Wednesday, October 15, 2008

How to Find Inexpensive Lodging in Europe


A European vacation may sound costly, but fortunately, this is just a common misassumption. When travelling to any part of the world, the biggest cost entailed would actually pertain to lodging and accommodations. It is a good thing though that finding affordable lodging in Europe is indeed possible.



Always check out websites, directories, and travel magazines to see and compare accommodations within your price range. In Europe, there bed and breakfast establishments that are really affordable, compared to the expensive ones found in the United States. These bed and breakfast hotels, otherwise known as B&Bs, are actually cheaper than hotels, but do not think comfort and cleanliness are compromised here. This is because in spite of the fact that they are smaller than hotels, they are still very clean. This is because such establishments are operated and maintained by families. Most owners even have their own place within the premises.

It is easy to locate these B&Bs in Europe. All you have to do is browse travel magazines or guides or the Internet, especially those websites that offer reviews of such establishments all over the continent. If you need more space, there are other larger bed and breakfast hotels available and you can easily find these on the web as well.

Booking services can help you do the job usually at a 10% fee. And whether you plan ahead or not, you could find an affordable bed and breakfast upon arriving at the airport. If you do not speak the local language, do not worry because there are interpreters that can assist you. It would still be wise to bring your local map though.
If you are a first-time traveler to Europe, do not be caught unaware of the basics so here are some of the things you should know about lodging.

  1. Since this is a bed and breakfast, the rooms would be considerably smaller than those found in hotels. The closets will be small as well.
  2. There is a common shower, as well as common bath facilities, for the least expensive rooms. The more expensive ones come with a private in-room tub and bathroom.
  3. Rooms that have no tubs can cost lesser than those that come with tubs. Make sure to clarify this when making reservations.
  4. Rooms that have double beds are less expensive than those that carry twin beds.
  5. Set aside extra money for parking charges.
  6. Keep a local map handy and make sure to get a centrally located hotel or B&B.
  7. Make sure all lodging prices include local taxes and other fees.

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