But the unwritten code of conduct isn’t something that comes instinctively to the more than 4 million people who hop on board every day. In fact, each year 1.5 billion riders use the Paris Metro — that’s almost on par with New York City!

Even if you’ve ridden the subway in Chicago or New York, it’s still worth brushing up on how Parisians commute and get around the city.

Related: Will a Navigo pass save you money on the Paris Metro?

10 Paris Metro tips for riding like a local

Ready to buy a ticket and jump on the Metro? Here are 10 tips to help you fit in like a local while you’re sitting (or standing) on the subway.

1. Buy tickets in bulk

I only use the Metro occasionally, opting for a bike, and thus use the money-saving Navigo Easy pass with t+, contactless bundles of 10 tickets sold at a reduced rate (€17.35, a nearly 20% savings on buying tickets individually). You can purchase the Navigo Easy pass at all stations or RATP-approved stores, then add more tickets either in person or on your smartphone.

Local tip: If you do have a monthly or weekly Navigo pass that you simply touch to the turnstile, be sure to keep it in the bottom of your bag and try to swipe your bag across the turnstile, ensuring that the people behind you will have to wait while you swipe four or five times before the magnetic reader catches your card. That’s the sign of a true local.

2. Know when to sit and when to stand

In general, if you’re sitting in one of the fold-up chairs and staring into a sea of crotches, it might be time to get up and make some room. During peak hours, those folding seats should be off-limits. Feel free to throw the stink eye at anyone who thinks otherwise.

Also, offering your seat to an older person or a child is always appreciated, but don’t get carried away with it. Sometimes, guys, offering your seat to a 30-year-old, fit-as-a-fiddle woman could seem insulting or just kind of awkward.

3. Show generosity to performers… in the station

Generosity is a virtue, but illegality is not. It is interdit (not allowed) to perform in Metro cars, and performers usually have a permit to perform uniquely in the stations themselves.

When a performer comes on board belting out an Edith Piaf song or pumping their accordion, giving them money is supporting an illegal activity, and that’s just not cool (even if they are phenomenal). Save your coins for the respectful players in the stations that sometimes produce some amazing music.

4. Take the stares

Make eye contact — often. This is the Paris Metro, where staring is a national sport. Be warned, however, that looking at someone a few too many times will be interpreted as a come-on of sorts, as it may be intended, so be sure to look for your description on a Craigslist “missed connections” later that evening.

5. Keep it down

Do us all a favor and keep the loud discussions down. Engaging in a loud conversation or telephone call is a surefire way to stand out from the crowd. During morning and evening commutes, you’ll be the only one with your phone glued to your ear or chit chatting away at full volume with your friend. Read a book, listen to some music, or play Angry Birds, but save the drawn-out conversations for the café.

6. Be pushy

While you may have to push your way onto the Metro at any hour during the day, it’s especially common during the morning and evening commute. When the doors open, the wall of people can seem daunting, but giving an angry “pardon!” and a little elbowing will help you get aboard.
Touching isn’t balked at, so don’t be afraid to use your hand and physically reposition someone if they won’t move. Locals know the drill. And once in the train, squashed in the crush of people, you’ll often notice quite a bit of vacant space that has gone neglected. Locals love standing near the door, apparently. Laws of diffusion rarely apply.

7. Eat, drink and be exiled

Parisians eat at tables, at food trucks, or begrudgingly in the streets. Those who eat in the Metro are shunned and eventually sent to Belgium, so don’t do it. Plus, with the bouquet of aromas wafting through the tunnels, it’s not really the most appetizing of eating environments.

Know where you’re going before you get off!

8. Transfer strategically

Changing train lines once is acceptable, but annoying. Switching trains twice is sometimes necessary and really annoying. Switching three times is excessive and never required.
Know where you’re switching and where you’re going before you get off, to avoid that moment of lost panic that will signal to the pickpockets that you are, in fact, not a local. And avoid switching at the labyrinthine Chatelet-Les Halles for the love of all that is good.

9. All lines are not created equal

Locals have favorite Metro lines, but mostly they just hate certain lines. The 13 and the 4, both north-south lines, are among the most hated. Some revile the seemingly useless line 11, though it’s my personal favorite, catering to my needs. And taking the 1 is always like a trip to the UN, since it’s the most tourist-laden of them all. The 14 is a favorite because of its speed, and the 8 is often preferred to the more-crowded 9, since they generally go to the same areas.
So learn the lines using this Metro map, and be prepared to exhale frustrated and roll your eyes when someone says, “We have to take line 4!”

10. Love it

While the Paris Metro is far from perfect, it beats counterparts in New York and London by a landslide — at least this is what locals think. So when anyone disses the Metro because they have to wait six minutes for a train or because it smells like three-day-old urine, be proud and stick up for it, because love it or hate it, it’s the fastest and cheapest way to get you where you need to go in this town.

Your Paris Metro tips

Have a tip to add about the Paris Metro? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

More information

For more on the Paris Metro, visit the website of the RATP, the government agency that runs the Metro. The website offers information in English for tourists. RATP also has a handy app that provides everything you need to get around. Additionally, you can now use contactless payment methods like credit cards or smartphone apps to pay for single journeys directly at the turnstiles. Finally, if you’re currently planning a trip to Paris, be sure to swing by our guide to Paris for more articles on ways to save, plus reviews of recommended budget accommodations.

The post Paris: 10 tips for riding the Metro like a local appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Changing timetables

To keep abreast of changing schedules, the best comprehensive source of information is the monthly European Rail Timetable (ERT). It’s good for more than just trains for, within the tightly packed pages of the ERT, you’ll also find lots of ferry timetables as well as key bus links across Europe.

Traveling through the Tatra Mountains just a few weeks ago, we checked out the bus service that connects Zakopane (on the Polish side of the High Tatras) with Poprad (in Slovakia). It’s shown in Table 1183 of the ERT. This cross-border bus service taking just under two hours has long been such a valuable link, plugging a major gap in Europe’s rail network.

Crossing the Polish-Slovakian border

So, flicking through the pages of the May ERT, we are concerned to see that the direct bus from Zakopane to the Slovakian Tatra resorts and Poprad has just been axed. The service was run by Polish bus operator Strama, which has dropped the direct international bus service amid a dispute with the bus licensing authorities in Slovakia over the company’s right to transport local passengers on journeys wholly within Slovakia.

We very much hope that this important bus route will be reinstated sooner rather than later, but meanwhile the journey can still be undertaken using local buses on either side of the border, connecting between the two on the frontier between Poland and Slovakia.

Houses in Zdiar (Slovakia) in traditional Goral style. Photo: © hidden europe

By bus through the High Tatras

Trans-Bus Bukowina run regular scheduled services during the spring and summer months from Zakopane to a remote beauty spot in the High Tatras called Morskie Oko. Along the way, these services stop at Lysa Polana on the border, but they do not actually cross into Slovakia. From Lysa Polana there are local buses on to Poprad. You just need to walk over the border bridge, a hike of about ten meters, to connect between the two bus routes.

This is a journey that need not be rushed. It covers some glorious mountain country. Our top tip for a stopover is the Slovakian village of Zdiar. It is a long and straggly village, strung out along the flank of the Biela Valley. It is bypassed by the main road and is easily missed. But last month we took time out for Zdiar and it is an absolute gem. With the land rising up north of the village to the slopes of Mount Magurka, and superb views south to the Tatra summits, the location of Zdiar is hard to beat.

Goral style

The village styles itself as a hub of Goral culture. The Gorals are the local mountain people, pastoralists by inclination, who populate parts of the Carpathian region. Several guest houses and small hotels in Zdiar play the Goral card, offering food and entertainment that is evidently typically Goral in character. It’s a neat piece of cultural theater. Ultimately, though, Zdiar is above all just a good place to be—a place to stop off for a day or two, breathe the clear mountain air and relax.

The post Poland to Slovakia: Crossing the Tatra Mountains appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Tips for solo travelers and couples

If you plan more than three rides on public transit in the AB zone per day, you’ll start saving money on your fourth trip with a day ticket purchase. Three rides or under, and you’ll want to purchase the 4-single trips ticket for 9€, which saves you 1.80€ over the price of buying four separate single trips.

If you plan a trip out to Potsdam and back, the ABC day ticket will save you money on your third trip of the day.

If you are staying anywhere between four and seven days, the 7-day AB ticket is your best option. Even if you are flying in and out of Schönefeld and planning a day trip to Potsdam, it is cheaper to buy four zone extension tickets for your 7-day AB ticket than a 7-day ABC ticket.

A 48h CityTourCard is 3.50€ more expensive than two AB day tickets and 4.20€ more than two ABC day tickets; the same WelcomeCard is 5.50€ more expensive for AB, 6.30€ more for ABC!

Best tickets for small groups and families

If you and two to four of your friends or family members are attached at the hip while visiting Berlin, the small group day ticket provides an even cheaper alternative to individual day tickets. Savings begin after adding the third person; a group of five will save 17.70€ over the price of five AB day tickets!

Three friends will save 17.90€ purchasing two small group tickets vs. three 48h CityTourCards, or 23.90€ vs. three WelcomeCards; bump that up to five, and the savings go to 52.90€ and 62.90€, respectively!

Will the CityTourCard or WelcomeCard ever be worth the extra charge?

In order to understand whether these cards may save you money in the end, you need to know which sites you’re planning to visit, then subtract the 15-50% rebate at any partners (while also remembering to calculate in the deficit from the higher price of these cards) for each entry price before you’ll know the answer. I believe that most such “discount cards” offered by tourist information services  are sometimes meant to squeeze more money out of you rather than truly save you money, and for this reason, they are purposefully obtuse.

The only clear exception to this supposition would be for visitors planning to visit at least two museums on Berlin’s Museum Island. The WelcomeCard Museumsinsel costs 42€ euros for 72h AB, 44€ for ABC.

Your a la carte alternative is to purchase three-day tickets (21€/22.80€) and three-day entry to the museums with a Museumspass (valid in nearly 60 museums for three days) for 24€, or a one-day Bereichskarte for Museumsinsel for 18€.

Depending upon your interest and the length of your stay, this may be one instance where a WelcomeCard saves you money; however, if you plan to visit any other museums in the same period of time, you are likely better off spending just 10€ more (i.e., the equivalent of one museum entry) for a Museumspass, considering all the other institutions you will also be able to visit at no extra charge. Alternatively, you can buy a year-long basic membership to the SMB museums (including all of Museum Island) for just 1 additional euro; museum lovers should check out this EuroCheapo post for more information.

The post Berlin public transit tickets: Getting the most for your money appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Winter biking is not for tourists

Amsterdammers are glued to their bikes. Come rain or snow, the Dutch will push pedals through the worst of weather. It’s impressive, it’s admirable…BUT it’s not for first timers! Not all of the snowy bike paths in Amsterdam are shoveled, and at night they can turn into ice sheets with just a few inches of wiggle room for bikes. In winter conditions, walking might be the better way to get around for new visitors to the city.

Seriously, be careful on a bike

Just like a car in harsh winter conditions, bike brakes freeze, bells break, locks bust, and chains snap. Unless you’re geared up like the locals and prepared for winter biking, the slightest turn can send you sailing down to the ground faster than your head can register the fall. By day you’ll deal with dirty slush up to your knees, while night time can bring a thick layer of ice suitable only for skaters. Gravity always wins, so instead of dropping like a wet snowball, you probably want to opt for walking.

Slow and steady on canal bridges

Much of the downtown walkways are shoveled, but sidewalks can be at their slickest on the canal bridges. These bridges might be classic Amsterdam icons, but when winter comes, they present a challenge. You might even see a police officer stationed at a corner, ready to assist when someone takes a tumble. Make sure to take your time and walk heavy-footed over bridges. Still not sure? Stay close to the rails, and slowly scoot your feet across black ice patches. Those on two wheels should walk their bike (although you really shouldn’t be on one!).

Be ready for delays on national trains…

Dutch rail services are notoriously known to freeze up when snow hits train tracks. Delays are a given, and they can range from ten minutes to ten hours. And although everyone agrees how frustrating this can be in the modern world, at least it’s also totally acceptable to complain about it to any fellow stranded strangers. If you’re lucky, the station you’re stuck at will be giving away free coffee and tea at the kiosks to make up for it. Time to make some new friends.

…And on city trams

City trams aren’t much better with keeping to a schedule. In fact, forget any timetable posted at a tram stop when there’s snow. Do as the transportation does—show up when you can. And get ready for a tight squeeze when the tram arrives…you’ll be joining the moms with strollers and city seniors who are trying to avoid walking on ice.

The post Amsterdam: 5 tips to navigate the city when temperatures drop appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Yes, Devon has a wonderful trawl of place names. Over the last year or two we’ve roamed from King’s Nympton to Eggbuckland, from Nymet Rowland to Weare Giffard.

Car-free Devon

If you really want to make the most of any stay in Devon, leave the car at home. The slow train on the Tarka Line to Barnstaple and the market day bus to Chagford tell more of the county than the nose-to-tail traffic on the Exeter bypass — which captured the public imagination in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s as a highway that each summer boasted fabulous traffic snarl-ups.

The bypass has been tamed, and these days the cars no longer splutter in a stop-and-go procession of exhaust fumes. But many of Devon’s roads are still crowded and, in a county that boasts a wonderful range of public transport options, it just makes sense to take the train… or the bus… or even a boat.

The 319 Hartland to Barnstaple bus. Photo © hidden europe

Devon by rail

For rail travel, the Devon Day Ranger ticket affords unlimited travel by train around Devon for a day. It costs just £10. On some routes there are restrictions on its use on weekdays prior to 9 a.m., but elsewhere you can set off at the crack of dawn — even on the first train of the day from Exeter to Barnstaple. Early birds who take the 5.50 a.m. train on the Tarka Line stand a better chance of seeing the famously elusive otters that frequent the banks of the River Taw.

The Devon Day Ranger rail ticket is superb value. Roam from Axminster (on the Dorset border) to Gunnislake in Cornwall — one of two stations in Cornwall to which the ticket may be used. The other is Calstock.

For travelers who fancy a summer evening roaming Devon by train, there is a half-price version of the Devon Ranger ticket generally valid from 6 p.m. It’s predictably called the “Devon Evening Ranger” ticket.

Devon by bus

Devon is blessed with an excellent network of local bus routes. The Cartogold website has a bang-up-to-date network map, where you can use a simple menu (in the left sidebar) to reveal route details and call up the latest timetable for any bus service in the county (and for services from Devon into the three neighboring counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall).

Two of our favorite year-round Devon bus routes are:

1. The 93 from Plymouth via Kingsbridge to Dartmouth, a 2hr 15min journey that takes in some of south Devon’s finest scenery.

2. The 319 from Barnstaple via Clovelly to Hartland, a 80-minute roller coaster of a ride that runs out to the bleak and beautiful coast of northwest Devon.

Bus maps and timetables

Check timetables carefully, as some routes run only in the summer season or on certain days of the week. Among the seasonal routes that are really worth making time for are the 82 Transmoor Link service from Exeter to the granite wilds of Dartmoor and Service 300 which plies the coastal route from Ilfracombe to Lynton and beyond — taking in some fine Exmoor landscapes along the way.

If you are planning to spend a few days exploring Devon by bus, it is worth getting hold of the excellent printed timetables prepared by Devon County Council’s public transport team. The timetables and the accompanying map are free.

Boats, too

Devon’s wonderfully indented south coast, where great inlets cut well into the heart of the county, is tailor-made for exploring by boat. The little ferry that shuttles across the mouth of the Exe (from Starcross to Exmouth — connecting conveniently with rail services at both ends) is a delightful ride.

But make time too for the network of routes from Dittisham, Totnes and Dartmouth operated by Greenway Ferry. Last month we used the company’s service from Totnes to Dartmouth. It’s a relaxing 95-minute trip down the River Dart (and half an hour longer if you opt to travel upstream from Dartmouth to Totnes), and the one-way fare of just £3.75 will appeal to budget-minded travelers. The same company also operates services from Torquay to Brixham.

Slow Devon

Many of Devon’s coastal communities have been shaped by their maritime links — and that’s especially true of both Dartmouth and Brixham. The best way to arrive in either town is by boat. Devon is, in short, perfect for devotees of slow travel. Public transport links of the kind mentioned here give an insight into local communities. Take time for Devon. And take Hilary Bradt’s excellent Slow Devon book with you on your travels.

Travel writers Susanne Kries and Nicky Gardner have penned warm words about Devon twice this month here on EuroCheapo. See their comments on Devon’s serenity (13 November) and their article on Exeter cathedral (20 November).

The post Explore Devon by bus, boat and train to get closer (and save) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But taking the occasional taxi to get from point A to point B is the sort of small luxury that can make a world of difference when you are tired, traveling with children or older people or in a group to make the ride more affordable.

Here are a few guidelines to help you navigate the rules and quirks of Parisian taxis so that a minor indulgence doesn’t turn into a calamity for your wallet.

Before You Get In

First of all, make sure that you are taking one of the city’s 17,357 official taxis, easily identifiable by the “Taxi Parisien” panel perched on the roof. These cabs are manned by card-carrying licensed drivers who are required to pass medical exams and have their taxis regularly inspected to make sure they are both clean and in top working order, as well as regulated meters that protect you from being ripped off.

It probably goes without saying, but never get into a random black car with a solicitous driver asking “Taxi?” A free Parisian taxi will stop if you flag it, but never hound you to get in.

Never on Sunday

Note that Paris taxis have a three-tiered rate system: A, B and C. The bottom line: Taxis are the most expensive on Sundays (and holidays), slightly less expensive from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. and the least expensive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other day of the week.

Don’t Blow Your Taxi Allowance on Short Distances

Unlike some cities where the minimum ride is negligible and you can feel justified taking a taxi to get somewhere faster, the minimum ride in Paris is a whopping €6.60. So don’t waste money taking taxis on shorter routes that you can access via public transportation or on foot.

Safety in Numbers

If you are traveling with a group, keep in mind that most sedan taxis will usually take up to three people. There are more mini-van taxis and larger vehicles on the road these days that can accommodate a group, and some drivers will allow you to squeeze in a fourth passenger, but keep in mind that they are allowed to add €3 to the fare if they do.

A Tip About Tipping

In France, tipping your taxi driver is not expected, so don’t feel obligated to offer a large gratuity and only round up to the nearest euro on a small fare.

Also, see my related post: How Not to Blow Your Budget on Taxi Rides to and from the Paris Airport.

The post Money-saving tips for taking Paris taxis appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If nothing else, at €1.80 a ticket, riding the public buses is definitely the cheapest way to see Paris on wheels. And you can relax and watch Parisians doing their thing – itself a form of entertainment.

Here are seven lucky bus numbers to look out for if you want some no-frills sightseeing to tie together your itineraries.

(Note: Click on the maps below to see them in greater detail.)

Bus 89

Bus 89: Dancing through the Latin Quarter

The 89 weaves through the Latin Quarter, giving you a great look at the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Panthéon, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Mosque, where you can stop (at Buffon – La Mosquée) for a €2 glass of some seriously delicious mint tea.

Bus 86

Bus 86: Bastille to St. Sulpice

The 86 lets you go from shabby to chic in no time while spanning both sides of the river. Hop on it over in the old furniture-making neighborhood near one of our favorite markets in the 12th, the Marché d’Aligre, and take it past the Bastille and towards the elegant Left Bank and end up at St. Sulpice. Look for the rear view of Notre Dame as you cross the Seine.

Bus 69

Bus 69: The Grand Tour(ist)

The 69 is especially popular with Americans, as the US travel writer Rick Steves promotes it in his ubiquitous blue-and-yellow books. Steves picked well, as the 69 hits almost all of the big tourist spots. Take it from Père Lachaise and look for the Bastille and the Louvre before crossings the river to St-Germain. You’ll get a glimpse of the Invalides, a view of the Eiffel Tower at the Champ de Mars, then back to Right Bank where you can get off by Notre Dame for a quick visit.

Bus 80

Bus 80: From Sacre Coeur to the Eiffel Tower

The 80 is a great ride after visiting the Sacre Coeur. Head south for a quick taste of the Grands Boulevards and the chic side of Paris near the Champs Elysées. You’ll pass by the Montmartre Cemetery and through the dicey yet lively Place de Clichy. Then you’ll cross the most beautiful avenue in the world (the Champs) before scooting down one of the ritziest shopping streets in Paris, the Avenue Montaigne. Get off at Ecole Militaire for a great eye full of the Eiffel Tower.

Bus 72

Bus 72: Right Bank straight shot

The 72 will take you all along the river, from the Eiffel Tower to Hotel de Ville, with a straight shot along the Right Bank. It also does a lap around the Louvre and the Tuileries before heading back to the riverside. It’s scenic, it’s simple, and it’s great for those who get carsick from lots of turning and weaving through traffic (guilty!).

Bus 38

Bus 38: Straight down the middle

As the 38 is on a north-south axe, this line beats the Metro line 4 (one of my least favorites) while traveling between Gare du Nord and the Latin Quarter.  Sights along the way include both the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est train stations, the majestic Porte St-Martin, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, and the Sorbonne.  It hits a part of town through which you might not otherwise stroll, but it’s definitely worth checking out if it fits your travel plans while crossing the city.

Bus 22

Bus 22: Arc de Triomphe and Opera

The 22 will offer you some great sightseeing: views of the Tower, a trip through the shopping district of the Grands Boulevards, and a whirl around the Opera Garnier. But the best part is a trip through the roundabout surrounding the Arc de Triomphe (remember the Griswalds?). Only the craziest drivers in Paris dare the mass chaos that ensues in the circle of traffic, but you’ll be carefree in your bus, letting your driver do all of the work.

More Paris bus information

You can look up specific lines on the RATP website. Note that some lines extend out into zone 2, which means more expensive tickets. But we don’t think you’ll be going that far for any general sightseeing, unless it’s so peaceful that you fall asleep…

Also see our article on riding the bus in Paris, which includes information about hours, tickets and night buses. Also, if you’re planning a trip to Paris, be sure to check out our guide to the city’s best budget hotels. Our editors have inspected and photographed the best hotel deals in the center of the city.

Looking to flea market shop? See our post on the 95 connecting two flea markets.

Your favorite buses?

Have a favorite bus line in Paris? Agree or disagree with one of the lines above? Tell us about it in the comments section!

The post Paris: 7 public buses that are great for cheapo sightseeing appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Public transportation strikes are extremely common in Rome (there was one just a fortnight ago). They usually get called with a couple of days notice and have the potential to disrupt even the most carefully laid travel plans.

But you can avoid the headaches of “scioperi” (strikes) by keeping an eye out for upcoming strikes and making alternative arrangements to ensure you’re not left stranded and out of pocket.

How to find out about upcoming strikes

There are many websites that announce upcoming strikes in Italy, but not too many that do it in English. The website of your local embassy in Rome is a pretty good place to start. Other options:

• The British Embassy in Rome almost always announces upcoming strikes.

• A couple of other city-specific websites usually have info on upcoming industrial action, including AngloInfo and Wanted in Rome.

If you speak a little Italian, there are several more sources, including:

• The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

• The Strikes Commission Website (yes, it really exists)

• For train strikes, see the Ferrovie dello Stato website.

Signs of a strike

If you’re in Rome, keep an eye out for any signs around Metro, bus and tram stops that might signal any upcoming strikes. The information is usually in Italian, and may not be very obvious to the passer by (the signs might only be a couple of A4 pieces of paper taped somewhere). The magic word is “Sciopero” – if you see this written anywhere (accompanied by dates and times) it might be a sign that strike has been called.

Another tip: Ask the receptionist in your hotel. They’ll definitely be able to tell you if any upcoming industrial action. They might also be able to help you arrange alternative transport on the day the strike is planned.

What to do when there is a strike

What you do in the event of a strike really depends on the length of strike, which services will be affected and what are your plans.

Unless the strike is a “general transport strike,” not all services will be out of action. Because of the different types of transport in Rome (and in Italy) it can actually be tricky working out what services will be out of action (e.g. sometimes buses are involved, but not Metro trains. Or Regional trains are frozen, but not the Metro). Private city tour buses will almost never be part of industrial action by city transport workers.

Hours: Strikes can occur on weekdays or weekends. They often go for 24 hours – from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, then again from 8 pm until the following morning. There is sometimes a break mid-strike to let commuters return home after work.

If you are planning to visit tourist attractions on the day of the strike, then you should travel by public transport before 8:30 am. Although limited bus services sometimes run during strikes, extensive cancellations should always be expected and you should expect to be “stranded” at least between the hours of 8:30 and 5:00 pm.

Wear your walking shoes, take plenty of water, and start your day somewhere within walking distance of Rome’s best attractions (I recommend Colosseum – Metro B).

Getting to the airport during a strike

Rome’s Leonardo Express service between Termini station and Fiumicino Airport often runs as normal, even in the case of general strikes. If you have to catch a plane, and had planned to take the Leonardo Express from Termini to Fiumicino Airport, you might need to catch a taxi from your hotel to get to Termini Station.

If the Leonardo Express is not running, then a private shuttle bus is probably the cheapest alternative. Your hotel or hostel will probably be able to recommend one – but beware – you could still spend €70 or more per person. (One option is: http://www.rome-airport-shuttle.it.)

Remember – your airline (or connecting bus or train company) will probably not care (or refund your ticket) if you miss your connection because of a public transport strike. Inform yourself the second you learn about an upcoming transport strike and begin considering your options.

If you’re in a jam, call your airline or connecting bus or train company and ask their advice as to what to do. They usually have English speaking staff that will be able to help you consider your options and minimize any major disruptions to your travel plans.

The post Rome Transportation Strikes: A survival guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Even during the off season Amsterdam is a busy place. Lines for museums are common, stuffy buses are all too familiar, and traveling in and out of the city can take some time.

Here are 10 ways to keep you from playing the waiting game and make the most out of your trip to Amsterdam:

1. Pay in cash

Forget paying with a credit card in grocery stores, they only accept cash or Dutch debit cards. And many authentic Amsterdam cafes (and coffeeshops) only take cash. Save time by always having cash on hand, and use your credit cards for the shops and ATM machines.

2. Buy day tickets on public transportation

Yes, you can buy your ticket on the trams and buses, but save time (and annoying people behind you) and buy a day ticket if you’re taking public transport. This way you can simply “punch” your ticket when going on and off the tram or bus like everyone else. (Look for the round pads on the side of the doors that say “OV”.)

Visit the Anne Frank House Museum in the evening to avoid the line (above). Photo: Mattmangum

3. Go to Anne Frank House, late

During high tourist season the Anne Frank House Museum is open until 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Saturdays); and during the off season until 7 p.m. (9 p.m. on Saturday). In fact, during July and August the museum doesn’t close until 10 p.m. daily. So save time and avoid that long line by coming later, about an hour before close.

4. Make dinner reservations

Since Amsterdam’s old city center is well preserved, it also means cafes and restaurants have a small capacity for patrons. Save time searching for an open table by simply reserving a place at a café. Call ahead (or stop by) during the afternoon and you should be fine.

5. Bike around

Waiting around for trams and buses gets old fast – Amsterdam public transport isn’t as frequent as other European capitals, especially on weekends. Save time (and money) by renting a bike during your stay. It’s fun, healthy, and once you learn the rules of the bike paths, it’s a breeze!

6. Party outside the center

On weekends the city center is packed with people, mostly foreigners and Dutch people coming to the Dam for a big weekend. Save time and stay away from the bars and clubs at the big party squares – you’ll spend ages waiting for a drink or club entry. Instead, hit the surrounding hoods like De Pijp, Jordaan, Oost or Westerpark. These areas are more fun, authentic and comfortably filled with locals.

7. Book train tickets in advance and use kiosks

It might sound obvious, but I wholeheartedly encourage travelers to book train tickets in advance online. Whether you have a print-out on hand or you have to use a kiosk computer at the station – both methods are so much faster than waiting in line to buy tickets at the station. (Of course, checking in for flights in advance and using self-service check in at the airport will also save you loads of time.)

8. Get Dutch-y

Although everyone in Amsterdam speaks English and things are rather international, don’t spend time searching for your favorite chain coffee store or smoothie shop. Suppress your cravings for tacos and hot dogs – you won’t find the real deal here, and you’ll waste valuable time. Instead, get Dutch. Head for the fries stands, falafel shops and fresh orange juice. Want to taste something exotic? Try Indonesian or Surinamese cuisine – the Mexican and Chinese food of The Netherlands. (Here’s a list of our favorite late-night snacks.)

9. Don’t bother getting to the airport too early

Be early for your flight, but don’t overdo it: It takes about 20 minutes to get from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Schipol Airport. If you’re flying on a low-cost carrier to another EU destination, gate assignments don’t even appear on the departure screens until 40 minutes before takeoff. If you just have a carry on, don’t overdo your prep time for short flights. Two hours is just too long for an EasyJet flight; 60 to 90 minutes is fine.

10. Don’t wait empty handed

Face it: There will be times when you’ll just have to wait around. When you find yourself stuck in a long line, waiting for transport, or twiddling thumbs on the train, pass the time with something good. Whether it’s a book or a light-weight tablet for videos, having an extra something to keep entertained while waiting is still the best way to remedy the waiting itch.

Also in our guide: We can also save you time hunting down the best budget hotels in the city. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed affordable hotels, all centrally located in Amsterdam, clean and affordable. Read more in our Amsterdam hotel guide.

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