Cheap airplane tickets and cheap discount hotel rooms can be found when traveling Europe. Now is a particularly good time to visit, because the dollar is worth 10% more against the euro this summer vs. last.
The following are suggestions to get the most value out of your travel dollars:
Find out if any of your credit cards do not add fees for foreign transactions. Most charge fees of around 3%. If you need to find a card without fees, check out Capital One or a Charles Schwab Invest First credit card. You have to have a Charles Schwab account to qualify for its credit card, but you earn 2% back on all purchases in addition to avoiding transaction fees.
Roaming charges in Europe are often costly. Downloading a Skype calling app onto your smart cell phone will save money. Skype to Skype calls are free if you are inside a WiFi hotspot. Calls to phones in the U.S. that do not have the Skype app will cost between 2 to 7 cents a minute.
If you do not have a smart phone, look into purchasing a cheap international cell phone or a calling card (ask about any additional fees first) to make calls to the U.S.
Hostels offer less privacy than conventional hotels, but often offer cheaper rates and are great places to meet others from around the world.
If you plan to visit multiple countries, check out the very low cost EasyJet and Ryanair airlines. Be aware that check-in lines are often a lot longer than those of traditional airlines and may not be best for people who are not travelling light.
www.cheapfares.com