Subject:

cheap

In big cities, hotel rooms come at a price - both in space and price. London's hotel rooms are notoriously small, so why waste your money on a hole in the wall? We've dug up some ideas for alternative accommodations.

Often, when planning a trip to a city, we find ourselves looking downtown for accommodations. After all, on paper, business districts are attractive because they tend to have more transit, more well-known museums and attractions, and swankier hotels. However, in reality, staying downtown often leaves the traveller surrounded by homogenous financial buildings, lunchtime-only or high-end restaurants, and department-store shopping. If you're looking for a more offbeat trip, then staying downtown may not be for you.

Get your cheap on. Whether you're on a trip and looking for a cheaper place to get souvenirs, or you're looking for a fun day trip in, and around, your home town, the hunt for thrift stores offers something for everyone. Want a unique t-shirt to remember your vacation by, but don't want to drop $20 at a tourist trap? Hit up your local Goodwill and dig through their racks. We've had visitors strike souvenir gold in several different cities, so no matter where you are traveling (at least in North America) you're likely to find something up your alley, while supporting a worthy cause.

Some people think they are savvy travelers. You know the type, endlessly bragging about how they got the best deal on a plane ticket, how they found a five star hotel for $99 a night. But what about after they get there? Chances are they blow their hard earned money on every overpriced tourist attraction forgetting all the money they've saved and mindlessly emptying their pockets to gain access into a city's cultural highlights. Don't be that guy.

Here's a tip for gaining access into almost any museum, for free. Do your homework, a bit of web research, and find out what days are free.

When it comes to planning a cheaper trip, a lot of attention is given to the more prominent costs: airfare, trains, and hotels. But let's say that you've found a way to make all those costs fit into your budget and you're Europe-bound. How will you make the most of your money when you arrive? To help you, I've got five little suggestions for saving money in Europe.

For many westerners, the thought of having to haggle back and forth with shopkeepers is as foreign as you can get. After all, we're used to paying a set price without even batting an eyelash. However, If you want to shop in much of the world, you're going to have to do a little bargaining. With a few basic rules and some practice, you'll be able to haggle without breaking a sweat.

For bargain-seeking traveler, there is no better deal to be had than the Chinatown bus. Alighting from most major East Coast cities, Chinatown buses are a great no-frills way to get around at bargain basement prices. But why would you choose them over Greyhound? Here's what makes Chinatown buses stand out among their competitors...

I REALLY hate the ban on water when going through airport security. At this point, I'm convinced that it's totally a conspiracy by the airports to sell us overpriced bottles of water. When I fly, I like to have my own supply of water within reach at all times and have begrudgingly settled for overpriced bottles. That is until now....when I thought, why not take my Sigg bottle, empty, and then fill it up at a water fountain after I get through security? Why have I not thought of this until now? My fears of my $20 bottle getting confiscated were allayed when I passed through security without a single question asked by TSA. I just left it empty in my bag and didn't get questioned at all. So, yes people, you can take your SIGG on the plane.