Editor’s Note: The beloved Hotel du Nord unfortunately closed in May 2021. When in Paris last month, we happened upon the Hotel du Nord, a small one-star hotel tucked away on the tiny rue Albert Thomas, just north of Republique. With a style that charms and rates that will woo a Cheapo (€71-84 a night » Read more
Photo: Maria Eklind
There are some drawbacks to shopping for vintage threads in Rome. The vintage shops can be inconsistently priced and home to impressive amounts of dust. But there are advantages too – look hard enough between the tightly packed shelves and you’ll find some really interesting pieces – often designer. Want to look like Fonzie from » Read more
A 1922 advertisement for Thomas Cook's Nile cruise. Photo: Wikipedia
Some 15 million Americans will visit Europe this year, a small part of a flood that helps reinforce Europe’s position as the most buoyant tourist market in the world. Despite economic uncertainties, Europe recorded a 5 percent increase in international tourist visitors in 2011, in some measure benefiting from the declining fortunes of the Middle » Read more
The AVE train. Photo:
AVE is Spain’s fastest, slickest and most modern train. Those who want to travel in style and comfort take Ave and pay, for the most part, a pretty penny to do so. With so many cheapo flights around Europe these days (Vueling, Ryanair, easyJet, etc.) normal train travel is often the second choice for those » Read more
Save time and money by eating lunch at the bar in Barcelona. Photo: Longster47
By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I’ve learned two important lessons about travel in Barcelona and Spain in general: 1) It will cost more than you think, and 2) It will take longer than you planned. With these golden rules in mind, I offer some tips for saving minutes while visiting Barcelona. 1. Know your » Read more
In 2007, an Irish film, simply titled “Once” stormed onto the film scene. The story of two untitled character (“guy” and “girl”)—who meet by chance in the streets of Dublin and share a love of music — resonated immediately with audiences around the world. While the Irish (and music fans) recognized Glen Hansard from the » Read more
By Theadora Brack in Paris— Bookworms, ignite! This week, we’re headed to my new favorite bookshop in Paris. Located in historic Montmartre, the cozy, century-old Librairie Robert Jonard softly glows with vintage reading lamps, books, art and antiques. Truth unfold, the shop’s ambiance and eclectic collection stole my book-collecting heart immediately. For the love of » Read more
Trendy and healthy dining at Il Margutta RistorArte, just north of Piazza di Spagne. Photo: VeganTraveller
It’s no secret that Italians love meat. The most famous Italian dishes (lasagne, tortellini) are as carnivorous as they are delicious. But Italy is far more vegetarian-friendly than you’d expect. According to the European Union of Vegetarians, around 10% of Italians are vegetarian – the highest percentage in Europe. In Rome, you’ll find meat-free meals » Read more
Sometimes, you just need a burger. Photo: Jorge F.
Vintage clothes, cupcakes, brunch and now burgers. These trends have swept over Barcelona leaving people well-fed and questionably clothed. Unlike vintage, which doesn’t get me going, burger shacks are a welcomed addition to the Barcelona food scene. Here are a few top diners for a double with cheese. Betty Ford’s Joaquin Costa, 56 Barcelona, 08001 » Read more
Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi before sharing those photos! Ola
Note: This article is part of a series on Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke. If you’re trying to decide between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile as carriers for your iPhone or other unlocked smartphone, consider the differences in their rate plans for using these devices in Europe. Here’s a quick breakdown of » Read more
International plans can vary by carrier. Photo: Pexels
Note: This article is part of a series on Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke. Verizon customers heading to Europe with their smartphones have similar options to AT&T customers. Verizon offers two main international bundles, priced at $10 a day (per line) or $100 per month (per line). Verizon’s two bundles No plan » Read more
Talking in Toulouse. Photo: Dahan Remy on Unsplash
Note: This article is part of a series on Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke. If you’re an AT&T customer planning to use your smartphone abroad, you have some choices to make before you leave home. These will impact how you use your phone and how much you’ll be charged. These choices » Read more
London’s famous art galleries are just half the story when it comes to the city’s art collection. Some of the world’s best street artists come to London to leave their mark, turning the city into a vast open gallery for all to admire free of charge—providing you know where to look of course… Enter Street » Read more
Because the French railway network extended its tentacles only slowly north from Paris to the ports, there was a spell in the mid-19th century when the Channel port of Boulogne remained conspicuously isolated from the rest of France. Brits could get there easily from London, using the new rail routes to the Kent coast and » Read more
Be wary of tourist traps along La Rambla. Photo: Fred Romero
Like any major tourist destination, Barcelona has its share of attractions that promise too much, but deliver too little… while usually draining your budget. These, my friends, are called “tourist traps.” They’re usually easy to spot (just look for crowds of tourists with nary a local in sight), but their allure can still be too » Read more
Looking out at the world from the Heathrow Express. Photo: ItsRichard
Railways breed euphemisms. We always smile when we hear railway staff at London’s Paddington station refer to “the lawn.” There is nothing green about the lawn, but that’s what they call the concrete concourse where travelers gather, scanning the list of upcoming departures, at the inward end of the platforms. Another old Paddington euphemism, one » Read more
By Nina Derham in London— Once you’ve pounded the streets of London visiting museums and emptying your wallet at the shops, you’ll likely be in need of some fresh air. Cambridge makes for an ideal getaway from the hectic buzz of London and, best of all, it is easily doable in a day. Getting to » Read more
Paris has perfected the café experience... but not necessarily the coffee. Photo: Pat Guiney
Paris is known for its café culture – lounging on a terrace all day long with a good book, some writing, and fantastic people watching. But when it comes to the actual café, the consensus among coffee-enthusiasts is that Paris doesn’t really brew the best cup of joe in Europe. Blame the beans, blame the » Read more
Yes, Cheapos, even Zurich can be affordable! Photo: crash71100
EuroCheapo is pleased (and somewhat surprised) to announce the launch of guides to cheap hotels in Geneva and Zurich. For years we’ve steered clear of these pricey cities (and the country in general), assuming that Switzerland was simply inhospitable to budget travelers. With many hotels starting north of $250, how could any Cheapo afford to » Read more
The great majority of our many rail journeys across Europe work perfectly. Most trains really do arrive punctually. But from time to time Europe’s railways do have bad days, particularly when bad weather rolls in and plays havoc with schedules. When winter strikes In three of the last five winters, we have had at least » Read more
Warm yourself up in a pub. Above: Gogarty's Pub, in Temple Bar. Photo: Elizabeth Burnett
Winter is one of the best seasons for Cheapos to visit Dublin. Not only are airfares and hotel rates at their cheapest for the year, but the cold temperatures offer a great excuse to get snug in the pub and order up an Irish coffee. From shopping to sports to comedy, there is plenty to » Read more
Should you get Eurolines coach passes for your trip? Photo: Cityswift - Ireland
Okay, chances are you know quite a bit about the fabulous range of rail passes which are available for exploring Europe. From Eurail and InterRail to BritRail and a great range of locally sold passes within individual countries, those keen to roam the rails are spoilt for choice. But for bus fiends, devotees of road » Read more
Vahram Muratyan compares two cities' neighborhoods in his new book, "Paris versus New York, a tally of two cities."
Vahram Muratyan’s book Paris vs. New York: A Tally of Two Cities has been making quite an impression on big city dwellers. Debuting at Colette last year in Paris and launching in February in New York, the book visually chronicles the comparisons and contrasts between both iconic cities. Images illustrate the cultural showdown, like the macaron » Read more
Buy a day ticket for the tram, or bike around Amsterdam to save time. Photo: Malingering
By Audrey Sykes in Amsterdam— Even during the off season Amsterdam is a busy place. Lines for museums are common, stuffy buses are all too familiar, and traveling in and out of the city can take some time. Here are 10 ways to keep you from playing the waiting game and make the most out » Read more
Catch open-mic night and a free blues jam at the Spice of Life. Photo: Istvan
By Nina Derham in London— Saving your pennies can feel like an impossible task in a city like London when just using public transport can burn a massive hole in your pocket. Thankfully, all the main museums are free, meaning that large chunks of your day can be spent admiring everything from the wonders of » Read more


































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