However, costly mistakes lurk around every (picture-perfect) corner. If you hit a snag that sets you back €20, €40, or even €60, well, it still stings.

Related:

• Top budget hotels in Paris
• Best time to visit Paris
• 50 do’s & don’ts in Paris

10 Paris mistakes to avoid on your trip

Here are a few tips for avoiding everyday costly mistakes when visiting Paris, many of which could be applied to visiting other cities in Europe, as well.

1. Buying a bottle of anything at dinner

When dining out in Paris, go for a carafe of wine (cheaper) and water (always free). There’s no need to plunk down €60 for a bottle of wine for a normal dinner, trust me — a €12 carafe will be perfectly fine for the casual wine drinker. Remember, this is France — the wine is good.

And tap water, I insist, is perfectly fine to drink, so don’t splash out on costly Evian (especially when it only costs a euro at the supermarket).

Related: Why you should never buy water in Paris

2. Paying for the hotel’s lackluster breakfast

Why spend €10-€15 for some coffee and croissants? Even with those cute little jars of marmalade, it’s a still a rip. Head to a café or just pick up some pastries at the local bakery and save a significant amount of money each day. The same bakeries are delivering the baguettes and croissants to your hotel — so save by going straight to the source. You might as well get them fresh from the oven!

Most bakeries have a spot where you can stand, mingle with the locals, and enjoy your breakfast. If they don’t, either keep looking around for one that does, eat it outside on a park bench, or head into a cafe where you can order the same thing at the counter.

Plus, you get to practice your French: “Bonjour, un cafe et un croissant, s’il vous plait.”

3. Waiting until the last minute to book

Whether it’s airfare, your hotel, or a TGV train ticket, it’s best to book early. TGV trains, in particular, are much cheaper when they first go on sale three months before the date of departure. Eurostar tickets to London are also cheapest when they go on sale six months in advance.

When should you book that hotel? It’s an oft-discussed topic (and we address it in detail here), and a lot depends on where you’re going and when you’re visiting. If you’re heading to a less visited destination or traveling during a slower period, you could wait and probably score last-minute deals. However, if you’re traveling to Paris during the peak summer or early fall travel season, your best bet is to book in advance (especially if you hope to book a specific hotel). Many of Paris’ best budget-friendly hotels are small properties that are quite popular — and they fill up fast.

Related: 10 best budget hotels in Paris (book early!)

4. Spending silly amounts for a cup of coffee

If you go to the terrace of a really, really nice café like the Café de la Paix (pictured above, facing the Opera Garnier), prepare for a hefty bill. The view might be great, but it’ll cost you — €6 for a cup of coffee, for example, at the Café de la Paix. Those €6 coffees can add up fast!

Instead, consider going around the corner to a smaller, more out of the way café where they’ll charge you €2-3 to sit outside and people watch (or €1 to sip at the counter).

5. Handing over money to anyone on the street

Don’t hand over cash to anyone unless they’re your waiter, taxi driver, tour guide, or selling you something. Anyone who stops you in the street and asks for money is a panhandler or scam artist. Sure, they might sport an official-looking badge or ask you to sign a petition — but they are not working for a charity. They come in all forms — some seem legit, others clearly do not — but handing over cash is a sure-fire way to throw money down the drain.

Oh, and the guys you’ll see playing three-card monte? Or trying the ring trick? No, no — you know it’s a scam, right? Keep on walking.

6. Tipping too much

And in that same vein, don’t tip 15-20%. Please don’t. Servers are paid a respectable salary in France and do not live off of their tips. You’re cheating yourself out of money by giving someone a bonus. That’s not your responsibility. Though a few euros for good service is certainly always appreciated, you don’t need to break out the calculator.

Related: When (and when not) to tip in Paris

7. Changing money at an exchange counter

Don’t ever expect to get a good deal at currency change counters. Almost all will be profiting handsomely off of the transaction by either offering a lousy exchange rate, a hefty service charge, or both. “No service charge!” the sign screams — okay, check out the exchange rate. “Best exchange rate, guaranteed!” its competitor beckons — check out the service charge.

You are better off just hitting the ATM and paying a few dollars in fees to the banks instead of losing out big to the money changers.

8. Ordering fancy drinks without looking at the price

Going out at night can add up quickly if you don’t follow the happy hours (here are my favorite cheapo happy hours). A pint of beer or, especially, a fancy cocktail can set you back €9, €12, even €15 in some places.

If you want a good drink and are willing to spend for it, do some research first on websites like 52 Martinis to make sure you’re going to a place where they know how to make good cocktails!

9. Packing poorly

If I had a dollar for each tourist I’ve known who’s arrived with the wrong clothes or shoes, I’d be on vacation right now. Pack wisely and be prepared for the weather (and yes, it’s okay to pack an umbrella) so that you needn’t spend extra money — and time — buying clothes at Monoprix when you already have the same things back home.

Related: 10 Packing tips for a two-week European jaunt

10. Using your smartphone data

When you turn on your cell phone from back home in Europe, prepare for charges. We have plenty of tips on how to avoid a huge phone bill. In short, get a data plan if you plan to use it abroad and stick to Wi-Fi when possible, or buy a SIM card in Europe to use in your phone including one of these SIM Card deals in France.

Fortunately, Paris has abundant free Wi-Fi networks available to anyone to use. So, turn off your data and settle down in a park or other public space, and look for the “Paris_WI-FI_” network. Now hop on Skype, Facebook or Instagram for free! (Or you could work. But who wants to work? You’re in Paris!)

Share your tips!

What mistakes have you made in Paris that you wish you could go back in time to do over? Let us know so we can help Cheapos have a better (and more affordable) Paris vacation.

The post Paris: 10 costly mistakes that tourists make appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Sure, accommodations can still be a bit of a budget-buster, especially in those year-round tourist hot spots like Scotland’s capital city, but with a few local Cheapo tips, you’ll be enjoying old world charms with money to spare.

First things first – What not to do

There are two times of year when you cannot get cheap accommodations in Edinburgh:

– Hogmanay (that is New Year’s Eve to you non-Scots)
– August. Yes, the entire month. Have you heard of the Edinburgh Festival?

If you absolutely must join us for one of these two events (and why wouldn’t you?), book in advance to get a reasonable price. Say, six to nine months in advance. Really.

So, what are the great budget hotels?

One of my personal favourites is the Edinburgh Central, a member of the Scottish Youth Hostels program. It is one of the few hostels in the world that’s rated higher than some 3 or 4 star hotels – with ensuite rooms, a bistro with fresh and tasty breakfast fare that even attracts some locals, and all of the typical amenities you would expect in a good hostel. With rock-bottom rates, the Edinburgh Central is centrally located on the top of Leith Walk, just a ten minute walk to the busy Prices Street, but also surrounded with local pubs and kitsch restaurants.

I had guests in September (2008) who stayed near me here in the Old Town at the brand, spankin’ new Holiday Inn Express – Royal Mile. It’s not on the Royal Mile but only one block away; it actually sits on the Cowgate, which is full of late-night pubs and clubs, but thankfully the noise never drifts down this direction. The rates are reasonable, especially considering the top-notch facilities and very friendly staff.

Lastly, I would suggest checking out the Premier Inn Edinburgh. It is near Haymarket Station in the West End, a ten to 15 minute walk into the center of town. This part of Edinburgh is great for food and drink; there is also plenty of that timeless Georgian architecture for enjoyment.

How about some great, unexplored neighbourhoods?

The great thing about Edinburgh is that it is so easy to get around, either by walking or taking one of the efficient and inexpensive buses. There are a couple of great areas to check out that have budget accommodation options. Unfortunately, these neighborhoods are often overlooked by tourists:

Newington. This is just south of the Old Town and sits in between Holyrood Park and the Meadows. The main street here, Clerk Street, is full of fun costume shops, boutique restaurants, and nearby you can find a really great wine and whisky shop, The Great Grog. The further away from the city centre you are, the better the deal you’ll get. So, this is a great budget-friendly option with flair.

Stockbridge. Most people think of the trendy, posh side of Stockbridge, but a closer look reveals that this neighbourhood extends up into Inverleith Park, as well as west along the Water of Leith. Get away from the main street and you’ll find a deal.

If you go…

My absolutely favourite part of Edinburgh is the Water of Leith. Catch Bus #26 or 31 and have the driver let you off at Roseburn Terrace. Join the trail here and walk the scenic, peaceful two to three miles back into Stockbridge, where you can finish off the stroll with a coffee or a nice glass of wine in a nearby café.

Tell me, Cheapos: What’s your top tip for Edinburgh?

Andy Hayes is a freelance travel writer and one of Edinburgh’s top local Cheapos. For more travelogues and inspiring travel ideas, visit his website called Sharing Experiences.

The post Edinburgh Tip: How to find a budget hotel, and more! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Doubles €55-68

We love scouting out small, quirky hotels in Paris. Happily, the city is full of independent, charming hotels that offer rooms at very reasonable rates. One that we have an especially deep “crush” on is Hotel les Chansonniers (“The Singers”). Located a bit off-the-beaten path, this cheery hotel has a whole lotta heart and soul, and 40 clean and cheap rooms.

If you stay at Les Chansonniers, be sure to say hello to the lovely owner, Madame Sellam. She has a passion for music and takes pride in rooms touting the lives of great songstresses like Edith Piaf. The minute you step inside the note-worthy lobby and hotel bar, you’ll swoon.

What do we mean when we say “off the beaten path”? The property is in the Republique neighborhood, a bit northeast of the main sights, but very well connected by the Metro. The area is busy and working-class. It’s not Latin Quarter touristy, but brims instead with local activity. In short, it may not be right for first-time travelers to Paris who want a hotel steps from the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame.

Read our full review of Hotel les Chansonniers.

Cheapo tip: Try to stay in one of the two top-floor rooms that come with Jacuzzis!

Find more budget hotels in Paris and read our budget guide to traveling in Paris.

The post Paris Crush: Hotel les Chansonniers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.