Travel Tips Pack the room. The more people you put in a hotel room, the cheaper it gets per person. Avoid touristy restaurants with “We speak English” signs and multilingual menus. Those that are filled with locals serve better food for less money. Adapt to the cities tastes. Cultural chameleons drink tea in England, beer in Prague, red wine in France, and white wine on the Rhine. They eat fish in Portugal and reindeer in Norway. Local specialties get you the best quality and service for the best price. Cars are worthless and expensive headaches in big cities. Pick up your rental car after the first big city you visit, and drop it off before the final big city of your trip. Paying $20 a day to store a $40-a-day car while touring a city is a pricey mistake. Europe’s highly competitive no-frills airlines—such as Ryanair and Virgin Express—can often get you from one city to another faster and cheaper than the train. You can book by phone or on the Web. Beware though: cheap airlines often use small airports located far from town, which can cost a little extra time and money. Take advantage of department stores anywhere For cheap folk art, souvenirs, postcards, and inexpensive cafeterias. Use ATMs rather than travelers checks. You’ll get your cash cheaper and faster. While ATMs give the best possible rates, they do come with transaction fees. Minimize these by making fewer and larger withdrawals. Store the cash safely in your moneybelt. Wear a money belt. You’ll save money by not losing it to a thief. They target tourist not because they’re mean but because they’re smart. They know we’re the ones with the good stuff in our purses and wallets. Assume beggars are pickpockets. Be wary of commotions in crowds and fake police who ask to see your wallet. When you know the scams, they’re almost entertaining. Travel off-season—generally October through April in Europe. You’ll get cheaper airfare, find more budget rooms, spend less time in lines, and meet more Europeans than tourists. For your next trip, plan ahead and research your options. Those who expect to travel smart do—and they save money.