Experience in Australia is between $14Aus return trip for this service and there are many competitors in the game. The mini buses are more comfortable than taxi’s and the drivers are more obliging with baggage assistance. Door to door service at any time of night or day. Good value and I feel safe with the drivers even when I am a lone passenger.

Google ‘airport shuttle buses’ in your city of destination. You can book in advance on line and know they will be there to meet your flight – both ways if you are flying out of same city.

My first overseas foray will be to Greece and Italy. I want to experience the local way of life. Not prepared to bicycle or hike. Happy to catch ‘safe’ buses, boat trips, trains etc to see parts of the country. Wary of taxi’s (overcharging, vulnerbility). Would consider home-stay accommodation and fits well with local living.

Is there anyone who has experienced travel in these countries on a budget but in relative comfort? Would love to hear from you.
JEM

In this state of our economy I feel like an expensive trip would not be prudent. We have taken the kids to many countries in Europe and all over the USA, but now seems like a good time to buckle down.

#23. Driving may be all right in the States, Canada, and a few other places. But I do not recommend it in the large cities in the UK, France, or Italy. If you’ll be spending most of your time away from London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Florence and are adventurous, you might want to try it. I find it easier to drive in Germany, Austria and Slovenia, where other drivers pay considerably more attention to the rules of the road than drivers in Paris or large Italian cities.

#30. Accommodations. What the Brits call a self-catering apartment is often the least expensive way to spend 5-7 days in a European city. Many have washer/driers, TV with CNN or BBC, plus other conveniences. Many now also have Internet sites: you can preview what you’ll most likely get. Shopping for food doesn’t have to be a problem if you do not know the language because unless you are in a village or hamlet, there are supermarkets. Buying food in smaller shops can be an enjoyable adventure — besides, if you don’t mind spending a bit more — the greengrocer, fishmonger, baker, etc., may suggest sites to see or things to do that your guide book does not include.

#39 My wife and I try never to travel in-season, unless there’s something we want to do that can be done only then: Bayreuth for Wagner, Edinburgh for the festival, London for the Proms, for example. But “hump” travel — just before the season — or strictly off-season can be not only cheap(er) but also more interesting. Not everyone would want to visit Vienna, Prague or Budapest in December or January, but it’s much easier to get concert, ballet, and theatre tickets when the cities aren’t packed with tourists. You can also see the architecture better when the trees have no leaves. Yes, I know you may have to bundle up and take shorter walks, but stopping in a cafe for coffee or tea and pastry or cake when it’s chilly or worse outside, feels so good.

1. request a fridge/microwave in the hotel. Sometimes, hotels give me both with no extra charge and that way, I can bring leftovers back to the hotel to reheat for a second meal, or I can stop at the grocery store and pick up a few things for cheap breakfast or lunch.

2. I always keep my eyes open for deals with free samples and often get shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc. I usually bring those instead of stocking up at a drugstore beforehand.

3. Like some other people, once I have plans to visit a new city, I sign up for Living Social, Groupon, etc, and I check out Restaurant.com to see if there are any deals for things I’d want to do anyway.