Your Thrifty Travel Tips: 2004
In his Thrifty Fifty travel tips, Rick shares his best suggestions for saving money while traveling in Europe: from staying in B&Bs to assembling gourmet picnics. Do you have tips to add to the list? How do you stretch your euros, pounds, kroner, etc.?
Less than a shoestring
I am arriving in Italy in less than 2 weeks. My airfare was $475 plus taxes and fees which were about $180. I bit the bullet and called every travel agen in the book and also searched all of the online services [which guarantee the best deals but may not always deliver] I was very close to paying over $1000 for my plane ticket on a very popular online service. I am also traveling in the off season and the hostels I have book range from $17 USD to $34 USD per night. SO my overall advice: Go off season, search and search and keep searching for the best airfare, book hostels instead of fancy hotels, and pack RAMEN NOODLES!!!!!!!!!
Xavier
Houston, TX USA Thu 12/16/2004
How to do a Luxury Trip at a Fraction of the Cost
Do you want to have a luxury European vaction for a fraction of the cost? Here's how to do it:Pick one location that is within 20 miles of a major airport. Then search for hotels outside the city but within 20 miles from it. Usually you can get a 4 star hotel for 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of a city hotel if you agree to stay 7 days or more. (you search for the hotel on the internet before you go). When you get to the hotel rent a bicycle. Now you're set for your stay. You bicycle into the city and in doing so you pass by villages and fields and such. You can bicycle each day in any direction and see Europe up close. And you know that you will be going back to your good hotel (not some crummy hostel) at night.
Here's what it cost me last year:
Robert
Miami, FL USA Fri 12/10/2004
Go with Diesel!
I'll have to second the comments on renting diesel cars in Europe. The technology has really advanced: they start instantly (no waiting for glow plugs to warm up) and drive just like gasoline powered cars. And they don't leave a stinky plume of black smoke when you accelerate! The first time I rented one, no one mentioned it was diesel and I didn't even realize it until I stopped after a day of driving and saw the key chain had a warning on it to refuel with diesel only!
John <email>
San Antonio, TX USA Mon 12/06/2004
Beautiful Bulgaria
One excellent money-saving tip (bot one for which time is running out) is to visit Bulgaria before it joins the European Union. I had the privilege of spending nearly two weeks there this summer and found fresh fruit for fifty cents a kilo, draft beer for less than a dollar a glass even in cities, and excellent wine for around three dollars a bottle. All this will almost certainly change when the Euro becomes the currency in 2007.
If you can find a way to make Bulgarian contacts before travelling, you can save even more money. My friends and I spent most nights in the homes of Bulgarian colleagues and occasionally got free Bulgarian cooking lessons as we helped to prepare the enormous meals that we ate as a group nearly every night of our trip.Besides the low cost, Bulgaria is worth a trip for the beautiful scenery, fun beaches, fascinating history, and warm, wonderful people.
Rebecca Phillips <email>
Marietta, OH USA Sat 12/04/2004
how to save some money
the best way to save money is to buy food yourself at markets. if you are staying at a place with a kitchen, you can cook. the trick is to find and stay at places with kitchens.example: dine out in rome is at least 10 euros for an ok meal. but you can put together a fantastic meal for about 2-3 euros yourself. think about this...wake up, have coffee/tea/ breakfast at hotel or hostel and then make lunch to take with you. go out and do your thing and then return to hotel/hostel, stop at market, but food.... this will save you 25-30 euros/day.
ro
usa, USA Thu 12/02/2004
Antique Market
If you like to haggle and want to find some great buys on antiques, check out the outdoor Flohmarkt Flea Market in Vienna, Austria. Over 400 dealers are set up here, across the street from the fruit market. This area is close to the Naschmarkt (located at the Kettenbr?ckengasse U-Bahn station), just one-stop from Karlskirche U-bahn station. Every Saturday 8 a.m. to sunset (but you may want to get there at sunrise to find the best selection.) This is definitely the best place to search out a bargain. Lots of junk, too.
Peter
Austin, TX USA Sun 11/28/2004
Paris Dining, Enjoyably & Frugally
I found a nice way to stretch my dining buck in Paris was to take my main meal at lunch rather than dinner.Not only do you get the same food without "dinner menu" prices, it's also healthy to grab a light snack later on in the evening, such as the crepes you buy streetside in Ste-Germain. I still miss those simple crepes!
Rue Des Rosiers has a fantastic bakery far cheaper and better than any Marais hotel "breakfast."Conventional wisdom but worth repeating.
Jonas
Toronto, CANADA Thu 11/18/2004
Student ID Card
You can use the ISIC student card almost anywhere, it gives you access to student prices on admissions and travel. I pull it out no matter if they show a student price or not..you never know.
Katie <email>
Denver, Co USA Wed 11/17/2004
Student Card
Shea:Why don't you TELL us how much money you saved and WHERE you were able to use it...
Tim
Knoxville, TN USA Wed 11/03/2004
If you are a student GET THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ID!!! You will not believe how much money you will save at museums, any transportation, and tours. Go to statravel.com.
shea <email>
USA Sun 10/31/2004
High fee for Am Exp card usage
I just learned from my recent Paris Consierge that because of the high transactions fees on American Express, many places will tag on a surcharge to recoop their fees. The "Biggie" though is that she told me that in ITALY, you are charged 5 euros for ANY size transaction charged to your American Express card. I always used mine in the past to gain airmiles but upon her advice, Ibegan using my Visacard/MC card
Gail
USA Thu 10/21/2004
Saving on Exchange transactions
If you show a AAA or Youth Hostels International (HIUSA) membership card at TravelEx exchange bureaus, you are supposed to get a break on transaction fees.
Swan
USA Tue 09/21/2004
RENTING AUTOS IN EUROPE
I discovered this letter in the archives and thought it worth repeating. "Diesel cars are quite economical in Europe. Consider that a gallon of gas costs somewhere around $4 in Europe right now, diesel is $3 per gallon. On top of that diesels are substaintially more fuel efficient. Overall you can cut your fuel costs by about 1/3 with a diesel car. For those of you who have bad memories of the diesel cars of the early '80s, forget what you know. The current European turbo diesel cars are just as powerful as their gas cousins, start as easily, and are nearly as quiet now.
Also don't fear not being able to find diesel fuel, it's just as common as gas in Europe. One thing you may want to be aware of when filling diesel cars is that your hands can come away from the task with a lovely oily smell. Not surprising considering diesel is more of an oil than an gas. You can avoid this experience by using the disposable plastic gloves provided at many filling stations....Peter H .... Lake in the Hills, IL " ....thanks Peter.
RUDOLPH
SALT LAKE CITY, UT USA Mon 09/06/2004
car rentals-go diesel
If you can get a diesel from your rental company do so. It will save lots of euros on your fill ups. Also gas prices are cheaper in Austria than the surrounding areas I just got back and 1 Liter of benzin or regular gas ranges from .98 to 1.17 per liter.
JS
CA USA Fri 08/27/2004
I will never purchse airfare from CheapTickets again. A while back, a very nice salesperson (based in Hawaii) quoted me a price over the phone for two tickets to Paris. The price was only if we could pick up the tickets withing 24 hours. After thanking her and hanging up, we went straight to their sales office near the Los Angeles Airport to pay for the tickets. First the sales office people looked up our reservations on the computer and quoted me a price well over twice what I had been told less than two hours before. When I gave them the name and ID number given to me by the telephone salesperson, they acted very surprised that I had this info and told us to sit in the waiting area. (we were two of only four customeers there.) We waited for hours, being rebuffed each time we complained about walk-ins being served ahead of us (people who came to inquire and had no reservations), or about times when they sat around talking and ignored us. They also tried to hint that we could get our tickets quickly if we paid the higher price. After what seemed an eternity they grudgingly gave us our tickets, making it quite clear that the mistreatment had been deliberate.
Carol
CA USA Tue 08/24/2004
Brit air sale from SFO
Thsi was in SF Chronicle today 7/20/04
British Air fare sale between SFO, Europe
British Airways started today a three-day fare sale between the United States and major European cities for travel in the winter months. The unadvertised sale was designed to induce travelers to book flights well in advance instead of waiting until the last minute, according to a spokeswoman.
The fare sale includes economy class round-trip fares of $318 between San Francisco International Airport and London Heathrow airport. Other sample fares include $384 round trip San Francisco to Paris and $459 round-trip San Francisco to Rome.
This sale is for travel from Oct. 28 through Dec. 16, and again between Dec. 24 and Feb.27.
Details on the special fares are posted on the airline's Web site, at www.british-airways.com.
mary frazier <email>
CA USA Tue 07/20/2004
SLEEPING IN SFO
I'm 73 years old, but adventurous. We couldn't get on the same flight to Singapore; so she flew out on Tuesday and I followed on Wednesday. After reading so many reports about sleeping in airports, I decided to try it. About noon I cased the terminal to find the couches without arms. I knew if it didn't look promising, I could call a motel and get a safe place to sleep. I didn't want to spend the $60 unless I had to. I had a choice of about 3 long armless couches; so I chose the one I thought might be quietest. It was opposite the Continental counter and sure enough, they closed the counter at 11 p.m. and silence prevailed. I had two carry-on bags and a back pack to protect while I slept. After a little experimenting I put by bags on a cart and pulled it beside the couch so I could throw my legs over them. I used my back pack as a pillow. That meant anyone trying to steal all my worldly possessions would have to lift delicate parts of my body. The security men walked by several times before I fell asleep, but no one gave me a second look.
The couch was unexpectedly comfortable and I awoke only once during the night. When I awoke at 5:30 I dug my electric shaver out of my bag and wheeled my cart into the men's room and shaved and then flew out.
Later when I told my wife what I had done, she admitted that she was glad she didn't know I had planned to do it. She might not have slept! I can happily recommend sleeping in the SFO terminal.
CHANDLER
DALLAS, TX USA Fri 07/16/2004
Some advice from a Brit
1) Keep clear of motorway (freeway) service stations unless you want to pay over the odds for anything or unless you are desparate. The British tabloids have been conducting their own survey recently and found the UK stations to compare badly with their Italian / German counterparts in terms of service, cost and overall standards.
2) Check out the daily British Press for money off coupons...i.e 2 for 1 "Little Chef" meals (Little Chefs are popular roadside cafes) Meals work out good value for money when using tokens.
On the subject of "Little Chefs" I reckon that in general they serve up good, hot food but it can be expensive without the money off coupons which are often found in the national newspapers..(Be prepared to wait for the food but in my opinion, it's usually of a high standard when it does come)
3) I echo what someone else said on these boards about British Car Boot sales..Take time out to visit these if you are serious about saving money and be prepared to haggle. Many Car Boot Sellers also have market stalls in other towns and I'm sure some of the stuff finds its way onto EbAY My wife bought a great teapot for 50 pence last week in Blackpool - She reckons it would have cost ?12 to buy new!!) Car boot sales usually take place on Sunday (6am - 2pm ish ) Be prepared to go early to get even more bargains. Car Boot Sales have become a Great British institution!!
Have fun!
Gary Radice (Liverpool, UK)
Gary Radice <email>
Liverpool, UK Sun 06/27/2004
A new credit card scam
In Scotland and Ireland recently, I purchased several items w/ a credit card. I didn't even notice it at the time, but when I returned I learned that several places, including reputable B&B's, gave me a credit card slip to sign that was already converted to U.S. Dollars. And the rate they used got them an extra $10-$15 on a $300 purchase. The slip I signed in the store clearly says that you have the right to request that the charge be in local currency. BEWARE of this, particularly on large purchases, and request local currency instead of $U.S. Then you'll get the lower credit card rate for the conversion.
Carl Peters
Seattle, wa USA Wed 06/09/2004
cheap airfares
www.justfares.com is a European "bucket-shop" for airfares right here in Seattle. I have used them several times for Seattle via VancouverBC into Heathrow and they have always been cheaper than most,even (especially) on short notice.
Don't know how they are from other US cities... but they have an 800 number on the website and you can talk to a real person!
LawrenceJN
Edmonds, WA USA Tue 06/08/2004
Time Saver in Salzburg
I found a great place to do laundry and get on the internet near the train station in Salzburg. It is right across from the CityCenter Cineplexx on Karl-wurmb strasse. The owner was very helpful and friendly, pro-tourist and pro-american. The machines were run by computer and then there are about 8 computers in the shop for internet use. It is open from 7 AM to 11 PM. I went early in the morning while my family was still sleeping and got back in time for breakfast with fresh, clean clothes and all internet/e-mail chores taken care of.
Linda
Cocoa, Fl USA Mon 05/31/2004
Hotwire.com: Cheap Tickets!
Twice I have found extremely cheap flight tickets on hotwire.com. You must be flexible in regards to air carriers and times but you choose the days of flight.
The carrier and times are revealed after the purchase is completed and Hotiwre uses only major carriers. I am flying Delta from LAX to Brussels in July for $685! We are vacationing in Paris and it is much more expensive to fly into France. Paris is only a 1.5 hour train ride away!
Elizabeth
San Clemente, CA USA Tue 05/25/2004
Saving money in Europe
If you are planning a visit to Antwerp, Belgium, try to do it on a Friday as many of the sites are free on that day.*If you eat in a pub in Ireland, always ask for the bar menu, it's cheaper and has almost all the same food on it.*If you are visiting a city, it is always cheaper to buy an unlimited day ride ticket on the metro.*When you check into a hotel or B&B, ask your host if they have any coupons for restaurants or sites. Most companies give these to places of lodging in the hope that you will visit!*If you are travelling a long distance on the train, do it at night...you won't have to pay for a hotel room.*NEVER exchange money at a currency exchage booth. You will never get close to what you could get if you just go to an ATM.*
K. Candullo
Ridgfield, CT USA Wed 05/12/2004
Accommodation in the historic center of Barcelona
If you're interested in high quality accomodation in Barcelona Spain, you might want to check out http://www.destinationbcn.com
We're located in the historic centre of the city called El Born.
Very close to the Picasso Museum, the Barceloneta Beach and Las Ramblas.
Anne
Barcelona, ES Wed 05/12/2004
Train ticket in Belgium
In Belgium, my husband, daughter and I needed to get from Brussels to Brugge, and back and then to the airport. The ticket sales person at the Midi station suggested that we buy the 10 ride card instead of 3 round trip tickes as that would save us 3 Euros. On the way back from Brugge to Brussels airport, we wrote in the airport as our destination and got to ride on the same "ticket" all the way to the airport. So we still have 4 rides left on the Belgian trains--any takers, I'll give it to the highest bidder.
Greta Larsson
Milwaukee, WI USA Fri 04/23/2004
saving on hotel accommodations
Many hotels in Italy will give a discount when you pay with cash.
Lissette
Sanibel, FL USA Mon 04/19/2004
Lodging Savings
We are taking a family trip to Provence over Easter for two weeks. Due to the unfavorable value of the dollar the trip was going to be a lot more than we thought. To even things out I emailed the Hotels and B&Bs with a budget figure and an offer of what I was willing to pay. About 50% have accepted my offer and the savings is over 400 Euro.
Also found out that most of the great museums in Nice are free the first Sunday of the month which is when we are there. That will save 50 Euro. Hertz has some good specials for Europe going on. Free upgrades and special rates.
Brian <email>
Pompano Beach, FL USA Sun 03/28/2004
Last week in France I saw a sign in a shop window advertising the fact that some of the stalls in the St. Ouen flea market (in Paris) are accepting US dollars at par. Which means getting a 20% discount on everything.
Peter
Amsterdam, NL Sat 03/27/2004
Travel Tips
Ireland sure must love families - we found most places gave a discount for a family pass as an entrance fee - Also, check out purchasing a Heritage pass if you plan to go to many of the sites supported by the Foundation.
Finally - the Airlink bus that runs from the airport to city center in Dublin - offers a 7.50 euro family pass for unlimited travel. If you plan to stay close to the airport this is a real deal! A final tip (I have gobs more for Eurpoe travel) is to plan to eat one meal out as a picnic daily but be flexible enough so this meal could be lunch or the evening dinnertime meal. Fresh hot bread or rolls purchased earlier in the day and then add some fresh fruit and cheese and tuck it into a day pack for total mealtime flexibility. Eating earlier in the day makes for a more inexpensive meal too! (You don't have to eat 3 or 4 courses when you see it listed on the menu board outside the restaurant.)
Patti
Shawnee, KS USA Tue 03/23/2004
meals in France
My tip is when doing a lot of sightseeing in France don't bother stopping for a luxury lunch. Instead, try what we did. We were in the Loire castle track, on our way to Chenonceau, and we felt hungry, but not only every restaurant in sight seemed to be expensive, they were unwilling to serve us lunch, since it was a bit late (they are uptight about lunch hours, those dear French). So we bought ourselves some bread and rillette, which is a wonderful kind of pork paste, and red wine, to go with our apples and strawberries, wich we had already washed in our hotel's sink in the morning, to have something to snack on. And what a snack it was!! I still dream about that rillette, I tell you. I was the cheapest and the best meal we had on the road.
Luciana
NY USA Mon 03/15/2004
Train travel
If you are under the age of 26 and traveling by train in France, make sure to ask for the youth discount. You can save anywhere between 25-50% on a standard second class ticket. Similar deals are usually found in other European countries, so ask at the information office before you buy.
Bethany Neumann
Chicago, IL USA Sat 03/13/2004
Eat local
In London, Paris, Manchester, all over Ireland, Mexico, Jamaica, pretty much everywhere, eat local!
Definitly eat a pubs in the British Isles (don't believe the dusty old rumors - my husband's a certified foodie and we liked almost all of the pub food). In Mexico, eat at the market stalls. In Jamaica, seafood at a beach stall. In Paris, crepes from a storefront. In these places, the food is good becauuse real people are cooking it for their neighbors, delivery drivers, and friends - just like the cafe in your hometown.
Then, when you're done being frugal, go to San Francisco and drop a couple hundred dollars at Gary Danko - fine dining like few restaurants in the world do it.
You ate well with the locals, so why not take the savings and blow it on some great food, too?
Lisa S.
St. Cloud, MN USA Thu 03/11/2004
London by Tube
An earlier post advised that when in London, Travelcards for the Tube keep you underground and you miss a lot of the city, although the Tube is fast and efficient. They advised a bus-only pass instead.
Here's another alternative, because I absolutely LOVE the Tube, the people-watching you can do on it, and the being able to get absolutely everywhere fast and cheap: Get the Tube Travelcard for the "getting places." Then (although I cringe to recommend such a touristy thing) buy one all-day ticket on a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus. They're a great way to hit the high points you don't need a lot of time for (hey, how long can you really spend at the gates of Buckingham Palace?), and you see a lot of the city. Then use the Tube to make time and be part of the city life during the rest of your trip. If you're aching for ground level some afternoon, use the Travelcard to hop a city bus. Just take a ride wherever it's going. We had a great time doing it that way.
Lisa S.
St. Cloud, MN USA Thu 03/11/2004
Inexpensive souvenirs
My wife and I have learned to enjoy exploring local grocery stores or markets wherever we travel. There's much to be learned just by seeing what people each in different areas. Although many products on the shelves can be very much the same, the meat counters are always interesting. Our sons both like to cook, so choosing some nonperishable food items not available at home always makes nice gifts. Other items in these stores also can become nice and inexpensive souvenirs, like the chopsticks we brought home recently from Hong Kong.
Kent Stork
Fremont, NE USA Thu 03/11/2004
Leftover currency & Gas prices
If you have a rental car and come to a currency border, use up your leftover local money at the gas station. If it is self service buy precisely what you have left. If it is attendant service, I just show them what I have and they always give just that much. If I have money left after filling up I go into the store usually attached and buy snack food. The best price for gas in Europe seems to be Luxemborg, easily half the price of Belgium, France or Germany's price so fill up there! Also Switzerland has cheaper gas than its neighbors.
Tom Nale
Broomfield, CO USA Sun 03/07/2004
My Bargain Tips
Book local tours, transportation, shows,etc locally. Usually, it is much cheaper than what you get in the US. For example, if you fly to london and want to take the eurostar train to paris, booking the train/hotel package is usually much cheaper in the UK. With the internet, you can also book "locally" from back in the US by going to that country's version of the website. Basically, i think that the operators believe that for Americans, it is the vacation of a lifetime and therefore money is no object (probably true in many cases!). In europe, people generally have less money and a trip to Paris from London (for example) is no big deal so it's priced accordingly. Likewise, many london shows have deep discounts that are not reflected if booked in the US.
Try to stay for a longer time in one area...selecting a base from which you visit different parts of the region. For example, in Provence or Tuscany, book an agritourismo or cottage/apartment for a week or two and use this as your base. moving around too much will waste valuable time and money and you won't get as good a deal staying in hotels for a night here or there than you do in an apartment for a week or two.
Don't try to use traveller cheques. They annoy shopkeepers and they are not accepted at many places.
Watch and learn...look at what the locals are eating and doing. Some travellers ask for poor treatment by doing things that offend when they try to save a little money. For example, i would not suggest bringing your own drinks/water in to a restaurant, as suggested below...unless you know this is acceptable locally. Bringing a picnic to the beer gardens in Germany (even though they sell their own food) is very acceptable. Just know before you go...or learn quickly once there...and you will be fine.
scott
USA Sat 03/06/2004
WAYS TO SAVE MONEY
Money Saving Tips from Clark Howard ? Be ready to buy tickets when there's a great deal available, then figure out a reason you want to go.
? Check the Internet for special fares, but don't use it to shop for the best fare to a particular destination.
? Do the reverse of what others travelers do. Buy airfare and hotel rooms during off-peak seasons, when rates are lower.
? Plan vacations so you can take advantage of weekend specials in urban areas and mid-week specials in resort areas.
? Be flexible about the dates you travel and the airports you fly out of or into.
? Consider taking trips that involve changing flights. They're cheaper and often don't take that much longer.
? Be flexible about the airline you use, and don't be fixated on frequent flier miles. A thousand frequent flier miles is worth only about $10 in free travel.
? Join every airline's frequent flier program, even if you fly infrequently. It's easy, costs nothing, and allows you to receive mailings advertising private sale fares.
? Register on each airline's Web site to receive e-mail about special savings.
E W
DETROIT, TX USA Sat 03/06/2004
New budget airline
Yet another new budget airline in Europe: Vbird, which flies out of a small, obscure airport called Niederrhein (about halfway between Nijmegen and D?sseldorf). Of particular interest is their flight to Helsinki, which is otherwise unserved by low-cost airlines (Ryanair only goes to Tampere).
Peter
Amsterdam NL Wed 02/25/2004
Mailing Boxes Home
We spent a glorious 3 weeks in France and Italy. We did some great shopping in Rome and in Palermo, Sicily. We decided to get brave and mailed four boxes home-some from Palermo and some from Rome. The cost by air is WAY too much but you can specify boat and it was fairly reasonable. All four boxes made it home and beat our post cards we sent (by Air) by several weeks!
F&S Givens <email>
Senatobiaq, MS USA Mon 02/23/2004
Affordable B&B in London (Dec)
Stayed at Stanley House Hotel on Belgrave Road during Christmas week for GBP 42 sgl/dbl including breakfast. Conveniently located, 4 blocks from Victoria Train Station/Victoria Coach Station, walking distance to changing of guard in Buckingham Palace. During our stay, The St George Hotel next door ran a special at GBP35.00 sgl/dbl.
Carol <email>
Glendale, Ca USA Thu 02/12/2004
Saving in London!
Visiting London can be expensive but we took the advice of the hotel we stayed in recently (Blades Hotel) and saved quite a few English pounds. Never miss breakfast - why pay an hour later to eat a late breakfast? On day trips we went to an excellent local supermarket and bought fresh sandwiches and soft drinks. Took advantage of the awesome musuems and art galleries in London - all free! Regularly dined around the Soho area choosing friendly cafes and small restaurants - great atmosphere and generally very theatrical types hand out in them as the area is sorrounded by the theatres. Took the hotels advice and bought theatre tickets on or close to the day - half price ticket booth in Leicester Square and the recommended ticket booth in the foyer of the Hippodrome nightclub (booth opened day hours) by Leicester Square undeground station - saved upto 50% on great seats and shows/plays. Following this advice we met up with the local people and had a great stay. Too much to do ofcourse but an exciting time.
Mary Freeman <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Sun 02/08/2004
Cheap flights
Cheap flights on Ryanair, or other discount airlines, are a great way to save money. Last summer, I flew two and a half hours from London to Rome for five pounds. This past winter, I happened to be on Ryanair's website on a day that they were having a sale on fares, and I was able to book a ticket from London to Glasgow for free. I just had to pay about $14 for taxes. Not only can these airlines save you a lot of money, but they can save you a lot of time too. For the best deals, check the airlines' websites often to see what good deals they might be offering for the times when you're traveling.
Lindsey <email>
Northridge, CA USA Sat 02/07/2004
Free visit to Vatican Museum
We just returned from Rome and were there on the last Sunday of the month.
That's the day the Vatican Museum is free. Normally it's 10 euros per person
(and no discounts for Americans). In his book, Rick warns you not to go
then because of the crowds. Well, at the current exchange rate we decided
to try it and save 40 euros (nearly $60 at the going exchange rate). Since
it was January, it wasn't crowded and we only stood in line for 30 minutes
to get in. The Sistine Chapel was crowded, since people naturally want to
stand there for a while. While Rick's advice is probably good for the high
months, if you're there in the low season definitely take advantage.
Jill
Washington, DC USA Sun 02/01/2004
Another suggeston I have is to avoid Viktualienmarkt, unless you are dying to eat Wurst, or, unless you want a delicious meal with hummous or sheepscheese spreads on bread--buy it at the South end at a large tent... you?ll know it when you see the spreads. In general Viktualienmarkt is expensive... lovely, but not cheap.
If you are looking for a good supermarket, Kaufhof has a nice one in the basement, where you can find fine foods and, lunch, if you wish. You can get half a roast chicken (2.50?--in the very back!) to put on your salad from the buffet (sold by weight). Eat it in one of the plazas nearby.
Otherwise, the best supermarket
deal is HL on Tal. There you can get most food cheaper than Kaufhof?s
gourmet style setup, and, most importantly, stock up on the discount house
brand JA! which comes in a white and blue package. My favorite bargain
"Ja" products are crisps (59 cents a bag!) and chocolate (29 cents a bar-and
it?s decent, too!!). Look for the white package with a blue label. Have
fun!
Martin <email>
Philadelphia, PA USA Sat 01/10/2004
Saving money on water and coke.
To prevent yourself from paying 3-5 euros for drinks, just buy them at local
markets. It'll cost 1 euro or less. I carried these into cafes and restaurant,
and no one told me that I couldn't drink it with my meals.
Simon
Canada Sat 01/03/2004