However, for those times when you might want to take in the Parisian scenery above ground or just avoid the Metro stairs and crowds, then you might want to use a ridesharing app like Uber.

We’ve taken rides with Uber around the city to help you find the best deals. We’ve listed real prices from trips in the city as well as to and from the airports — both Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) — on all types of Uber.

Read on to discover helpful tips for using Uber in Paris to save on your transportation costs.

More tips for Paris
• Our favorite budget hotels in Paris
• The best SIM Cards for your trip to France
• 10 Money-saving tips for first-time visitors to Paris

Using Uber to get around Paris

Uber is legal in France, and it is very active in Paris. However, in 2016, Uber was fined €800,000 for operating an illegal taxi service with UberPOP — a service similar to UberX — in France between 2014 and 2015. Uber has since suspended UberPOP.

Currently, here are the available and legal services that Uber is operating in Paris: UberX, UberPOOL, Berline (French version of UberBLACK), UberGREEN, UberVAN, UberACCESS, Comfort, Uber Pet, and Moto.

Price points for Uber in Paris

When traveling within Paris, Uber can be an affordable way to get around the city. Here’s a breakdown of the prices across all the Uber services within Paris for the same trip from Avenue de Clichy in the 17^th arrondissement to the Eiffel Tower in the 7^th arrondissement on a Monday afternoon (5 km or 3.5 miles):

UberPOOL: €9.37
UberX: €13-18
UberGREEN: €13-18
UberACCESS: €13-18
UberVAN: €23-33
Berline: €23-31
Comfort: €20-€30
Uber Pet: €20-€33
Moto: €50+

The cheapest option: UberPool

Editor’s Note: Uber has suspended UberPool operations in several countries, including France, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is typically the most affordable option when available.

As you can see in the prices above, UberPool offers the lowest prices. UberPool is where you share your ride with other guests. For example, if you want to go somewhere by yourself or with one other person, you can call an UberPOOL, and the driver may arrive with one passenger already in the car, or the driver can pick someone else while taking you to your destination.

UberPOOL is the cheapest option because you are technically splitting the full cost of an UberX with the other passengers. If you’re traveling alone or with one other person, UberPOOL is worth the discount. But keep in mind, if you are short on time, you are better off paying for a full UberX because you avoid the detour of picking up other passengers.

Also keep in mind that in the U.S., it costs $1 more to add a second passenger to your UberPOOL, and similarly in France, it costs an additional €1 to add your second passenger.

UberPOOL has a fixed price from both of Paris’ airports to Paris and vice versa. It doesn’t matter which arrondissement you go to or are picked up from, the price will be the same because Paris is treated as its own entity when it comes to airport travel.

The Uber app is widely used in Paris to get around the city. Photo: Pexels.com

Airport price points for UberPOOL

Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris (17^th arrondissement): €32.50 for 2 riders
Paris (17^th arrondissement) to Charles de Gaulle Airport: €31.50 for 1 rider
Paris (17^th arrondissement) to Orly: €32 for 1 rider
Orly to Paris (17^th arrondissement): €32 for 1 rider

Related: How not to blow your budget on a taxi from Paris airports

Worth it for groups and airport rides: UberX

UberX is where you have the whole four-door car to yourself. If you’re traveling with three or four people, then you would order an UberX. UberX is usually at least €4 more expensive than UberPOOL, but if you’re traveling with more than two people, it’ll be worth paying more to have all your party in the same car.

UberX is the cheapest option while using Uber for getting to the airport because most times, the driver won’t be picking up anyone else, so you get the benefit of UberX for the price of UberPOOL.

Airport price points for UberX

From Paris (11^th arrondissement) to Orly Airport: €29-40
From Orly Airport to Paris (17^th arrondissement): €40-54
From Paris (11th arrondissement) to Charles de Gaulle Airport: €37-50
From Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris (11th arrondissement): €36-49

Here’s a rundown of the other Uber option in Pari:

UberGREEN is the same price as UberX but it means that you will be riding in electric or hybrid vehicles. There’s no option to have an UberPOOL with UberGREEN — you will pay the full price of the whole car.

UberACCESS is the same price as UberX and UberGREEN. It means that you will be riding in a car that has wheelchair accessibility. There’s no option to have an UberPOOL with UberACCESS — you will pay the full price of the whole car.

UberVAN has room for up to six people in the ride. It is more expensive than UberPOOL and UberX.

Berline is Uber’s French version of UberBLACK. It offers high-end rides with professional drivers in a luxury vehicle. It is the second-most expensive Uber service in France.

Comfort: Uber Comfort has top-rated drivers as well as larger and newer vehicles.

Uber Pet: Traveling with one small pet? For a higher charge than the UberX, Green, or Access options, you can bring Fido or Fluffy in the Uber with you.

Moto: Uber has recently expanded its ride-sharing app for motorcycles and scooters. This is the most expensive option but can get you to your destination quickly.

Other ways to get around Paris

While Uber in Paris is a solid option, there are other ways to get around Paris besides this and the Metro.

Lyft

For those wondering about Lyft, it currently does not operate in Europe, so you can’t use it in Paris.

Taxis

If you don’t want to deal with ride-sharing apps, a taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport to Paris (and vice versa) is fixed at a flat rate. CDG is €53 for the right bank and €58 to the left bank, while ORY is €37 to the right bank and €32 to the left bank.

Have you used Uber in Paris? Tell us about your experience and what tips you use to save.

The post Uber in Paris: How to find the cheapest rides appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Although tipping can stretch the traveler’s budget, it’s really quite important. Most waiters don’t make a living wage, so they rely upon the tips to balance out their income. The same goes for taxi drivers, whose tips make up roughly 25 percent of their income.

Related: How to visit New York City on a budget

Tipping isn’t hard or complicated. Here’s a quick overview of how much to tip in New York:

Paying for your taxi by credit card. Add 25%, 20%, 15% or whatever you like. Photo: Wayan Vota

Taxis

Even New Yorkers find tipping taxi drivers difficult at times. It’s no secret that cabbies face long hours and dangerous working conditions. That said, some drivers can be pretty rude, refusing to drive to outer boroughs or ignoring you while chatting on their hands-free phones. Still, you’ve got to tip.

Most passengers tip around 15 percent of the fare. The credit card machines available in all yellow cabs give passengers the option to tip 15, 20 and 25 percent. Don’t panic, Cheapos. You can still tip as you see fit using the keypad.

Restaurants

This is the big one and applies to all restaurants where a waiter brings food to your table. (This does not apply in fast-food restaurants where you order at a counter and take your own food to a table.)

After paying your bill, leaving a 15-18 percent tip is standard. If service is outstanding, reward your waiter with 20 to 25 percent. You can add it to your bill if paying by credit card, or simply leave the money on the table if paying with cash.

Always look carefully at your bill: The tip should not be already included. However, we’ve heard that certain swanky establishments like the Gansevoort Hotel have started adding 18 percent gratuity for everyone.

Larger groups (more than six people) should expect to have gratuity automatically added to their bill (usually about 18 percent). Make sure you check your bill carefully and ask if it isn’t clear.

Note for foreign visitors: We’ve noticed, with some frustration, that gratuity is sometimes added to bills when it’s obvious that the diners are foreigners. It’s annoying, as it sends a message that just because the waiter or manager overheard the table speaking a foreign language, the diners will be unaccustomed to adding a tip on their own. Be aware and check your bill carefully — especially if you’re speaking another language.

Coat check

If you hand your coat, bag or purse to an attendant to be checked away while you dine or attend an event, giving a $1 tip is customary when you pick up your item.

At some bars, you’ll pay a small charge per item when you drop them off. This is a sort of preemptive tip. Feel free to drop off another tip when you pick up your item, although it won’t really be necessary.

Note that tipping is not required (and may be forbidden) when checking items at museums.

Bars

For a drink under $10, a $1 tip per drink is common. Go up from there depending on the quality of the bar. Most bartenders agree there’s a difference between pulling a beer tap at a dive bar and muddling fresh ingredients to make a top-notch drink at a lounge—and they expect customers to tip accordingly.

Tipping in bars has more to do with making sure your next drink comes faster than it is about service. But by all means, give the cute, friendly or super-efficient bartender a couple more dollars.

Salons

In the land of $7-manicures, feel like a big spender with a 30 percent tip—it’ll only set you back $2 extra.

When it comes to the other services at hair salons and day spas, the standard 15 to 20 percent rule applies.

Getting a 90-minute massage? Feel free to go over 20 percent for your tip. You’ve just spent quite a bit of time with a complete stranger!

Your tips?

Have any advice on tipping to add to our list? Tip us off in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Heading to New York and looking for great, affordable places to sleep? Check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in New York City, all visited, inspected and reviewed by our team of editors. Read more in our New York hotel guide.

The post New York: A guide to tipping for foreign tourists appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Regardless of whether this is your first or tenth time in Amsterdam, here are some “irregular” activities to avoid when you’re visiting Amsterdam:

1. Beggars

If you’re new to Europe, especially if you haven’t headed south, you may be surprised to see people on the sides of sidewalks and streets aggressively asking for money. Some are genuinely in need, while others are dressed for the part. An older woman with a large shawl covering her hair and upper body could very well be hiding a normal outfit underneath.

It sounds heartless, but you should be very careful about giving away money. Your generosity could backfire, and you could find yourself ensnared in another scam… or losing your wallet.

2. Tulip stands

Tulips are a symbol of Dutch culture, but the season itself is short. In fact, tulip bulbs can only be planted during the autumn, and chances of successfully growing from bulbs bought out of season are low to impossible.

But that doesn’t stop vendors from selling bulbs year ’round, and the flower market is open every season. Don’t buy flower bulbs on a whim, do your research first and find out which purchases are worth buying, and which will even survive. (Read more about buying tulips here.)

3. Prostitutes

The world’s oldest profession is a legal one in the Netherlands, and the women are rightfully well-experienced with negotiations. If you are going to partake in this business, know exactly what will happen before entering a “red light” room. Will there be physical activity? Where, what, and for how long will determine the price.

Pay careful attention to the details and to what is agreed upon – even the slightest interaction can cost an extra €5 or €10. This isn’t technically a “scam,” but rather a very shrewd business deal. Treat it as such before having any fun.

4. Taxis

Taxis in Amsterdam have a reputation for being over-priced and drivers are known to take long, unnecessary detours. Before hopping in, see that the base price isn’t above €8. Tell the driver where you want to go, and ask him his route. If it doesn’t sound right, go for another cab.

By April 2012, the starting price will be €2.50, the price per kilometer will be €1.83 and the price per minute will be 30 cents. (Read more about taxis and other forms of transportation in Amsterdam.)

5. Junkies

The Red Light District at night has its fair share of sketchy men selling hard drugs and stolen bikes. Despite what they claim to have, you really shouldn’t trust anything they say. To avoid getting in trouble with the law, ignore these sellers. Taking their word will bring nothing but trouble — and their goods are usually fake anyway.

Amsterdam is safe

In the end, Amsterdam is a safe place for tourists, and the buying and selling of goods is well regulated, from the coffeeshops to the boat rides. Use your instincts – if your gut feeling says something is too expensive or too good to be true, back away and find something that feels right.

Have you been scammed in Amsterdam?

Have you encountered any scams while visiting Amsterdam? Tell us about it in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Looking for hotels in Amsterdam that won’t scam you into paying too much? Our editors have pounded down the pavement in Amsterdam looking for affordable hotels, from no-star to three-star, that are central, clean and cheap. Read our recommendations in our guide to Amsterdam.

The post Amsterdam: 5 tourist scams to avoid appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here is some advice on how to skip Dublin’s tourist traps, and just as important, how to find the authentic experience within them.

Tourist Trap: Temple Bar
http://www.templebar.ie/

Temple Bar is the well-known historic neighborhood of Dublin that flanks the River Liffey on the south side. Its cobblestone alleys and street musicians can set a great atmosphere – if you know when to visit.

This neighborhood is home to a number of pubs (the Oliver St John Gogarty, the Quays Bar) that few Dubliners ever set foot in. The reasons are simple: pints here are overpriced compared to other areas of the city, and the pubs are typically full of tourists and rowdy bachelor parties.

Yet there’s another side of Temple Bar. The neighborhood is also known as Dublin’s cultural quarter, and it takes on another life during the day. Visit on a Saturday morning to nibble your way through the Temple Bar Food Market in Meeting House Square. Take in an exhibit at the Gallery of Photography next door, or if it’s a rainy day, join the locals in the IFI (Irish Film Institute) for a film or a pot of tea in the café.

Do: Visit Temple Bar during the day for its galleries, markets, and cafés.
Don’t: Fall into the trap of Temple Bar’s overpriced pubs at night.

Tourist Trap: Trinity College and the Book of Kells
http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/

One of the top attractions in Dublin is Trinity College and the ancient Book of Kells. It is so popular that there is often a long line to get in and a hefty price tag attached to try and squeeze up to the pages of the Book of Kells in a dimly lit room before being shoved out by the next guy in line.

The Book of Kells exhibits closes daily at 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Sundays) so why not show up half an our before closing time? Not only will the aforementioned line by nonexistent, but the entry fee is also sliced in half. Then instead of seeing the Book of Kells and the incredible Long Room library with a crowd – you will have it all to yourself.

Do: Visit the Long Room Library and Book of Kells right before closing.
Don’t: Skip this worthwhile attraction or wait in the long line during the day.

Tourist Trap: Taxis

When visitors to Dublin hear that the capital city doesn’t have a subway system, some think they are going to be stuck taking expensive taxis. First of all – the city is quite small and manageable to be explored on foot – and second there are many affordable methods of public transportation to help you get around.

On a sunny day, nothing beats renting a Dublin Bike (“db” for short) and cycling around the city. There is also Dublin Bus, the LUAS trams, the DART train, and even the Hop On, Hop Off double decker bus that stops at 25 of the top tourist attractions in the city.

Do: Explore different parts of the city.
Don’t: Rely on expensive taxis to get around.

Not a trap

There are some attractions that people might suspect as tourist traps – such as the Guinness Storehouse – that are actually some of the best things to do in the city. Taking a first sip of a perfect pint on top of the 365-day a year brewery at sunset, and you’ll no longer think of calling such an important piece of Dublin history a tourist trap.

Your advice

Do you have any tourist trap advice to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Also on EuroCheapo: Our editors inspect, review and photograph the best budget hotels in Dublin (some of which are in Temple Bar, but none of which are tourist traps!).

The post Dublin: Tourist traps in Dublin to avoid appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For example, approach a bar in Dublin and order a drink. The total will most likely not be an even amount, and when you are handed your change, put it all in your pocket. A bartender won’t expect a tip, and will think you’re an unknowing tourist if you leave your change on the bar.

Here’s a quick guide to tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, when to leave a lot, and when to keep all your change. We’ll help you save enough on tips to order at least one more pint of Guinness…

When to Leave a Little Tip

The Pub: No trip to Dublin would be complete without spending some time in the pub. The most coveted seats are the ones in the snug–the small room usually near the entrance that is almost like your own little living room, separate from the rest of the bar.

If you’re lucky enough to have snagged the snug, you will most likely have table service. A waiter or waitress will take your order, clear empty glasses, and bring you fresh pints. While a tip at the bar for the bartender isn’t necessary, it is customary to tip when drinks are brought to you. Most locals leave coins or the change for a couple drinks, but if you have been served several rounds, you will want to leave between 5% and 10% of your total bill.

Taxi: Another instance of leaving a little is tipping in a taxi. While there are many buses, trams, and even a bike share system in Dublin, you might at one time or another choose to jump in a taxi. If so, simply round up to the next euro or two for a sufficient tip. (Read more in our article about Dublin transportation.)

When to Leave a Big Tip

Restaurants: The one instance where tipping is very customary is for your server in a restaurant. A good tip is 10% of your total bill. If a server was very good and you’re feeling very generous, you can round that up to 12%. The one time when it is appropriate to tip a bartender is if you’re sitting at the bar in a pub and eat a meal along with drinking a pint of Guinness.

Cheapos wanting to avoid tipping on meals should check out a variety of cafes and restaurants where you order at the counter, but still get to eat at a table. When you order at the counter and pay at the cashier, no tip is necessary.

Beauty salon: If you want to indulge in the luxury of a haircut or manicure during your visit to Dublin, keep in mind that customary tips for these services is between 10% and 15%.

When To Leave No Tip At All

At the bar: As mentioned above, when you order a drink in a pub (or even a round of drinks) no tip is necessary for the bartender. Unlike American bars where bartenders depend on tips for their income, a bar man in Dublin is paid a wage. This also means you might wait a little longer than expected for your drinks (remember a proper pint of Guinness takes a full three minutes to pour).

While you’re at it, use the change you receive from the bartender for bus fare. Dublin Bus only accepts an exact fare–and won’t give you change if you don’t have the correct coins and need to over-pay.

Also in our Dublin Guide: Preparing for a trip to Dublin? Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed Dublin’s best cheap hotels, all centrally located, clean and budget-friendly.

The post Tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, a lot, and nothing at all appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Check out these tips to save energy, time and money when arriving in Florence:

Lean toward Pisa (the airport, that is)

Florence has 1.5 airports. The official airport is Firenze Peretola, which is where most people arrive. However, there is also Pisa, Florence’s bratty little cousin. Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport has a longer runway and a higher volume of flights. (Pisa now sticks his tongue out.) Pisa also serves low-cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair.

Getting into Florence from Pisa airport is easy. I recommend that you hop on the Terravision bus, which drops you right in downtown Florence at the Santa Maria Novella Train Station. The trip takes about an hour and a round-trip ticket will cost you €16. Be sure to book online, as the bus tends to fill up in the summer months.

A train also makes the journey, which takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. For more information see the “getting into Florence” article in our city guide.

Arriving at Florence’s airport

Florence’s airport is microscopic. And it’s old. But it doesn’t have to be unpleasant. I suggest going to the bathroom before you arrive (i.e., while you’re still on the plane) since there is only one stall per gender in the arrivals hall. Do take advantage of the free luggage carts and get ready to jockey for a position near the conveyor belt. Consider this a prelude to the challenges you’ll face lugging your heavy suitcase.

Florence is a city of cobblestone streets, razor-thin sidewalks and never-ending stairs. Elevators are as rare as unicorns and can be extremely small. So why not pack super light? A small suitcase will be easy on your watch and your sweat glands—remember that Florence is as hot as an oven during the summer months.

For your return flight, be sure to check the airport website to avoid commuting there for nothing: Because of the airport’s short runway and quick-changing weather, flights out of Florence are often delayed or diverted to Pisa.

Renting a car in Florence

So you’ve delightfully retrieved your lightweight suitcase, passed through customs and are possibly now ready to tackle another task: claiming your rental car. Turn left once liberated from the arrival hall and head out of the airport while staying to your left.

Here’s a tip: Have a hat and a (full) water bottle ready. The car rental desks are outdoors and you will be waiting under a scorching, merciless Tuscan sun. Plus, you could be in that waiting line for quite some time during peak summer months.

Bonus tip (because I’m such a nice guy): Keep your speed under 50 km/h when fleeing the airport. There are speed cameras set up all along the road to the city center. A speeding ticket makes a lousy souvenir.

For more information, also see our article on renting a car in Florence.

The ATAF Volainbus from the Florence airport

If you arrive at Florence’s airport, take a right from the arrival hall and exit the airport through the main entrance. Wiggle your way through the snake of idling taxis to get to the ATAF Volainbus. It is by no means a rocket, but it will get you downtown to the Santa Maria Novella train station in about 20 minutes. The bus departs every half hour. Tickets cost €4.50 can be purchased from the driver. Buy a round-trip ticket to save money.

Taxiing into town from the Florence airport

If you want to play big shot and take a taxi into downtown Florence, then expect to spend between €15-25, depending on traffic and extra charges. Know that there are extra charges for everything in an Italian taxi cab (luggage, pickup location, rotation of the moon, etc.). Should anyone successfully decode the logic of these charges, please alert the author.

Did you know?

Did you know that Florence’s airport has two official names? It also goes by Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci, named after the famed Florentine explorer. Two names for an airport, only in Italy!

The post Florence Transportation: Tips on getting in from the airport appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Fortunately, London has a number of cheap transport options to and from Heathrow, making the journey a much more pleasant—and wallet-friendly—experience.

Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect

Without a doubt, the Heathrow Express express train is the fastest—and most comfortable—way into the city. Heathrow Express departs every 15 minutes from the airport and takes just 15 minutes to reach Paddington station in the city’s West End. (The trains also leave Paddington every 15 minutes going the other way.)

To save yourself even more time, you can buy a ticket online before you leave the U.S. and have the actual ticket sent to your mobile phone—a bar code in the text message will be scanned when you board the train. Plus, another bonus starting this month: Free Wi-Fi on board! What could be better?

Well, the price, for one. A one-way ticket on the Heathrow Express costs a whopping £16.50 online (or £18 at Heathrow); a round-trip ticket will set you back £30 online (or £32 at the station).

A slightly cheaper option is the Heathrow Connect train. It takes slightly longer to reach Paddington (25 minutes), but the price is only £7.90 for a one-way ticket and £15.80 for a return if you purchase online. Watch which train you board—both the Heathrow Express and the Heathrow Connect stop at the same platform at the airport.

The Tube to Heathrow

Heathrow, mercifully, is also served by the Piccadilly line on the Underground. (Why can’t La Guardia be this well connected?) With an Oyster card, which you can buy at the Heathrow Tube station for £3 pounds, the cost of a one-way journey into central London is just £3.80.

The only major drawback is the travel time—allow yourself at least an hour to get to or from the center of the city; sometimes, the journey can even take an hour and a half. Another annoyance: Parts of the Tube are routinely shut down on weekends for maintenance, meaning you may have some difficulty reaching your final destination if it’s not on the Piccadilly line.

Car Service to Heathrow

This is the biggest secret in London when it comes to Heathrow connections. It’s actually how I suggest most of my out-of-town guests go to the airport at the end of their stay—it’s far less trouble than trying to figure out the train schedules and worrying about being late for a flight.

There are numerous car service companies in London that will take you to any destination of your choosing for a flat rate (no tipping necessary). Most companies charge around £30 per trip from central London (anywhere in Zone 1) to Heathrow, which is actually cheaper than purchasing two one-way tickets on Heathrow Express.

It’s simple to find a company if you have a cell phone that works in London. Just text the word “home” to the Transport for London’s information number (62967) and within minutes, you’ll receive a message with the numbers of several car companies near you.

If you aren’t that technologically savvy, fret not. Try calling Bloomsbury Cars, a reliable company that I’ve used before, at 020-7631-1334. They’ll pick up passengers from any location in Zone 1 and charge £30 per trip to Heathrow. The journey usually takes less than an hour.

The post London: The Cheapest Way to Heathrow—Train, Tube or Car? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.