If you want to splurge, you can find four-star rooms for just over $100. But for loyal Cheapos, spending around $50-70 can find you a really nice stay that would usually cost double the price in Western European cities.

But not all budget hotels in Krakow are created equal. We searched the city to find hotels with excellent user reviews that won’t break the bank.

Read more: A budget travel guide to Krakow

Top budget hotels in Krakow

You’ll enjoy planning your trip to Krakow even more once you lock down a good hotel room at a good price. There are more than 2,500 hotels across Krakow. To make your search a little easier, here are five excellent budget hotels that we like in Krakow.

Hotel Jan

ul. Grodzka 11, Old Town
Rates from $72

Nestled in the heart of Old Town, this three-star hotel is housed in a 600-year old building. The super clean rooms come with refrigerators, tea kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Even better, a tasty breakfast is included in the rate and served in a charming, brick-lined space. Read more about Hotel Jan.

We love the cheery and bright rooms at Hotel Legend.

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town

ul. Sw. Gertrudy 12, Old Town
Rates from $51

Perfectly situated within strolling distance of Wawel Cathedral and Kazimierz (the old Jewish quarter), Leonardo Boutique Hotel is a fine choice for Cheapos (don’t let the ’boutique’ scare you here!) that like a little style as well as a low price. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, and the staff wins highs marks for their friendliness. Read more about Leonardo Boutique Hotel.

Enjoy the modern side of Krakow at Lwowska Hotel.

Lwowska 1

Ul. Lwowska 1
Rates from $60

Located just outside of the city center near the Schindler Factory Museum, this contemporary hotel definitely wins points for the stylish design of the rooms. The studio and suites are much bigger than the average hotel room, so it’s a good place to book if you’re visiting for a longer stay. The tram stops right outside the door and is only four stops to the Main Market Square. Read more about Hotel Lwowska 1.

Hotel Eden has crisp and clean rooms.

Hotel Eden

ul. Ciemna 15, Old Town
Rates from: $69

Stay in a beautifully renovated 15th-century building at this 3-star hotel. Located in a fantastic Old Town location in the heart of the Jewish quarter, Hotel Eden is steps from tons of attractions. All 27 rooms come packed with perks like a refrigerator, private bathroom, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi. Start each morning with a free breakfast. Read more about Hotel Eden.

The charming breakfast room at Nobilton Hotel.

Nobilton Hotel

ul. Pilsudskiego 25, Old Town
Rates from: $48

This 3-star hotel blends a top location with rooms that are comfy and modern with amenities like flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. You can walk out the door to enjoy the best things to do in Krakow. If you want to explore farther afield, the hotel offers a free shuttle service. The breakfast buffet gets high marks from guests. Read more about Nobilton Hotel.

Looking for even more places to stay? Browse more than 4,000 hotels, vacation apartment rentals and other accommodations across Krakow.

The post 5 Best budget hotels in Krakow appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Many cities to the east, like Krakow, are chock-full of quaint old city squares, impressive castles and churches, and sites steeped in history that you can visit and explore at a fraction of the price you’d pay for their counterparts in the west.

Without a doubt, Krakow, Poland is among Eastern Europe’s most glittering jewels and a must-see place to add to your bucket travel list.

Related: More ways to save on your trip to Poland

Krakow Budget Travel Guide

To help you get the most of Krakow, as well as tips for saving along the way, we’ve gathered a list of what you need to know for your trip.

Getting there

With John Paul II International airport on the outskirts of the city and Kraków Glówny, the main train station, located directly in the Old Town, Krakow is easy to reach from anywhere. To get from the Krakow airport to the city center, hop on a train. They run about every 30 minutes and cost  9 zloty (about $2.50).

By Air

If you choose to fly from outside of Europe, LOT Polish Airlines and Norwegian usually have the best prices. You can also fly to Krakow from most major European cities. If you want a super cheap fare within Europe, book your ticket in advance from discount European airlines like easyJet or Ryanair. Check for flights on Cheapo Search.

Related: Tips for flying the cheapo skies on Norwegian Air

By train or bus

Since many flights include a stopover, you might want to opt for a more scenic train ride on Polrail (the Polish train service), which is often a little less expensive. However, the cheapest option by far is to hop on the bus. You’ll find the lowest prices on bus fare with Polskibus.com, a Polish express coach operator, as well as Flixbus.

Related:Tips for riding Europe’s budget bus company, Flixbus

Getting around town

By foot

Luckily, the best way to get around Krakow is not only free, it’s also good for you. Most of Krakow’s attractions are within easy walking distance and wandering around Krakow is a great way to get to know the city.

By bike

Another sporty and very cheap way to get around the city (as well as more off the beaten path sites) is to rent a bike from Wavelo, the bike share system in Krakow.

Here’s how it works: You pay by credit card at the docking station (instructions are available in English). The first 20 minutes are free, then up to an hour costs 2 zloty (around 50 cents, $1 = 3.65 zloty), up to two hours costs 3 zloty, and each additional hour after costs 4 zloty. Bikes can be rented for a maximum of 12 hours and the minimum balance for the card is 10 zloty (a little less than $3).

Krakow’s tram and bus system

If your feet and legs need a break, Krakow does offer a good bus and tram system. The system runs between 5 am and 11 pm, with a night service offered at less regular intervals. Here’s a map of the Krakow transit system.

How to buy tickets: You can buy a ticket either at a machine — available at major stops with instructions in English — or directly from the driver on the bus or tram. The cheapest ticket is valid for 20 minutes and costs 2.80 zloty. This should do if you’re just planning on taking in the Old Town sights.  If you would like to venture out further, we recommend you opt for the 40-minute ticket, which is still a steal at 3.80 zloty (about $1).

Tickets can also be purchased for one hour, 24, 48 or 72 hours or as an unlimited weekend family pass (11 zloty). Senior citizens over 70 and kids under 4 ride for free.

Krakow Tourist Card

If you’re planning to soak up a lot of culture on your stay, you may also want to consider picking up the Krakow Tourist Card, which gets you free unlimited travel on all trams and buses, among other discounts. See more details about the card in the attractions section (below).

Don’t get fined! Whether you purchase your ticket from a machine or directly on the tram/bus, make sure to stamp your ticket immediately once you’ve boarded. Krakow’s trams and buses are regularly checked by inspectors who seem to live for giving hefty fines to clueless tourists who don’t follow this rule!

Stay right in Old Town Krakow with a room at Hotel Jan.

Cheap hotels in Krakow

Cheapos will love the choice of hotels in Krakow. Three-star stays in Old Town that would cost more than $200 in some European cities can be had for less than $100 per night, and it’s very easy to find a good room for under $50. You’ll enjoy planning your trip to Krakow even more once you lock down a good hotel room at a good price, so we searched the city to find excellent cheap hotels in Old Town or just minutes from the city center.

Read our guide to the best budget hotels in Krakow.

Are you ready to go to Poland? Search more than 2,500 hotels across Krakow.

Affordable things to do in Krakow

Krakow is a lovely place for a stroll, and you’ll have no shortage of free things to do. Here are a few of our favorite attractions.

Rynek Glówny – Main Square

Dating back to the 13th century, Krakow’s main square (in Polish, Rynek Glówny) is one of Europe’s largest medieval market plazas. Brimming with beautifully restored old buildings, Rynek Glówny has a lively street life and is the site of many local events and festivities.

Some highlights here include St. Mary’s Basilica, a gothic church with a famously carved wood altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the Historical Museum of Krakow, and the National Museum and the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, Poland’s beloved romantic poet.

To bring home some souvenirs to folks back home or treat yourself to an amber necklace or two, be sure to check out the stalls in Cloth Hall.

Kazimierz – Old Jewish Quarter

Another area to check out is Kazimierz, Krakow’s old Jewish quarter. These days, the area is popular with a young, hip crowd and is known for its vibrant nightlife and café culture. When you’re there, make sure and take a stroll along the banks of the Vistula River, which offers great views of Wawel Castle and is home to boat bars in the summer and icy splendor in the winter.

Be sure to browse the antique and arts and craft vendors at Plac Nowy market, located in a red brick pavilion at the heart of Kazimierz. To learn more about the life and tragic history of Poland’s Jews, make your way to the Galacia Jewish Museum. For a glimpse into Jewish life in Krakow today, stop by Remuh Synagogue, Kazimierz’s only active synagogue, whose history traces back to the 1550s.

Wawel Hill

Wawel Hill is also an absolute must-see for any first-time visitor to Krakow. This area includes Wawel Royal Castle, home to three dynasties of Polish kings since the early sixteenth century, Wawel Cathedral, and Wawel’s dragon’s den, a cave which, according to legend, was once home to a ferocious dragon.

The den is now guarded by a bronze seven-headed dragon statue — and one of the heads even breathes fire, so watch out!

Jagiellonian University

A major university town, Krakow also has to Poland’s oldest and most prestigious university, Jagiellonian University, which has educated many famous students over the centuries, including Nicolas Copernicus, whose instruments are on display in Collegium Maius.

A restaurant in Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter of Krakow. Photo: Michela S.

More things to do in Krakow

A few other highlights include the museum Rynek Underground and Kosciuszko Mound (although you can easily skip the fee and just view it from outside the gates).

Architecture buffs should check out Nowa Huta, the Soviet-era suburban housing development which was designed to be the model proletarian city.

For a historical glimpse into the factory made famous by the movie Schindler’s List, take the tram to the museum at Schlinder’s Factory.

Day trips from Krakow

Popular day trips include the Wieliczka Salt Mine, complete with its underground chapels and Virgin Mary and Pope statues carved from salt. Although the Wieliczka Salt mine is worth visiting, the tours are on the pricey side, so skip it if you’re on a budget.

Another day trip that’s worth taking is a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.  If you want to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, bypass the expensive package tours. The site can be easily reached by bus or train. Please note that while entering the grounds is free, you need to make a reservation to see the memorial ahead of time.

How to save on attractions in Krakow

Several museums offer free admission one day a week. These include:

• The Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK) (free on Tuesdays)
• Schindler’s Factory (free on Mondays)
• Rynek Underground Museum (free on Tuesdays, except first Tuesday of the month)

You can also get a free tour of the various parts of the city — no reservations required. Check out the schedule at freewalkingtour.com.

Related: Five free and fun things to do in Krakow

Saving with the Krakow Tourist Card

If you plan to visit a lot of museums and sights, you might want to consider picking up the Krakow Tourist Card. This card offers free admission to over 40 museums and attractions, various discounts, transportation to and from the airport, unlimited public transportation, and transportation to and from the Wieliczka Salt mine.

The price of the card is $32 for 3 days or $26 for 2 days. If you want to just save on the museums and sights, but don’t need the extras, then pick up the 3-day Museum & Attractions Pass ($18).

Looking for tasty cheap eats in Krakow? Check out a sausage vendor! Photo: Space Trucker

Eating and drinking on a budget

Unless you head to the fancy restaurants or eateries in the touristy part of town, it’s easy to eat really well on a budget in Krakow. Use these tips to save and savor authentic Polish cuisine.

Street food

The cheapest of the cheap eats you’ll find in Krakow is the Polish street food and Krakowian specialties. Chow down on an Obwarzanek, a Krakow-style bagel, which can be had from street vendors all over the city for less than 50 cents.

Two other street food standards include Kielbasa, Polish sausage, and Zapiekanka, Polish “pizza” which is made from half a baguette smothered in melted cheese and mushrooms, as well as optional extra toppings, and is topped with ketchup. Both cost around $2.

Milk bars

For a taste of Polish culinary classics, check out one of Krakow’s milk bars. These Soviet-era canteens offer cheap, simple meals to locals and tourists alike. Sample both boiled or fried pierogi (Polish ravioli) or goulash topped with Polish-style schnitzel at Milkbar Tomasza (ul. Swietego, Tomasza 24 33-33).

Or dive into a bowl of Bigos, a stew that you can try at the very popular Bar Gornik (ul. Czysta 1). In each case, your meal should set you back about $2 to 3.

Dining out for vegetarians

Although traditional Polish cuisine is about meat, meat and more meat, with a potato and some cabbage thrown in for good measure, Krakow does have good and inexpensive options for vegetarians or those craving some fresh greens.

One we recommend is Chimera. Located in a 14th-century wine and beer cellar, Chimera boasts a 98-foot long bar with thirty different types of salad as well as warm vegetarian and meat dishes for the carnivores. Prices range from 6 to 19 zloty ($1.70 to a little over $5).

Food markets

If you’d rather do some cooking yourself, or just pick up some fresh produce, check out one of Krakow’s many food markets. One of the best farmer’s markets is Stary Kleparz, a covered arcade located just outside the city center. Here is a list of other food markets around town.

Pubs and beer gardens

As far as booze goes, cheap vodka pubs have been all the rage in Krakow for a while now. One of the most popular places in Bania Luka (pl. Szczepanski 6). At Bania Luka, beer and vodka shots cost about a buck each, and the bar also has an array of Polish bar food.

Another popular place is Klub Re (ul. Sw. Krzyza 4), a laid-back beer garden popular with locals. If you’re there in the summer, be sure to check out the large garden in the back.

Drinking local beer

Since Krakow is literally crawling with students, you can find many cheap pubs where you can toss back a cold one for very little dough. For the best beer bargains, stick with Polish brands like Zywiec, Tyskie and Lech, which cost a dollar (or less!) for a pint.

Cheapo tip: Like anywhere, Krakow has plenty of tourist traps that charge high prices to unsuspecting visitors. Before ordering, be sure you’re given a menu with the prices listed for both food and drinks to make sure you’re not being taken for a ride!

Your tips for Krakow

Have you been to Krakow? Share your advice and stories in the comments below!

The post Poland: A Budget travel guide to Krakow appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Transit time from Berlin to Kraków (or vice versa) is 8 hrs 14 mins. This is faster than any rail connection between the two cities — and since the last remaining direct train was axed last December, the bus has the advantage of not requiring an en route change.

Bus versus train

Whether one wants to spend eight hours on a bus, even one with all mod cons like the IC Bus, is a good question. We’ve never been inclined to rush, so we would most likely still opt for the train, even if it does involve a change and take an hour or more longer.

The fact that the bus beats the train is less a comment on the niftiness of the bus than a reflection of how woefully slow the cross-border trains are. In the 1930s, the fastest trains sped from Berlin to Wroclaw in less than three hours. Now they take almost twice that time.

Train tickets for the bus

The new bus link is fully integrated into the DB ticketing system. So the great-value “Europa-Spezial Polen” fare can be used to book a through journey from anywhere on the DB system to Kraków, allowing travel to Berlin by ICE train to connect there with the bus to Poland.

Tickets go on sale three months in advance, with one-way fares from principal German cities (including Frankfurt, Cologne and Hamburg) to Kraków starting at €39.

If all you are looking to do is ride the bus from Berlin (with no connecting train to Berlin), then look to pay €29 one way — provided of course you book in advance. If you hold a DB BahnCard 25, then you’ll get 25% off all fares on cross-border journeys on the new IC Bus.

First IC Bus within Germany

Also in April, DB launched a domestic bus service between Munich and Freiburg im Breisgau. This is a key link between Bavaria and the Upper Rhine Valley and connects two cities where the rail journey would be circuitous. It can certainly be handled by train, but you’ll always have to change on the way, usually at Mannheim or Karlsruhe.

The new IC Bus is no faster than the train, but it wins out on convenience. It is direct. And it can be very much cheaper. One-way fares start at €19 (with a discount for BahnCard holders). There are six journeys a day. The transit time is 4 hrs 35 mins.

More routes to come

The DB website suggests more routes will be launched in the future. IC Bus looks like a brand that’s set to grow.

DB already has two other bus routes linking Nuremberg and Munich with Prague in the Czech Republic. These were launched to compensate for the relatively poor cross-border rail connections between Bavaria and neighboring Bohemia. It will be interesting to see whether these two routes are in time assimilated into the new IC Bus brand.

The post Deutsche Bahn’s new bus service connects Berlin with Krakow from €29 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Other place names, such as Auschwitz, have become commemorated in Europe’s topography of terror. Yet others have slipped quietly into everyday language. Brits chat coolly of Dunkirk-spirit and across Europe we talk of the color magenta — not realizing perhaps that it derives from the small town of Magenta in Lombardy.

Places that make a mark

Nothing of great interest ever happened in Saint-Tropez, and yet this modestly sized beach community in Provence became a lodestone for an immodestly-clad generation.

At the other end of the cultural spectrum, Zakopane is a mere dot on the map of southern Poland. Yet this small town has been extraordinarily influential in shaping Polish and wider European thinking across a range of fields.

A classic wooden villa in Zakopane. Photo: Margoz

From poets to philosophers

Zakopane captured Europe’s attention in the late-19th century. It became the mountain resort of choice for poets, philosophers and politicians from across the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tucked away on the north side of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane was remote from the K&K hubs in Vienna and Budapest. It developed into a spot where the liberal intelligentsia could take stock and relax.

It was here that 140 years ago the Tatra Society was founded — an organization that dramatically influenced Europe-wide thinking on conservation and environmental politics. And it was in Zakopane that in 1899 Stefan Zeromski wrote Ludzie bezdomni (The Homeless), a novel underpinned by a strong moral agenda that became a rallying point for social change. No surprise perhaps that Lenin was a Zakopane regular. He lived for a spell just down the valley in Bialy Dunajec.

Zakopane came to embody the ideals of a newly emerging Polish nation and it was a place where folk dared to think the unthinkable. For a few brief weeks in late 1918, Zakopane was even an independent republic (with writer Stefan Zeromski as its president).

Mountain heritage

Ninety-five years after that heady spell of independence, Zakopane is one of the brightest stars in Polish tourism. It may not have the World Heritage status of nearby Kraków or historic Zamosc, but it remains the premier mountain resort in Poland.

Travelers flock to Zakopane for skiing, summer hiking in the mountains and for history. An extraordinary feast of wooden architecture reminds visitors that the traditional Zakopane style still thrives. And those less inclined to outdoor pursuits can explore the intellectual, artistic and architectural history of the Tatra region in Zakopane’s fine range of museums.

Getting to Zakopane

Zakopane makes a perfect diversion from Kraków. We have experimented with both the train and bus connections from Kraków. The bus is much the faster and more frequent option, but the train is by far the better choice for travelers inclined to wander. It meanders through the Beskid Hills, along the way passing through the World Heritage site at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska — an extraordinary early 17th-century religious theme park. As you move south, look out for superb views of the approaching Tatra Mountains. And if, like us, you travel to Zakopane in deep mid-winter, expect to be greeted by mountains of snow.

The bus journey from Kraków to Zakopane typically takes about 2hrs 30mins, while the train takes at least an hour longer. One-way fares on both train and bus are about €5.

For onward travel beyond Zakopane, there is a useful year-round bus service to Poprad in Slovakia. This service is operated by STRAMA and even in winter still runs twice daily, but more frequently in summer. The one-way fare is less than €6.

But don’t rush on too quickly. As generations of Poles have found, Zakopane has that knack of getting under your skin. A dose of Zakopane spirit (which may or may not include vodka), and perhaps you’ll want to stay for ever.

The post Zakopane: A visit to Poland’s premier mountain resort appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Prussia meets Poland

If you are looking for another Kraków, think again. Szczecin offers something very different. No great Italianate piazzas. The Prussian imprint is evident in the Szczecin streetscape with some bold 19th-century buildings akin to those you might expect to find in Berlin. Throw in some superb examples of brick Gothic – of the kind you’ll run across throughout the Baltic region – and Szczecin makes for an appealing mix.

Key sights

One of our favorite Szczecin corners is the museum on the history of the city housed in the old town hall. It traces the story of the city’s early development and recounts how German Stettin morphed into Polish Szczecin. You’ll find green parkland aplenty, especially north of the city center. For riverside strolls head for the esplanade above the River Odra, where you will find the impressive nautical academy and a clutch of decent cafés.

Top choice: the Hotel Focus

The top overnight spot is undoubtedly the Hotel Focus (just a stone’s throw from the nautical college) where contemporary chic comes at budget-friendly prices. Double or twin rooms from about 200 Polish zloty (€50 or US$68). The Focus offers modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, free sauna, and a superb breakfast spread. Watch your eggs cooked to order just the way you like them. The Focus also has a first-class restaurant, where tasty regional dishes are served with great panache. Starters for just 12 zloty (€3), while mains are typically 24 zloty (€6).

Hotel manager Dominika Dulat appreciates that many travelers work to tight budgets, so it’s a nice touch that a free pack lunch is there for the taking as guests leave the breakfast buffet. “Don’t forget to take your lunch,” reads the big sign.  The Focus also offers an all-inclusive overnight rate where the cost of dinner is bundled in with the overall accommodation charge.

Cafés and bars

Szczecin is not just a place to see, but a place to be. Expect modest prices and a great range of city center bars and restaurants. There is a good quartet of cafés on Jan Pawel II Boulevard (recently renamed in honor of the late Polish Pope). Other restaurants we rate are the Bombay, which dishes up some of the tastiest Indian food in Poland, and the Chata, where you’ll find pierogi aplenty in a folksy vaulted cellar.

Getting there

Szczecin’s quaysides no longer buzz with passenger ships the way they did of old. Direct ferries from Denmark and Sweden nowadays dock at Swinoujscie, from where there is a good rail link to Szczecin, complemented by a seasonal hydrofoil service called the Bosman Express.

There are excellent train connections with half a dozen direct trains each day to Lübeck, Warsaw and Kraków. Szczecin has a very comfortable once-daily direct Czech train to Prague, and great connections with Berlin, which is just two hours away. The one-way fare from Berlin to Szczecin is just €10 – one of those wonderful cross-border deals that you cannot buy online. Just buy the ticket from the machines on the platform in Berlinbefore hopping on the train. German regional rail tickets (so-called Länder Tickets) can be used across the border to Szczecin, so there are real opportunities for budget rail travel to this corner of Poland.

The post Szczecin: Prussian flavors in a Polish port city appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

UNESCO honors

The two cities share a common history, both having been part of the Austro-Hungarian province of Galicia. And both have that same Italianate flair in their central squares and some of the surrounding courtyards. The center of Kraków was the very first place in Poland to be inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. That was back in 1978. Lviv had to wait another 20 years to receive the same accolade.

What to see

The main square of Lviv

Lviv boasts a galaxy of fine churches and civic buildings. Must-sees include the Armenian Cathedral and the over-the-top baroque St. George’s Cathedral. The latter has served as the mother church of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which dominates religious affairs in western Ukraine. Its followers, often called Uniates, use Orthodox liturgies but are in union with Rome. It’s a detail that underlines the west European orientation of this part of Ukraine.

Above all, Lviv is a fine place just to wander. The Italian Yard, a sublime piece of Renaissance architecture with its balconies, is a spot to linger over coffee. Or head to Vysoky Zamok (Castle Hill) for sunset, when the view of the city takes on a dreamy quality. For a more macabre take on life (or death), don’t miss Lychakivsky Cemetery, a magnificent wooded parkland east of the city full of crumbling memorials to poets, philosophers and soldiers.

Where to stay

Lviv is happily very cheap. Get a place in a six-bed dorm at the Central Hostel, in a plum spot on the main square, for just 120 Ukrainian hryvnia. That’s about €12. Off-season is much cheaper. Or trade up to the George Hotel where the cheapest rooms are just €35 (including breakfast). The best of the hotels is definitely the Zamek Lewa (Lion’s Castle) in a leafy compound a 20-minute walk south of the center, which has doubles for €70 (including breakfast).

Beyond Lviv

The city is blessed with a great hinterland that is well worth exploring. Lviv Ecotour organizes day trips and longer tours for English-speaking visitors. Apart from nearby spots like the handsome town of Zhovka, the Carpathian wilderness beckons.

Ukraine is open for business. Holders of passports from CIS or EU States need no visa. Nor do US, Swiss, Canadian or Japanese citizens. You can fly directly into Lviv airport from Vienna, Venice, Warsaw, Munich and Dortmund. Or take the daily overnight train from Kraków.

The post Ukraine’s Sleeping Lion: The City of Lviv 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.

Polskie Smaki
ul. Sw. Tomasza 5
Open daily from 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Polskie Smaki (“Polish Tastes” in English) serves up standard Polish fare near Krakow’s Main Square. In addition to Polish ravioli, stuffed pancakes and meat dishes, the restaurant offers a variety of breakfast plates.

If you opt for a morning meal, expect to spend no more than 15 PLN (about $6) per person. If you stop by for lunch or dinner, order a few sides to sample—the bill will still be well under $20.

Cyklop Pizzeria
ul. Mikolajska 16
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

If you need a break from pierogi and kielbasa, head to the very central Cyklop Pizzeria for a Polish take on Italian cooking. The menu ranges from oven-baked pizza (around $6 for a large pie) to pasta and salads. A selection of typical Italian desserts (including gelato and tiramisu, all for around $4) rounds out the deal.

Café Mlynek
Plac Wolnica 7
Open daily from 8 a.m. till last guests

This vegetarian restaurant in Kazimierz boasts an expansive menu of meat-free entrees, from breaded and roasted cheese and stuffed pancakes to spinach pasta and hummus with bread. Café Mlynek also has a large beverage menu, with both hot drinks and alcohol on offer. The place stands out for its artsy, earthy vibe: There’s often an art exhibit on the walls and the restaurant hosts concerts. Expect to pay around $6 for a main dish.

Bonus Tip: The kielbasa van

Every major city has its own street food darling, and in Krakow’s case it’s the kielbasa van. Located at ul. Grzegorzecka (a bit south of the city center), the van offers sausage for 7 PLN (about $3) from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Understandably, given the late hours, this operation caters to a bar-hopping local crowd.

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Introducing zapiekanka!

Such is the case in Poland, where zapiekanka is an everyday, street food favorite. The tasty treats are made by slicing a baguette in half, adding vegetables and meats, topping with cheese, and then toasting to melt the cheese. Lastly, ketchup (and sometimes mayonnaise) is liberally applied.

The name “zapiekanka” is derived from the Polish word for “to bake,” and the food is sometimes considered the Polish equivalent of pizza. These cheapies are found both in restaurants and fast food booths, where the ingredients range from simple to more gourmet offerings.

Endzior, a zapiekanka stall in Krakow’s Plac Nowy, is a standby for lovers of this Polish treat, both locals and tourists alike. Expect to spend around 3-7 PLN (.70-1.60 €).

Tell us!

Have you had a zapiekanka experience? Do you have another favorite Polish snack food? Tell us about it in the comments section!

Also see: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Krakow.

The post Krakow Cheap Eats: Zapiekanka! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Collectables for comrades

Multiple open-air markets around the formerly-communist Krakow are a feast for bargain-hunters. Medals, pins, and statuettes featuring the many faces of Lenin can be found at affordable prices.

The Old Kleparz Market is nearest to the city center. On Tuesday and Friday, you’ll find interesting old trinkets for sale. (On other days, the market sells food, flowers and clothes.)

The vendor scene on Grzegorzecka Street near the Market Hall is the busiest in Krakow, and you’ll find books and unearthed antique treasures every Sunday. (On other days, you’ll find meat, fruits and vegetables for sale.)

More vendors sell their wares at the Tomex Market in Nowa Huta, while Krakow’s antique dealers are mainly located around the Platy gardens.

Note: Although we recommend picking up some cheapo communist bric-a-brac, especially valuable antique items predating 1945 are illegal for export without special permission. However, items of lesser value from this period are not only safe for export, but plentiful.

While you’re at it…

Hit the Propaganda Pub, located at 20 Miodowa, for a beer. The walls are covered and the tables are chock full of communist memories.

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in Krakow, along with our review of the Good Bye Lenin Hostel.

The post Krakow cheap souvenir: Communist mementos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.