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How to travel strong on a weak dollar in Europe
 Visit the Budget Travel Center
How to Get the Best Exchange Rate
Planning a Trip to Europe: Your 10-Step Guide
 How Do You Save Money in Europe?
When is a dollar not worth its weight in gold? When you're measuring in pounds.
British pounds, that is.
Last year, the pound reached an exchange rate of $2 against the American dollar for the first time since September 1992, and it's been hovering near that lofty benchmark ever since. Meanwhile, the surging euro isn't far behind; in February 2008, it hit a record high of $1.50.
What that means to U.S. travelers, of course, is that your next trip to Europe could be more expensive than ever before -- bad news at a time when the shaky national economy already has many Americans fretting over their finances. But here's some good news: A weak dollar doesn't have to derail your European vacation. We've gathered 25 tips to help you save your pennies (or pounds!) on your next trip to Europe. Got your own suggestions to share? Post them on our message boards!
 Trip Planning
1. Get rate quotes in U.S. dollars. Long before you travel, when you are booking your hotel, car rental and other non-flight essentials, try to get quotes in U.S. dollars -- and pay in U.S. dollars whenever possible. This way there are no surprises when your credit card statement arrives and you find out you paid a lot more than your quick back-of-the-envelope estimate when calculating the exchange rate. With the boom in Web booking, many international hotels now offer guaranteed dollar rates to U.S. travelers; inquire at the time of booking.
2. Find your focus. When planning your European itinerary, consider exploring one region or country in depth rather than bouncing around from place to place. For example, spend a week sightseeing in Florence and taking day trips to nearby towns in Tuscany rather than trying to squeeze Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome into seven or eight days. You'll not only spare yourself hours of sitting in transit, but you'll also save big on transportation expenses such as airfare or pricey train tickets. Learn more about slow travel.
3. Save on museum entrance fees. Many museums offer free admission on certain days or nights of the week or at certain times of the month. (For example, the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of every month, as well as Bastille Day on July 14.) Check ahead of time for free admission at the museums you're interested in, and schedule your visit accordingly.
4. Find free entertainment. Similarly, keep an eye out for free concerts or performances going on in local parks, churches and other public venues. The best place to find these is in the local newspapers or entertainment listings -- or simply by stumbling upon them.
5. Purchase a pass. Most major cities offer special discount cards that include discounts or free admission for museums, attractions, tours and public transportation. These can be a great value if the card covers many of the attractions you were already planning to visit, but be sure to evaluate whether it's really worth it -- if the card costs $30 and you're only going to use it at one or two museums, it may be better to pay a la carte.
Money Management
 6. Get cash from ATM's -- at a bank. An ATM is your best option for a combination of a fair exchange rate and low surcharges and fees. At an ATM, you'll likely pay a transaction fee from your bank (typically 1 - 2 percent), but you'll also get the favorable interbank exchange rate rather than the higher rates you'll find at typical exchange bureaus. To avoid excessive fees, take out large amounts of cash at a time and store the excess in a money belt or hotel safe. For more tips, see our feature on money safety.
You'll do well to avoid stand-alone, off-brand ATM's of the kind you can find stateside in the back of convenience stores. These typically have the highest transaction fees; use an ATM from a reputable bank instead. (If possible, use your own bank to avoid fees from other institutions. Check your bank's Web site for ATM and branch locations.)
7. Use your credit card. Many of the benefits of using an ATM card also apply to your credit card, particularly the strong exchange rates. However, keep in mind that many credit card companies charge fees for purchases made in foreign currencies, usually 1 - 2 percent. Choose the right card and you can avoid these fees; Capital One, for example, is one major credit card company that levies no surcharges on foreign transactions for its U.S. card holders. Check with your credit card companies to figure out which card has the lowest fees for foreign purchases, and then use that one for your overseas purchases.
Out on the road, also check the fine print to make sure that your hotel, restaurant or other outfit does not tack on a percentage fee on all credit card transactions to cover authorization fees. For more information, see Money Matters on the Road.
8. Choose your counter wisely. If you absolutely must use a currency exchange counter, skip the airport or train station kiosks where you are almost guaranteed to get the worst rate available. Instead, choose a bank if you can find one. Wherever you are, exchange only enough money to get the job of the moment done (whether it be a cab ride, emergency rations or the purchase of a pinata), and then get thee to an ATM as soon as you can.
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