Here are a few tried-and-tested tips for traveling on the cheap in Dublin. They all worked for me this very week!

1. Change money at the bank

We usually recommend taking money out of ATMs when traveling in Europe–even if some banks charge a one-time transaction fee as well as a percentage of the money taken out. (Read much more about ATMs in Europe here.) However, in Dublin I recommend changing your money at a bank.

Just this week I got a competitive exchange rate at AIB (Allied Irish Bank) with no pesky fees. You don’t need a bank account or to fill out any forms: Just get in the line marked “foreign exchange” and voila, you’ve got your euros. You can also ask for small bills—instead of those annoying 50 euro notes that ATMs give and no one wants to accept.

2. Look for hotel deals

During the Celtic Tiger boom in Dublin, a LOT of hotel rooms were built in the city. That means there are deals everywhere – particularly for Cheapos who are willing to do a little research. There are two popular deals going on in Dublin right now. One is an advance purchase rate (usually 10 – 15% off the total cost of your stay – paid in advance with no refunds), while another deal offers the incentive of an extra night for free. Examples I’ve seen include stay “Two nights and get a third free,” or “Stay three nights and get a fourth free.”

Also look for a hotel that offers a hearty breakfast, as this will set you up for a day of exploring Dublin without expensive snacking. When you do a hotel search on EuroCheapo, you’ll see examples of discounted room rates and plenty of options offering Irish breakfasts.

3. The Early Bird

Dublin was once known as an expensive city for food, but this has all changed. Cheapos with a refined palate can dine at Dublin’s best restaurants—affordably—simply by eating early. The Irish capital is full of incredible value for those who are willing to sit down before 7 p.m. Deals can be found for as little as €19 for two courses or €25 for three courses.

Especially during the week, this is also a great way to meet the locals. Many Dubliners take advantage of these specials by heading out for an early dinner after work.

4. Freebies abound

Once you arrive, be sure to check out the newspapers and even turn on the radio (Ireland has excellent radio) for up to date details on free events and entertainment. Just this week I enjoyed an outdoor afternoon summer concert and checked out a new exhibition at IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art).

The post Dublin: 4 ways to keep it cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Pick the route less traveled

Paris, Vienna and Switzerland are luxury gems worth seeing when you have the budget, but penny pinchers should lean more towards Mediterranean marvels and Eastern European beauties like Dubrovnik, Krakow and Budapest.

2. Avoid travel packages

Seven-day bus tours and vacation packages are carefree ways to roam, but extra costs for meals and side attractions add up fast. Europe can be a traveler’s playground in most cases, so be independent.

3. Couch surf

The hotel industry, even in cheap Euro destinations, knows tourists will easily pay high costs for beds. Couch surfing communities, like couchsurfing.org, provide a network of inviting hosts offering their couches to travelers for free. The wave has notably hit Europe, and the option is a big money saver for the adventurous traveler.

4. Fly

Eurail passes are still good deals for backpackers on an unplanned continental whirlwind. Yet those with a decided destination can search dozens of low-cost airline companies carting passengers for pennies. Long-distance flights, like Istanbul to Morocco and London to Rome can be as cheap as $20 to $60 one way. Visit our flight section for budget airline information, and also check out the Skyscanner Web site.

5. Pack light

Those who’ve traveled in the past five years know that checking in luggage is an annoying extra cost. Strip your pack to less than necessary and throw it on your back. Aim to carry around 10 percent of your body weight. You can buy whatever you need upon arrival.

6. Take photos

The best way to document your journey is not through trinkets and t-shirts. Small digital cameras allow sightseers to capture hundreds of frames (and memories) while saving some precious cash. Plus, photos have a lifetime warranty!

7. No. 1 souvenir: Postcards

Everyone loves postcards because they’re a novelty, collector’s item and personal greeting all in one. The old-fashioned task of sending postcards only highlights the charming surprise one feels when receiving them. Postcards keep the souvenir tab low in cost but high in sincerity.

8. Two’s company

While three’s a crowd and solo style can get pricey, traveling with a buddy sheds cost in unexpected ways. From two-for-ones to special offers for couples, it’s surprising how much you can save when “going Dutch”.

9. Walk

Trams, buses, metros and taxis are a city’s biggest rip-off. Walking has so many advantages—exercise, more photo-ops, and overall a better and more exciting view of a city and its surroundings.

10. Eat light

Munching on smaller meals and going grocery shopping for snacks can keep your energy high all day, plus it keeps you away from big bills at tourist trap bistros. Don’t forget that ordering to go costs less, and eating in a park with a bottle of wine is more romantic than a busy terrace with sub-par service.

Bonus Tip: Avoid summer travel. Europe can be just as fun and beautiful in the spring and fall. Even the winter can make way for romantic wonderlands in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Scandinavian Mountains.  Traveling during the off-season means cheaper prices—and less crowds.

The post Travel Tips: 10 ways to travel Europe for under $1000 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s our handy cheat sheet for what you can expect to pay for some basic items in Paris, as well as tips for finding a cheaper alternative.

Cup of coffee: €2.50+

While a simple espresso generally will cost around €2.50-€3 when sipped seated at a café, anything fancier (latte, café crème, etc.) is going to tack on an extra euro or more in price. Cafés in central Paris also increase their prices for other basic items because they know tourists will pay.

When grabbing a coffee at a touristed café (or any café, for that matter), stand at the bar with the locals and pay half the price. For a leisurely café experience, why not venture to a spot along the Canal St. Martin in the 11th arrondissement where prices should be more reasonable?

Ticket to the Louvre: €15 (at museum) or €17 (online

That full-price admission ticket for the Louvre’s permanent collections doesn’t even include the €6 audio guide.

For a cheaper alternative, visit the museum on Wednesday or Friday evening from 6 PM to 9:45 PM for €6 and download the free Louvre app from the Apple store before you go. Better yet, aim for the first Sunday of the month when museum admission is free (although crowds can be a problem later in the day).

Many other museums also offer reduced rates for evening admission and most participate in the free first Sundays.

Lunch at a restaurant: €15+

Even at lunchtime, a main course at a moderately-priced restaurant in a touristy neighborhood will probably run upwards of €15 — and that doesn’t account for wine or other beverages.

Instead, pick up a prepared sandwich at a boulangerie for about €5 or go for the “formule” that includes a sandwich, dessert, and drink for €5-€7. For a really cheap alternative, pick up a €1 baguette, a €3 bottle of supermarket wine (still tasty even though it’s so cheap!), and some cheese and find a spot for a picnic.

Pint of beer in a bar: €6

Even when compared to New York or London, I find alcohol to be pretty expensive in Paris at even the diviest of bars.

However, in supermarkets, it’s fairly cheap. Since drinking in public is legal in most places in Paris (and even in places where it isn’t, most cops will turn a blind eye if you’re discreet about it), you can opt for a less expensive night out by picking up a bottle of wine or a couple of beers at the nearest Franprix and finding a place to sit along the Seine.

If you do want to order a beer at a bar, try a pint of French-made 1664. But to really feel like a local, ask for “un seize” (meaning “16” – the first part of the beer’s name in French).

Add your tips

How have you kept your expenses low in Paris? Have some tips to share? Please add them in our comments section below!

The post Paris Prices: What you can expect to pay—and how to pay less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.