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However, the cost is relative.
This is NOT, I repeat, NOT for those who are heavy-boned, overweight and pregnant. 
The Ostfriestland Hotel in the North-Western part of Germany (near the Dutch border) charges their hotel guests based on their weight.  The current exchange rate for each kilo is 0.50Euro per night.
Truly a bargain accommodation in a 3-star hotel for those who are small and thin.  
Heckrodt, the owner, insists that the gimmick is to encourage guests to take more care of themselves and lead healthier lives.

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“… most of the time, we’d be out and about anyway.”
“All we need is a place to sleep at night. Nothing fancy, please.”
I’ve heard these words from travellers, most of them gallivanting on a tight budget. Heck, back when my world did not include ‘reimbursable travel expenses’, I had the same mindset. Oh, wait a sec, I still think the same whenever I have to pay for my own hotel room.  hehehe
In my opinion, accommodation expenses should be the first to be cut down. Check out forty winks for previous information shared. Of course, I would be adding more destination-specific tips as …read more

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USA Today featured what they think are ten under priced and on-the-rise European cities.  Most of the cities mentioned in the article were included in my past itineraries.  And I do have some comments regarding their “picks for the 10 cities that should make your ‘must-visit’ list”.  Here they are:
Dubrovnik.  I agree 100%.  In addition, I would like to reiterate that the cheapest accommodation option would be to opt for home-stay.  Another city which I can highly recommend for budget travellers is Split.

In my humble opinion, Bruges should not be included in this list. I am not really convinced with the reason for its inclusion …read more

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Should you be be adventurous enough to sleep in the house of strangers or let strangers stay with you then Couch Surfing is definitely for you.   Couch surfing is an online community based on the concept of offering a couch to visitors.
Is it safe?  Apparently, it is since couch surfers have to undergo extensive verification and reference checks.  
Have I tried it?  Hell, no!    I am not really recommending this type of budget accommodation.  After all, ANALee isn’t my nickname for nothing.  But, hey, if you are adventurous enough, why not?  Just don’t ask me to come with you. hehe

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You have your ticket to the World Cup. 
You’ve booked that cheap accommodation.
I already told you where you can eat or drink to save your cash.
Now, all you need to do is to get from your hostel to the game venue.  Well, you are getting luckier and luckier. Because on the day of the match, DB says…
“Entry ticket = train ticket“  
That means, you do not need to shell out a few more euros to get to the game.  Your ticket to the game entitles you to use the local transport (train, bus and tram) at the event venue, FREE of charge.
Sweet, ain’t it?

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What is better than travelling on a shoestring?   Travelling for free!!!
Not even the best airline or hotel deal could ever beat going off somewhere where you do not have to pay or consider the paltry amount of $ you have in your pocket.  Of course, you have to do a lot of research, be lucky with the timing and have patience in order to score the best travel deal ever. And no, travelling with mom and dad does not count.
Budget Travel Online just did the research for all of us.  With The Ultimate Guide to Free Travel, you get 9 …read more

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Apart from gasoline, alcohol and tobacco are also cheap in Luxembourg. 
This is because VAT rates are lower and there are no excise duties. 
Should you be near the border and tobacco and alcohol are in your “list” then, it would best to make a little side trip.    The country may be small but it “boasts a large array of historical and cultural sights that are worth seeing, lots of interesting and picturesque spots you can discover, countless legends and anecdotes worth relating.”  [lcto]

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After my entries about getting a free ticket, booking cheap accommodations and finding cheap places to eat or drink during the worldcup 2006, I have been getting more and more requests for more tips which are city (or World Cup venue) specific.
Will work on your questions.   Thank God, the research will be easier since I have lived in Frankfurt (one of the venues) for the past 6 years.  Plus, I have been to ALL the host cities (venues).
J. Frangeli from Canada asks, “I have tickets for the Portugal-Iran game in Frankufrt. What can I do during my free time? I …read more

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Copenhagen in Denmark is one of the liveliest and entertaining city in Scandinavia.  However, this city is not exactly a haven for budget travellers. 
Should you choose Copenhagen as your next travel destination, anyway, do not stay in the city center.  Cheaper option would be to stay in hostels in the Vesterbro and Norrebro areas.  They aren’t exactly near the center of Copenhagen but they are close enough.  Prices are around 100-300Dkr.
But, if you insist on staying nearer to the city center, you can try and book private rooms (for around 300Dkr) over at Use It, a booking service that keeps track …read more

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The easiest way to save on accommodations is to…
(1) Find a travel buddy.  Travelling with another person would, obviously, slash accommodation costs into half. 
(2) Look for friends.  When you send you that friend an email about you being “in the city”, ask if you could stay over, as well. The worst that could happen is that he/she would say “no”.  And a “yes” would mean big $aving$. 

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