Simple Tips To Cut Costs In Europe

Sun., March 30, 1997

Jerry Morris The Boston Globe

Europe is affordable, even in peak season, if you plan ahead.

Of course, as more and more travelers are discovering, Europe off-season is a bargain. Fares from Seattle to London dipped as low as $318 this winter, less than half the price of peak summer season. Sure, the weather isn’t as nice as in summer, but most Americans don’t go to Europe to sun and surf.

Travelers to Europe are also changing. The days of seven countries in seven days and “If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium” seem over. A survey by the US Department of Commerce shows that more than 60 percent of travelers to Europe in 1995 visited only one country, 22.8 percent visited two countries and only 4.3 percent visited five countries. The major reasons for visiting Europe were found to be tours to art galleries and museums, sightseeing in cities, visiting historic places, dining and shopping.

Here are some simple ways to save any time in Europe:

Buy as much of your trip as possible before leaving home. Buying a tour package can save both time and money. Buying a tour package doesn’t mean you will be regimented. Packages are available with great flexibility, with others tailored to your budget.

Go on your own and look for special hotel packages. Thistle Hotels in England has a plan that matches the dollar to the pound for considerable savings. Best Western Hotels’ Euro-Guestcheques allow travelers to pay a low, basic rate in advance, in dollars, for lodging in more than 700 hotels in Europe.

Stop at city tourist offices while in Europe to obtain information on events, even discounts on attractions, lodging and more.

Ask your travel agent about special discount cards offered by many European cities (some must be purchased in the United States) - Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London, Salzburg, and many others have low-priced culture passes that provide admission to museums and other attractions, within the city.

Use public transportation within the city. Many cities - Stockholm, Budapest, Munich, Lisbon and London among them - have discount transit cards that cut the cost even more.

Eat where the locals eat and order regional specialties for both food and drink. Look also for prix fixe (fixed price) menus and have your main meal at lunchtime, when costs are lower.

Travel outside the cities, where costs are lower.

Use charge cards where possible to reduce exchange fees (you may even get a better rate on your credit card). Also use ATMs for currency, because the exchange rate is better. Check with your bank for availability of ATMs where you are traveling.

Cut your telephone costs. Calling home from a hotel room can be expensive because many hotels add surcharges to your call. AT&T, MCI and others have local access numbers for calling home at a lower cost. You may want to use a public phone because some hotels may still charge to connect you to one of those call-home numbers.

Watch out for the VAT. Most European countries have a Value Added Tax that can add up to 24 percent to the cost of your purchase. Foreign visitors can usually get a refund on the tax by filling out a special form. Many stores and tourist offices have information on obtaining the refund.

If you are thinking of renting a car, do so before leaving home; you can save money and, in some cases, obtain custom-planned itineraries.

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