That said, Italians are famous for their beautiful cars but notorious for their driving. They go fast, often frenzied, and your experience with a rental can be overwhelming in Italy — especially if you’re used to the road etiquette in the US.

Tips for driving in Italy

Here are a few tips to keep you safe and sane while also saving you a handful of euros along the way. Start your engines, because it’s time to go for a drive in Italy!

Related: Search for affordable rental cars in Italy and all over Europe

Cheap is not always best when renting

There are many car rental agencies in Italy, and some of these agencies offer prices that appear too good to be true. In fact, that is exactly the case. Make sure to read the fine print and know exactly what comes with your rental.

Often a slightly more expensive option will include more comprehensive insurance, or offers unlimited mileage or throws in GPS. Reading the details and asking questions will ensure you’re not bombarded with hidden fees later on.

Here is our guide to calculating the real cost of a rental car.

A paper road atlas is great. A GPS system in your car can be even better when driving through Italy.

Don’t hit the road without GPS

Always, always pay the extra few euros for a GPS navigation system. The highways in Italy are well marked and easy to navigate, but once you enter a village, smaller roads are often unmarked and one-way streets and roundabouts can be confusing without a navigation system. If your GPS gets confused (not unusual on smaller streets), don’t be afraid to flag down a local for help.

Keep an eye out for ZTL signs like this one in Turin that mark areas where most cars are not permitted. Photo: Alain Rouiller

Never drive in the ZTL!

The Zona Traffico Limitato (“ZTL”), also known as the “Area Pedonale”, is an area restricted to limited traffic and/or pedestrians only. The only persons who may legally drive in the ZTL have special permits to do so. These include the police, public transport, and emergency vehicles… not tourists driving rental cars!

Drive on Sundays for a more relaxing ride

In Italy, large trucks can make for a very stressful experience on the roads. However, these trucks are actually prohibited from driving on the highways on Sundays, as the country has along tradition of leisurely Sunday drives through the countryside. Take advantage of this wanderlust Sunday tradition by planning to drive on Sundays if you can.

Related: Our favorite cheap hotels in the Tuscan countryside

With a little practice, you too can be buzzing around Rome in a sporty Fiat. Photo: Emanuele

Hone your instincts and your reflexes

Italian drivers are fast-paced and never hesitate. They change lanes quickly and make spur of the moment decisions. While this may sound dangerous compared to how you’re used to driving back home, it’s perfectly acceptable (and even safe!) within Italy.

In fact, drivers in Italy will expect you to act the same way when driving in their country. Being overly cautious and slow could actually make things more difficult for everyone!

Watch where you park!

Parking can be a nightmare in certain areas (especially the big cities!), as most of the country’s tiny streets were laid out centuries before the automobile came rolling along. It’s not uncommon to see cars squished into tight places or balancing on the sidewalks.

When you find yourself parking in a crowded and popular area, make sure to pay for a ticket from the nearest parking meter and then display it in an obvious spot on your dashboard. Those fines can add up fast!

Keep an eye on street signs

For the most part, street signs in Italy are intuitive and similar to those at home. “Stop”, “Yield” and “Parking” are all the same shapes and colors as their counterparts in the US. Stop signs even say “Stop” in English! Speed limit signs will be posted along highways, but remember the number is listed in kilometers, not miles per hour.

Other useful signs to know are “One Way”, which in Italy is a black arrow with the words “Senso Unico“, “No Parking”, which is a blue circle outlined in red with a red strike through it, and “Do Not Enter”, which is a red circle with a white horizontal line through the middle.

Gas stations are easy to find along major roads and sometimes even in cities like this one on via Cavor in Rome. Photo: Simone R.

Fill up with the right gas

Refueling your vehicle is very easy in Italy, as there are self-service petrol stations all along the highways. Before you fill up, make sure you know the difference between gasolio (diesel) and benzina (petrol), as well as which type your car takes. Using the wrong fuel is one of the biggest mistakes tourists make while driving in Italy. It can happen to anyone  — even experienced Cheapos!

Follow these simple tips and a drive through Italy will be a breeze! For extra fun, rent a Fiat 500 or another iconic Italian gem to make your trip even more memorable.

Also, compare rates between Italian car rental companies by doing a car rental search on EuroCheapo!

Your tips for driving in Italy

Have you driven in Italy? Share your experiences on your successes and failures behind the wheel.

The post Driving in Italy: 7 tips for staying safe, sane and on budget with your rental car appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Renting a car will get you to little villages, mountains, secluded beaches, and vineyards you’d never see otherwise. Many of the best jaunts I’ve been on in Spain have been by car. Getting wheels is worth the effort it takes.

Related: Calculating the real cost of renting a car in Europe

Tips for Saving on rental cars in Spain

Before you go online to book your vehicle in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville, and hit the road, take a little time to read through these tips. Over the years I’ve taken many jaunts from Barcelona by rental car, and I’ve learned a thing or two about driving and keeping your rental experience hassle-free. Here are my top tips, many of which are applicable to renting a car throughout Europe.

1. Check your license

Always check with the rental car agency beforehand to make sure you have the right documents for driving on Spanish roads. For Americans, agencies usually only require a valid passport (that means within the six month travel period allotted to Americans for travel in Europe) and a driver’s license.

I have never been asked for an international driver’s license when renting a car, so I have never bothered to get one. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and it is recommended that you get one. You can learn about the International Driver’s License on this website.

2. Find a good deal

I have rented from many different companies in Spain and have had a range of good and bad experiences. The main takeaway is that if it looks too good (or too cheap) to be true, then it probably is. Like the cheapo airlines that will nickel and dime you for every pound of luggage and every inch of legroom, many cheapo rental car companies will hit your wallet for gas, mileage, insurance, and additional drivers.

I have ended up spending much more than I expected to at super budget companies. In the end, I stopped using them and decided to pay more in advance for a better product and less hassle. Check out EuroCheapo’s rental car search to check current prices from a wide variety of companies in Spain.

3. Read the small print and sign off on the dents and scratches

This car rental tip could be applied to many aspects of your trip. Make sure you know all of the extra charges (including unfilled tank charges!) before you sign on the dotted line. If there’s a certain type of car you want, be sure to ask for it. Be assertive and ask now.

At the rental counter, they usually give you a piece of paper that includes a small illustration of a car. Often, especially with city rentals, you’ll have to go outside and find your rental car in a big parking garage, and there may not be anyone there to help you. Insist that someone go with you or meet you in the garage to go over any flaws that the car has on the interior and exterior. Mark all these flaws, even the small ones, on the documents that you got at the rental counter, carefully marking the dents and scratches on the diagram of the car. This may sound excessive, but being thorough could save you a lot of money. The rental company’s representative will have to sign off on all the flaws you identify.

Don’t be embarrassed if it takes you a few times around to find your exit. Photo: BJK

4. Roundabout advice

Depending on where you’re from, you may or may not be familiar with roundabouts. These circular intersections have replaced many crossroads and four-way stops in Spain. Some roundabouts consist of four lanes and can be daunting to merge into and out of. Slow down when entering, but you’ll only need to come to a full stop if you’re waiting for traffic to pass by. Otherwise, gracefully enter and wind around to your desired exit.

Another perk is that roundabouts give you additional time to figure out where you’re going. Not sure which turn off to take? Just keep circling the roundabout until you find the right road! I’ve been known to loop around three times before sorting out the right direction.

5. Pay a bit to save time on toll roads

In Catalonia many of the highways are toll roads, and many of them are not cheap. Expect to pay from €0.45 to €10 for access to these roads. Tunnels also usually collect a hefty toll. You can avoid the toll roads, but more often than not, this will add on to your travel time, and you’ll be faced with more traffic and more roundabouts.

Depending on how far you have to go and how much time you have, it may be better to suck it up and pay for the toll roads. Most toll booths will accept both credit cards and cash. While tolls are very common in Catalonia, other regions of Spain have fewer tolls or no tolls at all.

6. Hide all valuables from sight

Always lock your doors, and do not leave your suitcase, purse, camera bag, or anything else of value in plain sight in your parked rental car. Put everything that could be tempting to an unsavory character out of sight in the trunk. If it’s really valuable, you probably just want to take it with you. This is especially important in big cities like Barcelona and Madrid, but applies to smaller towns as well.

If you don’t drive stick shift, expect to pay a lot more. Photo: LenDog64

7. Be prepared to pay more for automatic transition

Most rental cars in Spain (and throughout Europe) are equipped with manual transmission, and most Spaniards know how to drive a stick shift car. Automatic cars are the exception, not the rule, and you may have to pay hundreds of euros more to rent one.

If you really want to rent an automatic, then look around and compare prices. Make sure to reserve an automatic far in advance, because many companies have a limited supply, especially in the high season when Americans come in droves.

8. Choose your parking spot wisely

It is not easy to park in Barcelona or Madrid. Parking spots are scarce, and when you do find one, you need to determine if it is a public parking space or only open to those living in the neighborhood. I made the mistake of parking in a spot I thought was public parking only to find my rental car towed; €250 later I had learned my lesson. In some small villages you will be able to park just about anywhere and won’t have to pay a cent. This is especially true in the countryside. When in doubt, check with a local to make sure you’re not parking in front of someone’s gate or doorway.

If you are unsure about what the rules are or where you can park, the best bet is to put your ride in a garage and pay a bit more. Your car will most likely be safer in a garage, and will definitely be there when you return. There are parking garages everywhere in cities and larger towns.

9. Be careful on the road

Generally speaking, driving in Spain is not much different than in the rest of Europe or North America. The laws and road signs are similar. Mostly, roads are well marked and freeways are well maintained. Drivers can be aggressive and tailgating is common, and for many locals, turn signals seem like more of a suggestion than a requirement. If you feel stressed or overwhelmed at any point on the road in Spain, just slow down; the guy behind you may not like it, but he can pass.

I’ve driven all over Spain and by far the fastest drivers I’ve encountered were on the island of Tenerife. I’m not sure what it is about island life that makes these locals put the pedal to the metal, but they certainly seem to be in a hurry.

10. Don’t forget to fill ’er up (with the right fuel!)

Gas is self-service in Spain. You pay inside or at the pump with either a credit card or cash. It’s pretty straightforward and very similar to what you’re probably used back home. Just make sure to fill up with right kind of fuel. You really don’t want to put unleaded gas into a diesel car. Trust us!

Your tips for driving in Spain?

Have you rented a car in Spain? Tell us what companies you like, what tips you used to find a good deal, or your favorite road trips!

The post 10 tips for renting and driving a car in Spain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what do you need to know about driving in Portugal before you hop in your rental and hit the road? To stay safe and on the right side of the law during your time in Portugal, consider the tips below.

Related
• How to save on your rental car in Portugal
• 10-day budget itinerary to Portugal
• 10 ways to save on your trip to Portugal

Portugal driving tips

1. Get an International driver’s license before your trip

Consider getting an international driver’s license before you arrive. While most rental companies don’t require one for U.S. drivers license holders, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

2. Be smart about parking

Be careful about where and how you park your car in Portugal. Locals aren’t an example to follow — leaving your car running with emergency lights in a no-parking zone won’t save you from a ticket. Also, when parking roadside, always be sure to park in the same direction as traffic.

3. Protect your car and valuables

Lock the car when you park and secure your valuables in the trunk. Even if you’re just stopping off for a moment to get a picture of an amazing view along the way. Portugal isn’t dangerous but petty theft is unfortunately quite common. Don’t make yourself an easy target.

4. Lost? Don’t panic.

Be prepared to get a little lost when driving around Portugal. The trick is staying calm and being prepared. Be sure to bring a paper map, and either rent a GPS with your vehicle or use Google Maps on your smartphone or tablet — learn how to switch out your US sim card with a local sim card.

5. Keep an eye out for gas stations

Fill up whenever you see a station — running out of gas in a foreign country is even less fun than it is at home (even if it has the makings of a great story to tell at dinner parties). And be sure to fill up with the right fuel. Learn the name of the type of fuel your car uses in Portuguese.

Note: Diesel is “gasóleo” (or “diesel”) and unleaded gasoline is “gasolina.”

6. Don’t speed

Follow the speed limit, even if the rest of traffic is speeding along over the limit. In Portugal, there are flashing orange speed traffic lights that operate using a sensor, and if you’re over the limit (or the person in front of you is), they’ll turn red and you’ll have to stop.

7. Put that smartphone down

Don’t use a cell phone while driving unless it’s hands-free. It’s illegal, unsafe and could get you a big fine.

8. Use turn signals (even if others don’t)

Turn signals might seem to you to be optional in Portugal — which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them, just that you can’t expect other drivers to do so. So give yourself a little extra distance between you and the car ahead of you, and pay close attention so you can brake hard when the person in front of makes an unexpected turn or maneuver.

9. Watch it on the sharp turns and ramps

On and off ramps are usually very short — you’ll want to slow down a little before you exit the main road or highway you’re on.

Your Portugal driving tips

Have some driving tips to add to our list? Leave them in the comments section below!

The post Portugal Driving Tips: How to stay safe and legal when driving in Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, before you head to Germany, hop in a car, and head for the nearest highway, there are a few things you should know about autobahn driving. Below we’ve gathered the most important tips.

Related: Search for affordable rental cars in Germany and all over Europe

1. The same Autobahn can have different names

Each Autobahn in Germany has several different names. For example, Bundesautobahn 5 is also called “BAB 5”, while Autobahn 5 is also called “A 5”. On the road, you will only see the number listed in a blue square.

To make matters a bit more confusing, the A 5 is also part of the E 35, E 40, E 52, E 54, and E 45 (the “E” designates an international European route). The longest of these, the E 40, is 4,971 miles long and crosses through France, Belgium, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and Russia.

Although you may not feel up to driving the whole distance (though who knows?), it’s still important to know the E 40 and A 5 are the same route when driving in Germany, otherwise the signs can get confusing. The good news: Unlike several of the countries listed in European route 40, you never have to pay to drive on the German Autobahn.

Related: 10-Day itinerary through Germany: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein

This sign shows speed limits in the city and a recommended 130 speed limit on the highway. Photo: Jo.

2. Yes, you really can (almost) always drive as fast as you want

The German Autobahn is famous for its lack of a speed limit, and you really can drive as fast as you want (or as fast as your car can handle). But not always. Occasionally a speed limit is posted — usually 80, 100 or 120 km per hour — in a white circle with a red border. Speed limits are mostly posted around cities or are due to dangerous road conditions (windy mountain roads, around construction sites, etc.).

When a speed limit appears, there are sometimes automated roadside radar photo devices that measure your speed and take your photograph if you’re over the limit — Germans call it getting geblitzed (flashed) because of the bright white light from the camera flash. When you get geblitzed, you can expect a ticket in the mail within the next six weeks (and yes, even for rental cars). The amount varies depending on how much you were speeding, but in most cases it will still be under €100.

On the Autobahn you will also sometimes see square blue signs with “130” written in white letters. These signs are a reminder that 130 km per hour (80 mph) is the “recommended” national speed limit. But, unless an actual speed limit is posted, people can–and certainly will–be driving faster.

3. Driving “as fast as you want” isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be

Many German Autobahns have only two lanes. What this means is you’ll usually either be stuck in the right lane with the big trucks and campers or be in the left lane… with a Porsche or BMW sports car constantly on your tail, aggressively making it clear they want you out of the way.

In other words, it’s not always an easy cruising experience. Driving the Autobahn can at times be pretty stressful.

4. Cruise the Autobahn on Sundays for a less stressful drive

If you just want to get a feel for what it’s like to drive on the Autobahn, we suggest you go for a drive on Sundays. On Sundays, big trucks are not allowed to drive on the Autobahn, so if you do (inevitably) get some speedster on your tail in the left lane, at least the right lane will be a more pleasant driving experience.

5. Sometimes you can’t drive at all

It’s not uncommon for the Autobahn to be backed up with traffic jams for miles and miles. Although this is sometimes due to accidents, it is more likely caused by construction sites.

While a popular German stereotype portrays them as a very efficient bunch, it could also be argued that they tend to make things far more complicated (and even stressful!) than necessary. This definitely holds true when it comes to Autobahn construction. From the spring to the fall, entire stretches are (sometimes inexplicably) blocked off for miles and miles, causing major delays. Nine times out of ten, when you drive by, you’ll never actually see anyone working, giving rise to the rumor they only set up the construction sites to annoy as many drivers as possible.

Related: 10-Day itinerary through Germany: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein

6. Avoid holidays and vacation weeks

To avoid traffic jams, you should also be aware of any school holidays in the area. German schools have fall vacation (two weeks in October), Christmas vacation (ten days over Christmas and New Years), winter vacation (one week in February), Easter vacation (two weeks over Easter), and summer vacation (six weeks).

If you’re traveling during any of these times, you should avoid taking the Autobahn on either the first or last weekend during the school holidays, as it’s guaranteed to be packed. Since the starting dates vary from state to state, it’s best to check the schedule in the area you’re visiting (here’s a list of school vacation dates).

Cruising at high speeds along the Autobahn. Photo: beigephotos

7. It’s illegal to pass on the right

Most rules of the Autobahn are the same as driving in the United States (e.g., use your turn signal, slower traffic stays to the right, etc.). However, it is important to know that it is illegal to pass a vehicle on the right side.

In order to pass, you must always first move into the left lane — otherwise, it is verboten — and potentially very dangerous, since no one will be expecting it. The only exception to this rule is when traffic is moving at a very slow speed, such as during a traffic jam.

8. Get off the Autobahn for more scenic driving

Although a drive along the Autobahn is definitely an interesting experience for any tourist, if you’re not in a hurry, it might be a better idea to stick with a more scenic route along the Landstrassen or Kreisstrasse. Kreisstrasse are smaller, rural roads while Landstrassen are usually busier.

Both of these types of roads will take you through the countryside and towns. Unlike Autobahns, both have a marked speed limit, usually 80 or 100 km per hour (around 50 to 60 miles per hour). Not exactly for speed demons, but you will get to see more of the country and, in the end, you may just feel 60 miles per hour is fast enough after all!

Search for rental cars

Know your travel dates? Search for rental cars in Germany now and compare rates between car agencies throughout Germany to find the best deal.

The post Germany: 8 Tips for driving the Autobahn appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Renting a car allows you complete control over your itinerary, and permits you to visit smaller towns, tiny villages, and out-of-the-way wineries.

This freedom can come at a cost, of course, especially if you’re not aware of some the basic rules. But with proper planning, you can rent with confidence that you’re getting a great deal. Read on!

Related: 50 ways to save on your trip to France

Rental car tips for France

1. Book cars early for the best deals

As with train tickets, booking early is a safe bet for finding the best car rental prices. As you get closer to your travel date, availability dwindles and prices get more expensive. (Search for your dates and compare car rental agencies.)

2. Cancel your reservation if you find a better deal

Nearly all car rentals are modifiable and able to be canceled. Thus, once you book it, monitor prices. See something cheaper with another agency? Cancel your car reservation and book it!

3. Be careful with your start date!

Your car reservation won’t necessarily start on the first day of your trip. If, for example, you’re flying into Paris and spending a couple of days in the city before driving off to Normandy — start your car reservation on the day you leave town for Normandy, not the day you arrive in Paris. You won’t be driving around Paris, trust us! You’ll be wasting money on those extra days, and paying for a parking garage!

Related: Tips for visiting the iconic Beaches of Normandy

Cars in France come in all shapes and sizes. Photo: Daniel X. O’Neil

4. Be smart about auto insurance

Call your insurance company back home and your credit card company to confirm auto coverage before heading over. In many cases you’ll be covered — but be prepared to receive the hard sell when you pick up your car. They may also place a hold on your credit card as a guarantee if you don’t take out any additional car insurance.

5. Be wary of free upgrades

Here’s the scenario that we often face when renting a car in France: The representative at the rental agency smiles at us and informs us that they’ve upgraded us to a nicer, roomier car. Great, right?

Well… There’s a reason that the locals tend to drive small cars. Gas is expensive. Streets are tiny and parking spots can be smaller still. And rental car companies tend to think that every American arriving at their counter desires a giant tank of a car. Unless that’s you, feel free to just say, “non, merci”, and stand your ground.

Driving tips for France

6. Watch your speed

When driving around France, pay attention to the posted speed limits, as well as to the “speed camera” signs. In France, the police usually don’t bother pulling you over for speeding — they just send your tickets to your home… or your rental car company. And yes, you will be charged.

7. Careful at the roundabout

Driving in France is fun, partially because municipalities have replaced many traffic lights with traffic roundabouts. While these keep you moving, they can also be a bit dangerous for foreign drivers not accustomed to them. Avoid tickets and accidents: When approaching a roundabout, you do not have priority — wait until the coast is clear before entering.

8. Avoid driving in the “centre ville”

Most tourist-friendly towns in France have popular pedestrian-only center cities (“centre ville”). Only locals and delivery trucks can drive here. Don’t be the car that wanders off course and winds up along a pedestrian-only cafe-lined street. It could cost (or really embarrass) you.

Parking between the vines at a winery in Villandry. Photo: Peter D

9. Parking is expensive in the center

As you won’t be able to drive in the center city, you’ll spot underground parking garages all over the place. Most garages will note the number of free spots with a green “Libre” (available) sign. Center city garages, of course, will be the most expensive. If possible, we’d recommend parking farther outside the center at a cheaper garage, and walking or taking transit into the center.

10. Autoroutes can be expensive

The country’s network of “autoroutes” allows you speed along at a clip, but be aware that these roads (all named with an “A”) are “payant” (have tolls), and those tolls can be expensive! A slower, cheapo alternative are the national roads, named with an “N”. These tend to be more scenic, as well. And if you want to get really scenic (and don’t mind really slowing down), you could opt for the “départementale” roads, named with a “D”.

Search now

Ready to compare prices on car rentals? Search for your dates now, and compare rates between top rental agencies in France.

The post Renting a car in France: 10 tips for saving on car rentals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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

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

Kayak’s price alert

1. Set up airfare alerts

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

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

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

2. Pack lightly

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

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

The RoissyBus taks passengers from Paris to Charles de Gaulle.

3. Take public transportation to and from the airport

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

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

4. Think twice before booking a rail pass

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

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

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

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

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

5. Book major train tickets in advance

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

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

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

6. Know the real cost of renting a car

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

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

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

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

7. Choose your hotel wisely

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

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

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

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

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

8. Know what’s for breakfast

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

These water bottles in Venice are cheaper at the supermarket.

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

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

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

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

9. Be careful with American iPhones

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your tips for saving on European travel

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

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

Why, you ask? Allow us to demonstrate photographically what happened on a recent journey when we overlooked this critical step. Come, Cheapos, let’s take a ride…

Step 1: Fill ‘er up

Unleaded? Diesel? Who cares! Just fill ‘er up. In our case, we filled up a diesel-only car with unleaded gas.

Step 2: Hit the beach

Drive (a short distance) to a picturesque location and park the car. For us, it was Lake Como, Italy, where we spent the day swimming and frolicking, nary a care in the world.

Step 3: Try to start car and panic

When the car doesn’t start and you realize that you didn’t use diesel, go ahead and briefly freak out, perhaps for three or four minutes. Then, if you don’t speak Italian, do your best mime routine to the locals and hitch a ride on the back of their ninja motorcycle.

Step 4: Back to the beach

After repeating your mime act at the gas station – much to the delight of both yourself and the assembled audience – hop in a car with the head mechanic and drive back to your stranded car. (Preferably, your car ride should follow directly behind a circus trolley that is inexplicably carrying the head mechanic’s children.)

Step 5: Get towed

Watch with embarrassed relief as your car is hoisted onto the back of a flatbed truck to take you to the gas station.

Step 6: Say goodbye to paradise

Snap a photo and wave goodbye to Lake Como from inside the car (there’s not enough room in the truck’s cabin, natch) as you make your way to the gas station.

Step 7: De-gas and re-gas

Hang around the gas station and watch all the “bad gas” get sucked out of your car’s tank. Try not to concentrate on how much the gas originally cost. Pose confidently for a photo.

Step 8: Learn your lesson

Swear you’ll never do this again. Yet allow yourself to appreciate the experience you just had.

The post What happens when you put unleaded gas in a diesel rental car? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Now, before you ask “what were you thinking?” or say “that doesn’t sound particularly Cheapo, Pete,” let me explain further.

Yes, the villa we rented was admittedly off-the-charts decadent. It had seven large bedrooms, five bathrooms, a kitchen nearly as large as my current apartment, a billiard room, a dining room, a massive living room area, an in-ground pool whose gorgeousness was eclipsed only by its vineyard view, and—somewhat inexplicably—a separate, small chapel on the grounds. And just to round it off, there were also large stone lion statues adjacent to the front doors, greeting us upon our return from schlepping around the countryside.

But did we mention the entire week-long stay cost each person roughly $70 per night? Sure, you can beat the pants off that price at a number of our Editor’s Picks in Florence (while actually being in Florence rather than a 45-minute drive outside) but for everything that the villa had to offer, we felt the price was reasonable. And for the sheer experience of the endeavor we were willing to shell out a few extra euros.

Related: Our favorite affordable hotels in Tuscany

But looking back on our trip, there are a number of tips and recommendations that would have been helpful to know when we were planning our stay. Here are some things to consider when renting a villa in Tuscany:

1. Prepare to “hub” it.

If you’re planning to explore a particular region – rather than just one specific city – renting a villa makes sense. Our villa was located near the village of Traversa, making it easy to “hub it” and visit Florence, Pisa, Siena, Cinque Terre, Bologna, and even Venice during our trip. Which brings us to our next tip…

2. Get ready to drive.

Rent a car and plan on driving it a lot. This might seem obvious to most, but prior to our trip we didn’t really consider how frequently we’d be driving around the region. Fortunately we had several eager drivers among us who were particularly adept with manual transmissions. Otherwise, we likely wouldn’t have strayed too far from our residence. Which, again, brings us to our next tip…

3. Get cooking.

While most villa rental agencies offer decadent, home-cooked meals on the premises at an extra cost, part of what made our experience so special was handling all meals ourselves (plus it saved a whole lot of money). There was never any shortage of ingredients at local markets for our nightly dinners and we found that a large part of our daily routine revolved around dinner planning. And we loved it.

4. Get ready for some family time.

For our group, part of what made renting a villa so special was traveling as a big family. Sure, we experienced our fair share of “I think it’s your turn to do the dishes” moments, but we still frequently reflect and laugh about our hysterical experience of sleeping in the Tuscan castle.

When renting a villa in Tuscany might not make sense

1. You don’t like your in-laws. Just kidding. Promise.

2. You don’t like driving through twisty, turny, slightly nerve-wracking roads. If this is the case, you might be better off staying in a city rather than in the winding hills.

3. When the math doesn’t work out. Budget wisely and consider all the incidental expenses of renting a villa. While the per person price of accommodation itself can be similar to that of  2 and 3-star hotels, you’ll also pay for food, car rentals, gas, electricity, a cleaning fee, and any other incidentals that spring up.

Websites that specialize in renting villas in Tuscany and elsewhere

There are many helpful websites that provide reservation services for villa rental throughout Europe. Most offer large format, high quality photos that should stir up your excitement. Here are a few that we recommend checking out:

Parker Villas – Specializes in villas through Italy. Parker Villas was one of the first villa rental agencies we discovered when we started our search.

Tuscany Now – Large listing of villas for rent in Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Sicily, and other regions in Italy.

VRBO – While not technically a villa reservation agency, VRBO does feature many properties in Tuscany and beyond, plus the rates tend to be a bit more reasonable.

Cuendet – Offers villas in Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain (and was the website we used when booking ours).

Tell us: Have you ever rented a villa in Italy or elsewhere? Share your experience with other Cheapos by leaving a comment below.

The post How to rent a villa in Tuscany. Is it right for you? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The natural instinct when booking a car is to go with the absolute cheapest rate possible, but rental car companies are notorious for tacking on hidden fees and surcharges (some are worse than others) that can seriously inflate the cost of your trip. The one fee you must ask about up front in Europe is the cost of transferring your personal information to the police in cases of speeding or parking tickets.

I learned this the hard way. I never thought twice about this until a recent trip to the English countryside with my partner and two of our friends. I found a great deal for a two-day rental with Europcar (a nice, big car to fit the four of us)—all told, with insurance, it was around $100. Believe me, this is not bad for London. We had a great time driving through the picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, stuffing ourselves on fish and chips and waking up with sheep bleating in the pastures around our B&B.

Related: Search and compare car rentals in Europe

Speeding tickets!

Then, in the span of six hours, on the same road, everything changed—and we suddenly found ourselves hundreds of dollars in the hole. Our car was photographed twice by speed-enforcement cameras—once going 35 mph in a 30-mph zone, and the other time going 38 mph.

I understand the need for drivers to keep their speeds down in and around country villages, but my partner (who was driving) was hardly channeling Mario Andretti here. Nonetheless, we knew we got nabbed when the flashbulb went off as our car passed the hidden camera. Anyone who has been in this situation in Italy, France, or Germany knows that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.

The tickets I can understand. They were excessive, but there’s really no way to fight them. We were assessed fines of about £60 per ticket, which we paid. (Friends who have received photo-enforced speeding tickets on trips to Italy have ignored the charges when they returned home to the U.S. and apparently been O.K. But I wouldn’t advise that.) We ponied up the $200 and figured we learned a costly lesson.

Hidden fees and surcharges

I didn’t anticipate I’d be hit with more fees weeks later from Europcar. The company charged my credit card twice (without my knowledge, mind you) for what they later told me were “administrative fees” related to the tickets, namely the amount they charge for passing our contact details on to the local authorities.

The amount: a staggering $50 PER TICKET.

Now, I know this is common practice for rental car companies—they maintain that this charge covers the cost of transferring your data to the relevant local authorities. But from a consumer’s standpoint, it helps to be informed of the rules and regulations before you rent, just so you’re aware of the possible tack-ons.

Make sure the amount of the surcharge is clearly stated in the terms and conditions of your agreement. And watch your credit card statements closely in the months after your rental to see if any charges show up without your knowing about it (as it did in my case).

For those who want to learn more about these rental car fees, here’s an excellent article on MSNBC’s website. Educate yourself, or you might find yourself in the same situation I’m in, paying three times the cost of your rental car in profligate surcharges.

The post Renting a Car: Watch out for speeding tickets… and extra charges! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.