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.

The post Amsterdam: 10 easy ways to save time when visiting appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Traveling about Rome can be an adventure at times. With over 100 bus lines, tram routes and two metro lines, it’s no wonder that maneuvering Rome’s public transit system can leave a visitor utterly confused.

As many visitors are only stopping through Rome for a short while, there’s no real need to “master” the system and learn all the lines. In our hotel guide to Rome we have an article about Rome’s transit system. But this post is a quick-and-friendly guide to how to use the bus and metro system–and where to go!

Buying a bus or metro ticket in Rome

The first thing you’ll need to know is where to buy a bus or metro ticket. A ticket or biglietto can be bought at any tobacco shop (tabacchi) in Rome. Simply look for the big “T” sign. Tickets can also sometimes be purchased at newsstands and in machines at some bus stops and in all metro stations.

Some buses and street trams are also equipped with ticket machines, though this is risky: I wouldn’t wait to get on the bus to figure out whether you’ll be able to buy a ticket. Unlike in other cities, the bus drivers in Rome do not sell bus tickets. Therefore, it’s best to secure a ticket before hopping on a bus.

Penalties: If caught without a ticket, you will be fined by a bus inspector who hops on and off buses at random. If busted, you’ll pay €51 (if you pay on the spot) or €101 (if you pay later). It may seem like they never check tickets, but believe me they do. So don’t get caught without one!

Ticket prices

A single ticket costs €1 and is good for 75 minutes on buses and trams and one trip on the metro line.

If you plan to ride public transportation all day, consider buying a biglietto giornaliero (a day ticket) for €4.

A weekly pass (biglietto or tessera settimanale) costs €16 and is good for unlimited use on the buses, trams and metro lines for one week.

Note: Keep in mind when buying your tickets that a good chunk of the sights you’ll be seeing can be covered on foot as most of them are located in the centro storico (the historic city center).

Important: You must validate your tickets once you are on the bus or tram. Stick your ticket into the little yellow machine on the bus or tram. It will print the expiration time on your ticket, then spit it back out. If you fail to validate your ticket, you can be slapped with that hefty little fine mentioned above.

Major Transportation Hubs

Figuring out which bus or metro to take can be a little tricky, especially if you don’t have easy access to the Internet. Never fret. There are several major transportation hubs (or terminals) throughout Rome where there will be at least one bus or metro line that will get you to where you need to go. These hubs include:

1. Termini train station

Termini train station is the city’s main train station and largest hub. Many buses and trams leave from here. It’s also where both Metro lines (A & B) connect.

Favorite lines from here:

Bus 40 leaves from Termini and will take you into the city center and near some pretty major sights such as: Piazza Venezia, Largo Argentina (near the Pantheon), Chiesa Nuova (near Piazza Navona) and St. Peter’s Square.

Bus 90 will take you near the Italian University- La Sapienza.

Bus H will take you to Trastevere.

Metro A line, dubbed the “linea turistica” (the tourist line), passes through Termini train station and heads to important sights such as: Spagna (Piazza di Spagna and Villa Borghese), Barberini (Piazza Barberini, Palazzo Barberini and the Trevi Fountain), Ottaviano – San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums), Cipro (the Vatican Museums), San Giovanni (the street market on Via Sannio and the San Giovanni in Laterano church) and Flaminio (Piazza del Popolo).

Metro B line will take you to Colosseo (the Colosseum) and Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus).

2. Piazza Venezia

Piazza Venezia also has several buses that will get you where you need to go. These include:

Bus 87 and 571 will take you to the Colosseum and the San Giovanni area.

Bus 44 will take you near the Gianiculum hill and there are several buses that will take you along Via del Corso and Via dei Condotti (two famous shopping streets in Rome) and towards Piazza del Popolo.

ATAC – Rome’s public transportation website

Rome’s public transportation system, ATAC has a pretty decent website. Go to the upper right hand corner to change the site into English. Insert your point of departure (street name) and your point of destination (street name) and it will give you the best route to take, including which buses to take and where to get off. It also gives a friendly little map that you can print off showing you where the bus is supposed to let you off.

Happy travels roaming about Rome!

The post Rome: A practical guide to Rome’s bus and metro system appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But to get you started, let’s take a ride on the #22 – an excellent route that takes you past some of the most renowned landmarks in the Czech Republic.

And we’re off!

Tram 22 runs from Nádraží Hostivar to Bílá Hora. You’ll be headed in the direction of the latter and will catch the tram running on the same side of the street as the square, Námestí Míru, which is also the name of the stop where you’ll begin the journey. Peace square (as the name translates) is just outside the main center, but you will start off in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods – Vinohrady.

Also the site of a metro station, Námestí Míru is dominated by the twin-towered, Neo-Gothic St. Ludmila church and during the holidays hosts one of Prague’s most well adored Christmas markets.

From Námestí Míru, the next stops are I.P. Pavlova and Štepánská. As you’re headed to the following stop, Karlovo Námestí, look out on the left side (on the corner just before the rectangular green square) for the beautiful Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, built in the 1600’s.

Once past it, look straight ahead and way down the street toward the left corner and you’ll catch a glimpse of the famous Frank Gehry building, The Dancing House.

You’ll then turn the corner and head toward the stop Národní trída. The one after it, Národní Divadlo, is named after one of Prague’s most renowned landmarks: The National Theater. Located directly on your left at the stop, look up at the gold railings on its domed roof, the triga or three-horse chariot and other sculptures. Just before heading over the bridge, look on the right corner for Café Slavia, one of the city’s most famous gathering places, attracting artists and intellectuals since the late 1800’s.

Over the bridge and into the picturesque Lesser Town

As you head over the bridge, hold you’re breath- the view of Prague’s most photographed scene – Prague Castle on the hill and the Charles Bridge just below it – will take it away. You’ll also pass over one of Prague’s many islands, Strelecký ostrov.

At the next stop, “Újezd”, look directly in front of you and you’ll see a series of provocative statues on the stairs. This is the “Memorial to the victims of Communism”. The work of renowned Czech sculptor, Olbram Zoubek and architects Jan Kerel and Zdenek Holzel, the statue symbolizes how political prisoners under the regime were affected.

As you turn the corner, you’ll now be entering one of the city’s most picturesque areas, Malá Strana or Lesser Town. Petrín park will be on your left as will many of the narrow cobblestoned streets that characterize the area.

After the stop “Hellichova” you’ll cross over Tržište street (where many embassies are located). Keep your eyes open now for one of Central Europe’s most shining examples of Baroque architecture, St. Nicholas Church. It’s white stucco and has a huge green dome. It will be in front of you toward the left just before your next stop, Malostranské námestí – one of Prague’s most well-known squares.

To the castle

From here, you’re headed toward castle territory. Once through the winding streets, under a short tunnel and onto the next stop, Malostranská (a metro station), look up to your left and you’ll be able to see parts of the castle and its gardens. The two tall, dark spires dominating the skyline are that of Prague’s largest church, St. Vitus Cathedral.

But it gets even better. Headed up the hill with two sharp turns you’ll have a look at one of the city’s best views on your right side. It’s expansive and breathtaking and everything that makes Prague the wondrous city that it is.

Once up top, the backside of Letna park will be on your right and to your left, Villa Bílek – an Art Noveau building designed by architect and Art Noveau and Symbolist sculptor, František Bílek. Designed to serve as his home and studio, today it is a museum that was recently reopened after an extensive renovation.

The next stop, Královský Letohrádek, will sit you beside The Royal Summer Palace (on the left). An excellent example of Renaissance architecture, it’s situated in the Royal Garden and is open to the public when hosting art exhibitions.

Although the tram goes on, our journey will end after heading along the track with grass on both sides, toward our final destination, Pražský hrad, Prague Castle. You can, of course, opt to journey on (there’s more treasures up ahead) or you can cross the street and take to your feet through the castle grounds and down into Lesser Town.

Additional tram recommendations to consider: tram 3, tram 17 and historic tram 91 (runs from March through November).

The post Prague Tram System: The cheapest tour in town appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Despite much debate and controversy regarding the new transportation system, the tramway (or tramvia) has made a significant change (dare we say improvement?) in the lives of many Florentines. But you may be wondering how this new form of transportation will affect you on your journey to Florence. Take note:

How to use the tram

The T1 (tramway line #1) runs from the Santa Maria Novella train station all the way to the center of the southwestern suburb of Scandicci. You can pick up the tram at the outdoor stop on the southern side of the main train station, in Via Alamanni.

Tickets, which are also valid for the bus system, cost €1.20 and are valid for 90 minutes. Trams leave about every five minutes and waiting times are displayed at each tram stop. To head outside of the city, look for the trams leading toward Villa Costanza. To return to the city center, hop on a tram heading in the Stazione Alamanni direction.

Where to go

So why would you want to use the tramway? Well, if you have a bit of time in Florence and you’d like to venture away from the museums and tour groups, hop on the tramway at Santa Maria Novella and take it one stop. This leaves you right across the street from the Stazione Leopolda, an old train station that has been converted into a large event space. Interesting and innovative events are hosted here periodically, such as a biannual vintage fair featuring sellers from all over Europe, music festivals, food and wine shows, fashion merchandising events and much more! Upcoming events are listed here (in Italian).

If the weather is forbidding, continue onto the second stop which leaves you at the start of the Cascine, Florence’s largest park that runs along the Arno River. Come here for a relaxing day of tanning on the sprawling lawns, running down the tree-lined boulevards or joining a game of pick-up soccer.

Beyond the Arno River

After these two initial stops, the tram takes you over the Arno River, offering a lovely view of the bridges as well, and heads out towards Scandicci. This area is mostly residential and industrial, so unless you are interested in really venturing out and people watching, you can skip the rest of the tram journey.

One benefit of Florence’s new tramway is that areas beyond the city center are now just a short ride away from the city’s main attractions. Whether you choose to explore the Cascine area, or head out farther towards Viale Etruria or even Scandicci, you will still have easy access into Florence’s city center. The trip from Florence to Scandicci only takes about 20 minutes and it puts you that much closer to the Tuscan hills.

So give the tramway a try and keep an eye out for the second and third tram lines, one of which is planned to provide quick and easy access to Florence’s airport!

The post Florence: Take a ride on the city’s new tramway appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.