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.

As long as you stay away from the most famous streets and tourist-laden cafés in the city, the café experience in a “normal” part of town should not be an expensive one, with drinks usually costing less than €5 at prime outside tables–offering some of the cheapest theater in Paris.

When the temperatures climb, a glass of red wine or a hot espresso aren’t always the most appealing choices, even if they are inexpensive. Sometimes a nice cool beverage with a few rare French ice cubes is what we all crave. Avoid the temptation to ask for an iced coffee or “un Coca” and dare to try one of the many other drinks that the café bartender can mix up for you.

Drinking pink. Photo: SteveR

Here are five inexpensive yet popular drinks that Parisians love to sip in the sun:

Diabolo menthe

Perhaps my favorite coffee alternatives, the Diabolo is a generous glass of icy French limonade (almost like lemonade) with a bit of minty syrup mixed in. The lemony-mint drink is delicious and light and leaves your mouth tingling. Cafés will also serve the drink with a variety of other flavored syrups like raspberry or strawberry, so just ask if mint isn’t your thing. Great for kids.

Rosé wine

Tourists often think that there is a stigma around rosé wine, but it’s not true. In the warmer months Parisians hit the terraces with their glasses of slightly sweet but crisp pink wines, most of which comes from Provence in the south of France. As an aperitif a glass of chilled rosé is not only acceptable, but actually encouraged by Parisians during the summer.

Monaco

The Monaco puts a spin on a normal beer by adding some grenadine syrup and limonade to an icy light draft. If a pint of beer just seems too heavy on a warm summer day, the Monaco is the perfect way to still enjoy beer without weighing you down.

Panaché

If the Monaco seems too sweet, opt for the Panaché instead. Equal parts beer and limonade make one of the best frosty Parisian café drinks around. Both of these beer cocktails are great to have before meals, after meals or just during a lazy afternoon after a day of sightseeing.

Pastis

This licorice-flavored drink isn’t for everyone, but it’s a fantastic before-dinner beverage that evokes the flavors and sensations of the south of France. From the lavender fields of Provence, pastis was created in response to the outlawing of its more dangerous big brother, absinthe, in the early 1900s.

A shot of the green liquor turns cloudy as you add ice cold water to it, creating the perfect palette-cleansing cocktail. If you aren’t crazy for licorice flavor, ask for a Perroquet, the version with mint syrup, or the Tomate, the version with grenadine.

Carafe d’eau

No matter which drink you get, never hesitate to ask for a glass of water or a carafe d’eau, a small pitcher of water. It’s important to stay hydrated, but don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit with other drinks.

Your favorite summertime drinks?

Did we miss your favorite summertime cocktail? Tell us about it in the comments section!

The post Paris: 5 summer drinks to try at the café appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

London is a pricey city, and visitors tend to suffer a decent hit to their wallets before they even get to cocktail hour. Here are three trusted happy hours around town to ensure you get a bit of a bargain to kick off your night.

Dirty Martini’s

11/12 Russell Street
WC2B 5HZ
Tel: 0844 371 2550
Web site

Happy hour: Monday to Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday all night.

Classy after-work kind of place, worth getting a bit dressed up for. It’s in a chic basement off the Covent Garden piazza, away from the crowds and street performers, and the cocktail list even includes diet-conscious options for those still hanging on to their New Year’s resolutions. During the daily happy hour, choose from half-price bottles of wine and glasses of champagne (with bottles of champagne offered at a £10 discount), as well as delicious martinis for £4.

Mustard Bar and Lounge

2 Old Change Court
St Paul’s
EC4M 8EN
Tel: 020 7236 5318
Web site

Happy hour: Monday to Friday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The oddly named Mustard Bar is in the City’s square mile financial district, located just a few steps from the towering dome of St. Paul’s. Top off your trip around the cathedral with some weekday discount drinks, with selected cocktails and beers for £6 and £2.50 respectively, and 20% off selected wines (presumably all served without mustard).

The Roxy

3 Rathbone Place
W1T 1HJ
Tel: 020 7255 1098
Web site

Happy hour: Monday to Friday 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Cheerful studenty place just north of Oxford Street, with a rowdy line-up of club nights and a young clientele. Good for a fun weekday binge when you’re on a budget. Take your pick from half-price cocktail pitchers at £7.95, two for one Grolsch beers at £3.40 and half-price bottles of wine.

The post 3 Bars in Central London with Great “Happy Hours” appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Many of the most jaw-dropping vistas have been taken over by Rome’s most exclusive hotels, yet there are still a few rooftop gems scattered about the city accessible to Cheapos. The following watering holes on high are definitely worth your while—and they won’t cost you a fortune.

Caffeteria Italia
Via di San Pietro in Carcere
Telephone: 06 6780664

No other place in Rome boasts panoramic views like the terrace of the Vittoriano Monument in Piazza Venezia. True, it will take you nearly 200 steps to schlep to the top of the “Wedding Cake” monument where the “Terrazza delle Quadrighe” (Terrace of the Four-Horse Chariots) is located. But the real treat is the lovely café located on its lower terrace.

Stop in on your way up to enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the views of the Roman Forum and much of the historic center. Alternatively, for those who can’t handle the stairs, there are two glass elevators that will take you to the very top for €7.

Cafe Chiostro
Via della Pace, 26 (behind Piazza Navona)
Telephone: 06 68809035 int.26
Closed Mondays
Web site

Tucked away like a little secret on the second floor of the Chiostro del Bramante church and convent, this charming café offers visitors drinks, coffee and tea at tables overlooking the beautiful cloister. If you decide to pop in for a drink, you’ll have to make it an early one, as the cafeteria closes at 7:30 pm.

Il Fontanone Cocktail Bar del Gianicolo
Via Garibaldi, 35
Telephone: 334 5282284
Closed in the winter
Web site

Tourists flock to the top of the Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) to get a snapshot of the domes and monuments that dot the Eternal City’s skyline.

After you’ve taken in the picture-perfect view, head to the trendy cocktail bar and enjoy an early evening aperitivo or an after-dinner drink. Aperitivos are usually served from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and the price (€10-€20) includes delicious snacks.

Summer Drink Tip: Aperol Spritz

A good Italian cocktail to try during the spring and summer months is an Aperol Spritz. It contains Aperol, a bitter orange alcoholic soda, white wine and sparkling water.

The post Rome: 3 Bars that serve up great views appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Like good bread and wine, affordable nights out are abundant if you know where to look. Here are some of our favorite spots for a Cheapo night out:

Music on the waterfront…

25 Est
10 Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 75019
Website

Overlooking the northern stretch of Paris’s canal, the restaurant 25 Est is known mostly for its large terrace and live music. Happy hour ends around 8 PM, but drinks are not expensive even at normal prices (pints of Stella are €5). Considering the waterside view and local bands, it’s a good deal.

BYOB with a view…

Pont des Arts
Spanning the Seine between the Institut de France and the Louvre

While picnics along the Seine disappear with the setting summer sun, one spot still retains its outdoor atmosphere. The Pont des Arts, the bridge linking the domed Institut de France with the Louvre, is a great “BYOB” experience, weather permitting. Artists hang art and locals break out their guitars, creating the biggest party spanning the Seine. Of course, if it’s raining or too cold, opt for an indoor venue. However, the Pont des Arts is a refreshingly affordable evening with a view throughout the summer and into the late fall.

Late night wine tastings…

Barav
6 Rue Dupuis, 75003
Website

“Wine bar” meets “street party” at The Barav, a cozy bar in the ever-hipper Upper Marais. The street is filled with new eateries and bars with clients spilling out into the streets. The Barav’s hip staff pair glasses of wine (€4) with delicious charcuterie or cheese platters (between €6 and €12). A summer concert series at the adjacent town hall keeps live music pumping during summer months.

Corner bistrot concert hall…

Chez Adel
10 rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010

When you spot the overweight mini Dachshund, you know you’ve made it to Chez Adel. A block away from the trendy Canal St-Martin, this tiny neighborhood bar serves up cheap but tasty food and drinks late into the night, and the Dachshund will be glad to pick up any scraps you leave behind. Local musicians, from jazz and zydeco to an Edith Piaf character who serenades tables, bring the place to life. If  jazz is your thing, check out our post about one of our favorite Paris jazz lounges.

Cheap and dingy, but still Paris…

Hideout
46 rue des Lombards, 75001
Website

If a dive bar is more your scene, Paris certainly isn’t lacking. In the Chatelet neighborhood there are plenty of bars geared towards tourists, students, and “happy hour” enthusiasts. The Hideout, with its €2 happy hour, is a little hole in the wall aimed to please bargain hunters. You get what you pay for—a dingy bar, elbow to elbow with other patrons. Its location, however, next to the largest transportation hub in the city center, guarantees a good time with a wild mix of locals and visitors in search of cheap beer.

Looking for gay nightlife? Read our guide to Paris’ gay bars (for the boys).

The post Paris: 5 Bars perfect for a Cheapo night out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For most of the year, the Barcelones and tourists visiting the city block out the fact that Barcelona is a beach city. Barcelona’s sands are empty in the winter months, save the one crazy Señor whose aim in life is to swim in the sea every single morning, no matter how cold the water may be.

La Barceloneta

Barcelona’s beach-side barrio, La Barceloneta, is within easy walking distance from the old Gothic center of the city. This is by far the city’s most popular stretch of shore. As soon as May and June roll around, people start to remember the Mediterranean Sea is nearby, and flock in droves to Barceloneta Beach.

Cooling off at Barcelona’s beach-side bars

However, there is more to La Barceloneta than swimming and tanning, and for those who prefer to observe the sea from a shaded terrace with a cold drink in one hand and a tapa in the other, this authentic barrio has a lot to offer.

Here are my favorite beach-side bars in Barcelona:

El Filferro
Calle Sant Carlos, 29
Tel: 93 221 9836
Entrees from €11 to €20

You can’t see the Mediterranean from here, but the outdoor terrace set in a small Barceloneta Square is charming. El Filferro is usually less crowded than other bars because it is not right on the beach, though it is literally one block from the seaside. The menu boasts non-cooked tapas, a great wine list and an ample selection of teas. It has a bohemian vibe and a staff of hipster waiters.

Foc Bar
Joan de Borbo 66
Tel: 932 41 153
Drinks from €5 to €13
Web site

Located on the Port, the Foc Bar has a small terrace out front perfect for people watching. The place is very popular with the young foreign crowd and people living on their boats docked at the port. I like it for the selection of cocktails. Foc also shows most sporting events on a large-screen TV inside.

Jai-ca
C/ Ginebra, 13
Tel: 93 319 50 02
Entrees from €9

Best tapas in La Barceloneta? Maybe. If you want to feel true frustration, try to get a table here on a weekend. Ha! Not going to happen. Go early during the week and sit outside on the sidewalk table area. Jai-ca serves beer, wine and some mixed drinks, plus fabulous “Tigre Tapas”.

Princesa 23
Carrer de la Princesa, 23
Tel: 932 688 618
Entrees from €18
Web site

This may not be my favorite place, but you can’t beat the location. It’s overpriced for the quality of the food and drinks, but the Princesa gets away with it because if you fall off your bar stool you will land on the sand. Indeed, it is a fun place to grab a glass of wine around 7 or 8 p.m. as the day is coming to an end. The place is popular with foreigners, and you should keep an eye on your bag.

Santa Marta
Carrer de Grau i Torras, 59
Tel: 34691236801
Drinks from €3.50 to €10

Santa Marta may have the nicest terrace seating of all the bars in La Barceloneta. The view is extensive and looks right out onto the sand and the sea. I like this place for coffee (the Italian coffee is great) and beers in the afternoon. Stop by to work on your tan while reading the paper.

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Ideal Bar at VEGA
Enghavevej 40, 1674 København

One of the Copenhagen’s most high-profile clubs, VEGA is a mammoth complex of four lounges, bars, and music venues. While VEGA proper regularly hosts international superstars like Kylie Minogue, Moby, and Fatboy Slim (with the price tags to match), the more modest Ideal Bar has plenty of free events.

Stop by the Ideal Bar Wednesday through Saturday, when the lounge offers free admission to DJ sets and parties with different musical themes. Aside from the wonderful perk of free entrance, the spot offers an intimate, low-key vibe that you won’t find in VEGA’s other mega-clubs. Check the Ideal Bar’s calendar to see what’s playing when you’re in town. The lounge is closed Sunday through Tuesday.

Laurits Betjent
Ved Stranden 16, 1061 København K

If you’re looking for a young vibe and student-friendly prices, Laurits Betjent is a good bet. Located on Ved Stranden near the pedestrian-only Stroget, the club hosts a “17+” party every Thursday from 10 PM-5 AM. Entrance costs 60 DKK (about $11), and includes free beer and champagne. (Note that clubbers under 18 will only be served soda and Carlsberg 2.7% beer.)

On other nights of the week, Laurits Betjent offers a similarly cheap cover charge and Cheapo-friendly drinks. Complete with two dance floors and a foosball table, it’s a thoroughly fun place.

Andy’s Bar
Gothersgade 33, 1123 København K

Less scene-y and more retro, Andy’s Bar offers a pub-style atmosphere with cheap beer, to boot. Located near Rosenborg Slot, this watering hole is a favorite of musicians and artist types who congregate over glasses of cheap beer. The bar stays open till 5 AM.

Don’t miss Andy’s wonderfully faded exterior, which is a testament to the bar’s many years of operation.

Copenhagen Nightlife Tips

Make sure you know the age limit before you queue up for a club, as many venues set the bar at age 23.

Also, know that several clubs will require you to check your coat, which costs around $4.

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Campo de’ Fiori: La Vineria

A delightful watering hole overlooking the charming Campo de’ Fiori, the cosy “La Vineria” (photo, above) has a warm and inviting feel that attracts a friendly international crowd. La Vineria offers a good selection of wines, with prices starting at €1.50 for drinks in the bar and €2.50-€3 for drinks outside at a table on the famous square. The bar features a daily selection of wines available to try by the glass.

With good vino and a central address, La Vineria is an easy and enjoyable place to relax (and get a little buzz).

Address: Campo de’ Fiori. 15 Campo de’ Fiori. Tel 06 6880 3268.

1970’s-era football memorabilia at the San Calisto.

Trastevere: Bar San Calisto

The San Calisto, located on the Piazza San Calisto in Trastevere, has character, a bit of a reputation, and feels edgier than your normal Roman bar. The décor inside seems stuck in the 1970’s. Decades-old football posters featuring stars of the past adorn the walls, and the furniture has a retro quality.

The San Calisto is mostly a coffee shop during the day, but in the evening locals (and those in the know) pack inside, enticed by cheap drinks. Becks, Bud, Peroni and gin and tonics are yours for €2-2.50 a pop.

Most guests grab a drink before snagging a seat outside, or wander off into the Piazza Santa Maria.

Trastevere. Piazza San Calisto.

Lots of wine at the Enoteca Cavour.

Near the Forum: Enoteca Cavour

Enoteca Cavour offers an extensive wine and drinks menu, great food, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Whatever your drink of choice, from Earl Grey to a Pilsner Urquell, you can find it, although wine is the main attraction. Glasses start at €3 and bottles at €13.

Happily, we can also recommend the food at Enoteca Cavour. House specialities include the tasty cheese and salami platter, fine salads, and exquisite desserts.

The décor is modern and stylish, yet comfortable. It’s this mix that attracts locals and a smattering of “in the know” tourists.

Via Cavour 313. Tel: 06 678 5496

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Finally, a decent bar on the rue de Rivoli!

The Benjamin is a typical French café with a downright decent happy hour. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every night, all cocktails are 50% off. The two-person cocktails are the best deal. They normally cost an outrageous €22 (hey, this is the first arrondissement!) When split with a friend at half-price, however, you’ll end up with a giant drink for just over €5. Deals like this one are few and far between in this neighborhood.

The upshot: the next time you’re stranded near the Louvre in need of an early evening cocktail, you’ll know where to go!

The Benjamin is located at 53 rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement. The closest metro station is Châtelet.

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