Spaniards age 30 and under have had plenty of English language lessons at school—generally more than enough to help you order lunch or find your size at local shops.

Even so, the following key Spanish phrases will come in handy and could even save you some cash on your next trip to Spain. More often than not, a little Spanish will get a smile and better service than babbling in English from the get-go.

For maximum politeness, all verbs are conjugated using “usted”, Spanish’s more formal you.

Related: 7 Phrases to help you save in Barcelona

1. ¿Habla inglés?: Do you speak English?

It’s best to ask, and not assume that someone will understand English. Nine times out of ten, people in shops and restaurants will do what it takes to reach an understanding, even if their English is limited to the basics. In Barcelona’s famous La Boquería Market, I know a fishmonger who gets called away from her stand to help other vendors with English-speaking clientele.

2. Perdón/Perdone: Excuse me.

This is a biggie. This will save you from all kinds of dirty looks, and the occasional scene when you accidentally bump into someone or need to elbow your way out of a crowded bus or subway wagon. It works especially nicely when paired with #1, as in, “Perdone ¿Habla inglés?” Translation: “Excuse, me, but do you speak English?”

Knowing a little Spanish can go a long way with a waiter in Madrid. Photo: rafa_luque

3. Por favor and gracias: Please and thank you

Just like everywhere else in the world, add a please and thank you to your sentence, a pleasant tone of voice, and a smile, and you’ll be on your way to a much friendlier encounter.

Related: When (and when not) to tip in Barcelona

4. ¿Dónde está? + name of place or attraction: Where is it?

If your Spanish isn’t great and the place you’re looking for isn’t nearby, it’s best to use this phrase with a map out, so the person can physically point you in the right direction.

Two of my most used combinations with this one are “¿Dónde está el metro?” And “¿Dónde está el lavabo?” Respectively “where’s the subway?” and “where’s the bathroom?”

5. ¿Cuánto cuesta?: How much does it cost?

This is one you don’t have to ask as often in Spain, as prices are generally posted for everyone to see outside restaurants and inside shops and markets. Still, on the odd occasion, you’re not sure, it’s best to know before you find yourself shelling out far more euros than you expected at the register.

6. ¿Tenéis alguna oferta?: Do you have any sales or special deals?

It never hurts to ask if something’s on offer — some shop attendants are cagey and won’t volunteer this information on their own while others are busy and may forget. Either way, it’s a question that may save you money — maybe your café con leche and your friend’s croissant can be rung up as the breakfast special for €2, as opposed to separately for €3.40.

7. Entrada libre y gratuita: Free/Open Entrance

This sign on doors of galleries and museums means you can come in and have a look around at your leisure — for free. Keep an eye out for these words at several attractions around Spain including Madrid and Barcelona.

8. Tarifa reducida: Reduced price

This one is usually divided into groups — Jóvenes (young people) usually under a specific set age of 15 or 18, Mayores de 60 (over sixty), and Estudiantes (students, with a valid student ID), just be aware that in some museums only International Student IDs are accepted.

You can ask for a sample but just do it very politely. Photo: binderdonedat

9. ¿Se puede probar?: Can I try it on/out?

This is an important phrase. In specialty food stores, chances are you should sample that expensive cheese before you cart a big chunk of it home. However, it’s still not typical in Spain to leave out trays of samples. If you want to try something, you have to ask very nicely first.

The same goes for that trendy shop with locally designed threads — there’s a dressing room, we promise. It just might be tricky to find, and besides, local culture dictates asking first. It works in both circumstances by asking and pointing at what you want to try out or on.

10.  ¿Se acepta tarjetas?: Do you take credit cards?

Believe it or not, lots of establishments, even in big Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona won’t allow you to pay with your trusty Visa or MasterCard. You’re best off always having a little cash on hand, but for the times you don’t, or would prefer to use your card, it’s always better to ask. Also, forget about paying with American Express or Discover pretty much everywhere in Spain.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget Hola and Adiós.

Hello and goodbye are in a lot of traveler’s arsenal of Spanish, but aren’t always used when they should be. In Spain, common courtesy dictates greeting staff when you come in, and when you leave — courteous customers always get the best deals and friendliest service.

The post 10 Spanish phrases every traveler should know appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating that when in Paris, it’s OK to be a tourist. Book that charming hotel in the center of town, enjoy an outdoor table at a cafe, and stroll along the Champs-Élysées if you like. Over the years as a tour guide and correspondent, I’ve experienced lots of people who try, without success, to pass as a local. It’s just not necessary.

It’s normal that tourists want to fit in, but too often you end up adding too much pressure to the trip planning process and to the actual trip itself. Here are five ways I think tourists could relax about their trips to Paris:

1. Don’t freak out about wearing the right shoes.

I always tell people I can spot a tourist by their shoes—but since they are usually in a touristy spot, like by the Eiffel Tower, I don’t think I’m really all that clairvoyant.

The bottom line on footwear? If you really think anyone in Paris cares what you are wearing on your feet, and if you’d rather spend more time shoe shopping than planning the rest of your trip, that’s your problem. Parisians wear boots, sneakers, flats, heels, loafers, Chucks and everything in between. And while they aren’t always practical, flip-flops do come out in the summer from time to time.

Related: 8 Paris travel myths debunked

2. You don’t need to speak French like a pro.

You don’t know any French? Quel dommage. Enough websites (including EuroCheapo, for example) urge visitors to learn some basics—merci, bonjour, au revoir—and that’s all you’ll need to know.

It’s nice to know local lingo, but few waiters or bartender will expect you to whip out the conditional or future perfect tense while ordering a beer. Some Parisians speak English, and others who you will inevitably encounter are comfortable with tourists pointing, nodding and holding up fingers to signal numbers—if you’re polite about it. Get the bare basics down and then give it a rest. This isn’t a backwoods town where no one has ever met a foreigner.

Be prepared for lines at big attractions in Paris like the Louvre. Photo: Duncan R

3. Visit museums that match your tastes.

Paris is a treasure trove of art, and travelers want to be very discerning when choosing their museums to visit, and often think that it’s better to go to one museum over another. In the end, if you really care about art, go to the museum that matches your taste. If you’re only going to the museum because you think you need to, then go when it’s convenient and just accept that yes, there will be tourists at places like the Louvre. Everyone wants to see the Mona Lisa, and no one knows why, so either just go with it or else pass.

Related: 7 tips for surviving the Louvre

4. Relax about finding the “perfect” restaurant.

You only want to eat where the locals are eating? Sorry, I’m very selective about who can come over for dinner. Want to do what Parisians are doing if not dining at home? Have you seen the lines at McDonald’s?

Thinking that Parisians are all going to some quaint little, off-the-radar bistro every night is a good exercise for your imagination. There are plenty of great “local” places, but don’t think you’re going to unearth anything that hasn’t been dug up a thousand times already. Just try to enjoy your meal wherever you go, and don’t Instagram it—because real locals don’t need to photograph every goat cheese salad and glass of wine.

Be aware but don’t panic for your entire trip. Photo: Duncan Hull

5. Stay alert and stay safe.

Money belt, traveler’s checks, locked box in the hotel—check, check, check. You’re a tourist and you’re overly concerned about falling prey to pickpockets? While I applaud your caution, I wonder if you leave your phone laying on a table while you go to the bathroom at Starbucks. Do you often take candy from strangers? Do you leave your door unlocked at night?

For some traveling to Paris means leaving all notions of personal safety back in their home country—but Paris isn’t Disneyland. (Although there is one a few miles outside of the city.) It’s a real city with the same sorts of crimes that you find in other parts of the world, including America (without the fear of getting shot). If you’re walking around with a wad of cash in Paris, you’re asking for as much trouble as if you did that in Chicago, or London or Sydney—it’s not a good idea anywhere, so don’t do it.

Be vigilant and prepared, yes, but don’t overdo it. Keep your wits about you as I hope you do anywhere else in the world and you should be fine. Check out our article on popular “scams in Paris” so you know what to expect, but honestly, if a scruffy looking group of teenagers swarmed around you in Kansas City asking you to sign a dirty petition and give them money, would you really stop and engage them?

Other things tourists should relax about?

Do you have something else to add to our list of things tourists should relax about when visiting Paris? Do you agree or take issue with any of the points above? Share with us in our comments section below.

The post 5 things tourists should relax about when visiting Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I came to Barcelona in 2005, and my goodness there was a lot I didn’t know! An ex-pat friend and I often joke that if we had known what it would take to establish ourselves in this sunny metropolis by the sea, we never would have come. Yes, it was that hard.

Don’t let these less than encouraging words burst your bubble if you’re hot on moving to Barcelona. Come! Come now while prices on apartments are low! Come, but bear in mind these useful tips:

1. Learn at least some Catalan.

Did you know we speak Catalan here? Never heard of it? I hadn’t when I boarded my flight to Barcelona by way of Paris, but found out real quick that Catalan is not Spanish, and that you need to speak it to get a number of jobs in this city.

Catalan is spoken throughout Catalonia, in Andorra, and on the islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera. It’s a language, not a dialect, and is a very important part of the culture here.

Depending on how long you plan on staying, you’ll need to take a stand on Catalan: To learn or not to learn it. If you want to work in a public school, or in almost any “local” job, you’ll need it. If you’re working for a foreign company or teaching English, you won’t.

All Catalans are bilingual, so you can also get by with Spanish. That said, Catalans appreciate it when you speak in Catalan – go figure! I’ve been here six years and speak very little Catalan day to day, but understand a lot and have taken a couple of courses. I can order coffees and ask for the time. The Catalan government offers FREE classes to those who are interested in learning the language.

2. Rent a room before you rent a flat.

I recommend living in either one of the Eixample neighborhoods, Gracia, Barri Gotic, Poble Sec, Poble Nou, Raval, or La Ribera if you want to be where the action is in Barcelona. There are many other barris, or neighborhoods, but most of them are out of the way or ugly (La Pau, for example, is awful). Still, the best way to find out which barri is right for you is to rent a room in one of these areas and then explore from there.

3. Know your budget for renting a room or apartment.

Renting a room can range anywhere from €200 to €600 a month, depending on how big it is, the zone, cool-factor, private bathroom, etc. Renting a flat usually runs somewhere between €600 and €1200 (and up), but these prices have come down a lot recently thanks to very high unemployment in Spain.

If you find an apartment through a rental agency, expect to pay at least one month’s rent as a commission. You may also need to have a work contract, which is a perfect catch-22.

4. Know how to work in Barcelona.

It’s not easy right now to get a job in Barcelona or anywhere in Spain because of that nasty unemployment issue. The economy here is not great. However, depending on what your skills are you may be able to find gainful employment. Infojobs.net and Loquo.com are logical places to begin your search.

If you’re not European, and you don’t have a visa, you will have to work illegally. Many employers do not want to break the law, so you Americans and Canadians out there, bear this in mind! If you’re interested in getting legal in Spain, you need to see an immigration attorney. Don’t think you can do it on your own, no one is that smart or that patient.

5. Meet people.

The best way to get into the groove and find your place in Barcelona is through people who already live here and know the drill. Meetup.com has a ton of groups in Barcelona, many of them perfect for practicing your Spanish/Catalan, meeting locals, and getting a better idea of what Catalonia is all about.

6. Other Web resources

Aside from Meetup.com, here are a few sites that I have found useful over the years. Good luck!

* In English, a guide to what’s happening in the city: http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/

* Short-term rentals and info on the city: http://suitelife.com/

* Multi-language paper and web on Barcelona: http://www.bcnweek.com/

Other tips for moving to Barcelona?

Did you move to Barcelona and have other advice for those looking to make the move? Ready to establish yourself in Barcelona but have some questions? Talk to us in the comments section.

The post Moving to Barcelona: What you need to know appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Like when you want to inquire about transport options to Montenegro from Bulgaria and your handy Bulgarian phrase book only gets you so far with the impatient cashier. After all, how are you supposed to know that locally, Montenegro is known as Crna Gora?

Never fear, it’s ‘ole Wikipedia to the rescue. Consulting this handy Wikipedia directory in advance might just save you the energy you need to climb Ano Poli when you travel from Sofia to Solun (Thessaloniki). We love that the Web site lists city names in most European languages and with a version that uses the Latin alphabet. This way, we can at least approximate the local pronunciation.

Oh, and if you’re in Budapest and want to meet me in Dubrovnik, ask for a flight to Raguza pronto.

Wandering Cheapo Sunnia Ko is a wanderer at heart and primarily supports this habit as a teacher at Plovdiv University in Bulgaria. She is currently on a cross-Balkan trek from Plovdiv to Sibenik, Croatia, where she hopes to find the Adriatic as splendid and turquoise as she remembers it to be.

The post Wandering Cheapo: Localize Your Lingo appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.