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Going broke on the euro: how to avoid it

I watched the euro climb, climb and climb some more before my trip to Paris earlier this month, and see that it hasn't reached its pinnacle. Today it stands at U.S. $1.58 and Canadian $1.61.

Budget Travel magazine's April 2008 issue shares 10 tips for stretching the dollar in Europe this year, including common-sense ideas like buying a daily pass for public transportation rather than individual tickets, as well as more creative ideas such as renting nearly-free bicycles to get around Paris, Brussels, Vienna and Helsinki.

I'll offer a few of my own practices.

Besides the obvious idea of renting a short-term apartment rather than a hotel if you're based in a city for several days, take it one step further. Rent from an agency based on our side of the Atlantic. You'll pay in dollars and save a bundle. The euro shot up 15 cents to the dollar between the time I booked my one-week Paris apartment rental and my actual stay. Were the apartment priced in dollars I would have seen the trip cost rise significantly. I used Vacation in Paris but many listings on Vacation Rentals by Owner are priced in dollars.

One expense people travellers often don't consider or budget for is bottled water. Grabbing one convenient bottle of chilled water can cost upwards of 1 to 1.50 euros for a small bottle. Most grocery stores -- I'm thinking of Monoprix here -- have a large selection of 6-packs of bottled water in the back. We followed the local's lead and pulled out individual 1.5 liter bottles from these packs and paid 50 centimes each for them.

"Pay-to-pee" may not be factored into your budget either. Avoid being socked with charges equivalent to a buck to do your business -- always make a stop when you're in a museum or restaurant.

Enjoy inexpensive lunches at sandwich shops. These cost no more than fast food and taste a lot better. Here are a couple in Paris.

Travelling in Europe is by no means cheap these days. But thinking carefully (and creatively) about how to shave expenses large and small can make it less painful, and easier to focus on the fun instead of your wallet.

TAGS: budget euro

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

Gunner and Bud's Mom said:

Avoiding the "Pay-to-Pee" - your tips are awesome - stop whenever you can and wherever you can...even if you don't have to tinkle! :-) Another great tip by the TravelingMcMahans!

Posted at 12:22 AM, on April 4 2008

Going broke on the euro: how to avoid it

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