Here’s one strategy for lowering costs: eschew particularly expensive locations for cheaper alternatives. As always, think broadly about alternatives. In some cases, a neighboring city will be less expensive than a popular tourism draw in spitting distance. In other situations, you might consider swapping one region for another half-way across the continent.

Here are five suggestions to get you thinking.

1. Consider Bratislava instead of Vienna

Vienna is glorious. It is impossible to forget that the city was once the seat of an empire. Though there are low-cost hotels, it can also be expensive and, during the summer months, overrun with tourists.

Enter Bratislava, the cute, relatively diminutive capital of Slovakia, just 40 miles to the east. It is a quieter and far less expensive alternative to Vienna. You can count on paying around €40 per day less in Bratislava between budget accommodations, meals and bar tab. Plus, hotels in Bratislava can go for as little as $40-50 per night when we did some searching for dates in the spring.

Furthermore, it’s easy and relatively cheap to travel between the two capital cities. A one-hour one-way train fare will set you back €15; the almost two-hour bus journey costs only €8. You can upgrade the trip with a 75-minute boat ride for as low as €20.

2. Switch out the Slovenian Alps for the Swiss Alps

Let’s compare two popular Alpine destinations, one in Switzerland and the other in Slovenia.

In the winter, a double at a cheap bed & breakfast in St. Moritz, Switzerland runs 110 CHF ($112) per night; in Bled, Slovenia: €29 ($35). In the summer, rate differentials aren’t quite so dramatic. A cheap studio in St. Moritz in mid-July is 63 CHF ($64); an equivalent property in Bled mid-July runs €36 ($44). Bled is less developed than St. Moritz, and (arguably) more interesting in terms of geology and landscape.

As an aside, Slovenia offers far more than Alpine vistas. Other places of note include Ljubljana, the country’s dynamic, pretty capital, and a tiny little arc of the Adriatic, centered on Koper.

Lisbon is one of Europe’s greatest and cheapest cities to visit. Photo: Francisco Antunes

3. Try Lisbon over Madrid and Barcelona

Lisbon is one of the most appealing cities in all of Europe — and an outstanding value to boot. It’s got everything one might want in a European capital: atmospheric neighborhoods, grand plazas and boulevards, good coffee, affordable public transportation, cheap taxis, great restaurants, and perfect egg tarts at more or less every bakery. It’s much cheaper than Madrid, Barcelona, and even Paris.

Hotels in Lisbon start around $30 for simple rooms, and you can score 3-star accommodations for as little as $60. In other words, Lisbon is still a cheapo paradise!

The French coastal region of Côte Bleue, west of Marseille, is a great alternative to the ritzy Cote d’Azur. Photo: Jeanne Menj

4. The Côte Bleue in place of the Cote d’Azur

The Côte d’Azur remains charming despite the glitz and celebrities that keep it humming. But goodness gracious is it pricey. For a less expensive holiday, look to the Côte Bleue, to the west of Marseille.

Carry-le-Rouet, a fishing village surrounded by a nature reserve, is one idyllic spot. In Carry-le-Rouet, the Villa Arena Hotel offers double rooms for €60. And in the nearby village of La Rove there is a simple, welcoming guesthouse called L’olivier, with double rooms for just €55 in July.

Jahorina in Bosnia offers a fun ski vacation for almost 75% less than the Alps! Photo: vladotesanovic

5. Go east for an affordable ski vacation

A quick glance at the top resorts in France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria turns up exorbitant daily lift pass costing as high as €70 ($86) in Zermatt. Even relatively good value resorts in the region, like Courmayeur in Italy’s Aosta Valley, cost €44 ($54) per day for a lift pass.

A turn to the east reveals much less expensive territory: Jahorina, Bosnia (€20, or $24 for a lift pass); Popova Sapka, Macedonia (900 MKD, or $18); and Brezovica, an ethnic Serbian mountain enclave in the south of Kosovo, where a lift pass costs just €12 ($15) per day.

Related: 5 affordable ski vacations in Europe

The post 5 cheapo alternative destinations in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But those that take the time — even if it’s just a day or two — to visit Bratislava are certain to be rewarded with a small capital city that’s easy to explore, full of utterly charming squares and classical architecture. The authentic local spirit in the city can be intoxicating.

Oh, and by the way, everything is super cheap!

Bratislava budget travel guide

To help you get the most of your stay in Bratislava, as well as find even more ways to save, we’ve gathered together the following collection of budget tips.

Getting there

By plane

The Bratislava Airport is a quick ride 15 to 20 minute from the city center. You can order a taxi immediately from the company established inside the airport for a fixed rate of €13 to the city center. As with most central European countries, it’s not advised to ever take a taxi that you’ve not ordered in advance, as there is a good chance that you will be overcharged, sometimes massively.

Cheapo tip: Take the bus from the airport to the city. You can find a direct line that takes 25 minutes from the airport to the main train station on Bus 61, running ever 15-20 minutes between 5 am to 11 pm. One ticket costs a mere €0.90. You can also take a night bus which runs hourly between 11 pm and 5 am. From the main train station to the center you can then use the same ticket you purchased from the airport and hop on bus 84 or 93 to get you to the city center in five minutes (stop Kapucinska is the closest to the Old Town).

Arriving by train or bus

Arriving by bus will take you to the AS Mlynske Nivy Bus Station, which is served by major international bus companies such as Flix Bus and Euro Lines. This station is only a 15-minute walk to the city center or you can take a quick five-minute ride on Bus 88, getting off at the stop SNP (Novy Most).

Tip: If you should be arriving from Vienna, you will likely be dropped off at the Novy Most bus stop. From here you are just a few steps into the heart of the city center and several bus and tram lines.

By car

Another cheap, as well as social option, is car sharing. Check out BlaBlaCar and hitch a ride at a nice price with someone who’s headed for Bratislava.

Tip: To find the cheapest travel options to Bratislava, check out the website goeuro.com, where you can compare prices for trains, buses, and flights to any destination within Europe.

Getting around Bratislava

Ask any local or traveler who has been there, and they’ll tell you that Bratislava is really more of a bustling village than a proper capital city. This makes it super convenient to go absolutely everywhere you need to go by foot in a short amount of time. You can expect to see the entirety of the Old Town center within half a day, and that’s if you are walking slowly. This allows you more time to explore some cool parts just outside the city center which give you an authentic taste of Slovak culture. To get to these places you can take a tram or bus.

Public transport fare & fines

Be sure to buy your ticket in advance of getting on the vehicle from an automatic ticket dispenser near the stop or from a convenience store or a shop selling tobacco and newspapers. Once you’ve boarded, look for the ticket validating machine to punch your ticket.

There is a chance your ticket will be inspected by a public transport official, who will identify themselves with a badge. If you get caught without a validated ticket the fine is €50 paid immediately.

Things to do in Bratislava

Bratislava is certainly not Rome or Paris when it comes to sightseeing, but it does have a certain small city charm that can make you unexpectedly fall in love with it. Here is the short list (of the already short list) of places to visit in Bratislava.

Old Town

Bratislava’s small Old Town center, known as Stare Mesto, is a completely pedestrianized area that features a collection of beautiful squares, lovely Hapsburgian, and Renaissance-era architecture, winding medieval alleyways, and a large selection of appealing cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s a relatively tiny area that you will be able to walk through in no more than a few hours.

Hlavné námestie, or simply The Main Square, offers a gorgeous view on all four sides of perfectly preserved Baroque architecture reminiscent of Austria and Hungary. Here you can find the Old Town Hall, Renaissance-era Roland Fountain, and the Statue of the French Soldier (who they say decided to desert Napoleon’s army after he fell in love with Slovak women and wine).

Hviezdoslavovo Námestie is a beautiful, expansive, tree-lined square where one can grab a table at a cafe and enjoy watching the locals go about their daily business in the most relaxing manner possible. Here you’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Slovak National Theater, visit a bronze statue of Hans Christen Andersen, or listen to Slovak folk music during the many festivals that take place here year round.

Michalská Brána, or Michael’s Gate, is one of the original four gateways into the medieval walled city of Bratislava. From here you can climb the 51-meter tall tower and look down onto Michalská Ulica, one of the most lively streets that cut right through the Old Town and offers several places to eat or have a drink.

St. Martin’s Cathedral is the city’s oldest and largest church, dating back to the 15th century. It is where the Austro-Hungarian nobility members were crowned between 1563 and 1830, including Austrian Queen Maria Theresa. You can also take a tour of the cathedral’s crypt and catacombs for a more spooky experience.

Museums and parks

Bratislava boasts several lovely parks located in or near the city center. Sad Janka Krala, just a few minute walk across the Danube River on the Novy Most Bridge (the one with the big UFO-looking thing on it), is the oldest public park in Central Europe and covers 42 hectares. Horsky Park, located approximately 10-15 minutes from the train station, is a hidden gem with hilly forested areas, plenty of fresh air, and the quaint Funus pub, one of the best outdoor drinking spots in the city to get in touch with the true locals.

If you are there in the summer season and are in the mood for a little time on the beach, then head to Zlate Piesky. This is an expansive recreation area with a lake, beach, and wakeboarding park. It’s an excellent hangout spot full of beautiful Slovaks. Admission is only €2 and you can even camp here for only €3.50.

A must-see in Bratislava: Bratislava Castle is a 20-30 minute uphill walk from the city center, but the views and the complex are wonderful to see. If you choose to go inside, you can check out the exhibits which cover the history of the castle, Slovak ethnographic history, and a fascinating ancient coin collection. Otherwise, just the view and a stroll around the complex is worth the trip.

The best view

Without question, the hill where the Bratislava Castle complex is perched upon provides the best views of the city. Not only can you see the Old Town below, but you can also clearly see the infamous communist-era architecture of the Petrzalka neighborhood, look well beyond the Austrian border, and even into the land where Hungary begins.

Tours

There are several paid tours you can take but budget travelers can take advantage of the free tours offered by Be Free Tours, Discover Bratislava, and Strawberry Tours.

For more tips, check out the Visit Bratislava website.

Slovak Pub attracts locals and tourists alike. Photo: ys

Cheap eats in Bratislava

Eating

Slovak food is something most people will have never experienced before coming to Slovakia itself. To give you an idea, just imagine German-style food with roast meats, goulash, breaded chicken and pork cutlets, and hearty soups. There are some local specialties as well, notably Bryndzové Halušky which is like gnocchi with melted sheep cheese and fried bacon.

Due to Bratislava becoming more international in recent years, there is a variety of eating options worth checking out that don’t purely revolve around a big hunk of meat and potatoes or cabbage. These are mostly located in the Old Town center and most offer lunch specials for less than €5.

Here are some of our local favorites, both traditional and international, to eat well for less in Bratislava:

Slovak Pub
Obchodna 62

Slovak Pub features the most classic Slovak food in the most classic Slovak setting, a massive, high ceilinged mountain style chalet ensconced in wood. This is the place to experience the aforementioned Bryndzove Halusky or some meat filled Pirohy (dumplings) for 4-5 €. Highly recommended.

Govinda
Obchodna 30

Simply put, being vegetarian in Bratislava is not easy. Therefore, one needs to be a bit creative in finding strictly vegetarian meals, including eating at an underground Hare Krishna restaurant. This eclectic spot offers a healthy portion (400g) of Indian food at a good price (€4) and is full of amazingly friendly singing and dancing employees. Open only Monday to Friday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Mileticova Market
Mileticova 5841

This is the hidden gem that only a local would ever be able to recommend to you. The Mileticova market is an outdoor farmer’s market that feels like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s a mix of the old communist era and a provincial market from centuries past.

The number of fruit and vegetable stalls is overwhelming with colors, smells, sights and sounds that will leave your mouth watering. Here you can find incredible seasonal fruits, juices, homemade pickled vegetables, roasted nuts, tiny shacks selling grilled sausages, Slovak sweets, and much more.

The market is a 10-15 minute ride on tram 8 or 9 from the city center to stop Saleziáni and then a few minutes walk. It operates Monday to Friday morning until late afternoon, Saturday until early afternoon, and is closed on Sunday.

An absolute must visit if you are even slightly in the mood for Asian food is the immensely popular Phong Nam Bistro which features some of the best Vietnamese food you’ll eat outside of Vietnam.

Don’t miss a plate of Bryndzové Halušky, a gnocchi-like pasta popular in Slovakia. Photo: Alpha

Nightlife

Bratislava might not seem like it has much to offer after the sun goes down, but scratch a bit underneath the surface, and you’ll be blown away by the numerous weird, wild, and fun places that you can find.

To at least help you get started, below are some of the more fun, local places to enjoy yourself while on a budget.

Next Apache Café
Panenska 28

This tiny Canadian owned café/used bookstore is much more than a place to grab a delicious cup of Fair Trade coffee and a dog-eared paperback. It’s also a local bastion for expats, intellectuals, artists, and musicians to congregate over a drink and a discussion in English. Come at night and ask for a “rybicky” a small shot of local booze done out of a porcelain glass shaped like a fish, and instantly make friends with the fun-loving locals hanging out at the bar or in the garden during the summer.

U Certa Pub
Beblaveho 2

This pub, which features a nice rum selection and good Czech beer on tap, is the center point for the nightlife neighborhood beneath the castle. In warmer months, it turns into a street party as crowds congregate outside. If you are looking to save some money, feel free to bring your own supply of beer and join the party.

KC Dunaj
Nedbalova 3

A former department store that was turned into a bar/club, KC Dunaj offers concerts, DJs, great microbrew beers and cocktails, plus, a terrace with a sweeping view of the city. It’s more chilled out hipster than Axe body spray wearing meat market, so you can relax and have nice conversations with the young crowd that gathers here.

Subclub
Nábrežie armádneho generála Ludvíka Svobodu (underneath the castle, by the river)

There are underground music clubs, and there are literally underground music clubs such as Subclub, which is located inside a communist-built nuclear bunker beneath the Bratislava castle. Come here for the late, late music scene, and unique, if somewhat edgy atmosphere.

Sleep well (and for cheap) at Elisabeth Old Town.

Cheap hotels in Bratislava

You won’t lack for affordable hotels in Bratislava, but not all budget hotels are created equal. We’ve compiled a few picks in Old Town to get you started on your hotel search.

With rooms as low as $49, Elisabeth Old Town is an excellent value with a central location and private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi in all accommodations. If you love the water, you might consider climbing aboard the Botel Gracia that’s anchored on the Danube. You can cap off your night with a beer at the small bar terrace or wake up with the hotel breakfast. Hotel Max Inn might not look like much, but the low prices and free use of bicycles make it popular with budget travelers. Hostel Folks is a modern and cheap choice with bunks for less than $15 and double rooms for less than $50. The communal kitchen is a good place to cook up a meal from your finds at a local market.

Search more than 130 hotel rooms and apartments in Bratislava

Your Bratislava tips

Have you been to Bratislava? Tell us your best tips for visiting in the comments section below.

The post A Budget travel guide to Bratislava, Slovakia appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The country was granted permission by the European Union to make the switch during the summer of 2008, when the exchange rate was pinned at 30.126 koruny to the euro. The currency, however, didn’t switch until January 1, 2009.

In the months leading up to its circulation, Slovakia hosted Euro-themed events to raise awareness and entertain, and also pay tribute to the exiting currency. (Among these, chocolate euro coins were thrown to children, and a theater troupe staged a play about the demise of the koruna.  Sad clowns.)

What it means

The introduction of the euro in Slovakia could mean that Cheapos heading to Bratislava or other Slovak cities will notice restaurant prices and hotel rates listed in both currencies (euros and Slovak koruny), a trend that will last until January of 2010.

Others may notice that prices have jumped a bit. According to a piece in Slovak Today, consumer prices increased 0.5% in the 10 days following the changeover.

In case you’ve got a koruna or two hanging around the house, banks in Slovakia will still exchange banknotes through the end of 2009 and coins through June 2009 (although they may charge you for it!).

Need help with your own euro conversion? Check out xe.com to see today’s euro exchange rate.

The post Goodbye Koruna: Slovakia joins the euro club appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But, one of Bratislava’s national treasures is free and open to the public every day except for holidays and Mondays.

Bratislava Castle sits high on a hill. It’s a national landmark you simply can’t miss, visually or otherwise. The castle itself probably dates back to the 9th-Century and was first inhabited by the Celts. It’s known for the four, massive towers at each of its corners; these giants seem to dot the sky with importance.

Today, the Castle houses the Museum of History – an impressive collection of art, artifacts, and architectural marvels – all under the umbrella of the Slovak National Museum. Exhibits at the Castle include art and sculpture by Slovaks, venues exploring Slovakian culture’s reach across Europe, and lots of military objects, ceramics, and items of folklore. Note: From time to time, some exhibits do charge a nominal admission fee, typically SKK60 (about $3).

To visit the grand collection and see parts of the old castle, pick up a free ticket, available at the visitor’s center on the premises.

Note: Much of the Castle will be undergoing planned renovation from 2008-2011. While the castle doesn’t have its own web site, you can check for more details via the Slovak National Museum page, where you can also learn more about the current exhibitions that open to the public.

Join us again tomorrow, Cheapos, for more free tips. Next stop? Brussels!

The post Bratislava: Free historic visits at Bratislava Castle appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This is a shame, because Slovak beer is excellent and the festival has a great program, and is very cheap. A ten-entry pass costs SKK550 (€16.25; $22) and includes a free Junifest beer glass, a discount card, vouchers, and ten raffle tickets.

And the festival is certainly not just about beer. Every night is a themed music night, rock, dance, R-n-B concerts as well as a men’s night and a ladies’ night, and also a performance by the Scorpions. The highlight of the festival: an attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records entry for the largest mass toast.

The post Slovakia: Bratislava Beer Festival appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The liner is not only a service to tourists but also another means of transport for locals of both cities as well as business people who would like to try an alternative to trains and cars. Ship passengers don’t have to worry about parking spaces or grumpy cab drivers—the liner takes passengers from city center to city center. Plus, the murky waters of the famous Danube afford great views along the way.

The cheapest one-way ticket costs €15 on weekdays and goes up to €17 on weekends and holidays. Kids up to two years old travel for free, and there’s a 50% reduction for children under 12. Twin City Line is also wheelchair-accessible and accepts dogs and bikes.

For the month of April, 2007, the line is offering a child-free-with-parent special. The offer is valid for all routes but can only be reserved by telephone: +43 1-588-80. For more information, please email twincityliner@ddsg-blue-danube.at.

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