Related: 10 tips for packing for a two-week European trip

For Cheapos, there’s one more obvious reason to keep the amount of luggage to a minimum: checked-baggage charges. They can add up fast!

More than a decade ago, many transatlantic carriers allowed you to check two bags for free on international flights. Those were the days… After years of financial turbulence in the airline industry, most airlines implemented new complicated baggage policies, which we’ve constantly monitored in the chart below since 2011.

As you can see, many airlines still permit one free checked-in bag in economy. However, that is often not the case if you’ve booked in a “basic economy” class on certain airlines.

The chart below has been updated to reflect baggage policies and charges as of April 2024.

US to Europe Flights: Baggage fees

Here’s a quick overview of baggage policies for the major airlines flying between the United States and Europe. Prices have gone up quite a bit since we last updated this list, and they keep increasing by the day, even with oil prices now dropping.

Some airlines have also made it come complicated to calculate baggage charges, so you might have to dig deep into their websites for the information. But we discovered that in some cases fees have doubled or more in just a couple of years!

Please note that the following charges are one-way.

Note that the prices below are for standard tickets purchased on the airline. Many of these airlines offer a checked bag for free for qualifying members of their frequent flyer programs, for tickets purchased with an airline-connected credit card, or those booking in a class higher than economy. See notes below, and check with your airline or credit card for details.

Click the airline names for more details about their policies.

Winners and losers

We’ve highlighted what we think are the airlines with the best “Cheapo-friendly” baggage policies. This is assuming that most US-based travelers to Europe will be checking in at least one suitcase. Policies that we feel are a good deal are highlighted in green, while those that aren’t budget-friendly are in red.

Most big-name and legacy carriers used to permit one free checked bag for US to Europe passengers with any Economy fare. However, those days are long gone. Although most fare types will give you one bag for free, the cheapest option on almost all airlines (usually called Light or Basic Economy, etc) now charge for checked baggage. Our advice: Read the fine print and check the baggage policy twice. Things can change at a moments notice.

Aer Lingus

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Saver fare which will cost $49.99-$64.99
• Second checked bag: $100, €75 or £65
• Third checked bag: $100, €75 or £65
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23 kg-32 kg): $100, €75 or £65
• More information on Aer Lingus’ checked baggage policy.
• Carry-on: One piece, up to 22 lbs (10 kg), along with one small personal item.
• More information on Aer Lingus’ carry-on policy.

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Aeroflot

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is if you have a Light fare ticket
• Second checked bag: $100 or €94 (20% off if you pay in advance online)
• Third checked bag: $200 or €188 (20% off if you pay in advance online)
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): Up to $200 or €200 (more information on excess baggage fees)
• More information on Aeroflot’s checked baggage policy
• Carry-on: 1 piece, weighing up to 22 lbs (10 kg), plus a small personal item.
• More information on Aeroflot’s carry-on policy.

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Air Canada

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: $75 CAD up to 50 lbs (23 kg) with an Economy Basic fare
• Second checked bag: $100 CAD
• Third checked bag: $225
• Excess baggage: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100 (more information on excess baggage fees)
• More information on Air Canada’s checked baggage policy.
• Carry-on: 1 piece (no weight limit, but you must be able to store it in the overhead bins yourself), plus one smaller personal item
• More information on Air Canada’s carry-on policy.

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Air France

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg), unless you have a Light Fare tickets, then it costs $80 (online) or $100 (at the airport)
• Second checked bag: $100
• Third checked bag: $285
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): Varies based on destination
• Tip: Pay for additional bags online in advance and pay up to 20% less.
• More information on Air France’s checked baggage policy.
• Carry-on: 1 bag and one personal item. Total weight for the two items must not exceed 26.5 lbs (12 kg).
• More information on Air France’s carry-on baggage policy.

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American Airlines

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, Basic Economy class.

• First checked bag: Free in Main Cabin, Basic Economy: $75 up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Second checked bag: $100
• Third checked bag: $200
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100
• Carry-on: One piece and one personal item are allowed.
• More information on American Airlines checked and carry-on baggage policy.

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Austrian Airlines

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Economy Light fare
• Second checked bag: $90 online; $180 at the airport
• Third checked bag: $185 online; $240 at the airport
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $140 to $370
• More information on Austrian Airlines’ checked-baggage policy, or use the luggage fee calculator.
• Carry-on: One piece weighing up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), plus one personal item.
• More information on Austrian Airlines’ carry-on baggage policy.

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British Airways

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kgs); the exception is Basic fare ticket
• Second checked bags: prices range from $90 – 100 (depending on ticket type, destination and when you purchase)
• Third checked bag: $170-200
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100
• Carry-on: One piece no more than 50 lbs (23kg), plus one laptop-sized bag or handbag.
• More information on British Airway’s checked and carry-on baggage policies.

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Delta

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, Basic Economy class.

• First checked bag: Free in Main Cabin, Basic Economy $75, up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Second checked bag: $100
• Third checked bag: $200
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100 (more information on Delta’s excess weight policy)
• Carry-on: One piece, plus one small personal item.
• More information on Delta’s checked and carry-on bag policies.

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Finnair

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket which is €65/$70 when paid online
• Second checked bag: €90/$100
• Third checked bag: €180/$200
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €110/$121 online or €80/$90 at the airport (more information on Finnair’s excess weight policy)
• More information on Finnair’s checked-baggage policy.
• Carry-on: One bag, up to 17.5 lbs plus a small personal item for a combined weight of 8 kg.
• More information on Finnair’s carry-on baggage policy.

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Iberia

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Basic fare
• Second checked bag: usually about $90 at the airport ($80 online in advance), but varies by destination and ticket purchase date
• Third checked bag: $180 at the airport ($150 online in advance), but varies by destination and ticket purchase date
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €75/$100 or €12 to €15/kilo
• More information on Iberia’s checked-baggage policy.
• Carry-on: One item, plus one personal item.
• More information on Iberia’s carry-on baggage policy.

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Icelandair

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is an Economy Light ticket
• Second checked bag: $130 per extra bag (depending on destination) up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Third checked bag: $130 per extra bag (depending on destination) up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $110/€85 (more information on Icelandair’s excess weight policy)
• Carry-on: One piece, weighing up to 22 lbs (10 kg), plus one small personal item.
• More information on Icelandair’s checked and carry-on baggage policies.

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ITA Airways

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket which costs $75 to $170 or €60 to €150
• Second checked bag: $85 to $250 or €75 to €230
• Third checked bag: $200 to $280 or €180 to €250
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $75 to $125 or €60 to €100
• Note: Save more when purchasing extra baggage allowance online more than 8 days before your trip.
• More information on ITA’s checked-baggage policy.
• Carry-on bag: One piece, up to 17.6 lbs (8 kg).

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KLM

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket
• Second checked bag: €85/$100
• Third checked bag: €240/$285
• Note: Save 20-50% on additional bags when you pay for them in advance online. Details.
• More information on KLM’s checked-baggage policy.
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €85-€250 or $100-$300
• More information on KLM’s excess weight policy.
• Carry-on: One piece and one small personal item, with a combined weight up to 26 lbs (12 kg).
• More information on KLM’s carry-on baggage policy.

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LOT

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg), except for Economy Saver tickets
• Second checked bag: $55 to $380 per extra bag, depending on travel dates
• Third checked bag: $55 to $380 per extra bag, depending on travel dates
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $120-$240
• Tip: Pay online early to save up to 20%
• Carry-on: One piece up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), along with one small personal item.
• More information on LOT’s checked and carry-on baggage policies.

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Lufthansa

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Second checked bag: $90
• Third checked bag: $185 to $230 online, $230 to $285 at the airport
• More information on Lufthansa’s checked-baggage policy
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) $140-$505
• Tip: You can opt to take your ski bag as part of your free baggage allowance
• Carry-on: One piece up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), along with one small personal item.
• More information on Lufthansa’s baggage policies.

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Olympic Air

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Economy Light, Flex & Family fares
• Second checked bag: €20-€60 (pre-purchase) or €30-€70 at the airport
• Third checked bag: €20-€60 (pre-purchase) or €30-€70 at the airport
• Excess weight: 46-70 lbs (21-32 kg): €20-€65 (pre-purchase) or €30-€65 at the airport
• Carry-on: One piece up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg).
• More information on Olympic Air’s baggage policies.

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Swiss Airlines

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket
• Second checked bag: €80-€90 online or €160-€170 at the airport
• Third checked bag: €160-170 online or €210-€220 at the airport
• More information on Swiss Air’s checked-baggage policy.
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €120-€440
• Carry-on: One piece, up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), and a small personal item.
• More information on Swiss Air’s carry-on baggage policy.

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TAP Portugal

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Discount fare
• Second checked bag: $70-$225, depending on travel dates and destination
• Third checked bag: $80-$300
• Excess weight: $70-$440
• More information on TAP’s checked-baggage policy.
• Carry-on: One item, weighing up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg).
• More information on TAP’s carry-on policy.

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United Airlines

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Basic Economy which costs $60
• Second checked bag: $100
• Third checked bag: $200
• More information on United Airline’s checked-baggage policy.
• Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) $200
• Carry-on: One bag, plus one personal item.
• More information on United Airline’s carry-on baggage policy.

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Virgin Atlantic

Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.

• First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg), except for Economy Light which costs $75/£65
• Second checked bag: $100 / £65 at the airport
• Third checked bag: $200 / £140 at the airpor
• More information on Virgin Atlantic’s checked-baggage policy.
• Excess-weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) $100 to $300/£65 to £200
• Carry-on: One piece, up to 22 lbs (10 kg), along with one personal item.
• More information on Virgin Atlantic’s carry-on baggage policy.

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Want more info on airline baggage fees and policies?

To view even more information on airline baggage policies among domestic carriers, have a look at this handy baggage fee guide from airfarewatchdog.com. Or if you’re looking to research airline fees beyond the world of luggage, try this comprehensive airline fee guide from SmarterTravel.com.

Once you’re ready to research airlines routes within Europe, try our guide to cheap flights in Europe and also be sure to use WhichBudget.com’s helpful cheap flights search engine.

The post Airline baggage fees for US to Europe carriers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related: Our 10 favorite independent bookstores in New York City

WORD
126 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Web site

Situated on certifiably hip Franklin Street in Greenpoint, this cheery store is fully stocked, but somehow not overwhelming—maybe due to the helpful and passionate employees. Browse the latest literary fiction and nonfiction, plus an array of literary journals, and books by small independent presses you’ll be grateful to have discovered.

WORD also hosts a slew of fun literary events several nights per week, including readings by notable authors (past events have featured names like Kate Christensen and Maud Newton), several different book clubs covering everything from Russian literature to David Foster Wallace, and a new series hosted by blogger David Gutowski delving into the influence of music on writing.

Greenlight Bookstore
686 Fulton Street (at South Portland)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Web site

Fort Greene has no shortage of literary prowess—authors like Colson Whitehead, Jhumpa Lahiri and Richard Wright have called the neighborhood home—and since October 2009, local residents have had a cool and quirky bookstore to call their own.

The shop is located on bustling Fulton Street, and owned by Rebecca Fitting and Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, two friends with decades of publishing and bookstore experience between them. The spacious, well-lit community meeting spot hosts compelling events and readings by local poets and nationally renowned authors every week.

powerHouse Books
37 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Web site

Not all bookstores strive for quaint, and in fact, some fly directly in its face. In DUMBO, powerHouse Books occupies an airy and modern space, all white and brightly lit, with sculpture and modern art on display throughout. In addition to a thorough selection of fashion and art titles published by powerHouse Books, the store holds plenty of mainstream and independent fiction and non-fiction, plus an irresistible selection of colorful children’s books. Events like art openings, readings and performances are held in the mezzanine area.

The post Brooklyn Books: 3 independent bookstores to check out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There’s just one catch — it’s also one of the most expensive times when it comes to booking hotels. And although there are ways to save on your New York hotel, with so many sparkling attractions, millions of other travelers want to experience this special holiday joy as well. Rates soar and rooms fill up fast. 2019 might bring a little relief because the holiday falls on a Wednesday making it harder for travelers to plan a long weekend getaway.

However, there are a handful of hotels that keep prices down, even during one of the busiest times of the year. Here are three hotels that put you in the heart of the holiday action for less. All of our picks offer double rooms for under $160 on Christmas Eve.

New York is full of surprises, even holiday hotel rates sometimes!

Related:
• Cheapo Guide: Visiting New York on a budget
• 5 Super cheap and central hotels in New York City
• Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

Affordable New York Christmas hotels

The classic Hotel 31 makes an affordable home base during the holidays.

Hotel 31

120 East 31st St (between Lexington & Park Ave)
Doubles with shared bathroom on Christmas Eve from: $134

Nestled between two major Manhattan streets, this two-star hotel puts you in a lovely New York neighborhood. There’s nothing trendy about the hotel’s location or style (think “grandmotherly”), but the rooms are cozy, very clean and come with free Wi-Fi. When you want to see New York decked out for the season, you can stroll over to Madison Square Park or the Union Square Holiday Market in about 15 minutes.

On Christmas Eve, you can walk a few blocks south to Gramercy Park to see the beautiful tree and sing carols. It’s the only time of the year when the park is open to the public!

Pod 51 Hotel

230 East 51st (at Second Ave)
Doubles with a private bathroom on Christmas Eve from: $122

Sure the rooms are tiny, but so are the prices for Christmastime in NYC!  You can walk to Central Park in about 15 minutes or head south to Grand Central Terminal to see the Holiday Train Show. In the morning, you can go around the corner to Ess-a-Bagel for the perfect way to start your holiday adventure!

Get into the holiday spirit with a stroll over to Fifth Avenue for the sparkling window displays, then hit up Rockefeller Center which is only 10 minutes from Pod 51.

The Hotel @ Times Square has a comfy sitting area, perfect for reading your guidebook (or iPhone!) before heading out.

The Hotel @ Times Square

59 West 46th St (at 6th Ave)
Doubles on Christmas Eve from: $152

With a location, just a five-minute stroll to the famous tree and ice rink at Rockefeller Center in one direction and Bryant Park Winter Village the other way, this three-star hotel places you in the middle of the holiday festivities. And did we mention they have spacious rooms (at least by Manhattan standards), coffee makers, Wi-Fi and free breakfast? It will be hard to find a better (or cheaper for what you get) base for exploring New York during the holidays.

More options

Want to see more affordable hotel options in the center of Manhattan? Check out our guide to recommended budget hotels in New York.

The post Surprisingly affordable New York hotels for Christmas appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you want to visit one of the world’s top museums, grab a bite to eat, or catch a Broadway show, the city that never sleeps will also never let go of your wallet. It’s easy to blow through your budget here in a “New York minute” if you’re not careful.

More New York tips:
• The best budget hotels in New York City
• 10 easy ways to save on a trip to the Big Apple
• The best cheap eats near Times Square

How to visit New York on a budget

But don’t cancel your vacation plans or scream, “Fuhgeddaboudit!” just yet. Along with all of the high-priced pleasures also come plenty of low-cost fun. In fact, despite the city’s reputation of prices as high as the Chrysler Building, if you plan your trip right, New York can be a very affordable vacation destination.

And that’s where we come in. Although EuroCheapo is primarily focused on ways to save in Europe, we’re based in New York and have plenty to say about ways to save on your trip here. Read on to learn our secrets to keeping your Big Apple budget in check.

How expensive is it?

Quick answer: Very, if you’re not careful. Things are just bigger, bolder and pricier in New York. This is especially the case in tourist-friendly neighborhoods like Times Square and SoHo or upscale areas like Tribeca or the Upper East Side. If you don’t have a strategy to save when you’re exploring the city, then you can easily spend hundreds of dollars a day during your visit.

Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2018 for a few sample items:

• Average hotel per night: $275 (EuroCheapo recommended hotels: $150)
• Taxi ride from Times Square to Greenwich Village: $16 + tip
• Typical attractions: $25 and up
• “Nice” meal for two (with tip and drinks): $100 and up
• Beer: $6-8
• Coffee: $3-5
• Bottle of water: $2-3

The Mayfair Hotel offers affordable rooms in the heart of the city. Photo: Courtesy of Mayfair

Saving on hotels

When it comes to searching for affordable hotels in New York, things can sometimes seem impossible for budget-conscious travelers. Unless you’re searching for a Sunday night in February, you’ll probably immediately see several rates for $400 and up on most popular booking sites. And yes, that’s per night!

Then, when you drill down into the cheaper sleeps, you will most likely find some much less expensive options, but most will be far away from Manhattan in the far reaches of the outer boroughs or across the water in New Jersey.

However, there are still several affordable and central accommodation options that offer a good value, and that’s where EuroCheapo can help. Almost all of our New York City hotels clock in at $150 per night or less and many of our favorite picks come in at under $100 during low season. Even if some of the rates seem expensive for a one- or two-star hotel, remember, we only recommend hotels that have central locations, so you won’t have to spend half of your vacation on the subway.

And with so many well-located hotels to choose from, your hardest decision might be picking which NYC neighborhood is right for your visit.

Some of our favorite budget hotels in central New York include:

• The Mayfair in Times Square (Doubles from $120)

• The Jane Hotel in Greenwich Village (Singles from $88)

• The Carlton Arms Hotel in Gramercy Park (Doubles from $90)

• SoHotel in SoHo (Doubles from $129)

• Hotel 31 in Murray Hill (Doubles from $96)

• Seafarers & International House in Union Square (Doubles from $115)

• The Pod Hotel in Midtown (Doubles from $94)

Other options

Renting an apartment: Searching on apartment rental sites like Airbnb, Homeaway, and others, can turn up some great deals, and these rentals have the extra benefit of including a kitchen or small kitchenette. Just be sure to pay attention to location, as many of the most affordable rentals are not located in central Manhattan, but in farther reaches of the outlying boroughs. Also pay attention to check-in / check-out policies, as you don’t want to be locked out on a city sidewalk without access to your rental.

Youth hostels: Cheapest of all the options is staying in a dorm or private room of a youth hostel. New York offers several, although our favorite in the city is the Hosteling International New York City Hostel, located in a gorgeous turn-of-the-century brick building on the Upper West Side near Central Park. Doubles from $46.

Connecting from the AirTrain to the subway at JFK is easy. And a lot cheaper than a taxi. Photo: Matthew R.

Affordable ways to get in from the airport

New York City has an excellent (well, most of the time) public transportation network that runs 24 hours a day. All three of New York’s main airports are connected to Manhattan by rail or bus, although some of these trips are easier than others.

To/From JFK Airport you can take the AirTrain and subway ($7.75 total trip, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to/from Midtown).

To/From Newark International Airport you can take the AirTrain to NJ Transit trains, which go directly to Penn Station ($13 total trip, approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour)

To/From LaGuardia (LGA) you can take the new Q70 express bus that makes limited stops and connects to the subway ($2.75, approximately 45 minutes from Midtown).

Taxis

All of the options above are much cheaper than a taxi, which, granted can be quicker (if you don’t hit rush hour traffic), but will easily top out at over $50 with tip and tolls. Estimated taxi costs to/from Midtown Manhattan to:

LaGuardia: Metered ride $30-40 (depending on traffic) + tolls & tip

JFK: $52 flat fee + tolls & tip

Newark: Metered ride $50-75 + tolls & tip

Airport buses

A more budget-friendly solution is to take an airport shuttle bus directly to Midtown. There are several companies such as NYC Airporter, Super Shuttle, Go Airlink and Newark Airport Express that offer service from $15 to $24.

Tickets are generally not required in advance; just head outside the terminal and follow signs for “buses to Manhattan.” However, you could save a few dollars by booking tickets in advance through the websites above.

Saving on getting around town

Once you arrive, plan on taking the subway and walking a lot if you really want to see the city and save on transportation costs. Walking is a budget traveler’s best friend, and New York is no exception. Especially if you plan on spending most of your time in Manhattan, it’s not that difficult to get nearly everywhere on foot, mixing in an occasional subway trip to cover longer distances. (This is especially the case if staying in a centrally located hotel.)

Just be sure to pack a comfy pair of walking shoes — but don’t wait to break them in until you arrive! (Seriously, if you’re packing a new pair of shoes, start breaking them in a few days before arriving.)

Along with 24-hour service, the MTA subway and bus system is still very affordable.

Subway prices: One ride: $2.75; 7-day unlimited pass: $33

Should you buy an unlimited pass? That depends. If you plan to walk everywhere, it may not be worth the investment, but if you plan to take at least 12 rides over the course of the week, it pays for itself. The more you ride, the more you save!

Taxis vs subways

Public transit is almost always cheaper for a single traveler than taking a taxi, Uber, or other private cars. One ride in a taxi or Uber might cost you the same amount as a seven-day MTA pass ($32), good for unlimited rides on all subway and bus lines.

Check out which MetroCard might be right for your trip. That said, if you’re traveling in a group, add it up. Sometimes a short ride in a taxi might actually be cheaper than paying for multiple Metro fares (at $2.75 each).

Citibike bike share program

Intrepid travelers might want to hop on a bike during their New York adventure. There are a surprising amount of bike lanes in the city, and you can’t beat a cruise along the Hudson or through Central Park.

New York’s bike share program, Citibike, is a good alternative to bike rentals with docking stations all over Manhattan below 59th Street. Note that short-term members (one week and one day passes) may take unlimited 30-minute rides, while annual memberships allow unlimited 45-minute rides. The new-ish electric bikes cost a little more, but you can cover much more ground on a ride around Central Park or along the Hudson River.

Citibike prices (for unlimited 30-minute rides): Single ride: $3.50; One-day pass: $15; One year pass: $179 (more pricing info)

Attractions and sightseeing

There’s simply no way around the fact that tickets to many of the city’s most popular sights are expensive. For example, you’ll have to shell out some serious cash to ride up to the top of the Empire State Building (starting at $42), One World Observatory (starting at $43) and Top of the Rock ($36).

But there are some attractions that will never cost a dime. These include:

• Staten Island Ferry: Enjoy a free skyline view from the Staten Island Ferry, which runs between Battery Park and Staten Island 24-hours a day and is always free. It’s also a lovely (and free) way to float past the Statue of Liberty, instead of paying for a pricey harbor cruise.

• Free admission to the museums. Keep an eye out for free nights at the museums. MoMA is usually free on Friday nights but that is suspended due to COVID-19. The Guggenheim is free on Saturday evenings from 4 to 6 pm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents only.

• Brooklyn Bridge: Strolling over the historic wooden walkway of this famous bridge is a rite of passage for many tourists — and for good reason with incredible views of New York. Go in the evening when the crowds are a little smaller and the city lights start to glow.

• Times Square: The self-proclaimed “Crossroads of the World” can be a bit dizzying and dazzling. You can feel the energy of the city all around you as the gigantic signs light up the streets and all sorts of characters (and plenty of tourists) roam around. This is free entertainment at its zaniest. (Just don’t expect to pose for a photo with Elmo without paying.)

• Central Park: Perhaps New York’s most visited attraction, Central Park is free to roam, meander, picnic, jog, cycle and doze. The park is also home to free events throughout the year, including its popular Summerstage and Shakespeare in the Park performances (see under “Entertainment” below).

• Walking Tours: Do you love history? To see a side of the city you might miss on your own, we suggest taking a tour with Bowery Boys Walks. Explore the history of Broadway, Central Park, Greenwich Village, 19th-century NoHo, and the World’s Fair site in Queens. They also offer virtual tours, so you can visit NYC without leaving your couch.

Should you get a tourist pass?

If you prefer to be bused about with other tourists from one iconic sight to the next, buying a tourist sightseeing pass could be a good deal. However, if you prefer a more relaxed schedule, with time to stroll around town with a few attractions thrown in here or there, it will probably be better to pay-as-you-go.

The New York Pass is not cheap, but you can easily get your money’s worth if you plan on visiting several popular sites like Top of the Rock, MoMA or a Circle Line Cruise in one day. It gives you admission to 80 New York attractions and allows you to jump to the front of the line for some of them. However, with a price tag of $117 (1 day), $180 (3 days), $234 (5 days) $270 (7 days) for adults, you really need to stay busy in order to get your money’s worth. (For a bit more, the New York Pass also offers a hop on/hop off bus service.)

Saving on meals

Eating out in New York on a budget is getting trickier with each passing year. Even a classic New York diner can set you back a quite a bit if you’re not careful. Once you throw in drinks and the expected 15-20% tip, the bill can be quite a shock.

As a general rule, try to avoid dining in the touristy neighborhoods, especially Times Square. This part of town is filled with overpriced chain eateries, many of which you can find in Anytown, USA. Escape Midtown and head instead to more residential neighborhoods to find budget-friendly eats. Some suggestions:

• Chinatown is packed with budget eateries. Follow your nose, heading south of Canal Street on Mott and Elizabeth Streets.

• Hit up one of the city’s famous pizzerias. A “pie”, salad and carafe of wine won’t set you back that much, and you’ll get a taste of real New York. (See John’s of Bleecker, below.)

• Bagel shops make for incredibly cheap and delicious breakfasts or lunches that you won’t find anywhere else. (See Ess-a-Bagel, below.)

• And don’t overlook the street carts. While many sell mediocre pretzels and hot dogs, others offer tasty meat over rice dishes that are filling meals for around $7. Don’t know which one to buy from? Hint: If you see a long line of office workers, that’s always a good sign!

Favorite budget-friendly restaurants

Some of our favorite authentic New York dining experiences that won’t break the bank include:

John’s of 12th Street
East Village (202 E 12th St)
Old-school Italian dining at its best with atmosphere, good prices, and great food.

Veselka
East Village (144 2nd Ave)
Classic 24-hour diner serving authentic (and delicious) Ukrainian food since 1954.

John’s of Bleecker
Greenwich Village (278 Bleecker St)
Making tasty coal oven pizza since 1929 in a no-frills space. No slices!

Ess-a-Bagel
Midtown (831 3rd Ave)
The bagels are the real deal at this Midtown shop with long lines and low prices.

Margon
Times Square (136 W 46th St)
Heaping plates of homemade Cuban food for under $10.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Chinatown (13 Doyers St)
Oldest dim sum restaurant in New York with fantastic dumplings and a vintage feel.

Papaya King
East Village / Upper East Side (3 St. Mark’s Place/ 179 E 86th St)
New York staple dishing out grilled hot dogs with onion relish and sauerkraut.

Sylvia’s
Harlem (328 Malcolm X Blvd)
Famous soul food spot with affordable bills and a gospel Sunday brunch.

Taim
NoLita / West Village (45 Spring St / 222 Waverly Pl)
Fancy falafel shop with unique and tasty flavors plus wallet-friendly prices.

Entertainment

Want to see the hottest hit Broadway show or a world-class artist in concert? Well, you’re coming to the right city! Here’s how to save:

• Broadway: There’s no need to pay full price for those seats. The TKTS discount ticket booths (at Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn) offer same-day discounts of up to 50% for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. If you’re a bit more flexible, you can also try your luck with a show’s lottery or standing room ticket, or book in advance through a site like Broadway Box with discount codes. (Read more about these, and several other tips for saving on Broadway tickets.)

• Off-Broadway: Also, why not stray a bit from the big theaters in Midtown? Opt for an off-Broadway performance instead for a more affordable and sometimes more interesting experience.

• Opera: The Metropolitan Opera releases rush tickets online for $25 and cheap standing room tickets at the box office on the day of the performance.

• Music clubs / Jazz: There are also lots of music clubs hosting shows with no cover. Pick up a copy of Time Out New York (free every Wednesday) for full listings.

• Summer events: There are plenty of free shows and concerts to enjoy around the city during the balmy summer nights. From Shakespeare in the Park performances to Central Park’s Summerstage concerts and outdoor movie screenings at Bryant Park, there’s something free going on almost every night.

Your tips for saving in New York

Have a tip to share for saving on your trip to New York City? Tell us how you save in the comments section below!

The post Cheapo Guide: Visiting New York on a budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Unless that show is “Hamilton.”

Since opening at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre last July, the hip-hop musical tracing the unlikely story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton has been playing to sold-out audiences.

Related articles:

• 7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

• Head Off-Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets

• Cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

And not just your average sold-out audiences. “Hamilton” has attracted the world’s top celebrities — from musicians Jay-Z and Beyoncé to entertainment royalty Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg and even a bipartisan caucus of current-day political figures led by former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and President Barack Obama.

Hamilton is attracting huge audience and even bigger price tags. But there are still a few ways to score cheap tickets. Photo: Chip Pate

How Hot Is “Hamilton”?

Ask Laurens! (Sorry, that’s a thing from the show.) But seriously, even in the dead of winter, when many Broadway productions are scrambling to lure anyone into the theater, “Hamilton” was selling every seat and packing more into standing room. According to published figures, they were paying an average of about $165 per seat, with the top tickets on sale at the box office — when they have any — for a staggering $475 each.

Finding tickets at all is a real challenge. Standard and premium seats available from the theater are still being snapped up the moment new dates go on sale. As of early March, the revolutionary show was sold out 10 months into the future.

If price is no object — and that doesn’t apply to any of us cheapos — tickets are available on the secondary market. The best option is TicketMaster, which allows verified ticket holders to resell their tickets. But brace yourself: The cheapest ticket for a recent weekend performance was $695 for a seat the following day, and most offered further in advance were between $1,200 to $2,500. Yes, per seat.

You may need to empty the national bank, but at least your tickets will be real. With such exorbitant prices, forgeries are everywhere. The New York Times has reported that people try to enter the theater almost daily with fake tickets.

Related: Cheapo Guide to visiting New York City

There Are Cheap Options

It is a long shot, but don’t throw it away! If you want to see the ground-breaking musical — and even do it in true cheapo fashion — consider the ticket lottery and standing room.

Crowds line up for the Hamilton lottery outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate

1. Ham4Ham In-Person Lottery (most of the year).

If you manage to win this “Hamilton” powerball, you’ll enjoy the best deal on Broadway — the opportunity to purchase one or two front-row seats for $10 each. That’s a sort of poetic price, since the hero of your show is also the face on your $10 bill. Hence, the catchy title, “Ham4Ham.”

To enter the in-person lottery, complete an entry form at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 West 46th Street, beginning two and a half hours before the performance you want to attend. Entries are accepted for 30 minutes, closing two hours before the performance, when winners are drawn and immediately purchase their tickets. Usually, 21 front-row seats are available.

Hundreds show up for the in-person lottery, so your chance to win isn’t all that great. On the other hand, during the production’s first seven months, before winter set in and the lottery moved online, most lotteries included The Ham4Ham Show, a live performance outside the theater just before winners were drawn. Often featuring cast members from “Hamilton” and other Broadway musicals, the shows became so popular that many fans came just to see the performance. (You can see them on YouTube.) The Ham4Ham Show also has moved online for the winter and if it returns live this spring, it’s likely to be offered only on two-show days.

2. Ham4Ham Online Lottery (winter)

Perhaps it was the brutal weather, or maybe the army of fans spilling into 46th Street, but whatever the reason, “Hamilton” shifted to an online lottery for the winter.

To enter, visit the official online lottery site starting at 9 a.m. the day you want to attend. Applications are accepted from 9 am to 11 am for matinee performances, from noon to 4 p.m. for evening performances that follow a matinee, and from 9 am to 4 pm on days with only an evening performance. Once winners are selected, they are notified by e-mail and have 60 minutes to pay online for tickets, which cannot be transferred to anyone else. Nobody is saying how many people enter each lottery, but there were enough the first day that the entire system crashed.

Expect a bustling scene on performance days outside the Hamilton Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate

3. Standing Room Tickets

When the in-person lottery is offered, standing room tickets are part of a duel process. After the $10 lottery tickets are gone, drawings continue for the opportunity to purchase standing room tickets at $40 each. Not many are available — maybe one dozen on a good night — but it is another cheapo way to see the wildly inventive and popular musical. (Public sale of standing room tickets disappeared when the online lottery began.)

And, If You’re a New York City 11th Grader …

You’re young, scrappy, hungry and lucky! Thanks to “Hamilton” producers and The Rockefeller Foundation, more than 20,000 11th-grade students will see “Hamilton” for $10 each in an initiative designed to bring the show’s historical perspective to New York City students attending high schools serving low-income families. It doesn’t help most of us cheapos see history unfold on stage, but it’s still a pretty impressive outreach. And it’s something that would make Eliza Hamilton, Alexander’s wife and founder of the city’s first private orphanage, justifiably proud.

The post New York: 3 Ways to buy cheap tickets to “Hamilton” on Broadway appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This year you can find 2-for-1 tickets for performances of 22 Broadway productions between September 7 and 20. See blockbusters like “Chicago”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Wicked”, “Jersey Boys” or “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”,  just to name a few.

With the average Broadway ticket now ringing in at more than $100 (to say nothing of “The Book of Mormon” and “Lion King”, which both average more than $160 per seat!), this is a rare chance to save big on one of New York’s most cherished cultural attractions.

Tickets are going fast — in fact, so fast that the site’s server was having a hard time keeping up this morning. Get your 2-for-1 tickets now, while they’re available.

Too late?

Even if you’re not able to catch this deal, there are still ways to save on Broadway shows, year-round. Check out:

• Our guide to saving on Broadway (including 7 easy ways you can save when looking for tickets)

• Ways to save big on Off-Broadway shows

• Ways to make the most of your night at the theater

• Top affordable hotels in or near the Theater District

The post Cheapo Alert: 2-for-1 Broadway tickets on sale for “Broadway Week”, Sept. 7-20 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And after so many years of kooky characters living virtually on top of one another, New York‘s streets and buildings and parks have their share of chilling or amusing ghost stories. Here, I present my own personal brand of the Halloween treat: five New York places to get your fright on (for free).

Central Park Pond
59th Street

Sunk in between trees at the base of Central Park, the 59th Street Pond feels secret and serene. It can also function as a haven, as it must have for Victorian-era sisters Janet and Rosetta Van Der Voort. Growing up in a wealthy household on Central Park South, the girls were prohibited by their over protective father to venture anywhere unaccompanied, with the exception of the pond.

It was perhaps for this reason that the sisters seemed to fuse together over the years. Neither married, and they died within two months of each other in 1880. Today, their spirits live on and can sometimes be seen, all done up in their bustles, skating infinite figure eights over the pond’s smooth surface.

Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street, Brooklyn

Don’t let its pretty park feel deceive you. The Battle of Brooklyn, one of the biggest of the Revolutionary War, was fought on this hilly outcrop, and now some of New York’s most fashionable reside here for eternity. The spirits are almost palpable as you wander among the trees and ornate crypts here, and you can visit everyone from tortured artist Jean-Michel Basquiat to Boss Tweed.

12 Gay Street
West Village

There’s a ghost party going on at this elegant 19th-century townhouse. The building once housed a speakeasy, and has been home to Frank Paris, creator of Howdy Doody, and the mistress of New York mayor Jimmy Walker, among many others. Over the years, myriad ghost sightings have been reported from this dwelling, the most famous being a regal man wearing top hat and opera cape.

St. Paul’s Chapel and Churchyard
209 Broadway

The churchyard behind St. Paul’s Chapel has sunken headstones dating back to 1704, but there is one ghost in particular that makes people, ahem, lose their heads. The extravagant and alcoholic British actor George Frederick Cooke was buried here in 1812. His head was not buried with him. Mr. Cooke had donated it to science as a means of settling some his debt. His skull is said to have appeared as a prop in a few Hamlet productions, so you might say the actor went on working. The rest of him, though, is said to wander the cemetery in search of his lost noggin.

The Public Theater (Astor Library Building)
425 Lafayette Street

Best known for bringing free Shakespeare in the Park to New York each summer, the Public Theater is based year-round in a glorious red-brick building in the East Village. Said building originally housed the Astor Library, which opened in 1849 and was the foundation of the New York Public Library.

It wasn’t long after the opening that ghosts were reported at the library. In 1860, the New York Evening Post reported that Library Director Dr. Joseph Cogswell, encountered a wealthy, recently deceased neighbor three nights in a row. Today, the architectural gem is said to be haunted by literary icon Washington Irving and Public Theater founder Joseph Papp. The latter is said to have a protective presence over his legacy.

Read more

If you’re heading to New York (for a haunting or just a visit), be sure to swing by our Cheapo guide to New York, with hotel recommendations and much more budget advice.

The post 5 haunted (and free!) New York City spots appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In the age of Amazon, a good bookstore is hard to find. Mom-and-pop and big-box alike have been on a shuttering spree, as the e-book claims dominance. But thankfully not in New York, land of Algonquin’s round table, Harlem’s Renaissance, and Gatsby’s greatness. Sure, there have been some troubles here too, but there have also been some wins, and so far New York’s indie bookstores still shine like a beacon in the storm. Here, some favorite spots to hit the stacks.

Related: 5 independent bookstores in Brooklyn worth checking out.

Best all-around:
Housing Works Bookstore Café
126 Crosby Street, Soho

Bookstore, café, event space, charity… This New York literary fixture functions as a book lover’s, well, everything. You can scrounge up great used books on the floor-to-ceiling shelves, and then enjoy them in the cozy café. Reading and music events are regular occurrences, and sometimes happy hours sweeten things even further.

Best place to feel the love:
Greenlight Bookstore
686 Fulton Street, Fort Greene Brooklyn

The folks behind this cheery gem love their people as much as they do their books. In fact, the store was created after a survey by the Fort Greene Association found that many thought the neighborhood was lacking a local bookstore (talk about giving back!). Now, Fort Greene has a brainy place that not only showcases local authors but holds many an event where the community can, well, commune with them.

Best place to plan a revolution (or read about one):
Bluestockings
172 Allen Street, Lower East Side

Feminism, anarchism and a host of other “-isms” all hold court at this free-thinking “activist center.” You’ll also find queer studies, Zapatistas and even “alternative menstrual products” (no joke). The café features an array of fair trade items, and nightly events bolster the communal spirit.

“Bookiest” smell:
East Village Books
99 St. Mark’s Place, East Village

What do bookworms dream of when they dream about books? The tiny, friendly East Village Books, which seems to specialize in worn, well-loved volumes. It’s the sort of place where you walk in to sell five books and walk out with 10, plus that special hard-to-find gem.

Book nerd-vana:
Alabaster Bookshop
122 4th Avenue

I’m not sure whether it’s the book nerd in me, or the little girl who loved Beauty and the Beast, or a combination of the two but there is something about a bookstore with ladders that opens my proverbial heaven’s gates (insert “aaaahhhhh….” sound here). In addition to ladders, this sweet spot ticks another bibliophile box—nooks and crannies, all packed with used books, from plastic-wrapped first editions to tattered copies of Little House on the Prairie.

Most resilient neighborhood icon:
St. Mark’s Bookshop
31 Third Avenue

I have a soft spot for this nerdy gem, and not only because I passed (and lingered at its windows) daily in my first days of living in New York. You see, St. Mark’s Bookshop is both an East Village icon and a steadfast survivor. Having first opened its doors to artists and academics in Manhattan’s gritty ’70s, the bookstore has weathered some hard times. It almost shuttered in these days of gentrification, only to be saved by a healthy dose of tenacity and the rallying efforts of a supportive community. Today, I’m pleased to report that many more will have the pleasure of enjoying the shop’s volumes of critical theory and impressive selection of lit mags.

Best children’s bookshop:
Books of Wonder
18 W 18th Street

Even the name of this sweet establishment captures the magic that takes hold when one is first discovering books. Beyond that, the selection of old, new and rare gems is magnificent, and a variety of readings are appealing to kids both big and small.

Hippest literary salon:
Molasses Books
770 Hart Street, Bushwick Brooklyn

In the infinite hipness that is the gritty, up-and-coming Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick, bookstores with an edge are cropping up. For brevity’s sake, we’ll focus on the first, Molasses Books, which opened in 2012 and set the bar high. With its shelves of used books (most $10 and under), plus comfy seating and coffee, beer and wine selections, this airy spot begs lingering. Bonus points for a daily happy hour and Tuesday evening DJ parties (plus other events). Block out some time to wander the area to check out the other book shops in this uber-literary area.

Best place for wanderlust:
Idlewild
12 W. 19th Street

Whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming about one, this second-floor shop is for you. Its name comes from the JFK Airport’s pre-1963 moniker, and its décor (vinyl chairs and a slab of stained glass) come from the old American Airlines terminal, so you feel just ready to jet set as you browse the inspirational tomes, which are divided by destination. Headed to Spain? You can find everything from guidebooks to cookbooks to Don Quixote all in one place. The story also stocks some travel gear, and offers language classes. (There is also a second shop at 249 Warren Street, in Cobble Hill Brooklyn.)

The post Read Up! The Best Indie Bookstores in New York City appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

No matter how much you spend, though, it’s always a good idea to make the most of your night at the theater. Here are our tips to do just that.

Related articles:

• 7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

• Head Off-Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets

Read Reviews Before You Buy

The staggering cost of bringing a new show to the stage means complete bombs aren’t nearly common as they once were. Still, you don’t want to waste time seeing a mediocre show when there are dozens of great ones happening all around. You can usually guarantee a good experience by reading reviews before you buy your seats.

Sure, reading reviews can take a little time. But for people who love theater, New York is the world’s biggest and best candy store. Part of the enjoyment is sorting through what will be on the shelves when you arrive — and deciding which ones to sample.

Two particularly helpful sites:

DidHeLikeIt.com is a one-stop roundup featuring top reviewers from the New York Times, Washington Post, Variety and other major media outlets. Click on a show to get a quick look at which reviewers give it a thumbs up, thumbs down or are on the fence. Then, go deeper by reading full reviews, learning what new shows will open before you arrive or signing up to get new reviews by e-mail on opening night.

Time Out New York is a particularly good source. The short, concise format makes them easy to read, the star rating system helps you sort through options and their reviewers cover a lot of ground — including plenty of Off-Broadway productions.

Brave the crowds by the stage door and you may get an autograph from a star like Alan Rickman. Photo: jastrow75.

Meet Stars at the Stage Door

The stage door is literally as it sounds: The place where actors and musicians enter the theater to get backstage. More importantly, it’s where they almost always leave, which gives you a chance to meet the people you just saw perform.

Of course, there are no guarantees. Once in a while, an actor needing to get away quickly slips out another exit. And on two-show days — usually Wednesday and Saturday — they may stay inside between performances. But more often than not, even the most famous take time to sign programs, pose for photographs and maybe even hang around to talk with fans.

What to expect depends on the size of the crowd. The scene was a madhouse when Daniel Radcliffe, AKA Harry Potter, was performing in “How to Succeed in Business.” On the other hand, I’ve seen the entire casts of “Next to Normal” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” — two Tony Award-winning shows with Tony-Award winning actors — hang out for a good 30 to 40 minutes with two dozen fans.

To have an enjoyable stage door experience, bring your camera and a Sharpie marker or two (in case one disappears in the crowd). Then, before the show begins, ask an usher where the stage door is located and whether your favorite actor is likely to sign autographs and talk with fans. While some stage doors are obvious, others can be hard to find; one is actually located one block behind the theater’s main entrance.

After the final curtain, move quickly to the stage door. Depending on their obligations after the show, some stars will come out quickly; others may take a while. A member of the theater security staff will usually let you know if your favorite performer is still inside or has already left.

And one more tip: Out of respect, don’t ask actors to sign anything that’s not related to the show they’ve just performed. It’s considered rude and many simply won’t do it. After all, actors are generous with their time because people have taken the time to come see them perform that show.

The post NYC: How to Make the Most of Your Night at the Theater appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

No surprise, then, that many Europeans develop a certain geographical myopia. Look beyond the capital cities and — particularly as you move away from Europe’s Atlantic littoral — the gap between Europe and the New World becomes a veritable chasm.

The United States in the European imagination

North America is the terrain of movies. The real America, the communities beyond the cinema screen and the newsreels, hardly feature in the imagination of many Europeans and, insofar as they do, they seem rather scary places — we remember Columbine and Sandy Hook. The U.S. is a far-off land and one that many of us who live in Europe feel uneasy about.

In most European countries, Guantanamo certainly gets more publicity than the entire state of California. Many Europeans would just not know who Harry Reid or Joe Biden are. But we all know who Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning are, and chances are that Europeans you’ll run into on your travels will regard both men with a certain awe for their courage and determination. That’s not to say we totally endorse what they have done, but their audacity in confronting totalitarian tendencies commands respect.

Travel with an open mind

The beauty of travel is that, for those who dare, it is a chance to meet people who think differently. Very differently. It turns one’s mindset inside out and gives it a thorough shakedown. Travel is a chance to confront the demons that frame our everyday life. We meet people whose take on the world is diametrically opposed to our own.

Only a small percentage of the residents of central and eastern Europe have ever crossed the Atlantic to visit the US. Those that have are invariably surprised to discover that the US is full of interesting landscapes populated in the main by mellow and interesting people.

Disconnect from everyday life

The trick of course is to leave your prejudices at home, but it takes something more. Discovery is about stepping out of your lifeworld and escaping from the frame of reference that shapes your thinking back home — escaping even from the web, social media and your regular news channels.

The choice that confronts travellers is stark. The connectivity and immersion in the web that gives texture to your everyday life might be the biggest barrier to appreciating the communities you visit. At one level, travel has never been easier. But real travel has never been harder.

The post Confronting Demons: Why Real Travel has Become More Difficult appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.