Practical ways to save on European travel

If the slew of Europe-specific advice that’s been online in the past month is any indication, the summer travel season is about to start up there. Actually, between the World Expo starting this week in Zaragoza, Spain and the current Euro 2008 soccer championship, let’s consider it already started.

What’s on everybody’s mind? The Euro, of course. Sure, we wish the economy were better, but we still go—with our creativity in overdrive with ways to outwit the Euro. Here’s some of the advice—both new tips and oldies-but-goodies—that I’ve seen lately. Feel free to share yours as well.

• EuroCheapo tells us that Americans can get a special discount on museums, hotels, and restaurants in Florence, Italy. The program, Fiorino Effect, was designed to counter-balance the poor dollar. You can take advantage of it through December 31, 2008.
• Rough Guides recommends opting for Eastern Europe, where the Euro isn’t in place yet.
• Budget Travel advises us to eliminate a hostel or hotel stay by sleeping in transit, and to consider traveling by bus rather than train.
• And everyone agrees on doing online research ahead of time—whether to find out the free days at top museums, or to learn about free festivals or entertainment through city websites (like Oslo’s or London’s).

You might also be interested in following the weekly blogs of Matt Gross, the New York Times’ Frugal Traveler. He’s currently making his way through Europe over 12 weeks on a budget of $100/day. And to his credit, his average has been significantly lower—hovering around $67/day between transport (the priciest percentage), hotels, restaurants, and incidentals. His latest dispatch was from his WWOOF experience on a farm in Muret, France.