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How to Save on Attractions in Europe

By U.S. News & World Report

There are thousands of places to explore in Europe. Whether you want to check out the instantly recognizable Big Ben in London, admire world-class art at the Louvre in Paris or retrace history at the Colosseum in Rome, there’s no shortage of iconic attractions to discover. However, trying to experience it all can quickly empty your wallet. Fortunately, with a few smart strategies, you can hit the highlights without bursting your budget. Read on for tips for pulling off an affordable trip.

[See: How to Visit Expensive European Cities on a Budget.]

Purchase Multi-Attraction Passes

Many major European cities offer multi-attraction passes that grant access to a variety of attractions for less than the price of paying for them individually. Investing in a multi-day pass also saves you the time of booking each attraction separately and waiting in long ticket lines. The Go London Card, for example, saves you 35 percent versus buying each attraction ticket separately and allows you to choose among three, five or seven out of 20 attractions that include the Coca-Cola London Eye, London Dungeon, London Eye River Cruise and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Meanwhile, in Paris, you can purchase a Museum Pass for two, four or six days for entry into 50 Paris museums and monuments, including the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, the Pompidou Center and more iconic attractions. You can also purchase museum passes in other popular European cities, including Berlin and Amsterdam.

Leverage Train Travel Perks

If you’ll be taking the train on your European vacation, check to see if the company offers discounted tickets to top attractions. Eurostar, a high-speed train between London and major cities such as Paris, Brussels and Lyon, France, grants passengers savings at local attractions. “We have partnerships with a selection of the best museums and galleries across our destination,” says Jane Ashman, head of sales and business development for Eurostar. “You can gain two-for-one entry to permanent collections or special exhibits simply by showing your Eurostar ticket.” Also, at the bar buffet on the train, passengers can buy metro or underground tickets, as well as tickets to top attractions to save time once they arrive.

When traveling within Paris by metro or bus, consider purchasing a multi-day pass called the Carte Paris Visite for discounts of up to 35 percent on attractions like the Pantheon, a boat tour of the Seine with Bateaux Parisiens or a visit to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Take Advantage of Off-Hours and Free Days

One of the easiest ways to save on ticket attractions is to visit during off times or days. “Crowds build toward the middle of the day and taper off in the last two hours, after being relatively sleepy early. We prefer going early over late, as the grounds haven’t been worn or littered by a full-day of sight-seers. A safe rule is either the first two hours after opening or the last two before closing,” says Justin Uselton, a seasoned traveler and one of the writers behind the travel site ACouplefortheRoad.com.

[Read: 7 Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe With Kids.]

For example, lines begin forming early in the day to see the Statue of David at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, so arriving ahead of opening at 8:15 a.m. is a good plan. And one of the best times to visit the Louvre in Paris is on Friday nights when crowds tend to be slimmer and you won’t have to battle other tourists to see the Mona Lisa. But be forewarned, a couple hours is not enough to see all of the famous museum’s offerings, so make sure to strategize accordingly.

Also, keep in mind many museums offer free admission days. In Paris, for example, on the first Sunday of the month, many top museums, including the Pompidou Centre, Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre (from October to March only), are open to the public for free. While you’ll save a bundle, plan to stand in long lines for entrance. Additionally, throughout Europe, there are often discounted tickets for anyone under 26 for both for attractions and train travel. If you fall in this category, you can even get into the Louvre for free.

Book Online in Advance

A simple strategy to save on ticket prices is to plan ahead. Even ordering tickets a night or two ahead of arrival can not only ensure admittance, but often a reduced fee. In Florence, tickets to climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo often sell out, so purchasing a couple days ahead is a smart move. You can also buy a combined ticket that gets you access to the nearby baptistry, Giotto’s bell tower and the cathedral crypt. Having a ticket in hand also lets you skip the lines that tend to wind around the piazza. You can also purchase tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia online in advance.

In some cases where there are always long lines, you may pay a premium for advance tickets. “For a small up-charge that is worth its weight in gold, you can get a guaranteed admission at a certain time,” says Uselton’s wife, Tracy Uselton.

Tag Along Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

To see a destination’s major sights quickly and for a reasonable price, consider booking a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. You can find Big Bus Tours in major European cities such as Paris, London, Vienna and Rome, along with similar services in Dublin.

[See: 12 Great Destinations in Europe You Can Afford.]

With Big Bus Paris, for example, you can choose between two tours — one that visits the Right and Left Banks and another that heads north of the city into the Montmartre area, or opt to see the City of Light in the dark on their night tour. You can get off at any stop and hop back on when you’re ready. Buses run about every 15 minutes. Tracy Uselton recommends another key strategy to hold onto your cash: “Don’t eat within 1,000 feet of a tourist attraction. The food will be bad and overpriced, and you’re more likely to get harassed by vendors,” she says.

More from U.S. News

10 Money-Saving European Travel Tricks

6 Tricks to Traveling Across Europe on the Cheap

How to Take Advantage of Multi-Attraction Travel Passes

How to Save on Attractions in Europe originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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