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.

Here is some advice on how to skip Dublin’s tourist traps, and just as important, how to find the authentic experience within them.

Tourist Trap: Temple Bar
http://www.templebar.ie/

Temple Bar is the well-known historic neighborhood of Dublin that flanks the River Liffey on the south side. Its cobblestone alleys and street musicians can set a great atmosphere – if you know when to visit.

This neighborhood is home to a number of pubs (the Oliver St John Gogarty, the Quays Bar) that few Dubliners ever set foot in. The reasons are simple: pints here are overpriced compared to other areas of the city, and the pubs are typically full of tourists and rowdy bachelor parties.

Yet there’s another side of Temple Bar. The neighborhood is also known as Dublin’s cultural quarter, and it takes on another life during the day. Visit on a Saturday morning to nibble your way through the Temple Bar Food Market in Meeting House Square. Take in an exhibit at the Gallery of Photography next door, or if it’s a rainy day, join the locals in the IFI (Irish Film Institute) for a film or a pot of tea in the café.

Do: Visit Temple Bar during the day for its galleries, markets, and cafés.
Don’t: Fall into the trap of Temple Bar’s overpriced pubs at night.

Tourist Trap: Trinity College and the Book of Kells
http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/

One of the top attractions in Dublin is Trinity College and the ancient Book of Kells. It is so popular that there is often a long line to get in and a hefty price tag attached to try and squeeze up to the pages of the Book of Kells in a dimly lit room before being shoved out by the next guy in line.

The Book of Kells exhibits closes daily at 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Sundays) so why not show up half an our before closing time? Not only will the aforementioned line by nonexistent, but the entry fee is also sliced in half. Then instead of seeing the Book of Kells and the incredible Long Room library with a crowd – you will have it all to yourself.

Do: Visit the Long Room Library and Book of Kells right before closing.
Don’t: Skip this worthwhile attraction or wait in the long line during the day.

Tourist Trap: Taxis

When visitors to Dublin hear that the capital city doesn’t have a subway system, some think they are going to be stuck taking expensive taxis. First of all – the city is quite small and manageable to be explored on foot – and second there are many affordable methods of public transportation to help you get around.

On a sunny day, nothing beats renting a Dublin Bike (“db” for short) and cycling around the city. There is also Dublin Bus, the LUAS trams, the DART train, and even the Hop On, Hop Off double decker bus that stops at 25 of the top tourist attractions in the city.

Do: Explore different parts of the city.
Don’t: Rely on expensive taxis to get around.

Not a trap

There are some attractions that people might suspect as tourist traps – such as the Guinness Storehouse – that are actually some of the best things to do in the city. Taking a first sip of a perfect pint on top of the 365-day a year brewery at sunset, and you’ll no longer think of calling such an important piece of Dublin history a tourist trap.

Your advice

Do you have any tourist trap advice to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Also on EuroCheapo: Our editors inspect, review and photograph the best budget hotels in Dublin (some of which are in Temple Bar, but none of which are tourist traps!).

The post Dublin: Tourist traps in Dublin to avoid appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a quick round-up of bike rental and tour options available to visitors to Florence:

The Urban Treader

Walking’s not your thing but neither is heavy biking. You’re more into the casual cycle and were once caught riding on the sidewalk in your hometown. You wonder why anyone would want to carry something in a basket and giggle every time you ring the bell.

Then I give you: Florence by Bike. These gentle giants of bike rental speak English and rent bikes by the hour or for the day. They don’t offer tours but will suggest a route for you. This means that you can bike at your leisure. Accessories are all included, but pedal power provided by you. City bikes start at €3 per hour or €14.50 for the day.

Where’s north again?

A recurring nightmare of yours consists of parachuting into the desert with a duffel bag duct-taped around your waist. You love biking but only when you can read the road signs and think that GPS should stand for Guiding People to Safety.

Then join a bike tour! That way you can turn off the worry of not knowing where you are and turn on the pleasures of peeking at Florence from a bicycle. One suggestion is I Bike Florence which offers city tours of all the sights for €29.

I Peddle in my Sleep

You don’t sleepwalk, you sleep peddle. You think trains and buses are just big pollutant versions of the trusty bicycle. Mileage doesn’t scare you, instead it says tons about your “explore score.” Plus, you’ve always wanted to see a real olive tree. Enter the world of Tuscan bike tours.

First there’s Charnes Tours who offer multi-day trips all over the region. They take care of hotels, food and wine-tasting. Prices vary according to itinerary.

For single day tours, try Tuscany Bike Tours which cost €80 per person.

And finally, I Bike Tuscany lets you customize your tour or join one of the pre-planned ones, which will vary according to your level of difficulty. Pricing can be obtained by contacting the company.

So get out there and start peddling. Or else you can always join the eerie Florence unicyclist for a quick round of ring-around-the-Duomo.

Also in our Guide: If you’re getting ready to visit Florence, check out our reviews of cheap hotels in Florence. Our editors have visited, inspected and photographed dozens of budget hotels in central Florence.

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Tourists coming to Paris look with desire at Vélib‘, the city’s public bike-share program. Until recently, when tourists asked me how to rent one, I was forced to dash hopes. For, until recently, you couldn’t hop on a bike unless you possessed a European chip-enhanced credit card.

That changed in the past few months, however. You can now register for a one or seven-day subscription on their Web site with any MasterCard, Visa or American Express card. They will then give you a code to tap into the kiosk screen at any of the city’s 1,200 Vélib’ bike stations.

Note that a one-day subscription costs €1.70 and a seven-day subscription costs €8. Both allow unlimited, free 30-minute rides. Also note that when you subscribe to the service, a €150 “hold” will be placed on your card and will be in place until your subscription expires. Read more on the Vélib’ Web site.

Not in the mood for Vélib’?

If this all sounds like a hassle, fear not: Parisians have been renting bikes since long before the Vélib’ cycled into town. So if you’re not in the mood to join the bike share, but still want to zip around the grands boulevards on two wheels, here are a few places to rent inexpensive bikes so you can play Parisian for a day.

Bike rentals

Toys Paradise
22 Rue Léon Jouhaux 75010
€12 for a full day

After a picnic along the famed Canal Saint Martin, grab a bike from this playfully named corner shop. The service is far from whimsical, but the owners know what they’re doing and the prices are right. You might see me here since it’s where I also head (often) to get my flat tires fixed. I’m not good at avoiding glass on the streets…

Gepetto and Velos
59, rue du Cardinal Lemoine 75005
€15 for a full day
http://www.gepetto-velos.com/

Over in the Latin Quarter, this packed shop offers all sorts of bikes for sale and for rent. Fortunately, it’s located towards the upper half of the St. Genevieve Hill, so you can rent a bike for the day and coast downhill, keeping in mind that you’ll have to bike back uphill to return it. They also have guides available to ride with you if you are interested.

Free Scoot
63 quai de la Tournelle 75005
http://www.freescoot.com/
€35 for a full day for a basic scooter

Located right by Notre Dame, and with a second location on Boulevard Voltaire, Free Scoot offers a solid selection of bikes, but more interestingly, affordable scooter rentals. If you don’t feel like pedaling, hop one of the many scooters that they offer to get the full European treatment.

Bike Tours

If you’d rather take a bike tour and learn about the sights you’re seeing, Paris has several companies that will take you on group tours.

Bike About Paris
http://www.bikeabouttours.com
€30 for a 3.5-hour tour

Bike About Paris is among the most recommended bike tours in the city.  The tour includes some off-the-beaten-track sights and stories along the way.

Fat Tire Bike Tours
http://fattirebiketours.com/paris/tours
€28 euros for a 4-hour city tour

One of the biggest bike touring companies, Fat Tire takes visitors in and around Paris. Check their Web site for day and night tours of Paris, a visit to Monet’s gardens in Giverny and a tour of the Normandy beaches by bike.

Rules and Etiquette

For all rentals, be prepared to leave a deposit or an identity card–this is standard procedure to make sure you don’t ride away forever with the bike.

While you’re on the road, helmets are optional but recommended. Adhere to the numerous and clearly marked bike paths located alongside the traffic lanes. Stopping at red lights and stop signs is normal for bicycles, and none of us are exempt from getting pulled over by the police, even on two wheels. Trust me, I know.

The post Paris: Cheap bike rentals, when Velib’ won’t do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Suddenly, you could be almost anywhere in the city within a leisurely 10–15 minute pedal. With clearly designated bike lanes, cycling in the city is safe and simple. While many commuters use a db every day, travelers can also take advantage of this (almost free) program, too.

The Basics

There are 44 db stations in Dublin’s center. Stations are never too far away from one another, and are located right near some of the top attractions including the National Gallery of Ireland, St. Stephen’s Green, and Grafton Street.

If you are unfamiliar with the layout of Dublin, you might want to consult a map before heading out on your db. Each station also has a map providing details on where to return the bike.

How to Rent a Bike

This is where it gets a little tricky. Local residents who use the db program have an ID card that is connected to their credit card for security purposes (to make sure you don’t ride off for good with the bike!). Travelers don’t need the annual card, but they do need a credit card to use the bikes. MasterCard and Visa are accepted, and your card could be charged a hefty fine if you don’t return the bike.

Travelers can purchase a three-day pass right at the db stand. (Note: Not all 44 stands have credit card capabilities–consult dublinbikes.ie to find one that does). A three-day pass costs just €2, and provides free 30-minute rentals. If you go beyond 30 minutes without returning the bike, you will be charged .50 for an hour, €1.50 for two hours, and so on.

Cheapos should know that there is no limit to the number of free 30-minute rentals you can enjoy in one day. Thus, to avoid the service fees, simply return your bike to a station and rent a new one.

The Specifics

After you rent your first db, you’ll be a pro. Unlike other countries where you have language to cope with, in this instance it’s English all the way. When you approach a db station, have a credit card ready. After you’ve selected a three-day pass, you will be asked to select a four-digit PIN code. This number is important, as it will help to identify you and confirm that you’ve returned your bike (avoiding the €150 fee for “stealing” or not returning a bike).

Renting is simple: Approach the station, enter your PIN, select an available bike, press the “release” button and you’re off. Returning the bike is just as simple, and detailed directions are available at every station.

Where to go with a bike rental

Dublin is a compact city, and once you have your three-day pass, it’s all at your fingertips. Some fun bike excursions include going for a ride in Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe, or riding along the water of Dublin Bay along Sandymount Strand.

Best of all, your free bike rentals let you avoid expensive taxis and see more of Dublin. Have fun!

The post Dublin: Hop on the city’s bike-share program for €2 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve been fans of Paris’ Vélib’ bike program since it debuted in July 2007. But how’s it faring three years later?

In many respects it’s been a big hit with both locals and tourists (at least those lucky enough to have the right type of credit card). Read on to get our Cheapo assessment of the city’s bike share program.

Getting a bike

A Vélib’ station. Photo: Tom Meyers

The Vélib’ system, which until 2011 required a credit card with a puce (a special microchip), was mostly unattainable to Americans since it launched in 2007.

However, that changed in spring 2011 when the program opened, at least online, to a wide-range of cards (including MasterCard, Visa and American Express). Tourists can now register for a one or seven-day subscription on their Web site with these credit or debit cards. You will then be given a code to tap into the kiosk at any of the city’s 1,200 Vélib’ bike stations.

Note that a €150 “hold” will be placed on your card when you subscribe. This will be in place until your subscription expires. Read more on the Vélib’ Web site.

After purchasing a daily or weekly pass (one-day subscription costs €1.70 and a seven-day subscription costs €8), riders take a bike from any stand and can ride for 30 minutes before parking at another station. Additional time is billable in half-hour increments.

Improvements to the Vélib’ program

Thanks to an initiative by the mayor’s office passed in June 2010, improvements in bicycle parking, traffic signals and paths are on their way. The biggest change, however, has been the legalization of bikes riding on a one-way street.

One-way streets that had permitted only one-way bike traffic are now also painted with bicycle paths going against automobile traffic, opening up the city’s meandering and confusing network of streets and alleys. According to Le Monde, about 90 percent of streets are now accessible in both directions for cyclists. (Granted, my heart flutters a bit when a truck comes barreling down what its driver feels is a one-way street. But at least the police won’t stop and fine me for breaking the law while riding my Vélib’.)

The downsides of using Vélib’

While the streets are opening up to bikers, the Vélib’ system still has its faults, starting with finding a bike. Popular stations often lack sufficient functional cycles.

A seat turned backwards is a sign from a friendly rider that a bike is faulty. Always check the tires, breaks, gears and handle bars before riding. In addition to being an inconvenience, a bike with wobbly handle bars and poor breaks is a hazard. Fortunately on the road, cars are surprisingly respectful of cyclists (even though Parisians are known for their erratic driving).

Finding a parking spot can also be difficult. All too often, major stations in popular neighborhoods are full, forcing riders to wait for a spot to open up. Fortunately, you can obtain a 15-minute extension from the terminal in order to find another station. The map on the terminal’s screen will locate the closest free spot.

The bottom line

For Parisians, having their own bike is preferable to relying on the Vélib’ system. After two years, fed up with daily Vélib’ hassles, I purchased a used bike. Still, I kept my subscription to the Vélib’ because many occasions call for a one-way bike ride. (For example, you get to a bar and then enjoy a few too many glasses of Bordeaux.)

With nearly 20,000 bikes and inspiring programs from London to Mexico City, Vélib’ remains the world’s most successful biking system. While not perfect, it still may be one of the most magical experiences available in Paris for just a few euros.

Bonus: This fun little video gives you a feel for the Vélib’ experience.

The post Paris Vélib’ Update: How’s the bike share program working out? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Luckily, visitors don’t have to feel left out of the biking fun: Bike rentals are cheap and easy to find. And tooling around by Rad won’t just make you look and feel like a local—it will also enable you to access sights that are otherwise impossible to visit by foot or too time consuming to visit via public transportation.

Before burning rubber, read this little guide to find out where to find a bike, how to ride like a local, and which bike paths to seek out.

Step One: Rent Wheels

Many hotels and hostels will arrange bike rentals for you. But if they don’t, both Fat Tire Bike Rentals (€12/day) and fahrradstation (€15-20/day) boast several locations throughout the city. If you have time to hunt for cheaper prices (you can find bikes for as low as €8/day), scour neighborhoods like Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, and Kreuzberg for upstart rental spots.

Step Two: Follow the Rules!

Since most Berliners use their bikes as a form of transportation and are sticklers about the rules, you should brush up on a few Regeln before pedaling. You’ll see plenty of bikers blowing through red lights, weaving through traffic, and speeding past pedestrians on a sidewalk. Don’t follow their example! They give bikers a bad name—and they are asking for a ticket.

If there is a bike lane, use it. (But first make sure that you’re riding in the correct direction; not all paths are two-way.) If there isn’t a bike lane, ride on the street—not the sidewalk. Stop at stop signs, stop lights, and never, ever assume that a car driver sees you coming.

You are free to bring your bike with you onto the U-bahn (subway) and S-bahn (commuter train)—as long as you use designated compartments (look for the bike sign on the door). Baby carriages and wheelchairs have priority.

Step Three: Hit the paths

Berlin boasts 620 kilometers (385 miles) of bike paths. We’ve highlighted two of our favorites below, but the city government’s English-language biking page offers a complete overview of Berlin’s biking opportunities.

Path: Follow the Wall

The Berlin Mauerweg is a well-marked route that follows the contours of the 12-kilometer-long Berlin Wall. Though the actual divider is long gone, taking this scenic, off-the-beaten-path trail that passes through often-overlooked districts is the only way to get a true sense of the Wall’s size and scope.

For inspiration beforehand, rent the documentaries “Cycling the Frame” and “The Invisible Frame”. They feature the actress Tilda Swinton biking the Wall in 1988 and 2009 respectively.

Path: Take a Dip

Visiting the peaceful and historic Wannsee, a posh lake district in far-western Berlin, by public transportation is time consuming. After taking the S-bahn to the Wannsee station, you have to walk (a lot) or rely on buses to see the lake’s must-see sights: a historic public beach, the gripping Haus am Wannsee-Konfernz, and the romantic, flower-filled Pfaueninsel (“Peacock Island”).

Take a bike along with you or rent a bike at the lake, then pedal from one sight to the next at your leisure. Don’t forget your bathing suit!

The post Berlin: How to rent a bike, Cheapo-style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Since late 2008, BikeMi has operated stations around the city, allowing locals and tourists to explore the city on two wheels for just a few euros. BikeMi currently boasts over 100 pick-up and drop-off stations throughout Milan, with around 1,400 bikes in total. The program is set to expand to well over 200 stations and 5,000 bikes by the end of 2010.

How it works

To hop on, you’ll first need to register. On the BikeMi Web site, choose a temporary or annual subscription and provide your credit card information. Once your card is approved, you will be e-mailed a user code and password to be used at any bike station.

Simply type in your code at the station keypad and take a bicycle. And don’t forget to watch the time—bikes must be returned to any BikeMi station no more than two hours after they’ve been checked out. (Exceeding the limit three times will get your subscription cancelled.)

The daily rate for using a BikeMi bike is €2.50. A weekly subscription costs €6. On top of these flat fees, you’ll be charged €0.50 for every 30 minutes (following the first free half-hour).

All in all, we think BikeMi provides plenty of incentive to slip off the D&G stilettos and get riding through the streets of Milano.

The post Milan: Get moving with the BikeMi public bike share program appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Metro

The Metro is the fastest way to get from point A to point B in the city. Buy a T-10 card for €7.70 (good for ten journeys on the Metro or bus) and you’re on your way (tickets and cards are sold in the Metro entrance; cash or credit card). The Metro is not dangerous unless you are going way out to the outskirts late at night. Open from 5 AM to 12 midnight Sunday through Thurs; 5 AM to 2 AM Fridays, and all night long Saturdays.

Bus

You might be intimidated by the bus system with its multicolored route maps. Never fear, it’s easier than it looks! It is much slower than the Metro but more scenic. You can use the same T-10 cards on the bus and the Metro. If you don’t have a card, you will have to buy a ticket—but be warned: the bus driver will only accept small change.

Train

If you’re planning to travel outside of Barcelona, the train will be the obvious transportation choice. The trains that serve Catalonia are called the Cercanias (‘the close ones’) and the company is RENFE.

Here’s a tip: Don’t buy your RENFE tickets online. Go to the office. The RENFE website is a bit of a mess, although you can usually find the train departure times and locations on it with relatively little hassle. The main train stations are Passeig de Gracia and Sants Estacio.

Biking Barcelona. Photo by Silatix.

Bike

Renting a bike for a day is not expensive (€7-15), and it’s a fabulous way to explore the city (just be prepared for riding in traffic!). A word to the wise: Do not leave your bike unattended. Check Bike Rental Barcelona, which offers bicycles rentals from €10.

Taxi

Taxi fares are relatively reasonable, especially if you are a group of three of four people and can split the cost. Most rides across town will run you about €10. At night and on holidays, however, taxi prices are more expensive. Taxis to the airport will run about €25-30, and they will add a surcharge for your luggage.

Check out our Barcelona city guide for more Cheapo advice on planning your trip.

The post Barcelona: Cheap transportation guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Things can get pricy pretty quickly in Copenhagen, but you can still grab some wheels for free. The city’s free bike program, called “Bycyklen Kobenhavn,” was a pioneer in the urban bike program phenomenon. The city provides 1,300 free bicycles to anyone to zip around the city center.

The program is popular with visitors and residents alike, doubles as a rehabilitation program for locals, and is environmentally progressive. (The city even gave a city bike to Bill Clinton, when he visited in 1997.) In short, the program is just another example of why the Danes are so cool.

It’s a straight-forward system:

1) Find your way to one of the city’s 125 bike parking areas. They’re all located in the city center.

2) Leave a small deposit (a DKK 20 coin, worth about $3) and ride off with your bike.

3) Stay in the city center. The bikes are easy to identify, and you might get some looks if you’re outside the central zone. According to the official website, “If you ride on a city bike outside the zone, you might get fined by the police.” Also, remember not to ride on any of the city’s pedestrian-only streets (you can walk the bike, however).

4) When you’re finished, return the bike to one of the 125 bike parking areas, whereupon you’ll get back your deposit.

The free-bike zone.

For more information on the program, visit the city’s official website for the free bike program.

So simple.

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