Europe budget travel might seem like a gigantic task to undertake but it can be done if you follow a few tips. For example, you must know when to plan the best time to travel to take advantage of cheap prices. You should know a few things about saving money on food when dining in Europe. And, know that you can combine travel and sleeping to reduce the costs of hotels. Let’s get started:

1. Save on accommodations by sleeping on the train. Trains are seemingly everywhere in Europe and they are generally the most popular forms of transportation to get from country to country. Many visitors to Europe purchase rail passes in advance that save you time and money. Look into trains that have sleeping compartments, or just have the option of spending the night in them. This is often cheaper than getting a hotel room so you can plan a few overnight train trips and reduce your lodging costs. As an added plus, you will wake up in a new city, ready for a new day of exploring.

2. To save money on food, eat like the locals do. Try to avoid the high priced, touristy places that have signs that say, “We speak English.” Eat where the local people eat and you will have better food and spend less money. Mix it up by having a picnic every few meals. Once you get to your hotel room, go to the local market and stock up on drinks and snacks. Many European markets have great deli sections which makes picnics easy as pie. Lastly, do not over-tip when eating at a European restaurant. It seems that only Americans tip 15% and up, even when it’s not necessary to tip. To make absolutely certain, ask a local customer of the restaurant for tipping advice.

3. Travel off season. For most European cities, off season is generally considered from October through April. By traveling off season, you will get cheaper airfare, spend less time in line, find less expensive hotel rooms (and those attractive budget hotel won’t be booked), and you will meet more locals than tourists. One downfall of traveling off season is that some of the popular touristy parks and tours may be closed so do your research if you have your heart set on seeing a tourist attraction.

Hopefully, these tips illustrate to you how you can travel in Europe and stay within your budget. By traveling off season, eating like the locals, and sleeping while traveling on a train, you can dramatically cut your travel costs, while enjoying yourself and making wonderful European memories.

Want to save a ton of money on your next vacation? Get my free report, top budget travel tips that will save you hundreds of dollars. Get this free report at my website and start planning your dream vacation today.

Author: Carrie Ori
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Wordpress plugin Guest Blogger

All of us at one point have searched for budget travel tips to get us to our dream destination without breaking the bank. This is entirely doable given the technology that is available to us today. This article covers three tips that should help you plan your vacation and stay within your budget.

1. First of all, try to plan your vacation during off peak travel times. On average, airlines tend to charge 25% more if you fly on peak days. But if you leave mid-week, say on Wednesday, and plan to come back on Saturday, you will save some serious cash. Additionally, catch a flight that flies at a non-peak hour and your savings will add up. Airlines tend to charge a premium for flights that leave between 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Yes, people who fly sometime out of that eight hour window are generally inconvenienced because it is a pain to plan for a 6:00 AM flight but you will probably stick to your budget if you do this. To add to this, you will encounter much fewer crowds at the airport.

2. You can score big on airfare just by knowing the secret code. Many airlines are trying to entice customers by giving their customers special promotional codes for deals on their airfare which is not advertised to the general public. You either have to be part of their frequent flyer program or you may have to register via their website. Many airlines are also offering their Twitter followers special discounts. To take advantage of these unique savings, sign up for any e-mail offered by the airline that you want to fly, or follow the airline via Twitter.

3. Hotels are feeling the pinch nowadays too. To take full advantage of this, once you find a hotel that you like, give them a call. And not through their 1-800 customer service phone number. Find the phone number of the location where you want to stay and talk to someone at that location. Ask if there are any special promotions or perks not listed on their website. More often than not, this person will have the authority to give you special treatment.

Just by following these three simple techniques, you should be able to find a few travel bargains. It really is easy to sign up for an airline’s e-mail list or to follow them on Twitter. Traveling during off-peak season takes some planning but is also easy to do and you might be happily surprised what extras you can get just by asking the hotel desk clerk. By following these budget travel tips, you will be able to travel cheaply and have a great time in the process.

Want to save a ton of money on your next vacation? Get my free report, top budget travel tips that will save you hundreds of dollars. Get this free report at my website and start planning your dream vacation today.

Author: Carrie Ori
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Little Costa Rica has been a favorite vacation destination for Americans, Canadians and, increasingly, Europeans, for many years. Though it is one of the smaller countries on earth, about the size of West Virginia, its many attractions are world-famous: nearly 800 miles of uncrowded coastlines on two oceans; parks and reserves covering 25% of its land area; and a staggering diversity of plants and animals.

Volcanoes, terrific fishing, some of the greatest surfing anywhere, whitewater or family rafting adventures, ziplining high in the tropical forests, and, of course, adult nightlife. What happens here stays here (unless you want to brag about your adventures on Facebook).

There is a Costa Rica vacation budget for everybody. For the rich and famous, there are places like the Real Intercontinental Hotel, Papagayo Four Seasons Resort and Los Suenos Resorts. But, if these are a bit pricier or fancier than your budget or taste dictates, you can travel Costa Rica quite nicely thank you on a budget. Here are some simple steps you can take to save big.

1. Save 20% or more on hotels and resorts: Observe travel seasons

a. Avoid Peak Season. Christmas through New Years week (December 15-January 5) and Easter Week are Peak Season not only for overseas visitors but for Costa Rica residents, too. Costa Rica schools are out, many governmental agencies and private businesses close, and thousands of Ticos flock to the most popular beaches. They will find the best bargains; you will pay the highest premium prices.

b. High Season coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Many tourists travel Costa Rica January through April because of the sunny tropical weather, a fact not lost on hotels and resorts. Like Florida, Arizona, and the Texas coast, Snowbirds get plucked a bit more during high season.

c. Green (Low) Season offers the best travel and accommodation bargains for those on a Costa Rica vacation. Many travelers mistakenly assume that it rains every day though, in fact, most days are sunny and warm with some showers for an hour or so in the afternoon or early evening. For the best budget travel deals, this is the time of year to visit this tropical paradise. Students and families from the Europe and North America are on summer vacation until mid-August but prices are good and accommodations available in most places. And, the best time for budget travel is September through mid-November when (if you ask) there are often discounts of 20% or more available.

2. Save $25 a day when renting a car by planning ahead

Many Costa Rica tourists rent a car online and are surprised to learn when they arrive that the rental agency wants to charge an additional charge of $25 or more per day for liability insurance! Rule #1: If your home automobile policy includes liability coverage, that insurance is good in Costa Rica. Recommendation: bring a copy of the policy along with the fax and email of your insurance agent and save that money for your vacation. Rule #2: Many credit cards offer a little known benefit: liability insurance coverage for rentals when the card is used. Contact your credit card company before you travel for best results. Rule#3: Be polite but informed. After all, it is your money.

3. Save another 5% or more by remembering that Cash Is King

Many local merchants prefer dollars over credit cards and when asked if there is a discount for cash will offer 5% or more. Ask “Que (pronounced “K”) es discuento por effectivo?” which means “What is the discount for cash?” Be sure the bills are new and not defaced with even a tiny tear. And, bring $20 and $50 bills. Many restaurants, merchants, and hostels cannot break a $100 bill.

4. Save 50% by staying in a hostel

There are many fine Costa Rica hostels offering nice, private rooms for half the price of a hotel. During the off season, prices can be around $12 a person.

5. Save 10% while dining: Do not pay two tips in a restaurant

Many Costa Rica restaurants, particularly those catering to foreign travelers, automatically include a 10% tip (called “servicio”) on a bill. They are required by law to note that on the menu but few bars or restaurants do so and are rewarded by unknowing foreigners who leave a second tip. It is up to you, the budget travel patron, to pay attention to your bill. If you are in doubt, ask if the tip is included on the bill.

Enjoy your Costa Rica vacation.
About the writer: Vic Krumm lives in sunny Costa Rica. Visit his acclaimed website about Costa Rica Vacations and see why Costa Rica Tourism is world-famous.

Author: Victor Krumm
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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