Europe Money-Saving Tips
*Find out if any of your credit cards do not add fees for foreign transactions. Most charge fees of around 3%. If you need to find a card without fees, check out Capital One or a Charles Schwab Invest First credit card. You have to have a Charles Schwab account to qualify for its credit card, but you earn 2% back on all purchases in addition to avoiding transaction fees.*Roaming charges in Europe are often costly. Downloading a Skype calling app onto your smart cell phone will save money. Skype to Skype calls are free if you are inside a WiFi hotspot. Calls to phones in the U.S. that do not have the Skype app will cost between 2 to 7 cents a minute. Nothing beats an email for the price and it will be sent immediately.
*If you do not have a smart phone, look into purchasing a cheap international cell phone or a calling card (ask about any additional fees first) to make calls to the U.S.
*Hostels offer less privacy than conventional hotels, but often offer cheaper rates and are great places to meet others from around the world.
*If you plan to visit multiple countries, check out the very low cost EasyJet and Ryanair airlines. Be aware that check-in lines are often a lot longer than those of traditional airlines and may not be best for people who are not travelling light.
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