Some visitors and foreigners in Paris take a “no-tip” approach to everything in Paris, based on the idea that service is included in the price listed on the menu. There are general rules, however, for those who want to be good customers, especially those who want to become regulars at neighborhood establishments.

Related
• 50 Ways to save time and money on your trip to Paris
• The top 25 Free things to do in Paris
• Simple ways to save on your Paris hotel 

Tipping in Paris

Before you lay down a tip everywhere you go, brush up on these tips to help you navigate tipping culture in Paris.

When NOT to tip:

In general, it is never wrong to tip, but some people just don’t expect it. Imagine if you left the dentist a few dollars after a mouth cleaning — it’s nice but also, let’s admit, kind of weird.

Cafés: A quick coffee and croissant at the local café may set you back €5, but there’s no need to drop an extra euro on the tip. The server isn’t working for tips, and his salary is consistent despite how many tables he or she gets.

Bars: Drinks at a bar are usually tip-free and bartenders rarely expect anything extra, which is good news for happy hour fans.

Clubs: At clubs, coat checks already cost a few euros, so tipping more is unnecessary. I can only imagine tipping the checkers in ritzy clubs that budget-seekers don’t frequent anyway.

In general, the less something costs, the less likely it is that a tip will be necessary. Leaving 15% on a coffee that only cost two euros seems like you were trying too hard.

Related: Paris: 10 money-saving tips for first time visitors

When TO tip:

Restaurants: When a server goes out of their way to explain the wine list in a cozy neighborhood restaurant or is exceedingly nice throughout the service, a small tip is absolutely deserved. You can leave up to five euros depending on the bill and expect a gracious “merci.”

Taxis: Taxi drivers usually expect a bit extra, understandably. Driving in Paris isn’t easy, and they will often be very helpful with luggage and shopping bags.

Tour Guides: Tour guides are not poorly paid, but those who go the extra mile to answer questions and make the visits enjoyable deserve to be tipped. Anyone in the service industry, familiar with foreigners, will often expect a tip, so have a few coins on hand.

Hotels: If a staff member helps to bring your bags up to your room, then you can offer a few euros in return. However, most of the hotels we stay at, we lug our own bags! You can also give a tip to a concierge for making reservations at a restaurant or helping you get tickets to a show. Check in at one of our favorite budget Paris hotels.

Salons: Hairdressers and barbers, especially if you want to become a regular without mangled bangs, appreciate a few extra euros.

Related: Our 8 favorite hotels in Paris under €80

Doubtful?

Not sure if the service was good? You spent two hours in a café and only bought two coffees? The taxi driver was a bit erratic driving down the Champs Elysées? When in doubt, just round up the bill, even if that means leaving just 50 centimes.

Although Parisians seem exceedingly proud, no one is going to refuse your tips if you offer it. Money speaks the same in any language!

Your tipping advice?

Got a tip for us? What has been your tipping experience in Paris? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Paris: When (and when not) to tip in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The French cherish that time of day when they’ve finished up with work, obligations and errands and can relax with friends over a drink or two to “open the appetite” before moving on to the more serious matter of dinner. Most restaurants that don’t exclusively cater to the tourist crowd won’t begin serving dinner until 8 p.m., so settling down to a beverage and perhaps some light finger foods is the ideal way to finish off the day and kick-start your night.

Cheapo-friendly aperitif spots

Finding cheapo-friendly spots to enjoy one (or more) of the delicious apéritif drink options is not always easy, especially in high-traffic tourist areas and the more chic neighborhoods like Saint Germain des Près, the Champs-Elysées or the Trocadéro near the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re looking for an apéro experience that’s easy on the wallet, check out some of the bars and cafés in parts of town that are more “fly” than “flush.” Many of these neighborhood haunts have adopted the decidedly American institution of Happy Hour, offering cheapo drinks and food during those twilight hours.

El Café Bar
45 rue Rodier, Paris 9th
Neighborhood: “SoPi”

South of Pigalle, or “SoPi” as it’s become known, which is roughly hemmed in by the Saint Georges, Anvers, Pigalle and Blanche Métro stops in the 9th arrondissment, is quickly becoming the go-to quartier for hipsters, musicians, and start-up players looking to see and be seen. The vibe in this ‘hood is studied-cool, so pull that trilby down over one eye and grab a seat at El Café Bar.

While it may not be much to look at from the outside, one glance at the fashionable crowd seated on its patio will tell you you’ve found the right place. With a steady buzz of conversation, a guitar in the corner just waiting to be strummed, and Pastis priced at a mere €2.20 to quaff alongside the wooden boards heaped with finely sliced Iberian ham and hunks of cheese from the Pyrénées, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d somehow wandered into a village café in the South of France.

La Perla
26, rue François Miron, Paris 4th
Neighborhood: Marais

The area that straddles the 3rd and the 4th arrondissments is home to über-cool, bohemian boutiques, trendy restaurants and Paris’ gay neighborhood. While it may not be a Cheapo’s first destination, you can still find deals on late afternoon drinks and snacks.

Stroll down to the bottom of rue Vieille-du-Temple to La Perla and snag a table, either on the patio basking in the sinking sun or inside the lovely bar for €5 cocktails from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bonus: A bowl of free chips and salsa is brought to every table, and refills are only €1.90. Or go for a big platter of nachos for €9.50 that will easily satiate two peckish revelers.

Tribal Café
3 cour des Petites Ecuries, Paris 10th
Neighborhood: Faubourg Saint Denis

“Faubourg” is an old French word that means village. Any time you find yourself in an area of Paris called a faubourg, you’re actually in what was once a village outside the city limits back when Paris had walls circling it. The Faubourg Saint Denis is a working-class neighborhood that’s on the rise as journalists, artists and fashion industry-types buy up the relatively affordable real estate and camp out on lazy afternoons with friends in the local bars.

For that village feel, get out your map or GPS and find cour des Petites Ecuries, a cul-de-sac home to several friendly little watering holes.

A favorite is Tribal Café, where everyone comes for the easy ambiance, the €3 pints, and free—yes, free—plates of mussels and fries on Wednesdays and Thursdays and platters of couscous on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s hard to beat those prices, so come early to stake out your table!

Other neighborhoods

There are plenty of other neighborhoods, such as rue Oberkampf and the Canal Saint Martin in the 11th, Ménilmontant in the 20th near the Père Lachaise cemetery, and Buttes aux Cailles not far from Place d’Italie in the 13th, that boast friendly spots advertising slashed drink prices during l’apéro. So, if the price is right, take a seat—you may just discover your own Happy Hour hot spot.

Read more!

Looking for more advice on the “aperitif experience” in Paris? Check out these posts: Local aperitifs and the locales to try them and five summer drinks to try in the Marais.

Also, if you’re heading to Paris soon, be sure to swing by our Paris guide for information about recommended budget hotels, and many more articles on ways to keep it cheap.

The post L’Aperitif in Paris: 3 trendy “happy hour” spots for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But fear not! Paris’ City Hall workers took it upon themselves to crowd source places in Paris where €1 espresso still exists, reassuring locals and tourists alike. The results are in from Twitter and the good news is that there are at least 70 places where those down and out in Paris can still go for a shot.

You’ve been warned

The catch? Obviously, this won’t be the best coffee you ever tasted, but who’s being choosey? Just prepare to add a bit more sugar.  Also, don’t expect to be lounging on a sun-soaked terrace with your mug of Joe all afternoon long. Paris dreams dashed – but at least it’s still Paris!

When price goes down, so does location. Coffee is almost always cheaper when consumed at the bar in France (like in Italy), which means don’t plan on getting too comfy at a table – your best bet is a stool, or, more likely, standing. But hey, think of all the extra wine you can buy with each centime saved!

Location, location, location?

Where to go? Well, again, you won’t necessarily be hopping into the trendiest cafés around the Louvre or in St-Germain. Chic is rarely cheap (although some of the spots, like Chez Prune, are quite trendy).

But chic is also in the eye of the beholder, after all. Be prepared to go down some side streets that you may not have wandered otherwise.

The cheapest…

If you’re really drained for cash, coffee is only 45 centimes at Le Café des Petits Frères des Pauvres in the 17th, at 47 rue des Batignolles. It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s supposedly a hoot and a grab bag of people at 9 a.m. in the morning.

Montmartre

Closer to where the action is in Montmartre, Au Bon Coin at 49 rue des Cloys in the 18th is not far from many budget hotels and hostels in the neighborhood. Your 1 euro will even get you a spot on the terrace if you’re game for it.

Or head to the counter of La Sancerre, at 35 rue des Abbesses, closer to the basilica Sacre Coeur.

Latin Quarter

In the Latin Quarter, stray south of Notre Dame up towards the Pantheon and Le Piano Vache at 8 Rue Laplace will serve you a €1 coffee with a chair (and a table!).

The same goes for La Montagne Sans Genevieve, 13 rue du Pot de Fer over by rue Mouffetard.  Both are great finds in a charming neighborhood laden with tourist traps.

Marais

Even the chic Marais has its share of affordable finds. Head to La Perle at 78 rue Vieille du Temple at the counter and arm yourself with a one-euro coin.  Perhaps we have Galiano to thank for scaring clients away and subsequent low prices, or else for it becoming so popular…

Canal

If you make it to the Canal-St-Martin neighborhood, you can get a dose of trendy at Chez Prune, 55 bis quai de Valmy, where a café inside is just €1.  Or take it to go and drink it while sitting on the banks of the adjacent canal if the sun is out to play.

Check out the city’s map of other locations to check out while in Paris, but be warned that prices change and this project will continue to evolve.

Your favorite €1 café?

Have something to add to the list Let us know any other notable addresses for notably cheap café in Paris!

The post Paris: The best 1 euro coffee appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While rates and prices vary, here’s what I would generally expect to pay in Madrid:

A drink at a bar

Depends on the bar! A very swanky spot in Madrid could sell their cocktails at €15 a piece, or more. Generally though, a beer goes for between €1.50-3.50, and it’s about the same for wine. If you end up in a wine bar look carefully at the prices because they will vary depending on the label. A fine glass of wine from one of Spain’s best cellars can easily go for €5-€6, which is still a pretty good deal!

Normally, a mixed drink in an average bar will go for €7, maybe less if there’s happy hour or the place is a bit of a dive. Locals usually drink beer before dinner if they’re just having a drink with a friend. Wine is had with dinner. Cocktails and mixed drinks are had after dinner.

A bottle of wine at the store

At €1.50-3.50 a glass, you might as well go get a bottle at the grocery store! While you will find bottles of Spanish red, white and rose for as low as €1.50 a bottle, please do not buy these, they are for cooking.

As a rule of thumb, spend more than €3.50 for an acceptable bottle of wine. Spend between €8 and €12 for a darn good bottle, and over €20 for something really special.

Of course it’s possible to spend a lot more, but most of us stick to the €5 range. For example, if I am going to a dinner party, I will spend more on the wine I take than if it’s for me. At home I’ll drink €4 bottles, but to a party I’d bring something in the €8 and €12 range.

I also take care to look at the label and DO, or where the wine is from. Wine is like art, everyone likes something different; but I tend to go with a Priorat or Rioja for red, a Rueda or Penedès for white, and Navarra for rosé.

A cafe con leche, etc.

Again, it depends on where you are, but a coffee with milk or, cafe con leche, really shouldn’t cost more than €2-€2.50. A cortado will cost between €1.20-€1.50. A normal tea should be around €2, but will be much more if it’s some fancy blend served in a french press. A freshly squeezed OJ usually costs just under €3, and soft drinks and water around €1.50-€2.

Aspirin, toothpaste, etc.

You’ll notice that in Spain the pharmacy works a little differently than in North America. The pharmacy is the place to get a box of Aspirin for your sangria headache, but it’s also the place to buy a toothbrush, floss, Q-tips, lotions and sunscreen. While Aspirin and other drugs can only be found in the pharmacy, other items, like a toothbrush, can be found at your local grocery store for much less.

A box of Aspirin costs about €3 and if you buy it in powder form (works faster if you’re really suffering) it costs €6. Sunscreen can go for as low as €6 to €17 for specialty brands like Avene.

Lunch and dinner

The best deal is always the menú del diá, which is usually served Monday – Friday in most restaurants and bars. If the restaurant you’re in does not offer a menú del diá between 1 pm and 4 pm, then you’re probably in a touristy place or a really pricey establishment.

A menú del diá or set three course lunch, can go for as low as €8 and as much as €20 (or more), while the average is about €12. Outside of menú del diá times, the average for a sit-down meal in a restaurant is between €15-€30. Of course you’ll always pay less if you just grab something quick at a cafe or bar (as low as €5 for a sandwich and a drink).

Your top price?

Would you pay more or less for anything Regina has mentioned here? Share with us in our comments section!

Also in our Madrid Guide: If you’re particular about the top price you’d pay for a place to sleep, check out our reviews of hotels in Madrid, all visited and inspected by our editors and chosen because they’re clean, central and cheap. Read more in our Madrid guide.

The post Madrid: The most we’d pay for everyday items appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I’ve learned two important lessons about travel in Barcelona and Spain in general: 1) It will cost more than you think, and 2) It will take longer than you planned. With these golden rules in mind, I offer some tips for saving minutes while visiting Barcelona.

1. Know your restaurant and make a reservation.

This is especially true if you have food allergies or a special diet. There are many places to get the scoop on where to dine in Barcelona, from right here on EuroCheapo to sites like Yelp. Find something that looks appetizing in your neighborhood and book a table. This will save you lots of time wandering around looking for a place that fits your budget, has a menu you like and isn’t packed.

Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Photo: Bastian

While booking a table is a good idea any night, it’s an especially wise move Thursday-Saturday when the locals go out. Also keep in mind that Sunday lunch is a popular time to eat out and plan accordingly.

2. No reservation? Eat “early.”

If you can’t make a reservation then just get there early. People in Barcelona eat lunch at 2 p.m. and dinner between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Get there at 1 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. and beat the rush.

3. Grab lunch “to go” or at the bar.

Sitting down for lunch is a lengthy affair that can take hours. Service can be slow, and meals are served in courses stretching out the experience. This is something most of us love about Spain, the focus on enjoying one’s food, but if you’re short on time then it’s best to skip it.

Instead grab lunch in a cafe or simply get something to go and eat on a park bench.

In a cafe, if you sit at the bar you will get faster service as you are right in front of the barman. Most cafes serve sandwiches and salads plus an array of beverages.

What’s more, eating in a cafe is sure to be cheaper than sitting down for lunch in a restaurant. A sandwich and drink may set you back €5 where a “menu del dia” midweek at a restaurant will cost double or triple. Cafes and bakeries also have sandwiches ready to go around lunch time, so grabbing one of these on a sunny day will save you bundles of time.

4. Ask for directions.

Barcelona is a big city and it’s easy to get lost. While Barcelona locals are not known for being super friendly, they are sure to help the lost traveler as best they can. Just ask.

When I was recently in Dublin I was struggling with a map and a local came over and said, “Need directions?” I thought I was hallucinating. That sort of thing is not going to happen in Barcelona, but if approached, people will help.

All geese and no tourists in the courtyard of Barcelona’s cathedral in January. Photo: Ben in CHI

Getting lost can take a lot of time out of your day plus make you feel frustrated and tired. Many people speak enough English to give directions in Barcelona so don’t let the language scare you off.

(P.S. A friend of mine always goes into hotels to ask for directions when she is lost in any European city. She figures they should know!)

5. Visit off season.

From May to August Barcelona is swimming with tourists. Everything is more crowded in the center of town and at popular monuments. If you want to experience Barcelona with less of a wait, come in the fall or winter.

Sure, it may rain and it might not be great swimming weather. But on the flip side, attractions will be easier to get into and hotels will be less expensive, offering low-season rates.

6. Understand and use the Metro.

Barcelona’s transportation system is really quite good. It’s on time (for the most part) and connects all points of the city. It is quite often the fastest way to get around because cabs are subject to traffic jams, as is the bus.

Get yourself a Metro map at the tourist information center in Pl. Catalunya and study it a bit to see where you can make transfers from one station to the next. It’s not hard once you get used to it.

Also, have a multi-ride Metro card (I recommend the T-10 for short visits to the city) for the Metro and bus. This will save you time in that you will not have to line up to buy a ticket every time you get on public transportation. (Read more in our “Getting Around Barcelona” article.)

Your time-saving tips?

What other ways have you saved time in Barcelona? We’d like to hear any additional tips! Share with us in the comments section.

Also in our guide: One sure way to save time before you arrive in Barcelona is to take our advice when hunting down an affordable hotel. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed the best budget hotels in Barcelona, all of them central, clean and cheap. Read more in our Barcelona guide.

The post Barcelona: 6 ways to save time when visiting appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Blame the beans, blame the roasting, blame the machines, but the Parisian café takes a back seat to powerful and delicious Italian ristrettos or perfect Scandinavian lattes (who knew the Danish were so good at making coffee to go with their own national pastry?). It’s not that Parisian coffee is undrinkably bad; but, honestly, it wouldn’t take much to make it better.

Coffee snobs, however, fear not. In the past few years, there has been a coffee revolution with the opening of coffee shops selecting better quality beans, roasting locally, and properly pulling shots from some serious equipment. Whether you’re pining for your favorite New York coffee shop or a proper flat white from London, you can now find the cure in Paris without breaking the bank – too badly, at least.  Here are some of the addresses to test.

Caféothèque
52, rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004
Metro: Pont Marie or Hotel de Ville

If you’re in the Marais, stop in at the Caféothèque, a shop that has been roasting beans in Paris since 2005. A cup of the café du jour will set you back €3, not the cheapest by Paris standards, but it’s sure to please. The seating area can get quite cozy on the weekends, but they are expanding next door, so keep an eye out for more spots soon. They also have some pastries, but maybe stick with the coffee.

Kooka Boora
62, rue des Martyrs, 75009
Metro : Pigalle, Notre Dame de Lorette or Anvers

Kooka Boora, by trendy rue des Martyrs, is a relative newcomer to the coffee scene. With outdoor seating and superb people watching, their coffee is serious business.  Their filtered brew is fantastic and flavorful, unlike anything you’ll find at the corner café, and at €2.50 for an espresso, it’s not that much more expensive. If you’re hungry, the cakes aren’t bad and worth a splurge.

Coutume Café
47, rue de Babylone, 75007
Metro: Sèvres Babylone

During a brunch at the newest place to obsess over coffee, I fell for Coutume Café and their rich café allongé. Tucked away in the 7th arrondissement it’s not in the center of activity, but for a weekend brunch it could be worth the venture. The pastries and brunch burrito goes down fantastically with one – if not three – of their house-roasted coffees.

Le Bal Café
6, Impasse de la Défense, 75018
Metro: Place de Clichy

If you’re looking for good coffee off the beaten track, just head west of Montmartre towards Place de Clichy. Just north of the bustling square is Le Bal Café. Stop inside or on the terrace with a friend and split a small pot of locally-roasted filtered coffee for €5. They even have photo exhibits for culture-seekers or scones and pastries for, well, the rest of us.

Hopefully more quality coffee spots will open up in more arrondissements, in the near future, but the choices remain limited at the moment.  If you’re an even bigger coffee snob that imaginable, you might just want to save yourself the pain, pack some beans, and buy a souvenir French press for your hotel.

Or just drink tea.

Your favorite shot?

Do you have a favorite café to add to our list? Do you disagree with our entire post and find the coffee served in Paris’ cafés to be perfect as is? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

The post Paris: A short list of cafés that actually serve good coffee appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Kilmainham Gaol – €6

Every trip to Dublin should include a little history. A captivating guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol will shed light on a group of Irish revolutionaries that gave their lives for the creation of the republic.

2. Rent Bikes in Phoenix Park – €10

Dublin is home to the biggest city park in Europe, Phoenix Park. Visitors can take advantage of the bike rental program, Dublin Bikes, but a credit card is required and not all stands accept cards. Another simple option is to rent your bike from Phoenix Park Bike Hire, at the cost of €10 for three hours.

3. Cake Café – €6 for cake and coffee

Part of the fun of stepping into a new city is finding yourself at an off the beaten path café surrounded by locals. Venture into the Portobello neighborhood and located off a small street and through an even smaller courtyard is the Cake Café, home to mismatched plates and fresh baked treats.

Catch something edgy and independent at the Irish Film Institute. Photo: Pierofix

4. Jameson Distillery – €11.70 (€10.60 for students)

This one is slightly over budget for non-students, but worth every cent. A tour of the former Jameson Distillery will not only bring you to the interesting Smithfield neighborhood, but will also bring you through a distillery, teach you about the process of making famous Irish whiskey, and even includes a tasting.

5. Walk the Pier in Dun Laoghaire – €2 each way

Board the DART train in the city center and head south to the coastal village of Dun Laoghaire. Right near the train station you’ll see the entrance to a pier jetting out into the Irish Sea. For the price of the train ticket you can watch the sailboats, see local families fishing, and maybe even catch a glimpse of seals swimming around the pier.

6. Irish Film Institute – €9.90

If you need an alternative to another night in the pub, check out what’s playing at the Irish Film Institute. Not only is this a hangout spot for Dublin’s artistic and literary set, but it is also a great place to see independent, European, and Irish films.

7. Take Advantage of Lunch Specials – €10

One of the best ways to eat well in Dublin is eat your big meal at lunchtime. There are great lunch specials throughout Dublin, including at one of the city’s latest hot restaurants, the Rustic Stone. At this healthy-focused restaurant, for €10 you can dig into dishes like sushi-style tuna with ginger couscous, tofu, and lime.

8. Hike from Bray to Greystones – €2.50 each way

To get to know the waterfront city of Dublin, take a hike along the coast. One of the best ways to accomplish this without breaking the budget is to take the DART train bound for Bray, follow the coastal hiking trail south 2 ½ hours to Greystones, and hop the DART back to the center of Dublin.

9. The Dublin Flea Market – Free

If you happen to be in Dublin on the last Sunday of the month, head to Co-op on Newmarket Square for the Dublin Flea Market. Entry is free, and your €10 will stretch far on the goods for sale here such as vintage clothes and accessories.

10. Sample Local Cheeses – €10

Step into Sheridan’s Cheesemonger, tell them you have a budget of €10 and would like to sample some local cheeses. There’s more to Irish cheese than Cashel blue and farmhouse cheddar, you’ll learn from these cheese experts. Take your stash to nearby St Stephens Green for a picnic.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin? Don’t blow all your euros on sleeping! Our editors have inspected, photographed and reviewed the best cheap hotels in Dublin. Read more in our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Dublin: 10 fun activities for less than €10 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

(By the way, if you haven’t already, check out Bryan’s fantastic Paris gift-giving guide!)

1. Café de la Mairie
8 Place Saint-Sulpice, 6th arrondissement (Metro: Saint Sulpice or Rennes)

Located next to Église Saint-Sulpice, the Café de la Mairie is where I catch my breath during my bargain shopping sprees on rue de Rennes or in Saint-Germain-des-Près. Here the historic joint rocks a New York coffee shop or Baltimore diner vibe. Dogs, kiddies and chit-chat abound! It smells great, too, like my grandmother’s Butcher’s Hill row house during holiday meal preparations.

I recommend ordering Cantal jeune cheese (which can be difficult to find back in the States!) with a baguette. This substantial sandwich costs €4, and is large enough for two. The bottled soda pops are served up all old-school with ice, a spoon and a slice of lemon. Service is consistently friendly and swift.

Tips: Ask to sit in Jeff’s section. He’s a charmer. The terrace has a catbird’s view of the famous church just across the square.

Who else has found inspirational bliss here? Literary greats like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Albert Camus, that’s who, along with Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, and Saul Bellow—just to name a few!

Also, if time permits, pop by Saint-Sulpice, and hang with its Delacroix inside. For the love of Dan Brown, DaVinci-Coders, don’t leave without walking the famous Rose Line (which cuts right through the altar).

2. Triadou Haussmann
80 Boulevard Haussmann, 8th arrondissement (Metro: Saint-Lazare)

Nestled in between Gare Saint-Lazare and Printemps Homme, I recently discovered the historic Triadou, after attending the launches of the holiday window spectaculars at the grand magasins along the hustling, bustling Boulevard Haussmann. Open since 1935, the family-run café is now my new favorite post-shopping stop. Its handsome terrace with its iconic cane chairs, neon lights, and outdoor heaters is also a prime people-watching spot.

So what’s on the menu? I recommend going with the baguette jambon beurre Gruyère (ham, butter and Gruyère cheese). Recognize a running theme in this post? Yes, I am hooked on baguette sandwiches! The bowl-sized café latte is consistently rich and piping hot, topped with a thick layer of foamy cream and served with a chunk of dark chocolate. Making hot chocolate just got easier, and I just can’t get enough.

3. Chocolates and Macarons by Christophe Roussel
5 rue Tardieu, 18th arrondissement (Metro: Abbesses or Anvers)

Is it possible to have too many addictions? I don’t think so. This week, I am happy to shout out that there is a new macaron in Montmartre, and it’s dipped in dark chocolate. Created by charismatic Christophe Roussel and Julie Haumont, the shop’s Calder-like macaron mobiles in the window caught my eye and tempted my tongue. So I ventured inside.

The shop’s interior is bright and trippy, boasting a tie-dyed, psychedelic color scheme in pink, green, purple and orange. Here I definitely felt a “Groovitational” pull and—in a fit of rave—I purchased one too many macaroons to count. Soon I was I feeling the sugar rush, and singing Simon and Garfunkel’s “Feeling Groovy,” as I kicked down the cobblestones to the “I love you” wall in the square behind the Hector Guimard entrance to Metro Abbesses. Ba-da-da-da, all is groovy!

Here’s another loving spoonful. In 2010 Christophe and Julie received Paris’s “Salon du Chocolat Prix Spécial Innovation.” His chocolate bar (yes, you heard me right—it’s a bar that serves chocolate) is located at the Hôtel du Cadran at 10 Champs de Mars in the 7th arrondissement. Don’t leave without tasting Roussel’s signature scrumptious (and Man Ray/Lee Miller-inspired) chocolate lips, or his new chocolate-coated lollipop macarons. Oh, la la.

4. Au Levain d’Antan
6 rue des Abbesses, 18th arrondissement (Métro: Abbesses or Pigalle)

Extra! Extra! Read all about it here. This year, boulanger Pascal Barillon of Au Levain d’Antan won the “Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris.” Located in Abbesses, Au Levain d’Antan is where I buy most of my croissants and pain au chocolat pastries. (By the way, in the past five years, four boulangeries in Montmartre have won the coveted award. Could it be that there’s something special about the old hill’s own local earth, wind and fire?)

Fast forward, the amiable Pascal Barillon scored a shiny medal, cash, and the honor of baking bread for President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Bruno-Sarkozy at the Palais de l’Elysées (the French presidential palace) for one year! The annual award is based on aroma, texture, crust, and size. And yes, Virginia, size DOES matter, at least when it comes to bread—this year 32 of the 175 competing baguettes got eliminated because, well, they came up a tad on the short side.

Cheapos, here’s what else is short—life! So find your happy place. Bon Appétit!

Your favorite hangouts?

Do you have a favorite cafe, restaurant or bakery to add to our list? Tell us about your favorite Parisian hangout in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Heading to Paris anytime soon? We’ve got favorite hotel hangouts, too! Read our editors’ reviews of their favorite hotels, all located in central Paris and all visited, inspected and photographed by us. Read more in our Paris guide.

The post Paris: Favorite cafe, chocolate shop, and boulangerie “hangouts” appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

To avoid hearing me groan when you tell me what you paid for your sandwich, here’s a list of suggested “price ceilings” for some Parisian basics. It’s a good list to keep handy to save a few euros or, you know, if you’re ever a contestant on a French version of “The Price is Right”…

1. Glass of wine

While beer and cocktails can dent the wallet pretty quickly, wine should never be too expensive in a standard café or bar. Avoid the more specialized wine shops and wine bars and opt for a glass of red or white at a more low-key joint. Limit: €4

2. Steak frites

Most cafés and bistrots serve traditional yet affordable French fare. From the well-traveled but enjoyable Chartier to the classic Les Philosophes in the Marais, a cut of meat and frites shouldn’t be a splurge. Limit: €18

3. Walking/bike tour

With multiple free walking tour options, some tourists prefer a private tour to explore the city more intimately. With dozens of choices out there, it’s hard to pick. A walking tour with Oui Paris Tours or a bike tour with Fat Tire is a great, affordable way to get to know the city. Limit: €30

4. Electronics adapter

Many a traveler forgets that outlets and plugs are different in Europe. Souvenir and electronic stores sell adapters to make your chargers fit into the wall outlets, but the cheapest ones can be found at BHV, the all-purpose department store in the Marais. Limit: €10

5. Crepe/Sandwich

Street food can be found everywhere, so prices are competitive. At lunchtime, the choice often comes down to a sandwich or a crepe. For a gooey ham and cheese crepe or a chicken and veggie sandwich, I never worry about having enough money. Limit: €5

6. Clothing

With wintertime approaching, having appropriate socks (ones without holes) seems important. Unprepared visitors often wonder where to get the latest Parisian fashion as they shiver in their tee shirts. Do like the Parisians do and head to the closest H&M or, better yet, to Japanese department store Uniqlo by the Opera Garnier for some good shopping and great site-seeing. Limit: €40 pants, €40 sweater, €3 socks

7. Café

Instead of 7-11 and Dunkin’ Donuts, the French head to the café for a pick-me-up that won’t break the bank. A café (an espresso) may leave some tourists longing for a cup of Joe, but for mere euros you can squat a seat for as long as you’d like. (Tip: Stand at the cafe’s bar for cheaper prices.) Limit: €2

8. Theatre/Opera tickets

If you packed a top hat or a ball gown anticipating a night at the theatre, there is hope. Last minute “rush” tickets for the Opera Garnier and Bastille are extremely affordable if you are patient enough to line up 2-3 hours before the show. Théâtre du Châtelet, which often hosts musicals like Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd, offers rush tickets up until the minute before curtain. Limit: €30

9. Pastry

Unless you’re going to try the trendiest macaron or a French-style cupcake, pastries are a steal in Paris. Bakeries all over the city will serve up the best flaky croissants, lemon tarts, or apple pastries for mere coins. Limit: €3

10. Entrance to a bar/club

If you choose to go to a bar or club on the Champs-Elysées, good luck to you. Personally, I’d never enter a place that made me pay a cover. There are plenty of nightspots on rue de Lappe by the Bastille or in the winding streets of Montmartre that will keep the budget-conscious partier happy.  Limit: €0

What do you think, Cheapos?  What other price limits can you imagine in Paris? Share your own “price ceilings” in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Paris? Our editors have inspected, reviewed and photographed Paris’ best inexpensive accommodations. We’ve got picks all over town, in the Latin Quarter, near the Louvre, in the Marais and more central neighborhoods.

The post Paris Prices: The maximum we’d pay for everyday items appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the bottom of the Catacombs the options are vast. So while you’re budgeting your euros, here are a few tips to budget your time as well to make sure you don’t waste a single second while in Paris.

1. Book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance

Waiting in line for the Eiffel Tower can cost you hours, so book your ticket in advance on their Web site here. With this reservation, you can get in a much shorter line for the Iron Lady’s elevator and spend those hours doing something else.

2. Get a “Museum Pass” and skip the lines

Consider the Museum Pass. It may seem expensive, but if you’re planning on visiting several different monuments and museums, the pass can help you avoid waiting in ticket lines and will pay for itself if your heart is set on visiting as many museums as possible.

3. Make a dinner reservation

Make a restaurant reservation in at least one restaurant. Cheapos often like to treat themselves to one nice sit-down meal in Paris, so instead of walking around aimlessly looking for the perfect spot, do some research in advance and find a nice, little bistro to treat yourself to and book a table. Check out Paris by Mouth for some great suggestions.

4. Use the ATM

Contact your bank and use ATMs to avoid currency exchange offices. Tourists often spend time heading to American Express offices to exchange money, but this is a time waster. Talk to your bank and see what the fees are for using ATM machines and just withdraw cash (read more here). Paris has no shortage of banks and you’ll be on your way much faster.

5. Grab a quick coffee at the bar

Get your café at the bar if you need a quick caffeine fix. Sitting down at a table in a café means you’ve engaged yourself for at least 30 minutes by the time the waiter takes your order, brings your coffee, gives you the bill and takes your money. It’s a sort of ritual that can be bypassed by doing like the locals and going right to the bar for un café. It’s cheaper, too.

6. Line up early, if you must

Get in line early for activities that are must-sees for you, like the towers of Notre Dame or the Catacombs. Forgo an hour of sleep, wake up early, and queue up at least 30 minutes before the monument opens. You’ll be happy you did as you look at the line of people snaking around the block to get up the cathedral’s towers or to climb into the old mine shafts lined with 6 million Parisians skeletons.

7. Grab a sandwich for lunch and take it to go

Bakeries offer great deals for a sandwich, drink, and dessert, and you can eat it in a park or on the go as you race off to your next destination. The same sandwich in a café will take at least 30 minutes (and be more expensive).

8. Consider “nightseeing”

Certain sights are best at night. Think of checking out the evening openings at the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay when prices are cheaper and lines are shorter. And the Eiffel Tower is open until midnight in the summer, so don’t think that 11:30 p.m. is too late to venture up for a midnight view of the city.

9. Ask for help if you need it

Everyone says Parisians are rude and impolite, but sometimes it’s worth running the risk. When a girl from Japan asked me for directions the other day in the Marais, a Parisian went out of his way to butt in, look at her map (all in Japanese) and point her in the right direction as I translated his French into English for her. He might be the exception instead of the rule, but Parisians can be helpful, and getting brusque assistance from a local is better than wandering for hours in search of the Musée Carnavalet.

10. Plan a return trip to Paris

Be ready to make concessions and start planning a return trip to Paris. You can’t do it all, and preparing mentally for this now will make things easier for everyone. I was recently with a family who looked at the line to enter Notre Dame and they all shook their heads, “No.” Instead, we went for ice cream and wandered in the Marais, much to everyone’s delight.

Your time-saving tips

There’s no shortage of happenings in Paris, and every minute can be stretched to the last second if you’re thrifty with your time. So, Cheapos, what other advice do you have for budgeting your time in Paris?

The post Paris: 10 ways to save time (and see more) in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.