Planning a trip to London? Your itinerary is already packed full of things that you want to do. From free museums to authentic pubs, you’ll have no problem coming up with plenty of great London ideas. But there are a few things we suggest you don’t do, too. These oh-so-easy to make errors can add up over the course of a trip and make a serious impact on your wallet — not to mention your enjoyment. To make the most of London like a true Cheapo, be sure to avoid these 10 costly mistakes: 1. Not getting an Oyster card Just getting around town is expensive in London. And, do you know what’s really ..read more

Looking for the perfect budget hotel in London for your upcoming trip? We’ve combed through our listings of recommended hotels in the Queen’s city to come up with the following top best budget hotels in London for this year. Each of these has that special combination of nightly rates at a good value, great locations, high customer ratings and enough essential amenities to ensure that you have a restful night’s sleep. Throw in a free English breakfast and we’re sold! Our London Guide • Read all hotel reviews • Read ways to save in London 10 best budget hotels in London Book a classic cheapo ..read more

While many know Paris to be great for romantic couples strolling along the Seine, the City of Lights is also a favorite for families on their big European adventure. While Parisian hotels might be notorious for their small rooms, you can still find some real gems that can easily and affordably accommodate parents traveling with their children. Whether your kids are still learning to walk or are old enough to read along in your guidebook, pack their bags (or tell them to pack themselves!) and bring the whole family for a fun and affordable trip to Paris. We’ve combed through our entire list of ..read more

While searching for Paris affordable hotels, have you considered the importance of your hotel’s location? If you ask us, it’s très important. Regardless of whether you only have two days in Paris or a whole week, you should always consider the perks of its location. A few extra euros per night could mean the difference between rolling out of bed and into one of the best neighborhoods in town or wasting precious travel time taking the Metro to and from your hotel. Affordable hotels near popular sights in Paris Head to our Paris hotel guide for reviews of dozens of our favorite hotels in Paris ..read more

I love the super cheap hotels in Paris. Well, not all of them, of course. The city has plenty of uninspiring cheapo options that, having visited hundreds of them, I’d rather not discuss. But it also has a handful of budget hotels that offer something special, and these I happily include in our list of Paris hotels. The best of these have a few things in common. For the most part, they’re small, independent affairs that have been run by the same proprietor or family for decades. Indeed, in the 20+ years I’ve been visiting these hotels, I am often received in the reception by the same friendly f ..read more

Preparing for an upcoming trip to Paris and looking for the perfect place to stay for your budget? The options can be a bit overwhelming, and the room rates rather shocking. How many stars should you book? Which neighborhood is recommended… and which should be avoided? What’s for breakfast? Why are the rates so high? We’ve got you covered with this tutorial on ways to save on Paris hotels. We’ll show you how to find the perfect hotel at the right price. Read on! A quick love letter to small hotels in Paris First, a quick personal note. I love Paris’ small family-run hotels. Even in this age of ..read more

As the temperatures start to rise in Barcelona and across Spain, so do the crowds and the prices. As a result, competition for hotels can get a little tough. But fear not Cheapos, because we’ve compiled the dates you need to pay attention to, so you can plan your trip with a little less stress and more money in your pocket. When to visit Barcelona Easter Holidays during April Spring break in Spain happens during Easter Holy Week. Each year the spring break dates change, and this year it comes late enough to promise (hopefully) sunny weather and Mediterranean swimming for the brave. Oftentimes ..read more

I’ve said many times that I don’t swim in the waters splashing up on Barcelona’s beaches. I spend a lot of time along the city’s shoreline but rarely in a bathing suit. Some of my friends swim in Barcelona’s stretch of Med regularly and they think I’m overly concerned. Am I? When it comes down to it, I don’t like swimming with plastic bags and other things that I won’t describe here. So, when I go to the beach to take the waters, I head out of Barcelona. Here are a few swim-friendly destinations I’d stick a big toe in: Best beaches near Barcelona Sitges I’ll admit that Sitges beaches are a bit ..read more

Cheapos traveling throughout Europe delight upon arriving to Berlin — after weeks of spending mad cash on “cheap” eats, from $7.50 falafels in France to $10 hot dogs in Scandinavia, Berlin offers budget travelers’ pocketbooks a reprieve. Throughout the city, you’ll have no problem finding delicious meal deals, like a döner kebap piled with fresh toppings for under €3! Armed with a €1 beer from the next-door “Späti,” you’ll enjoy every bite and look like a local while hunched over your food on the nearest bench. So grab some extra napkins and belly up to the bar. Here’s a primer on Berlin ..read more

Amsterdam isn’t the most expensive city in Europe (we’re looking at you London!), but it’s certainly not the cheapest. When visiting Amsterdam, you can expect to pay a little bit more for all of the essentials than you would in a place like Italy or Spain. Luckily, with a little bit of planning and know-how, a visitor can easily keep to a budget in Amsterdam. Amsterdam on a budget: 10 simple ways to save Here are 10 ways to make that happen: 1. Avoid taxis if you can Amsterdam is small and walkable, and public transport covers all areas of the city. A cab ride that costs you €20 to Museum Squa ..read more