants, and a sporty, all-weather and near-fluorescent windbreaker. We stick out like sore thumbs in Euroland. Of course, standing out is not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s » Read more
Bauhaus Building exterior
The famous Bauhaus Building in Dessau, Germany. Photo: MCAD Library
When people think about Germany, visions of fairy tale castles, Oktoberfest, Lederhosen, traces of the Berlin Wall and the ever-iconic Brandenburg Gate are usually what come to mind. But Germany is also famous for what was arguably the most influential modernist art and design movement of the 20th century: the Bauhaus (translates literally as “build » Read more
aerial view of Salzburg at night
Stunning Salzburg. Photo: Wolfgang Zimmel
The hills may be alive with The Sound of Music in Salzburg, but there’s plenty to do that doesn’t involve Mozart and the Von Trapp family. And if you’re not careful, you could spend a fortune before the time it takes to listen to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21. For a trip down the less-touristy » Read more
National Gallery entrance in London
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
We love a tasty schnitzel that won't break the bank! Photo: Jeremy
When you think of budget food destinations, Vienna, Austria might not be the first place to pop into your mind. However, Vienna is surprisingly rife with inexpensive eating options. In addition to the ubiquitous döner kebab that is always a reliable choice, you’ll find cheap pizza, traditional Austrian food at excellent prices and more than » 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
Paris Wine
No need to tip on a glass (or two!) of wine. Photo: Craig Nelson
In a city where customer service is as low a priority as cleaning up after your dog, the scarcity of tipping in Paris should come as no surprise. Still, many Americans find it difficult to stop calculating 15-20% of the bill before it hits the café table. Some visitors and foreigners in Paris take a » Read more
Spain
Spain is huge, so don't try to see it all on your first trip. Photo: Eddy Van 3000
You’ve booked your flights, bought your guidebook, and are ready to take off for beautiful España this year — congratulations! You’ve made a wise choice. But as you plan your Spanish jaunt, it’s important to think about a few pitfalls that are easy to walk into… but just as easy to avoid. Once you reach Spain, » 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
lavender in front of large ancient building
Sénanque Abbey in Provence. Photo: Luis Ascenso
Even for those who have yet to step foot on French soil, Provence is a name familiar to many — whether it is the vision of billowing lavender fields, the illustrious work of Vincent Van Gogh, the eponymous wine appellations, and of course, the sapphire shorelines of Mediterranean bliss. Some call Provence the quintessence of » Read more
Pena Palace in Sintra
Pena Palace in Sintra. Photo: F Mira
It is easy to see why Lord Byron loved Sintra so. It is no wonder at all that Ferdinand II of Austria built Pena Palace atop the town’s highest peak as a gift of love not only to his dear Queen Maria II of Portugal but also to the Portuguese people. Sintra’s beauty is second » Read more
Antwerp
City Hall in Antwerp. Photo: Jerome Bon
Antwerp is one of Western Europe’s true hidden gems. Internationally overshadowed by its more bureaucratic sibling Brussels, Belgium’s second city used to be an important mercantile center in the Low Countries and has left behind a rich city to lose yourself in. Today it takes a more discerning traveler to explore this picturesque medieval city. If » Read more
Plovdiv
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
Paris Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower sparkles in the summer sun. Photo: Tommie Hansen
“Paris is always a good idea,” Audrey Hepburn told us in the 1954 film, Sabrina. I may be biased, but of course, I agree. Winter, spring, summer or fall, there’s never a bad time to come to Paris, just better times for some travelers depending on your budget and what attractions you want to see. » Read more
people dining at outdoor patio in Aix-en-Provence
Time to unwind in Aix. Photo: miguelvirkkunen
Beautiful, beautiful, Aix. Land of Cezanne. Childhood stomping ground of Zola. Purveyor of more jaw-droppingly gorgeous fountains than you can throw a pétanque at. This lovely small city located just 30 minutes north of Marseille dates back to 123 BC and is the historic southern home of the French upper crust. Aix-en-Provence has a lot going » Read more
NYC Skyline
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
tour guide with tourists
A good tour guide gives you a richer understanding of what you're visiting. Photo: Kennisland
For years EuroCheapo has extolled the benefits of booking every aspect of your trip yourself — the flights, the hotels, the transportation, the meals and the activities. Aside from giving you more independence, it can often be cheaper to arrange everything on your own. But hold on: Is it always cheaper? And is a trip » 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
Bring home some cava! Photo: Keith Williamson
While we’re firm believers in the idea that travel is about the experience and not the “stuff” (or budget, obviously), it’s sometimes nice to bring something back with you. Whether you’re picking up souvenirs for friends, family members or me, myself and I, we’ve gathered our best tips on what to buy, where to buy » Read more
Albergo Doni
You don't need to spend a fortune to get a canal view in Venice. Photos by Tom Meyers
Who doesn’t dream of a canal view from their hotel room when visiting Venice? Ever since I started regularly visiting the city to review its hotels in 2001, I’ve always hoped that I would be able to fling my windows open in the morning to the sights and sounds of a passing gondola. It hasn’t » Read more
crowds waiting outside Le Baron Rouge restaurant
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
view of Strasbourg from a window
The view from a hotel in Strasbourg, France. Photos: EuroCheapo/Booking.com
Nestled just along the Rhine and the border of Germany, Strasbourg is a city you must add to your itinerary — whether it is your sole destination or a stop on a longer journey. Fans of architecture and design will find an array of styles throughout the city that meld together beautifully. Similarly, visitors will » Read more
glass of fröccs near a hat
A refreshing glass of Fröccs in Hungary. Photo: Benjamin
When traveling on a shoestring budget, cutting out pricey cocktails and spendy alcohol seems like a given. But do you really have to? Probably not — in many European destinations boozy beverages don’t cost much. Sometimes they’re the same price or even less than soft drinks! For example, in Prague, beer is the cheapest thing » Read more
Notre Dame
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
churros in chocolate sauce
A plate of churros in Spain next to a cup of hot chocolate. Photo: < a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sami73/36280554/">Sami Keinänen
While even the cheapest of Cheapos most likely envision their European meals as traditional sit-down affairs, sometimes hunger hits on the go. So what’s a hungry Cheapo to do?  Do as the locals do. Grab a quick and affordable snack! More cheap travel tips in Europe: • 10 Ways to save time and money before your » Read more