That trickle doesn’t stop when you arrive at your destination; think of cell phone charges, bank fees, and housekeeping tips, to name a few. To avoid spending more than you have to, check out these 10 travel money mistakes to avoid.

1. Forgetting to Let Your Bank Know You’ll Be Traveling

Forgetting to call your bank before traveling abroad is a common error that even frequent international travelers make; it slips your mind until the plane touches down, and by then, it’s often too late. These days banks have almost zero lag time in noticing a debit or credit card being used abroad, so you will get shut down on pretty much your first swipe in a foreign country.

As banks have gotten more sophisticated about tracking card use locations, this can even be important for domestic travel, and most banks recommend that you let them know about those closer-to-home trips as well. Fraud detectors can be tripped if you’re suddenly using your card across the country, making more or different purchases than you usually do, or charging unexpectedly large amounts (such as a weeklong hotel stay).

Note that this applies to debit cards as well as credit cards. Most banks have a way for you to easily set a travel notification online. If your card has EMV chip technology, you may not need to notify your bank about travel—check with your credit card company if you’re unsure. 

2. Overlooking Bank and ATM Fees

While traveling internationally, each time you get cash, you will likely incur a fee of some kind. These can vary greatly depending on whether a large bank runs the ATM, if the bank is on your card’s network, and more. Remember that fees can change from year to year, so it’s worth checking before every trip. Try to plan ahead and pull out as much cash as you’ll need at once (if you can store it somewhere safe) so that you’re not hit with multiple fees. 

3. Failing to Make a Plan for Getting to Your Hotel From the Airport

That first taxi ride from the airport may be your most financially vulnerable moment of any trip—the time when you have no idea how far it is, what a fair price is for the ride, whether you have lower-cost alternatives such as a train or bus, or even whether your hotel has a free shuttle. It’s best to figure all of this out before your trip; when you arrive, you are tired, often without much cash, and carrying a ton of luggage. You don’t want to be fumbling around trying to figure all this out on the airport curb.

4. Forgetting to Add an International Roaming Plan for Your Phone

How much could a few texts, a bit of mapping, a few email checks, and a batch of social media updates cost per day? Plenty, it turns out—so be sure to purchase an international roaming plan that will cover you while you’re away. 

5. Forgetting to Research the Local Exchange Rate

Especially in the first several hours at your destination, having done a little research on the local exchange rate against your home currency can make a huge difference. Often, it takes a couple of days really to get a handle on how much things cost, but this can take even longer if you are traveling in an area where prices may not be so fixed as they are at home. Memorizing the exchange rate so you can do the math quickly in your head will help considerably. 

It can be helpful to make a note on your phone of common dollar amounts to quickly reference. For example, USD 1 = CAD 1.43, USD 5 = CAD 1.43. 

6. Bringing Traveler’s Checks

Barely anyone accepts them anymore, they’re not cheap, you have to invest a fair amount of time in obtaining and purchasing them, and credit cards give you a far better rate of exchange in most parts of the world. Skip ’em.

7. Assuming You Know How Much to Tip

Tipping customs vary immensely from place to place, and not knowing what’s appropriate can be both awkward and expensive.

Tipping practices can also vary from industry to industry as well; in Brazil, for example, a 10 percent tip is customary in a restaurant, but it might already be included, so you will want to check the bill. On a taxi ride, you just round up to the nearest one (or five if you are feeling generous) for most rides (so for a 13 reais taxi ride, you give 14 or 15 reais).

8. Tipping Your Housekeeper Only at the End of Your Stay

Many travelers will leave it until the end of a trip to tip the housekeepers (usually by leaving some cash on top of the bed); this can backfire. On any given stay, you might have a different housekeeper from one day to the next, and to be the fairest and to get the best treatment, it’s best to leave something each day. 

9. Leaving Your Valuables Unsecured

Shoving your wallet in your back pocket or your purse over your shoulder is such a natural and almost automatic action that almost all of us will do this at some point in our travels. It’s also the easiest way to get pickpocketed or ripped off, as these spots are both obvious to thieves and difficult to protect.

This doesn’t apply only to your wallet; you will want to secure anything that someone could grab quickly. On a recent trip to Rio, we got on a train to the legendary Maracana stadium for a game featuring the local futbol favorite Flamengo. It was rush hour, and the train was insanely packed; despite living for more than a decade in New York City and having taken countless trips around the world, I had never experienced anything like it. If there was ever an environment ripe for pickpocketing and unseen thefts, this was it. I had a backpack with sweatshirts and a camera inside,  so I looked around at how the locals were dealing with it and noticed that everyone had their backpacks and bags in front of them.

A button on your back pocket or an across-the-body bag instead of an over-the-shoulder purse can also help here; adding just a little bit of difficulty is often enough to inspire thieves to look for other victims.

10. Using Public Wi-Fi for Financial Transactions

You’ll want to avoid checking bank balances, making online payments, or entering financially sensitive passwords of any kind while using public internet or Wi-Fi networks. Occasionally, it’s unavoidable, and the number of hotel Wi-Fi systems with keystroke loggers installed by sophisticated hackers is extremely low—but it’s always a risk.

Note also that a hack doesn’t have to be an inside job—that is, a hotel employee or system installer—but can also be a fellow lodger who has hacked into the minimally protected (if at all) hotel Wi-Fi network.

Hopefully, by keeping your money on your mind just a little, these tips will help you keep your money in your bank account as well.

The post 10 Travel Money Mistakes to Avoid appeared first on SmarterTravel.

When traveling to a country with an unfavorable exchange rate, many people are guilty of mentally converting prices into U.S. dollars and cringing at the price increase. A disadvantaged exchange rate alone can be enough to make you worry you’ve blown your budget. And that’s before even taking into account extra fees that come with city or airport currency-exchange counters—which is why you should never use them.

Now that cash is no longer king, most travel experts recommend that you rely primarily on plastic while traveling: specifically, credit cards for big-ticket items, and debit/ATM cards for cash on arrival. That’s right: You shouldn’t be using a cash-exchange counter to exchange currency. The best place to exchange currency is an ATM, which will typically offer better rates and lower fees (depending on your bank and destination).

The longstanding issue with that practice has always been foreign transaction fees—but you might be surprised to hear that this pesky type of fee is becoming less and less relevant.

Some cards do have foreign transaction fees of about three percent, but most big banks have done away with such charges, which makes ATMs the best way to exchange currency. (And, of course, never use a credit card to withdraw from an ATM—it’ll cost you a lot in banking fees/interest.)

There are exceptions to this practice, however: If you’re traveling somewhere like Cuba, for example, which requires that you order cash before arrival since you can’t withdraw Cuban money from ATMs with a U.S. bank card. (Furthermore, nowhere in Cuba will accept U.S. dollars, so even an airport currency exchange upon landing isn’t an option.)

With that in mind, here are your options for those times when you need to exchange some U.S. dollars.

Before You Do Anything, Research the Exchange Rate

The only way to know if you are getting the best exchange rate is to know what the current rate is. Before you leave for your trip, check XE.com for an up-to-date look at the exchange rate. If you’re taking an extended trip, check the rate periodically to stay abreast of any major changes by downloading the XE app (iOS | Android).

The Best Places to Exchange Currency or Buy Money

When all else fails, remember a few golden rules:

• Banks in your respective destination are likely to have the lowest currency exchange fees.
• Airport currency exchange counters typically offer better rates than city-center equivalents.
• “Buying” cash ahead of your trip, when it’s absolutely necessary, is best done with friends so you can split the fee, and through a membership service like AAA that charges nominal or no fees for members.

AAA members can order over 90 types of foreign currency. The currency must be ordered in person, and purchases are shipped to the branch location in about three business days. Plus, orders over $200 are shipped free.

You’ll usually get the best exchange rates at banks, post offices, and American Express offices. Hotels are also worth a try. Avoid the change bureaus you see everywhere in airports, train stations, and touristy areas, which usually have the worst rates.

Wherever you go, take the time to shop around. Read the posted exchange rates carefully, and ask for the net rate after any commissions: Some commissions are charged on a per-item basis on each transaction, others on a percentage basis.

Finally, look out for fake currency exchanges, which can be a source of scams or counterfeit currency. You shouldn’t run into this problem at reputable banks, hotels, or government-run post offices.

Tip: If you’ll be carrying a lot of cash, consider this inexpensive, hyper-organized wallet that keeps everything safe and secure in a compact place.

Know When Not to Exchange

Have you checked if U.S. dollars are accepted as readily as the local currency in your destination? For instance, the currencies in Belize, Barbados, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean nations are pegged to the U.S. dollar at fixed rates, making it easy to pay for your purchases in either American money or the local currency.

However, it’s not always a good idea to pay in U.S. dollars, even if the option is open to you. In countries where the exchange rate is variable, the price that is listed in U.S. dollars may not be a great deal; often the merchant will charge you a little extra for the convenience of paying in your own currency. Use the calculator on your smartphone to figure out whether you’re getting a fair price.

And lastly: Traveler’s checks? Not if you’re living in the 21st century. You’ll have a lot of trouble finding a bank that will exchange these checks, if you still have them. A lot has changed in travel banking in the past couple of decades—for the better.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Spot Counterfeit Money Abroad
• 10 Smart Ways to Carry Money While Traveling
• 8 Great Crossbody Bags for Travel

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ed Perkins, Mark Rowlands, Shannon McMahon, and Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story.

The post Where to Get the Best Exchange Rate When You Need a Foreign Currency appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Few travelers think to contact the hotel concierge for much more than directions or restaurant recommendations—but if you don’t, you’re missing out on a wealth of local expertise. A good hotel concierge has impressive powers and can assist with almost any travel problem you might face, so you shouldn’t be afraid to take advantage.

That said, a concierge is not a magician. Below are 14 things your hotel concierge can do for you, six more they can’t, and four tips for maximizing your moments at the hotel lobby.

What a Hotel Concierge Can Do for You

Save You Money

The concierge can tell you how to get to the airport for less, where to find nearby happy hours, what the best free sights and activities are, and how much is a fair price for a taxi.

Recommend Fitness Facilities

If your hotel doesn’t have a gym or lacks the equipment you want, the concierge can usually point you to an affiliated hotel with better facilities, recommend a good running trail, or give you a list of nearby fitness centers that offer daily or weekly passes.

Get You a Ride When There Seems to Be None Available

If it is rush hour, raining, or really late, finding a taxi or Uber ride can be tough. The concierge can make this happen with a phone call in many cases. This can even work if you’re not staying at the hotel in question. I once saw a friend walk into the lobby of a New York hotel and offer the concierge a tip; within seconds, we had a ride.

Get Tickets for You

Many concierges are careful to say they can’t get tickets for sold-out shows, but the truth is they sometimes can. They may have relationships with brokers, or know season ticket holders who may not be using their seats, or even have tickets themselves; Michael Fazio, author of Concierge Confidential, started to purchase tickets to certain shows that he would then sell to guests, usually at a markup that matched the secondary market.

Keep You Safe

A concierge can offer advice on whether a neighborhood, park, or activity is safe to visit, and what you can do instead if your idea is iffy.

Help You Celebrate

Are you proposing to your partner or celebrating a landmark birthday? Your hotel concierge can help with anything from filling your hotel room with flowers and balloons to organizing a rooftop proposal, complete with a photographer to document the occasion.

Help You Do Your Job

A concierge can assist with all kinds of work-related tasks, such as getting materials to a printer, setting up a courier service, mailing packages, and setting up a meeting space.

Help You Look Good

A concierge can get you an appointment with a barber or hairdresser, get clothes pressed, and more.

Fix Sticky Travel Problems

A concierge can help you find an expeditor or make an embassy appointment if your passport is stolen, or facilitate repairs if your smartphone goes on the fritz. They can also accept overnight mail or late-arriving luggage.

Get You a Table

Restaurants will often find a way to fit in customers who are recommended by their preferred concierge contacts. If the restaurant is truly full, the concierge can often get you to the front of a waiting list.

Recommend Local Service Folks

Need a babysitter, an auto repair shop, or a dog walker? Your concierge can help.

Create a Custom Itinerary

If you have a bunch of stuff you definitely want to do but are uncertain how to make it all fit together, the concierge can take your list of attractions and put together a coherent and achievable plan. He or she can also help you avoid pitfalls such as road construction or closed subway stations.

Help with Special Needs

If you are disabled, aren’t feeling well, or have other special needs, a hotel concierge can offer considerable assistance—like calling wheelchair-accessible taxis, finding English-speaking doctors, and recommending restaurants that can accommodate certain food allergies.

Provide Assistance Before You Arrive

The concierge can be a resource not just once you’re at the hotel but beforehand as well. For instance, he or she could help you plan out your first day, including a restaurant reservation for dinner.

What Your Hotel Concierge Can’t Do for You

Gossip

Discretion is an integral part of a concierge’s job, so they tend not to talk about other guests, including which celebrities might be staying in the hotel.

Illegal or Immoral Activities

You shouldn’t expose a concierge to risk by asking him or her to help with illegal—or dubiously legal—activities such as obtaining drugs, forging signatures, finding “companions,” or the like.

Babysit

A concierge can help you find someone else to look after your child, but he or she can’t actually do the babysitting while on duty.

Float You a Loan

They’ll help you with money concerns, but concierges are not banks; don’t ask them to dig into their pockets for you.

Sell Stuff for You

Concierges are also not your personal eBay or Craigslist; they can’t sell tickets you no longer need or items you don’t want to take home. However, he or she may be able to recommend a place where you can do the sale yourself.

Book Tickets to Sold-Out Shows

Truly sold-out shows tend to be just that; however, you can ask if the concierge has any ideas or contacts to help get you tickets, and he or she might have a strategy for you. If there is truly no way to get certain tickets, the concierge will tell you so.

Tips for Using a Hotel Concierge

Don’t Be Shy

You might feel as though the concierge is only there for the folks in the penthouse suite, but this isn’t the case; he or she is there to help all guests, so feel free to ask.

Give Them Some Time

Concierges can often pull off difficult tasks, but to do so on very short notice is tricky, and it distracts them from helping other guests. Give the concierge some notice if you need something beyond simple advice.

Present the Concierge’s Card

When a concierge sends you to a restaurant or other establishment, it is often his or her name, not yours, that is the attraction for the proprietor. So if a concierge asks you to show his or her card, do it; these relationships are what makes concierges able to help you now and in the future.

Not All Concierges Are the Same

Concierges at the very best (and most expensive) hotels are notorious for pulling off near-miracles; those at less prestigious establishments typically don’t have the same pull.

Traveling? Get a Carry-On That Does More

3 words: lightweight, durable, & multi-functional. The Carry-On from Away makes traveling that much easier, especially with its removable, TSA-approved battery for your electronics.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Hotel Room Exercises You Can Do Without Any Workout Gear
• 9 Luxe Hotels You Can Actually Afford to Book
• The 11 Best Hotel Booking Sites

Ed Hewitt is a seasoned globetrotter who brings you a biweekly glimpse into the latest travel news, views, and trends—and how they could affect your travel plans.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated with the latest information.

The post 14 Things a Hotel Concierge Can Do for You (And 6 Things They Can’t) appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Travel experts (myself included) will always recommend that you rely primarily on plastic while traveling: specifically, credit cards for big-ticket items and debit ATM cards for cash on arrival. The longstanding issue with that practice has always been foreign transaction fees—but you might be surprised to hear that this pesky type of fee is becoming less and less relevant.

In many cases you can now avoid foreign transaction fees entirely, while in others you’ll pay them, but will ultimately lose less money than any other cash-acquirement option. For foreign travel, especially, you can’t beat plastic: In fact, you may actually need credit cards in more and more places as they opt out of cash all together. Cashless retail outlets are becoming widespread, especially in Sweden and across China, with some places refusing to accept any paper currency at all.

Beating Foreign Transaction Fees on Credit Cards

Credit cards have improved dramatically in recent years for overseas purchases. About a decade ago, most banks had a three percent surcharge on foreign credit card purchases—even purchases in U.S. dollars. But now, most big issuers—including Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, and American Express—offer multiple credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. For the most part, cards that target travelers typically no longer have foreign surcharges. To see a list of cards without foreign transaction fees, see Airfarewatchdog (SmarterTravel’s sister site).

And although you can use a credit card to withdraw cash, that’s not a good idea: With all banks, cash withdrawal on a credit card comes with interest charges, plus fees, as well. The biggest trap for use of credit cards outside the U.S. is now the attempt by some merchants to bill you in dollars rather than local currency. The trap? They convert your bill at a lousy exchange rate. If a transaction ever prompts you to choose between dollars or the local currency, always choose the local currency. Also keep in mind that, even if your card charges a small fee, it’s likely less than the fee any currency exchange counter will take from you.

The best ways to deal with credit card purchases to avoid foreign transaction fees are:

• Use whatever no-surcharge credit card serves you best.
• Don’t let anyone try to bill you in dollars rather than the local currency.
• Don’t use a credit card to acquire cash.
• If your current card adds a surcharge—and you don’t want to apply for a different card—a loss of three percent is still a lot less than your loss converting currency at any exchange counter.

Beating Foreign Transaction Fees on Debit Cards

The foreign transaction fees situation is not as good with debit cards, but still improving.

In most of the world, you can use an ATM card issued by a U.S. bank at an ATM in a foreign country to withdraw local currency. The actual exchange is carried out by the international American Express, MasterCard, or Visa networks, and the exchange fee is typically one percent or less. But most U.S. banks add a surcharge of $3 to $5 per withdrawal from any ATM other than its own ATMs, including virtually all ATMs outside the United States. Many add an exchange surcharge on top of that, as well. And the local ATM operator may add a fee.

For a while, the Global ATM Alliance offered no-fee withdrawals on Bank of America debit cards when used at another member bank’s ATM, but Bank of America later imposed a three-percent exchange surcharge. The main exceptions are many small banks—most notably savings banks, online banks, and credit unions—that waive debit card transaction fees and cover other fees on foreign withdrawals.

And a new debit card problem has emerged in recent years: Many big international hub airports have kicked out ATMs operated by local banks and substituted ATMs operated by exchange bureaus, such as Travelex. The signs on these ATMs say “no fees,” which is somewhat true: Your money is exchanged at the same retail rate you get at the exchange counter, and that rate is typically around 10 to 15 percent worse than the official bank rate. And then there’s your own bank’s fees.

Ways to withdraw local currency from a local ATM without piling on the foreign transaction fees are:

• If your usual ATM card is from a big bank with stiff withdrawal fees, consider opening a no-fee checking account at one of the many small banks that waive or cover foreign ATM charges.
• If you don’t have any local currency when you arrive in a foreign country, avoid airport ATMs operated by exchange bureaus if you can. If you can’t, get only as much as you need to get to your hotel.

And finally: Traveler’s checks? Not if you’re living in the 21st century. You’ll have a lot of trouble finding a bank that will exchange these checks, if you still have them. A lot has changed in travel banking in the past couple of decades—for the better.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Smart Ways to Carry Money While Traveling
• 10 Travel Money Mistakes to Avoid
• What Happens When a Travel Provider Shuts Down Suddenly?

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuses every day at SmarterTravel.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2012. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post How to Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Europe is one of the world’s most expensive travel destinations. Hotel rates are sky-high in major capitals like London and Paris, and the hefty cost of living (particularly in Scandinavian countries) makes everyday purchases such as meals and public transportation tickets a pricey proposition for travelers.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t see Europe on a budget. We’ve gathered 25 tips to help you travel Europe for cheap.

1. Be flexible with your dates and airports.

One of the best ways to save money on airfare to Europe is to be flexible about when you travel. The high season for travel to most of Europe is June through August, so you can often save money on both airfare and lodging by traveling at other times of year. (That said, you’ll want to avoid major holidays such as Christmas and Easter.) Also, consider flying to and from alternate airports—for example, London Gatwick instead of Heathrow—as a potential way to land cheaper fares. To start your search, see The 10 Best Flight Search Sites for Booking Cheap Airfare.

2. Book at the right time.

Not sure whether the airfare you’re seeing is a good one? There are sites and apps that can help. When you search for a fare on Kayak.com, the results page typically features a little box with a fare prediction that advises whether you should wait or buy now. The Hopper app (iOS | Android) offers similar predictive advice. You can set fare alerts on SmarterTravel’s sister site, Airfarewatchdog, and the site will notify you when the price drops on your route.

3. Find your focus.

When planning your European itinerary, consider exploring one region or country in depth rather than bouncing around from place to place. For example, spend a week sightseeing in Florence and taking day trips to nearby towns in Tuscany rather than trying to squeeze Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome into seven or eight days. You’ll not only spare yourself hours of sitting in transit, but you’ll also save big on transportation expenses such as airfare or pricey train tickets. Learn more about slow travel.

4. Save on museum entrance fees and entertainment.

Many museums offer free admission on certain days or nights of the week or at certain times of the month. For example, the Louvre in Paris is free on the first Saturday of each month, as well as on Bastille Day (July 14). Check ahead of time for free admission at the museums you’re interested in, and schedule your visit accordingly.

Similarly, keep an eye out for free concerts or performances going on in local parks, churches, and other public venues. The best place to find these is in the local newspapers or online entertainment listings, by asking at your hotel—or simply by stumbling upon them.

5. Purchase a pass.

Most major cities offer special cards that include discounts or free admission for museums, attractions, tours, and public transportation. Examples include the London Pass, the Amsterdam Pass, and the Barcelona Pass.  These can be a great value if the card covers many of the attractions you were already planning to visit, but be sure to evaluate whether it’s really worth it. If the card costs $100 and you’re only going to use it at one or two museums, it may be better to pay a la carte.

6. Consider a rental.

Choosing a vacation rental instead of a standard hotel has several cost advantages. Renting an apartment or house often gives you more space for less money (so it’s a particularly economical option if you’re traveling with a group or family), and having kitchen facilities means you can cook for yourself rather than spending a lot on overpriced restaurant meals. You can find rentals on sites such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company), Airbnb, and HomeAway.

7. Don’t count out hostels.

Many travelers steer clear of hostels, thinking that they’re just for 20-something backpackers who don’t mind sleeping 10 to a room. However, you may not know that many hostels also offer private rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms as well. They may not be luxurious, but if you’re looking for a clean, basic room at a low price, it’s worth checking out the hostel scene. HostelWorld is one good place to find them.

8. Choose a less convenient location.

To get a lower hotel rate, consider staying outside the city center. As long as you’re located somewhere near a public transit line, it will still be pretty convenient—and you could save big bucks.

9. Get creative.

Discover other affordable possibilities—from B&Bs to farmstays—in Ditch the Hotel: 10 Cheaper Ways to Stay.

10. Get cash from ATMs—at a bank.

An ATM is your best option for a combination of a fair exchange rate and low surcharges and fees. At an ATM, you’ll likely pay a transaction fee from your bank (typically 1 – 2 percent or a few dollars), but you’ll also get the favorable interbank exchange rate rather than the higher rates you’ll find at typical exchange bureaus. To avoid excessive fees, take out large amounts of cash at a time and store the excess in a money belt or hotel safe. For more advice, see Money Safety Tips for Travelers.

It’s best to avoid stand-alone, off-brand ATMs of the kind you often find in the back of convenience stores. These typically have the highest transaction fees; use an ATM from a reputable bank instead. If possible, use your own bank to avoid fees from other institutions. Check your bank’s website for ATM and branch locations.

11. Use your credit card.

Many of the benefits of using an ATM card also apply to your credit card, particularly the strong exchange rates. However, keep in mind that many credit card companies charge fees for purchases made in foreign currencies, usually 1 – 3 percent. Choose the right card and you can avoid these fees. Capital One, for example, is a major credit card company that levies no surcharges on foreign transactions for its U.S. card holders. Check with your credit card companies to figure out which of your cards has the lowest fees for foreign purchases, and then use that one for your overseas purchases. SmarterTravel’s sister site, Airfarewatchdog, offers a list of credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Once on the road, check the fine print to make sure that your hotel, restaurant, or other outfit does not tack on a percentage fee on credit card transactions to cover authorization fees.

12. Choose your counter wisely.

If you absolutely must use a currency exchange counter, skip the airport or train station kiosks where you are almost guaranteed to get the worst rate available. Instead, choose a bank if you can find one. Wherever you are, exchange only enough money to get the job of the moment done (whether it be a cab ride, emergency rations, or the purchase of a souvenir), and then get to an ATM as soon as you can.

13. Fly cash (and coin) light.

Wait until you reach your destination before exchanging currency, and spend the bulk of your foreign currency at your destination before you go home. This way, you won’t have to pick up and then dump a lot of money at an exchange booth while taking losses both coming and going.

This is especially applicable to the piles of rattling coins you accumulate while traveling. Good luck finding a place back home that accepts a bucket of euro tin and Queen Elizabeth heads in your neighborhood. Spend all your change on the way out, or at least stop at a bank and convert it to bills; you might actually get your money back someday if you do. For more tips, see Foreign Currency.

14. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

While this isn’t recommended at Harrods or other department stores, there are still plenty of places in Europe where bargaining is acceptable. Outdoor markets and street vendor stalls offer prime opportunities to try your haggling skills. To learn more, see Shopping Abroad: A Traveler’s Guide.

15. Cut out the car…

Most travelers know that a rental car isn’t really necessary (and in fact can be a hindrance) when visiting a major city. But many European nations have such comprehensive networks of trains and local buses that you might not even need a car to visit the countryside. Public transportation is available to many small towns and rural tourist attractions, which will save you not only the price of your rental but also the cost of gas (Europeans pay significantly more than Americans do). If you truly are headed out into the middle of nowhere for a day or two, plan to keep your rental for only as long as you need it rather than for your entire stay.

16. …and the cab.

Most European airports are served by trains, buses, shuttles, and ridesharing services that will take you downtown and back for a fraction of the cost of a cab. (Make it easier on yourself by packing light since you may have to schlep your own luggage.) Similarly, it’s much cheaper to get around town via public transportation, Uber/Lyft, or, better yet, by walking from place to place. If you think you’ll be relying heavily on a subway or bus system, a single- or multi-day pass could be a good buy.

17. Consider a rail pass.

Whether you’re concentrating on a single country or traveling all over the Continent, there may be a Eurail pass that will save you money. Before purchasing a pass, carefully plan out how many train trips you will take and calculate the total cost of point-to-point tickets at RailEurope.com. Keep in mind that short trips are relatively inexpensive—so if you’re going to be sticking to a very small area, a pass may not be worth the cost.

18. Overnight it.

If you’re planning a lengthy train journey, consider traveling on an overnight train. This way you won’t waste valuable daylight hours in transit, and you’ll save on the cost of a night’s lodging as well. Or take a quick flight with one of Europe’s many low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet. Learn more about international discount airlines.

19. Go grocery shopping.

Stock up on bottled water, fruit, and snacks at grocery stores rather than tourist shops. You’ll pay what the locals pay and often get a wider selection, too.

20. Learn to love lunch.

Instead of eating a pricey multi-course dinner, make lunch your big meal of the day. Often you can enjoy similar dishes for half the price.

21. Don’t overtip.

Americans are used to tipping 18 – 20 percent in restaurants, but in most European nations, 10 percent is the norm unless the service was truly extraordinary. Check first to see whether a service charge has already been added to your bill; if so, you usually don’t need to leave anything additional. For country-specific tipping information, refer to a good guidebook, do a Google search, or ask at the local tourist office. For more information, see Tipping in Europe: The Europe Tipping Guide.

22. Save on breakfast.

If breakfast is included in your hotel’s nightly rate, then be sure to take advantage of it. But if it’s not, skip the overpriced room service. You can almost certainly find a much cheaper croissant and cup of coffee at the cafe down the street. Ask your hotel’s concierge or front desk about what’s nearby.

23. Be wise about wine.

If you’re dining out, order the house wine; you’ll save money, and in places like France and Italy, you may be surprised at how good it is. Want a drink out on your hotel balcony? Pick up a bottle at the local liquor store and bring it back to your room for an affordable taste of luxury.

24. Seek out local eateries.

To find authentic and affordable food, skip the restaurants with the tourist-friendly English-language menus out front and seek out places where you see plenty of locals. (The Google Translate app, available for iOS and Android, can help you make sense of the menu.) Don’t hesitate to ask your hotel concierge to recommend affordable restaurants in the area.

25. Follow the locals’ lead for cheap eats.

Eat the plentiful pizza in Italy, grab a quick baguette sandwich in France, or nosh on takeaway curry in London.

What tricks do you use to travel Europe for cheap? Post them in the comments below.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Packing for Europe: 8 Items You Should Leave at Home
• 10 Secret Places in Europe You Can Still Visit on a Budget
• 14 Best Shoes to Wear in Europe

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Sarah Schlichter and Ed Hewitt contributed to this article.

The post Top 25 Ways to Save on Europe Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Choosing a destination can be a difficult decision when you’re looking to maximize your travel budget. By choosing a destination with a favorable exchange rate and strong U.S. dollar, you can make the most of every penny spent in 2019.

Travelers looking to stretch the U.S. dollar this year should consider Latin America and parts of Africa and Asia. Projected prices for Latin America and Africa are expected to decrease by two percent for air travel and about 1.4 percent for hotel costs in 2019, according to the Global Travel Forecast.

Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking for luxury without the high price tag, these undervalued currencies and decreasing foreign exchange rates should be on your radar. Check out the destinations where the dollar is strongest in 2019.

Editor’s note: For the latest version of this story, see 9 Places Where the Dollar Goes Furthest in 2020.

Argentina

Whether you want colonial cities, glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, wine country or wildlife, the greenback will take you far in Argentina. The dollar is so strong this year in Argentina that the Economist’s 2019 Big Mac Index undervalues the Argentine peso by a 64.1 percent, a huge drop compared to last year’s also-favorable 25 percent. The exchange rate, which is likely to continue trending in favor of U.S. travelers, is forecast to decrease by 10.7 percent this year.

If you go: Wine lovers can take advantage of the favorable exchange rate in 2019 by shipping home bottles (or cases) of the Argentine wines you discover on your travels.

Where to Stay: For poolside Andes Mountain views in Mendoza wine country, stay at El Carmelo Mountain Lodge.

Egypt

With the exchange rate forecasted to drop 2.5 percent and a new museum set to debut, 2019 is a perfect time for travelers to visit Egypt.  This year, Egypt’s currency is undervalued by a whopping 60 percent, according to the Big Mac Index. The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will partially open in 2019. The 117-acre museum, situated about one mile from the Giza pyramids, will be the largest archaeological museum in the world, and will have a passage straight from the museum to the pyramids.

If you go: Take a dinner boat cruise down the Nile River to get an entirely different Egyptian experience on the water.

Where to Stay: Stay at Cairo Pyramids Hotel for luxury accommodations, two swimming pools, and a location 10 minutes by car from the pyramids.

Mexico

Your dollar goes far when it becomes pesos in Mexico. The Mexican peso is undervalued by 54.5 percent, according to the Big Mac Index, and the exchange rate is predicted to fall 1.3 percent in 2019, according to Global Travel Forecast. There are affordable flights and consistent flight deals from the United States to Mexico, specifically Cancun, plus an abundance of hotel accommodations for a variety of budgets.

If you go: In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, visit the gorgeous beaches and cenotes in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, or save on car rentals on the car-free island of Holbox.

Where to Stay: Paradisus Playa del Carmen includes two all-inclusive resorts in one expansive property with mirrored amenities on both the adults-only and family-friendly sides.

Vietnam

The 2019 Backpacker Index lists Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam as the top two most affordable cities to travel to in 2019. Hoi An, Vietnam, also makes the top 10. For less than $20 per day, travelers to Vietnam can pay for budget accommodations (hostels), meals, some entertainment, and public transportation. Mid-range accommodations also tend to be affordable. While the exchange rate is predicted to increase slightly in Vietnam this year, the Big Mac Index undervalues it by 49.8 percent, suggesting the dollar will remain very strong in Vietnam in 2019.

If you go: The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, in Da Nang near Hoi An, is Asia’s biggest fireworks festival. The 2019 theme is “Legends of Bridges” and teams from around the world will light up the sky in the pyrotechnic competition.

Where to Stay: Be close to the fireworks festival, My Khe Beach, and Da Nang train station when you stay at Danang Riverside Hotel.

Peru

Peru beckons with award-winning cuisine, world-famous archeological sites, and, this year, a favorable exchange rate. The exchange rate is forecasted to increase slightly in Peru for 2019; however, the country’s currency is still vastly undervalued at 43.8 percent, making this a good time to get more for the U.S. dollar. Cusco and Lima are both included in the 2019 Backpacker Index’s world’s cheapest cities list. On the budget end, travelers can expect to spend as little as $30 a day on hostel accommodations, meals, and entertainment in Cusco or Lima.

If you go: Lima continues to be home to some of the best restaurants in the world, as recognized by several media outlets in recent years. It offers a mild climate, awesome surfing conditions and cool city vibes. And Cusco, often just an addition to a bucket list Machu Picchu trip, easily stands on its own with its colonial plazas and wide variety of restaurants and bars.

Where to Stay: The JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is a great base camp before or after embarking on a journey to Machu Picchu. The luxury hotel is in the heart of everything Cusco has to offer, and has its own indoor pool and on-site spa.

Costa Rica

Whether you’re in search of rainforests, beaches, volcanos, cloud forests, or mountains, your dollar will get you far in Costa Rica. Let 2019 be your year of the sloth: The Big Mac Index flags the Costa Rican colón as undervalued by 32.4 percent, and, according to the Global Travel Forecast, the exchange rate is predicted to fall 5.2 percent in 2019. Even getting there is affordable: Airfare to Costa Rica tends to hover under the $400 mark round-trip from most U.S. cities, according to SmarterTravel’s sister site Airfarewatchdog.

If you go: Manual Antonio National Park, along the Pacific Coast, offers one of the best white sand beaches in the world, plus a vibrant rainforest with monkeys, 100-plus other species of mammals, and more than 180 species of birds.

Where to Stay: Be closest to Manuel Antonio National Park and stay at Hotel San Bada, situated steps away from the wildlife.

Canada

Canada’s dollar is currently undervalued at 8.9 percent, according to the Big Mac Index. But the exchange rate is forecasted to increase by 2.6 percent, so early 2019 is the time to get the most out of the U.S. dollar in Canada. Airfare to Canada is usually season-dependent, but if you stay on the same coast (Los Angeles to Vancouver or New York to Toronto), flights can go for as low as $200 round-trip, according to Airfarewatchdog.com experts.

If you go: Visit the beaches of Vancouver Island’s town of Tofino during the fall through mid-winter storm season. Tofino is a surfing paradise all year round. But from October through February, those who would never consider entering the cold, roaring Pacific Ocean love to visit Tofino and watch the waves crash over rocks and the gray skies turn pink at sunset.

Where to Stay: For a front-row seat to storm season, stay at the cozy beachfront Long Beach Lodge Resort.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is on the upswing after recovering from the 2017 hurricane season. The U.S. dollar, which is the currency used in Puerto Rico, is expected to be strong here in 2019. Flights from the U.S. mainland East Coast to Puerto Rico are consistently on sale and many are direct routes, making it desirable even though hotel rates can be higher in Puerto Rico than in Mexico. Rates in San Juan, Puerto Rico, are estimated to run less than $1,500 per person for round-trip airfare from New York and seven nights at a three-star hotel, according to the 2019 Backpacker Index.

If you go: Puerto Rico has the longest Christmas season in the world. It begins immediately following Thanksgiving and doesn’t end on December 25—the grand Christmas season finale is celebrated with parades and parties on Three Kings Day and also at the Octavas and Octavitas celebrations, which run through mid-January.

Where to Stay: For beachfront views, plenty of pools, and a waterslide, stay at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort.

Dominican Republic

While the Caribbean is historically considered pricey, the Dominican Republic offers some of the best all-inclusive deals in the region. There’s a wide range of resorts in the Dominican Republic, and travelers can find good value in the Dominican peso whether they’re on a budget or looking for luxury. The 2019 Backpacker Index ranks Puerto Plata, Samana, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (along with Playa del Carmen, Mexico) as the top four cheapest Caribbean destinations for 2019. Rates in the DR are estimated to run around $1,100 per person for both round-trip airfare from New York and seven nights at a three-star hotel.

If you go: Scuba dive and snorkel in the clear, blue water of the Dominican Republic; or relax on the white sand beaches at a luxury all-inclusive resort.

Where to Stay: For a kids’ club, teen club, spa and a casino, check out Dreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa.

For more ideas, see Top Travel Destinations for 2019.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 9 Travel Kits That Will Make a Long Flight Bearable
• 8 Trips You Didn’t Know You Could Afford in 2019
• How to Get 2 Flights for the Price of One all Year Long

The post 9 Countries Where the U.S. Dollar Is Strongest in 2019 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Does getting 19 percent less than the bank rate on foreign currency exchange sound like a good value proposition to you? Probably not. But that’s what happens to British travelers who exchange pounds for euros at some British airports—and something similar could happen to you, too.

Bad Exchange Rates at Airports

The Moneycorp exchange desk at Southampton airport recently exchanged 500 pounds for just 439 euros, when 500 pounds should have yielded 542.5 euros at the bank rate and no less than 537 euros at a no-fee ATM.

A recent report from TravelWireNews notes that Moneycorp did a little better at Stansted, but those locations still valued the pound below a one-to-one exchange when the actual rate was 1.085 euros to the pound. The report also notes that other exchange desks did the same.

Although the TravelWireNews release didn’t address the issue, I’ve found that airport ATMs operated by exchange outfits tend to give the same lousy rates as the exchange desks.

An exchange rate as low as 19 percent is probably a bit worse than the average loss. But not by much. I regularly see rates in the range of 15 percent below bank rate.

How to Avoid the Airport Exchange Gouge

No wonder why I, along with just about any other unbiased source, keep saying, “Don’t exchange cash, and particularly don’t exchange cash at an airport.” Even the 3 percent foreign-charge “gouge” on some credit card charges pales by comparison to the typical airport gouge.

Of course, it’s easy to avoid this gouge by not putting yourself in the position to exchange currency at the airport. Even if you have no local currency on arrival, use a credit card to get into town or find an ATM operated by a legitimate bank.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Get the Best Exchange Rate
• The New Credit Card Scam That Preys on Hotel Guests
• 11 Hidden Travel Fees You Probably Overlook

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuses every day at SmarterTravel.

The post How to Avoid the Airport Currency-Exchange Gouge appeared first on SmarterTravel.

As soon as your plane touches down in a foreign country, chances are you’ll need some money in the local currency — for a cab, public transportation or even a meal. The growing proliferation of ATMs around the world means that the local currency is usually as close as the nearest cash machine, especially if you’re flying into a major international airport. (For more information, see ATMs Abroad.)

But this is not always the case. If you’re traveling to a developing country or you’re not sure if an ATM will be available, it’s a good idea to have some local currency on hand even before you leave home. Read on to learn more about foreign currency exchange before your next trip.

Bring Your Own Currency?

Purchasing foreign currency from a bank or exchange bureau before you go overseas is generally not the most cost-effective option of exchanging money; you’ll be charged a commission, and you won’t get the interbank rate that you would if you used an ATM or credit card. (For more information, see The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas.) That’s why, if you’re headed to a major international airport or train station, your best bet is probably to seek out an ATM as soon as you arrive and withdraw some cash in the local currency.

However, there are certain circumstances where it still may be worthwhile to have some local currency on hand before arriving in a foreign country. First, some small airports may only have a single ATM — and there’s no guarantee that it will be functioning, or that your particular ATM card will be compatible with it.

Take one example from IndependentTraveler.com reader hafa: “Don’t count on being able to use an ATM in Japan. For some reason they don’t seem to be connected to foreign ATMs. I have used my ATM card in countries all over the world but it wouldn’t work in Japan. I ended up having to get a cash advance on my credit card.”

Likewise, certain countries may also have spotty ATM service; one IndependentTraveler.com editor was nearly stranded without cash on a small Caribbean island when the only cash machine in town was out of service. (Fortunately it was a weekday, and she was able to go into the bank for a cash advance.)

Smaller airports and train stations, particularly in less developed countries, may not have ATMs at all. (Airport websites typically include information on ATM locations, change bureaus and other services; check ahead to see what’s available.)

In these cases, it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand before you arrive — we suggest about $100 – $150 in the local currency, depending on the cost of transportation and how soon you think you’ll be able to reach an ATM. You can either bring U.S. dollars to use at the airport’s exchange bureau, or change your money before you leave home. The latter is a nice option simply for the convenience factor; writes Host Bonjour, “The last thing I feel like doing when I arrive is to have to find the ATM in a foreign airport after a long flight. I just want to FIND my LUGGAGE, FIND my way to my HOTEL and then figure it out from there. So long as I have currency, I don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Where to Get Foreign Currency at Home

There are several companies that will sell you small quantities of foreign currency in the United States for use on your trip. Two of our favorites are Wells Fargo Foreign Exchange and Travelex. Note that you will not get the interbank rate on these exchanges as you would if you used your ATM or credit card. Both companies will also buy back leftover currency, though they only accept notes, not coins.

International airports and large banks have exchange bureaus where you can change a small amount of money before you leave. Your own local bank may also be able to order certain foreign currencies for you with a few days’ notice. For useful tips on buying currency in advance, check out Buying Foreign Currency: Get More Bang for Your Buck.

It’s also a good idea to keep some small U.S. bills with you when you’re traveling overseas. These will come in handy in case you ever need to change just a small amount of money, and in some countries, particularly those in need of “hard currency” or with huge inflation rates, you may get better exchange rates with U.S. dollar bills. We’ve even given U.S. dollars as tips when we only had large bills in the local currency — though this isn’t something that’s accepted everywhere.

Leftover Currency

Most banks charge a hefty fee when you make an ATM withdrawal in a foreign country; likewise, you’ll lose money each time you exchange currencies at an exchange counter because of commissions and rate spreads. The trick is to withdraw or exchange only as much money as you are going to need on your trip.

Try as you might, however, you will inevitably end up with some small change left over when you leave a country. Some travelers save exactly what they will need for transportation out of the country, then apply their remaining foreign currency to their last hotel bill, charging the balance due. Others run around the train station or airport on their way out, wildly spending the rest of their remaining cash. And some travelers like to hang onto foreign coins and notes as souvenirs.

One option you might not have considered is to donate your leftover currency to those in need (chances are, you won’t be using the coins for anything more than novelty when you return anyway). The United States Fund for UNICEF has made it easy to turn your remaining currency into charity with its Change for Good program, which has raised millions of dollars for needy children around the world.

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The post Foreign Currency appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Author: dfreeman
Date of Trip: May 2006

Just getting back to normal after nice cruise to the Baltic and Northern Europe. Fourteen days on Celebrity Constellation can be a bit grueling at times, but the Ports of Call were very interesting. Bottom line is the US dollar is hurting and prices abroad are out of sight. Plus, the people in this part of the world gave us a nice reception wherever we went. Meeting nice people was the norm in each place and these are probably the things we will remember the most. It is just not difficult to be nice.

The Constellation crew was great and it was worth the upgrade to Conceierge level to get breakfast in bed. I give the Constellation team 5 stars! Don’t miss Ocean Liners retaurant and opt for the wine tasting menu.

Oslo, Norway

The Fjords of Norway are a sight to behold. Entering the Oslo Harbor is an unforgettable experience. Oslo welcomed us with constant rain so we did not get a chance to really enjoy the city, reported to be the most expensive city in Europe.

Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden has over 24,000 islands and Stockholm was located where it is to prevent hostile neighbors from finding the city. The islands are everywhere as you cruise into Stockholm. Everywhere you look in the city is a postcard. Enjoyed one of the best hot dogs at the Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) store located in center of the city. Why can’t we have a better dog in the USA? Hebrew National just doesn’t do it! Visited the Absolut Ice Bar in the Nordic Sea Hotel and had a couple vodka drinks at minus 5 degrees Centigrade for only $20 bucks apiece. The first glasses are made from pure clear ice from the Torne River in Northern Sweden. Now a factory makes millions of glasses each year. WARNING: Reservations (+46 8 50563124) required! The first Ice Bar was at the Icehotel located in Northern Sweden, which was first built in the autumn of 1989. Each year the Icehotel melts, and a new (bigger and better) one is constructed in the fall. Ended the day with a nice stroll through Gamla Stan (Old Town). Stockholm is a place that warrants more time.

Helsinki, Finland

We arrived on May 24th, Ascension Day, a holiday in Finland. The stores were closed, but the city was alive with people. We enjoyed a nice meal at Kappeli on Etelaesplandi in the city center. Had one of the best meals ever of rare, fork-tender Reindeer with potatoes and of course some Akvavit.

St. Petersburg, Russia

What a change from Scandinavia, your first impression of what used to be Leningrad is of a bleak, poor and uncolorful city with all the potential in the world but starved from a badly needed makeover and injection of funding from Moscow. Hard to believe that Putin’s birthplace is being ignored by the “Family” and oligarchs of Moscow. Spent two days touring with our very accomplished guide Katrina from Red October Tours. There is a lot to see in this historic city and she made it very interesting to us as we took in the city sights. The Hermitage was impressive but in need of structural repairs, St Isaacs Cathedral was a high point as we witnessed a special service attended by the Archbishop and other Bishops from all parts of Russia, Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood was marvelous, and Catherine’s Summer Palace was worth the trip to visit outside of the city. In spite of the magnificence of the Hermitage and the Roman Orthodox Cathedrals, St. Petersburg feels just like Dostoevsky describes it (before it became Leningrad) in “Crime and Punishment” (1917)– impoverished, dirty and crowded–it’s amazing that a novel written in 1917 seems to paint the a picture of what we felt currently–when we were not enclosed in the grandeur of the Museums, Churches or Palaces. I would think that a return trip to St. Petersburg is not in my future, however I would like to see Moscow and other parts of Russia some day. We had a very nice lunch at Mamep cafe. Insist that your tour guide takes you to this place instead of any restaurant catering to tours. This place is large and can accomodate big crowds. A special treat. We had Beef Stroganoff on mashed potatoes with warmup of hot Borsch.

Tallinn, Estonia

Spent the day in old town just walking and shopping. Tallinn is a city of music, cobblestones, artisan’s, craftsmen and courtyards. Strolling though old town feels like the Middle Ages. The people are very handsome, pretty and nice. Enjoyed a nice meal of Elk and Wild Boar at Medieval Restaurant Olde Hansa. This was an unexpected pleasure for all of us as Tallinn is a nice place to visit.

Helsingborg, Sweden

Wonderful and delightful port city with one of the oldest shopping streets in Europe. The people of this city believe that there is nothing better than to be from Helsingborg. Plus you cannot beat the freshness and taste of Swedish food. Visited the Dunker’s Cultural House on the way to the port and were totally impressed by the QUALITY of the installations here. Truly a state-of-the-art experience utilizing the best dsigners, workmanship and technology in the exhibitions.

Berlin, Germany

Nice side trip through the former East Germany to Berlin. Visited the Berlin Wall and toured the entire city. Had a great lunch at KaDeWe Department Store at the Winter Gardens on the top floor- perfect stop for lunch! Berlin is quite a city and would love to return. Curry-Wurst and other hot dogs are also a special treat in Berlin.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Visited restaurant called “Groften” in Tivoli. One of the best eating and drinking experiences we had on our trip. We had a very popular traditional Danish dish called “Skipperlabskovs”. The dish was not pretty to look at and consisted of diced potatoes mixed with veal bits and spices, served with pickled beets, butter and rye bread. It was really shockingly tasty and was all-you-can-eat for DKK 115. Ran up a $200 tab on Akvavit – as we consumed the top-of-the-line (Aalborg Extra Akvavit) and it was worth the price! Groften also gets highest marks for their WC’s. The Men’s room has a complete Golf Museum featuring European Pro Golfers and the Women’s WC has a full length wall Aquarium. Nice touch! Best to use both facilities on your visit! By far and away the Best Toilets in Europe!

London, England

Change $100 and get anywhere from 43-50 pounds! (Ugh) What have we done to our dollar! This place was expensive as well and you just had to put you head in the sand and ignore the gaffing. Highlights were certainly the shows, which we would give “Billy Elliot” the one not to miss! For nice DIM-SUM restaurant go to Royal China located at 13 Queensway. Tube stop Queensway or Bayswater.

Final Tips

This was our first cruise and aside from the down-time cruising at sea, it was a nice trip. While in port, go with what the locals eat! European food is incredibly interest and good. From hot dogs to pastry – all good stuff! I noticed that many cruisers were too cheap to eat on shore and just waited until they got back to the Boat. What a shame – to miss the good food of each country we visited. It is part of the experience!

Nothing does it like European hot dogs – first stop in port, go to the dog stand. Ask someone which hot dog stand is the best! You will be pleasantly surprised.

St. Petersburg: Use Red October Tours instead of the crusie line tours. Less people and more flexibility. No Visa required. Our guide was outstanding, insist on Katya Chystiakova (Katerina). Very knowledgeable, flexible and good looking!

In St. Petersburg go to Mamep Cafe for lunch – great place and for the young people! Katerina introduced us to this nice place! We went to the Folklore Show that evening and it was a real disappointment – try to see an Opera instead or go to Mamep Cafe for a Jazz Show and dinner!

In Copenhagen, don’t miss “Groften” at Tivoli. Order: Start with Herring and Fish Roe assortment (tell them half and half). Then main dish Skipperlabskovs and of course Aalborg Extra Akvavit. This is top-of-the-line Akvavit- nice bubbly feel on palate as you swallow! You can feel the difference.

Helsinki: Go to Kappeli for lunch in the fancy upscale sit down part of their restaurant and order Reindeer! Unexpected treat!

London: Go see “Billy Elliot”. Skip “We will Rock You”.

Oslo: Take the Cruiseline tour as it is best way to see Oslo.

In most ports they have “Stop and Ride” independent tour buses that take you around the City. Usually they are waiting outside as your depart from the boat. Also very cost effective.

Copenhagen: Just take a seat in a coffee shop on the main shopping street, enjoy coffee and watch the most beautiful and fashionable men and women walk by. Great people watching. Don’t miss the Ice Cream and a Hot Dog! Also, take a Canal Boat Cruise – don’t miss it!

For more, visit my blog http://pccollecting.blogspot.com/.

The post Ports of Call: Northern Europe and the Baltics appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If your perfect vacation includes hiking through a rainforest, sunbathing on the beach, or snorkeling along a coral reef teeming with multi-hued fish, then the Caribbean is calling your name. But paradise does have its price. The cost of living may be relatively low on most Caribbean islands, but by the time you add up your expenses for activities, lodging, meals, transportation, and (of course!) a few fruity drinks, a Caribbean vacation could cost more than you might expect.

On a tight budget? Don’t put away your beach bag just yet. We’ve brainstormed 25 ways to save money on Caribbean travel, covering every aspect of your trip from choosing an island to diving and dining.

1. Choose your island wisely. Airfare is one of the key expenses of any Caribbean trip, and some islands are much easier — and cheaper — to get to than others. For the lowest fares from the U.S., look for destinations served by low-cost carriers such as JetBlue (Nassau, Montego Bay, Barbados) and Spirit (Aruba, San Juan). Keep in mind that more competition usually leads to lower fares; you’ll pay less to fly to Jamaica, which is served by dozens of airlines, than you will to fly to an island like Dominica, which only has a handful of connecting flights on a few airlines.

2. Check the cost of living. Don’t just look at the cost of airfare; dig deeper to see which islands are less expensive once you’re there. The Dominican Republic has some of the region’s lowest hotel and resort rates, while a place like St. Barth’s, known for upscale tourism, will be harder on your wallet. Keep in mind that some less developed islands that are a little harder to get to may make up for the higher airfare with lower costs for lodging and food.

3. Evaluate the exchange rate. The exchange rate can also play a role in how much you pay for your Caribbean vacation. For U.S. travelers, choosing an island where the local currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate (rather than an island that uses a variable currency such as the euro) can help you better estimate your costs and avoid being penalized when the U.S. dollar weakens against other world currencies.

4. Consider a cruise. If you’re interested in visiting more than one island, a cruise can offer excellent bang for your buck by bundling accommodations, transportation, and meals into one affordable rate. These days you can find Caribbean cruise fares for less than $100 per person, per night. If you live on the East Coast, you may even be able to drive to a nearby homeport, such as Baltimore, New York, Miami, or Charleston, and cruise all the way down to the Caribbean without even having to fly. Visit SmarterTravel’s sister site, Cruise Critic, for a list of cruise deals and discounts.

Note: Keep in mind that most cruises are not all-inclusive. Things like shore excursions, specialty restaurant fees, gratuities, drinks, and other extras are generally not accounted for in your base rate.

5. Look for package deals. You can often save by booking your airfare and hotel together at sites like CheapCaribbean.com or Funjet.com. It’s also worth going directly to the airlines — nearly any carrier that flies to the Caribbean will offer hotel-inclusive packages.

6. Look for freebies. One of the most common promotions among Caribbean resorts is a free night with a required minimum stay — such as “stay six nights and get the seventh night free.” Keep an eye out for these sales when booking your trip.

7. Choose the right time of year. The busiest and most expensive times to travel to the Caribbean are the winter (particularly over the holidays) and the spring break season. You’ll generally get better deals by traveling over the summer or fall — if you’re willing to live with a little risk. (Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.) Hotel rates are almost always lower during this wetter time of year. If you’re worried about hurricanes, consider staying on one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), which are outside the main hurricane belt. You might also want to purchase travel insurance in case a storm does disrupt your trip.

8. Haggle. In many parts of the Caribbean, bargaining for a better deal is an essential part of everyday life. While you may not be able to negotiate much in a big duty-free store or a supermarket, where prices are generally fixed, there are plenty of open-air markets where you can try your haggling skills — and often pick up a great souvenir for a song. (See Shopping Abroad: A Traveler’s Guide for haggling tips.)

9. Bring plenty of U.S. dollars. In many Caribbean countries, U.S. dollars are accepted as readily as local currency, and the exchange rate is fixed at a set amount. For example, in Barbados, roughly $2 Barbadian dollars are always equal to $1 US; the East Caribbean dollar, which is used in a number of countries including St. Kitts, Antigua, and Grenada, is fixed at $2.70 EC = $1 US. The more U.S. dollars you bring from home, the less money you’ll have to take out of local ATMs (and the more you’ll save in pesky international ATM fees). Of course, you shouldn’t bring more money than you feel comfortable carrying at one time, and you’ll want to keep it in a money belt under your clothing (or another secure place) for safety. See Money Safety for more tips.

10. Skip the exchange counter. When you do need local currency, get your money from an ATM rather than using traveler’s checks or changing money at an exchange counter. When you get money at an ATM, you’re taking advantage of the interbank exchange rate, which is more favorable than the rates you’ll get when changing traveler’s checks or using an exchange counter. Similarly, credit card purchases are also subject to the interbank exchange rate. But keep in mind that fees will apply for most ATM withdrawals and credit card purchases; see The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas for more information.

11. Don’t overtip. In some restaurants, a service charge will automatically be added to your bill; if so, you don’t need to leave an additional tip (unless you wish to further reward an exemplary waiter or waitress). Some resorts and hotels also add a service charge onto your bill to cover tips for various members of the staff. Call ahead to find out before you leave money in your room for your housekeeper or other service people. Finally, check a guidebook to see what tips are expected on the island you’re visiting; while Americans are used to tipping 15 – 20 percent, on some islands a smaller tip of 10 percent is customary for cab drivers, restaurant staff and other service people. (See Tips for Tipping Abroad.)

12. Use public transportation. Many Caribbean islands have local public bus systems — usually small, colorful vans that serve the major routes and towns across the island. Fares on these vans tend to be extremely inexpensive. Because they’re predominantly used by locals, they’re most useful if you’re traveling between towns or villages; they may not serve off-the-beaten-path attractions visited only by tourists. A few islands with particularly strong local bus systems include Aruba, Puerto Rico, and Curacao.

Keep in mind that there may be no fixed schedule — many buses simply leave when they’re full. Service may be limited or unavailable on Sundays or in the evenings. And don’t expect climate control; many buses have open windows, not air conditioning.

13. Share the expenses. One common way to see a Caribbean island is to hire a local cab driver to give you a tour. The price of the tour is often charged per car, not per person — so if you can find other travelers from your hotel or cruise ship who want a tour too, you can split the expense. (Be sure to confirm the total price before you get in the cab.) The same goes for rental cars, particularly if you’re only using the car for a single day or afternoon.

14. Check the local rental companies. When renting a car, don’t restrict your search to the big providers like Hertz, Avis, and Budget. You can often get a better deal from local rental car companies based on the island you’re visiting. These smaller operators may not always have easy online booking, but a quick call or email could save you money on your rental.

15. Watch your inter-island expenses. If you’re traveling between islands, a local ferry may be a cheaper option than flying — check the rates on both.

16. Evaluate your meal plan. Many Caribbean resorts and hotels offer a choice of meal plans. Common offerings include the European Plan, or EP, which includes no meals; the Continental Plan (CP), which includes only breakfast; the American Plan (AP), which includes all three meals; and the Modified American Plan (MAP), which includes breakfast and dinner. When choosing a meal plan, consider how you plan to structure your trip. If you’re going to spend most days sightseeing around the island away from your hotel, the AP will likely be a waste of money. Travelers looking to sample local restaurants for lunch and dinner may find that the CP is all they need.

17. Eat where the locals do. You’ll almost always find cheaper, more genuine local meals away from the hotels and touristy restaurants. Look for fish fry-ups on the beach or little roadside snackettes. If you’re concerned about food safety, ask your hotel front desk or cab driver to point you in the direction of the more popular and reputable places.

18. Go to the grocery store. There are little markets and grocery stores across the Caribbean where you can stock up on bread, fruit, crackers, and other provisions — perfect for an inexpensive breakfast, snack or picnic lunch.

19. Be water-wise. While you’re at the grocery store, pick up a gallon-size or larger jug of water and use that to refill your smaller bottles — it’s a lot more cost-efficient (and eco-friendly) than paying two bucks for a new bottle a couple of times a day.

20. Know what’s included. Despite the name, rates at all-inclusive resorts rarely include every single expense you’ll have to pay. Check before booking to see what might cost you extra — it may be more than you think. Spa treatments, watersports, island tours, airport transfers, tips, and resort fees are just a few items that you may have to shell out a little more money for. That said, all-inclusives can save you money if the activities you’re looking to do match up well with the offerings at the resort.

21. Skip the resort. If you don’t need a lot of amenities and are looking to explore the island rather than sit on the beach, an all-inclusive resort probably isn’t your best bet. Look instead for smaller locally owned hotels and guesthouses — these properties tend to be more intimate and less expensive than the big resorts.

22. Try a vacation rental. Renting a house or villa can provide excellent value for groups, families, or travelers looking to save money by cooking for themselves during a Caribbean vacation. Renting a villa with two or more bedrooms and splitting the cost between several couples is an excellent way to get away with friends and keep costs low. See Finding a Vacation Rental for more information.

23. Be flexible with your location. Choose a hotel or resort that’s near but not right on the beach — the price difference can be substantial. Alternatively, if you are staying at a beachfront property, choose a room on the opposite side of the hotel; forgoing the sea view will save you a few bucks, and how much time will you really be spending in your room anyway?

24. Choose a specialty resort. If your trip is centered on a special interest, such as scuba diving or golf, you can often save money by staying at a resort dedicated to that activity. Dive resorts typically have their own boats and gear, and offer packages that include accommodations, meals, and a set number of dives. Golf resorts have courses right on the premises, saving you time and transportation costs, and hotel guests often pay lower fees to play than outsiders. Another good option for divers is “liveaboards” — boats that offer lodging, meals and daily dives, often at very reasonable cost.

25. Go camping. While this isn’t an option everywhere in the Caribbean, certain islands — such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands — offer wonderful opportunities for camping. We particularly like the Virgin Islands Campground on Water Island.

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More from SmarterTravel:

• Which Caribbean Island Is Right for You?
• The 7 Cheapest Caribbean Islands to Find Your Paradise
• How to Save Money on Food When You Travel

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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