Airport bars and lounges are nothing new, of course. But Munich’s airport offers a uniquely Bavarian twist to “grabbing a beer between flights”: Don’t just head to a bar. Head to the airport’s biergarten.

At this convivial outdoor space, you can sample the airport’s own home-brew, crafted in strict compliance with the Purity Decree of 1516 (which, side note: turns 500 years old next year!). This isn’t just any old beer, but one brewed with Hofbräuhaus yeast and hops from the Hallertau region. We’ll take two.

Cheapo note: A half-liter of the biergarten’s brew will only set you back €2.75, notably cheaper than at bars inside the airport (not to mention in the city center).

In addition, their kitchen dishes up plates of Bavarian specialties that will practically ensure that you’ll fall asleep on your next flight. Throw in the possibility of cabaret-style performances, and we’re suddenly excited about a layover.

But is it practical?

But wait, we hear the Nervous Nellies (understandably) protest: Is grabbing an air-brew and sausage platter really a practical option between flights? What about security? Getting to your gate on time? Getting tipsy, passing out and waking up in Nuremberg?

Fortunately, it’s logistically pretty simple. The beer garden is located in the airport’s “forum”, the outdoor public space between the airport’s two terminals. As the airport is already comparatively small, reaching the beer hall isn’t more than a few minute’s walk from most gates.

Given the airport’s size, security is also a relatively quick and breezy experience. Airport insiders tell us you should give yourself about 20 minutes to reach your gate from the beer garden in normal flying conditions.

As for getting tipsy and waking up in Nuremberg, well, here you might want to exercise a bit of prudence. After a couple of steins of airbräu, you might want to give yourself a few extra minutes to navigate to the right gate.

More in Munich

Heading to Munich soon and looking for affordable sleeping options? Check out our list of recommended budget hotels in Munich’s city center, all inspected and reviewed by our editors.

Looking for more ways to save in Munich? Read more tips in our Munich blog.

The post Layover in Munich? Hit the airport’s beer garden! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Public transportation strikes are extremely common in Rome (there was one just a fortnight ago). They usually get called with a couple of days notice and have the potential to disrupt even the most carefully laid travel plans.

But you can avoid the headaches of “scioperi” (strikes) by keeping an eye out for upcoming strikes and making alternative arrangements to ensure you’re not left stranded and out of pocket.

How to find out about upcoming strikes

There are many websites that announce upcoming strikes in Italy, but not too many that do it in English. The website of your local embassy in Rome is a pretty good place to start. Other options:

• The British Embassy in Rome almost always announces upcoming strikes.

• A couple of other city-specific websites usually have info on upcoming industrial action, including AngloInfo and Wanted in Rome.

If you speak a little Italian, there are several more sources, including:

• The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

• The Strikes Commission Website (yes, it really exists)

• For train strikes, see the Ferrovie dello Stato website.

Signs of a strike

If you’re in Rome, keep an eye out for any signs around Metro, bus and tram stops that might signal any upcoming strikes. The information is usually in Italian, and may not be very obvious to the passer by (the signs might only be a couple of A4 pieces of paper taped somewhere). The magic word is “Sciopero” – if you see this written anywhere (accompanied by dates and times) it might be a sign that strike has been called.

Another tip: Ask the receptionist in your hotel. They’ll definitely be able to tell you if any upcoming industrial action. They might also be able to help you arrange alternative transport on the day the strike is planned.

What to do when there is a strike

What you do in the event of a strike really depends on the length of strike, which services will be affected and what are your plans.

Unless the strike is a “general transport strike,” not all services will be out of action. Because of the different types of transport in Rome (and in Italy) it can actually be tricky working out what services will be out of action (e.g. sometimes buses are involved, but not Metro trains. Or Regional trains are frozen, but not the Metro). Private city tour buses will almost never be part of industrial action by city transport workers.

Hours: Strikes can occur on weekdays or weekends. They often go for 24 hours – from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, then again from 8 pm until the following morning. There is sometimes a break mid-strike to let commuters return home after work.

If you are planning to visit tourist attractions on the day of the strike, then you should travel by public transport before 8:30 am. Although limited bus services sometimes run during strikes, extensive cancellations should always be expected and you should expect to be “stranded” at least between the hours of 8:30 and 5:00 pm.

Wear your walking shoes, take plenty of water, and start your day somewhere within walking distance of Rome’s best attractions (I recommend Colosseum – Metro B).

Getting to the airport during a strike

Rome’s Leonardo Express service between Termini station and Fiumicino Airport often runs as normal, even in the case of general strikes. If you have to catch a plane, and had planned to take the Leonardo Express from Termini to Fiumicino Airport, you might need to catch a taxi from your hotel to get to Termini Station.

If the Leonardo Express is not running, then a private shuttle bus is probably the cheapest alternative. Your hotel or hostel will probably be able to recommend one – but beware – you could still spend €70 or more per person. (One option is: http://www.rome-airport-shuttle.it.)

Remember – your airline (or connecting bus or train company) will probably not care (or refund your ticket) if you miss your connection because of a public transport strike. Inform yourself the second you learn about an upcoming transport strike and begin considering your options.

If you’re in a jam, call your airline or connecting bus or train company and ask their advice as to what to do. They usually have English speaking staff that will be able to help you consider your options and minimize any major disruptions to your travel plans.

The post Rome Transportation Strikes: A survival guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related: How to spend your first day in Paris

Lizza will get you to your hotel affordably.

1. To cab or not to cab?

That’s always the question upon arrival. But if steps are an issue or you’re toting heavy luggage, for heaven’s sake, take a cab. No one’s gonna judge you. Heck, we’ve all been there. I’m no diva, but I’ve always thought Gare du Nord had one too many corridors, and two too many sets of stairs to count. So there, I’ve said it. I sometimes cab it myself.

My own Cheapo solution is to contact Lizza (also a concert cellist!) at contact@art-trans-voyage.com. With advance bookings, they’ll greet you at the airport with a spiffy sign in hand. The flat rate will be pre-determined during booking, and is based on your destination in the city, regardless of traffic jams. Who could ask for anything more?

Tip! Book in advance and tell her you’re a Cheapo. For the very lowest rate (especially if your flight is an early one), say you are willing to wait for a late or group pick-up at the airport café, just outside the baggage area. I do this often, and I’ve never had to wait more than one hour. After the long flight, I actually find the lull relaxing, and besides, check-in for hotels in Paris is usually in the afternoon. Plus, you can’t beat the sunrise people-watching action.

If you’re up for public transportation, check out our guide to getting in from the airport by bus and train.

Pick up a Pariscope at any magazine kiosk, like this one near the Louvre.

2. Reading Material

While waiting for a taxi or before jumping on the RER train, pick up some reading material at Les boutiques Aéroports de Paris. You can’t miss their bright red signs. Getting you coming and going, there’s usually one located just outside of baggage.

I’d kick off my spending spree with a copy of L’Officiel des Spectacles or Pariscope. Both cover the week’s happenings from theatre, cinema and arts, to music and restaurants. Then while in transit, start making plans. Costing about fifty cents a pop, it’s your new BFF! (By the way, the rags can also be found at any newsstand or kiosk in Paris.)

Let’s not forget to pick up a few fashion magazines. It’s a great way to find out what’s happening on the streets of Paris before actually hitting the cobblestones.

Here’s another squeal! Often magazines like Be, Elle, Marie Claire, and Vogue include a free gift with purchase. I recently scored a scarf and cosmetics, along with a chic Édition Limitée Nuisette (nightie) by Princesse Tam Tam in a drop dead burgundy. Talk about a win-sin!

What to do? What to do? Follow my lead. In Paris, most super market stores are not one-stop shopping havens. Monoprix is the exception. Here’s the breakdown.

Head to your neighborhood Pharmacie.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Paris carry a wide array of plant-based soaps, shampoos, lotions, and conditioners, along with cosmetics, contact solution, eye-drops, and contact lens cases. They also stock aspirine and Ibuprofène. When making a purchase, ask for the marque générique because it’s usually half the cost of the name brands.

How to find one? Pharmacies are easily recognizable by their flashing green cross signs, dressed in neon and cool LED. In each neighborhood at least one remains open through the night (and any closed pharmacy will post a sign directing you to the nearest one that’s open). French pharmacists are licensed to diagnose and treat minor illnesses without doctors’ prescriptions. Look for the “conseils pharmaciens” sign outside on the shop’s window.

Grocery stores

At grocery stores in Paris, you’ll find shampoo, soap, deodorant, and cosmetics, along with toothpaste and mod-looking toothbrushes (another perfect souvenir!).

Tip: Grocery stores in Paris, like Monoprix, Franprix, and Carrefour now have smaller “Mini Me” boutiques scattered throughout the city. It’s all about streamlining!

dailymonop’ sells toiletries, as well as basic grocery items.

Prior to your trip, I recommend exploring your Paris ’hood via Google Earth, and jotting down addresses of nearby pharmacies and grocery stores. Yes, this message has been approved by the Girl Scouts du Monde.

4. Batteries Chargers and Memory Chips

Forget your battery charger or need a new memory chip? It happens. Hotfoot it to Fnac (pronounced “fuh-NACK”), the largest French entertainment retail chain.

The two biggest stores are at rue de Rennes and Les Halles. (The Saint-Lazare shop is my favorite because it’s smaller.) The camera equipment is usually located on the second floor, close to the cashier booths. Check out their good-looking shopping bag. It’ll make your friends back home green with jealousy.

Tip! Fnac also discounts its inventory of books. This includes the latest catalogs from current blockbuster exhibitions in Paris. With everything from laptops and DVDs to French comic books and concert tickets, in the entertainment realm, it’s one-stop shopping. You can also pick up museum admission tickets here.

Your tips for getting situated in Paris

Cheapos, Bon Voyage! And do let us know if you have a tip for your own first day in Paris. Curious trekkers want to know.

The post Arriving in Paris: Getting to your hotel, situated and settled appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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 of your trip to Amsterdam:

1. Pay in cash

Forget paying with a credit card in grocery stores, they only accept cash or Dutch debit cards. And many authentic Amsterdam cafes (and coffeeshops) only take cash. Save time by always having cash on hand, and use your credit cards for the shops and ATM machines.

2. Buy day tickets on public transportation

Yes, you can buy your ticket on the trams and buses, but save time (and annoying people behind you) and buy a day ticket if you’re taking public transport. This way you can simply “punch” your ticket when going on and off the tram or bus like everyone else. (Look for the round pads on the side of the doors that say “OV”.)

Visit the Anne Frank House Museum in the evening to avoid the line (above). Photo: Mattmangum

3. Go to Anne Frank House, late

During high tourist season the Anne Frank House Museum is open until 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Saturdays); and during the off season until 7 p.m. (9 p.m. on Saturday). In fact, during July and August the museum doesn’t close until 10 p.m. daily. So save time and avoid that long line by coming later, about an hour before close.

4. Make dinner reservations

Since Amsterdam’s old city center is well preserved, it also means cafes and restaurants have a small capacity for patrons. Save time searching for an open table by simply reserving a place at a café. Call ahead (or stop by) during the afternoon and you should be fine.

5. Bike around

Waiting around for trams and buses gets old fast – Amsterdam public transport isn’t as frequent as other European capitals, especially on weekends. Save time (and money) by renting a bike during your stay. It’s fun, healthy, and once you learn the rules of the bike paths, it’s a breeze!

6. Party outside the center

On weekends the city center is packed with people, mostly foreigners and Dutch people coming to the Dam for a big weekend. Save time and stay away from the bars and clubs at the big party squares – you’ll spend ages waiting for a drink or club entry. Instead, hit the surrounding hoods like De Pijp, Jordaan, Oost or Westerpark. These areas are more fun, authentic and comfortably filled with locals.

7. Book train tickets in advance and use kiosks

It might sound obvious, but I wholeheartedly encourage travelers to book train tickets in advance online. Whether you have a print-out on hand or you have to use a kiosk computer at the station – both methods are so much faster than waiting in line to buy tickets at the station. (Of course, checking in for flights in advance and using self-service check in at the airport will also save you loads of time.)

8. Get Dutch-y

Although everyone in Amsterdam speaks English and things are rather international, don’t spend time searching for your favorite chain coffee store or smoothie shop. Suppress your cravings for tacos and hot dogs – you won’t find the real deal here, and you’ll waste valuable time. Instead, get Dutch. Head for the fries stands, falafel shops and fresh orange juice. Want to taste something exotic? Try Indonesian or Surinamese cuisine – the Mexican and Chinese food of The Netherlands. (Here’s a list of our favorite late-night snacks.)

9. Don’t bother getting to the airport too early

Be early for your flight, but don’t overdo it: It takes about 20 minutes to get from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Schipol Airport. If you’re flying on a low-cost carrier to another EU destination, gate assignments don’t even appear on the departure screens until 40 minutes before takeoff. If you just have a carry on, don’t overdo your prep time for short flights. Two hours is just too long for an EasyJet flight; 60 to 90 minutes is fine.

10. Don’t wait empty handed

Face it: There will be times when you’ll just have to wait around. When you find yourself stuck in a long line, waiting for transport, or twiddling thumbs on the train, pass the time with something good. Whether it’s a book or a light-weight tablet for videos, having an extra something to keep entertained while waiting is still the best way to remedy the waiting itch.

Also in our guide: We can also save you time hunting down the best budget hotels in the city. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed affordable hotels, all centrally located in Amsterdam, clean and affordable. Read more in our Amsterdam hotel guide.

The post Amsterdam: 10 easy ways to save time when visiting appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Sure, everyday small charges like cafe cremes in Paris (€2-4) and vaporetto rides in Venice (€6.50) do add up and can make a Cheapo panic. However, these are relatively minor charges when compared to the big-ticket items in your budget: flights, hotels, car rentals and train tickets.

Luckily, there are simple steps you can take right now to minimize these big expenses. Some of these tips may be old news to you, bien sur. But even if one tip comes in handy, it could save you a whole wad of euros.

Kayak’s price alert

1. Set up airfare alerts

Haven’t booked your airline tickets yet? Set up airfare alerts to find a flight deal on Web sites like Kayak.com and Airfarewatchdog.com.

On Kayak, do a search for your desired travel dates and then click “Get a price alert” on the left side of the page. Once you register, they’ll email you with daily or weekly airfare deals for your route.

On Airfarewatchdog, “Deal Hounds” sniff out the lowest ticket prices for your route and send similar email updates. On both sites, you stand a much better chance of scoring a deal if your travel dates are flexible.

2. Pack lightly

As we mentioned last week, most transatlantic airlines have introduced ridiculous baggage fees for checking a second, third or overweight bag. For flights from the US to Europe, these fees can be as high as $200 per bag (one way!).

Check out our roundup of airline baggage fees and only check one bag.

The RoissyBus taks passengers from Paris to Charles de Gaulle.

3. Take public transportation to and from the airport

Alas, how many people have we dissuaded from taking a taxi from Charles de Gaulle to their hotel in Paris! Every one of the major European cities we cover on EuroCheapo offers public transportation from the airport to the center of town, and the majority offer both train and bus options.

Whether you’re getting from Charles de Gaulle to Paris or Schiphol to Amsterdam, there’s a budget-friendly (and usually quite efficient) way into town that doesn’t involve an expensive taxi. Check out our city guides for more information.

4. Think twice before booking a rail pass

For Americans, the lure of the Eurail Pass is strong. Just reading the descriptions of the passes on their Web site can get you excited and ready to hop on board!

It’s easy to forget that these rail passes are not always a good deal. Sure, they offer some convenience and peace of mind, but they don’t always save you money over simply buying individual point-to-point rail tickets (like the millions of Europeans who take trains daily).

Aboard the Renfe train between Cordoba and Granada. No need for a rail pass.

To find out if a rail pass offers “rail” savings, compare the pass price to the point-to-point ticket prices found on the railways’ official Web site (and not the Web site of a rail pass re-seller).

For much more information on this, read these posts: Read this before you buy a European rail passes; Extra charges for rail pass holders; Deutsche Bahn fares better than rail agents; How to book French rail tickets (in French)

5. Book major train tickets in advance

If booking rail journeys directly with the European railways, like the SNCF (France), Deutsche Bahn (Germany) and Renfe (Spain), book those seats in advance. For long-distance train travel, ticket prices climb as the travel date approaches, so advance booking is essential to getting a deal. Most of these railways release tickets three or four months in advance. (Local trains for small jaunts, however, do not need to be booked in advance.)

For more information, read our post on the “three-month rule.”

The EuroCheapo gang rented this car in Berlin. We weren’t smiling two weeks later when we paid the bill.

6. Know the real cost of renting a car

How much will that rental car really cost you? When you do a quick rental car search online, the rates you see will most likely not include taxes or insurance, and certainly won’t include the price of gasoline or the tolls you’ll pay on major highways.

Read our quick guide to calculating the real cost of renting a car in Europe. Then weigh those costs against other options, like trains or budget flights.

Then, use EuroCheapo to search and compare car rental quotes from competing agencies.

While you’re at it, know whether or not to buy extra insurance for your car. (And for that matter, know if you should buy travel insurance for your entire trip!)

7. Choose your hotel wisely

Your hotel expenditure will probably be the most expensive part of your trip. Here at EuroCheapo, we’re obsessed with hotel values. That’s why our editors spend so much time snooping around hotels, taking photos and writing reviews. We can tell you that two hotels sitting side-by-side can charge radically different rates for remarkably similar rooms.

The Hotel Tiquetonne in Paris is central, clean and cheap.

When choosing a hotel, consider “losing a star,” downgrading perhaps from a three-star to a two-star hotel. Decide which amenities you require in a room: Do you need a minibar? cable TV? elevator? If you’re open to a simpler hotel, you can save a bundle and you might find the hotel to be more charming, as well.

Also, give careful consideration to the hotel’s location. If you decide upon a hotel located outside the city center in order to save money, will there be an easy and affordable way home at night? We usually opt for simpler hotels near the center, within walking distance of nighttime activities, if possible.

Read our reviews of budget hotels all over Europe and take our advice–we’ve been there!

8. Know what’s for breakfast

This may sound minor, but breakfast is a big business for hotels. Whether or not breakfast is included in your room rate can add a jarring amount to the bill or save you in the end. It’s a tad confusing, too, as breakfast offerings tend to change by city.

These water bottles in Venice are cheaper at the supermarket.

In Paris, for example, most hotels do not include breakfast in the room rate. When you pay for breakfast, you’ll often be disappointed by what’s set down in front of you: a croissant or piece of baguette, butter and jelly, coffee and juice–for about €10. You’d pay about half that if you headed to a neighborhood cafe, stood at the bar and enjoyed breakfast with the locals.

In London, meanwhile, hotels and B&B’s pride themselves in their included breakfasts, which often come with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and toast. It’s not necessarily healthy, but it’s good for your budget! (It also helps you eat a lighter and cheaper lunch.)

In many cities, hotels sometimes include breakfast in the room rate, depending upon conditions when booking. The only way to really know if it’s included is to check when reserving your room.

There’s another easy way to eat a healthy breakfast and pay a fraction of the price: Head to a neighborhood supermarket after checking into your hotel to pick up the essentials (bottles of water, oranges, bananas, etc.). If your room has a mini-fridge, you could store yogurt, milk or juice. Bon appetit!

9. Be careful with American iPhones

Americans heading to Europe should be careful before powering up their iPhones abroad. AT&T offers various European travel plans, and almost all of them are too expensive to be a serious option for budget travelers.

We recommend leaving your iPhone set to “Airplane Mode” throughout your trip, and only using it when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Read more in our guide to “Using an American iPhone in Europe… without going broke.”

10. Understand bank fees before using your credit cards or an ATM

How much will your bank charge you to use your credit or debit card abroad? How about withdrawing money from an ATM? When’s the last time you checked?

American banks have “adjusted” their fee structures during the past few years, so we’d recommend checking in with your banks before heading to Europe. If you have multiple cards at your disposal, chances are that they’ll charge different foreign transaction fees. Knowing who charges what will save you money in the end.

Read our quick overview to ATM, Debit and Credit Card charges abroad.

Your tips for saving on European travel

What tips do you have for saving on your “big ticket” items when traveling in Europe? Have a question about any of the tips mentioned above? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

The post Cheapo Basics: 10 ways to save on the “big items” in your travel budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Unlike the surreal terminals of Charles de Gaulle (Paris) or the more bland, almost spooky hallways in John F. Kennedy airport (New York City), the Barcelona airport just makes sense…well, almost. There are still a few things you will want to know before you head to El Prat airport.

First of all, there are two terminals at El Prat, and they are not close to each other. One is old; one is brand-new. You need to check your ticket or call ahead to find out what terminal you are departing from, that is, T1 or T2. If not, you might find yourself making the long bus ride between terminals, which is free, but this ride will take a good 20 minutes if not more.

How to get to the airport also takes some planning. You have three options: a taxi, the airport shuttle bus and the train.

A taxi is the quickest choice and if you have to catch a plane during the wee, small hours of the morning, this will be your best bet because public transport won’t be operating. But, this option will obviously not be the Cheapo bet. A taxi from central Barcelona to the airport will set you back about €30 or more.

The airport shuttle bus, or Aerobus, is my preferred form of transport to and from El Prat. The bus costs €5 and leaves from Plaza Cataluña, Plaza España and a few other key spots throughout the city. Make sure you get on the bus that corresponds to your departure terminal. There is one bus that goes to T1 and another that goes to T2. At the time of this writing the T’s and ‘Aerobus’ were both painted boldly on the side of the buses.

Aerobuses depart every six to 15 minutes, and drop travelers off directly in front of their terminal. These buses are also easy to catch when you come out of the airport. The buses start running (from the center of town) at 5:30 a.m. and keep running until 10:20 p.m. It takes about an hour to get from central Barcelona to El Prat.

Cheapo tip: You will want to watch your bag on the Aerobus, as this is a place where many jet-lagged tourists do get pick-pocketed.

For more information including schedules and routes, visit the Aerobus official site.

In addition to the Aerobus shuttle, there’s also a city bus that runs from city center to the airport. The #46 bus will get you to El Prat, however, it doesn’t run as often as the Aerobus, which makes it less convenient. You’ll save €3 if you take the #46 instead of the Aerobus, though. For more info, go here.

Finally, the RENFE train (not the metro) is another option. I don’t like to take this train much because it does not go directly to the El Prat terminals, but the train departs from the easily accessed Passeig de Gracia (among others) and if you’re staying near here, the RENFE could be a great option.  Just remember that taking this train requires lugging your bags a bit further and takes longer. RENFE starts running at 5 a.m. and ceases at 11 p.m.

Remember, getting to and from the airport should take anywhere from 30 minutes (in a cab in the early morning) to over an hour. Make sure you give yourself enough time, especially if you are taking the train.

The post Barcelona’s El Prat Airport: Tips for getting there on time appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Taxi

There is of course the classic taxi option. It tends to cost about about 500 SEK to take a taxi from the airport into central Stockholm. I don’t suggest it for a variety of reasons, one being the risk of black taxis that are more than willing to relieve you of your money in the 45 minutes it takes to get into town.

Bus

Another option into town is the bus. Flygbussarna takes about 45 minutes for the trip, but costs only a quarter of what you’d spend on a taxi. For 119 SEK, an adult can make the one-way trip into town. The cost is 89 SEK for a youth (under 25) ticket.

You can also save a bit of money by purchasing the round-trip ticket and buying the ticket online. The bus leaves on a pretty regular basis depending on the hour of the day. During heavily trafficked hours, the bus leaves every ten minutes. In the middle of the night, it departs every 30 minutes.

The Arlanda Express Train

Finally, there is the Arlanda Express. This is my favorite option (probably because I still qualify for the youth ticket!). The super-fast (200 km per hour) train will get you into Stockholm’s Central Station in 20 minutes. Adult tickets are 240 SEK, but watch for group deals where you and a buddy can travel one way for 280 SEK total. Youth and students pay only 120 SEK. Check the timetable to be sure, but the train leaves every 15 minutes for most of the day.

Public Transportation

And finally, public transportation. With a mixture of buses and trains, you can get from the airport into town for about 60 SEK. Of course, it will take you about one hour, but it is a good option if you’re willing to take the scenic route.

Getting into Stockholm from other airports

If you did fly into one of the other airports surrounding Stockholm (Ryanair to Skavsta for example), take the bus. Seriously. It will take you just over an hour and costs 75-99 SEK one way. The price depends on which company you choose (Flygbussarna or FlybyCoach) and whether you book online or not. Watch out for taxis: They’ll cost you well over 1000 SEK.

For more info on getting into Stockholm, view this article in our city guide. With the stress of getting from the airport to town out of your system, you’ll be able to enjoy and explore all that Stockholm has to offer. And with the money you saved on your way in, you’ll be off to a great start.

The post Stockholm Airport Transportation: Cheap ways to get in from Arlanda appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Exploring Allgäu from “Munich West”

Canny Cheapos know that Germany’s Frankfurt Hahn airport is nowhere near Frankfurt. Likewise, one discount airline has now decided that the name “Memmingen Allgäu” airport just does not have the necessary appeal, so styles the airport “Munich West”—slightly to the surprise of folk locally who are all too well aware that their regional airport is not near Munich at all.

The cachet of a big city name has become important. So much so that it obscures the fact that the communities which lie on the very doorstep of those airports are interesting destinations in themselves. The name “Munich West” is misleading, and hides the fact that the Allgäu region, so close to the airport, is a stunning area of Germany well worth visiting.

Discovering lesser known gems in Germany, Italy, and beyond

Girona Airport. Photo: Lorentey

But as airlines and airports create their own mysterious cartographic realities, sensible travellers exploit these secondary airports to visit spots that really are well served by them.

If you fly to what Wizz Air or Ryanair euphemistically call “Hamburg-Lübeck” airport, you will land a long way from Hamburg but happily very close to Lübeck. The medieval center of one of northern Germany’s most historic and engaging towns is just an eight minute train ride away from the airport (which has its own rail station).

And the same argument holds for other secondary airports across Europe. If you are bound for Barcelona, don’t be seduced by the publicity that suggests that Barcelona Girona Airport is close to Barcelona. It is not! But Girona, just twenty minutes away on the bus, is really worth a visit in its own right. It boasts a particularly well preserved medieval Jewish quarter.

Few of those who jet into Orio al Serio airport near Bergamo, Italy have any intention of visiting Bergamo, just a ten minute bus ride from the airport. No, the airlines market the airport for its rather remote proximity to Milan. Yet Bergamo is an absolute gem, and for first-time visitors to Italy an infinitely better introduction to the country than Milan.

Exploit the system

So does anyone really fly to Frankfurt-Hahn on purpose? Well, they should. The out-of-the-way airport, utterly inconvenient for Frankfurt, is just ten miles east of the most beautiful stretch of Germany’s Moselle Valley.

For those in the know, the wayward cartographic fictions of Europe’s discount airlines throw up a few unusual travel opportunities.

The post Europe’s minor airports offer interesting travel opportunities appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Cheapos traveling from the German capital (or beyond) when snowy conditions prevail should take a few steps to prepare for the absolute worst: cancelled flights and missed connections. The following precautionary measures will make an unplanned night or two in Berlin or your layover city more cost (and time) efficient.

1. Carry on your essentials

It is all too often the case that travelers aren’t allowed to re-claim their bags once they’ve checked them, even if their flight is cancelled or they’re stranded in a layover airport. As a result, a well-packed carry-on is key to avoiding the cancellation blues.

Pack a change of underwear and a clean T-shirt, as well as three-ounce-or-less containers of soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and/or whatever you can’t live without for a night (or two). If you have a cell phone or a laptop, bring along the energy cord and converter plug. If you’re easily bored, pack reading material or a deck of cards.

2. Check your flight

If it’s snowing or the weather forecast calls for snow on your departure date, check the status of your flight online before heading to the airport. If flights out of your airport and/or your layover airport are canceled, call the airline to find out if your flight will make it.

3. Consider Re-booking

If airline officials suspect that your flight (or flights) will be canceled, they may encourage you to book a seat on a flight the leaves in a day or two, or after weather conditions have improved. If you have a flexible schedule and enough euros to tide you over for an extra day or two, you shouldn’t hesitate to extend your trip. Waiting around in a crowded airport is a lot less fun than roaming Berlin’s warm and cozy museums.

4. Avoid the airport

If you find out that your flight is cancelled before getting to the airport, don’t waste time or money on transportation to the airport. Since both Tegel and Schönefeld are too small to handle a crowd, you’d probably be turned away or stuck waiting in a confusing, slow-moving re-booking line. Your best bet is to find the nearest phone or computer and work the airline’s customer service line.

5. Book a room with flexible terms

If it is likely that your flight will be canceled, reserve a room at a hostel or hotel that doesn’t require a credit card hold or advanced payment. If you end up making the flight, you can always cancel the room before boarding. Ensuring that you have a place to stay is especially important if you’re flying through Tegel; sleeping in the airport isn’t an ideal option. (Sometimes guards kick travelers out after the last flight of the evening has arrived; sometimes they herd everyone to Terminal D.)

6. Know your rights

Luckily, travelers passing through the European Union are entitled to reimbursements for food, transport, or accommodation if their flight is canceled (some restrictions apply). Treat yourself to a nice hotel and a big meal if the airline is footing the bill!

7. Bring along a snack

Before heading to the airport, where food is overpriced and not very good, stock up on granola bars, nuts, or other lightweight snacks at a Cheapo grocery store like Aldi. If you get stuck overnight, at least you’ll have something to nibble on.

The post 7 tips for surviving a flight cancellation (in Berlin and beyond) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Fortunately, London has a number of cheap transport options to and from Heathrow, making the journey a much more pleasant—and wallet-friendly—experience.

Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect

Without a doubt, the Heathrow Express express train is the fastest—and most comfortable—way into the city. Heathrow Express departs every 15 minutes from the airport and takes just 15 minutes to reach Paddington station in the city’s West End. (The trains also leave Paddington every 15 minutes going the other way.)

To save yourself even more time, you can buy a ticket online before you leave the U.S. and have the actual ticket sent to your mobile phone—a bar code in the text message will be scanned when you board the train. Plus, another bonus starting this month: Free Wi-Fi on board! What could be better?

Well, the price, for one. A one-way ticket on the Heathrow Express costs a whopping £16.50 online (or £18 at Heathrow); a round-trip ticket will set you back £30 online (or £32 at the station).

A slightly cheaper option is the Heathrow Connect train. It takes slightly longer to reach Paddington (25 minutes), but the price is only £7.90 for a one-way ticket and £15.80 for a return if you purchase online. Watch which train you board—both the Heathrow Express and the Heathrow Connect stop at the same platform at the airport.

The Tube to Heathrow

Heathrow, mercifully, is also served by the Piccadilly line on the Underground. (Why can’t La Guardia be this well connected?) With an Oyster card, which you can buy at the Heathrow Tube station for £3 pounds, the cost of a one-way journey into central London is just £3.80.

The only major drawback is the travel time—allow yourself at least an hour to get to or from the center of the city; sometimes, the journey can even take an hour and a half. Another annoyance: Parts of the Tube are routinely shut down on weekends for maintenance, meaning you may have some difficulty reaching your final destination if it’s not on the Piccadilly line.

Car Service to Heathrow

This is the biggest secret in London when it comes to Heathrow connections. It’s actually how I suggest most of my out-of-town guests go to the airport at the end of their stay—it’s far less trouble than trying to figure out the train schedules and worrying about being late for a flight.

There are numerous car service companies in London that will take you to any destination of your choosing for a flat rate (no tipping necessary). Most companies charge around £30 per trip from central London (anywhere in Zone 1) to Heathrow, which is actually cheaper than purchasing two one-way tickets on Heathrow Express.

It’s simple to find a company if you have a cell phone that works in London. Just text the word “home” to the Transport for London’s information number (62967) and within minutes, you’ll receive a message with the numbers of several car companies near you.

If you aren’t that technologically savvy, fret not. Try calling Bloomsbury Cars, a reliable company that I’ve used before, at 020-7631-1334. They’ll pick up passengers from any location in Zone 1 and charge £30 per trip to Heathrow. The journey usually takes less than an hour.

The post London: The Cheapest Way to Heathrow—Train, Tube or Car? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.