Whoever said there's no such thing as a free lunch must have been to Europe.
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And unless you're staying with friends or relatives, for the most part it's true.
But despite the eye-watering conversion rate of the euro, there are ways for Australians to save money while travelling around Europe.
Lynette Puts of Wheelers Hill in Victoria has visited 70 countries with her husband since they retired.
Her tip is to check if there's a city pass where you're going.
"With these, you can pay one price that includes entry to attractions, access to public transport and useful discounts," she said.
Dozens of European cities offer passes, including Istanbul, Athens, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and London.
As a rule, passes offer better value for money than buying individual tickets. Many make it possible to avoid long queues and offer faster access to attractions.
They can also lead you to lesser-known sites.
It's also possible to book individual attractions in advance - you might get a cheaper deal and you can skip the line when you get there.
When it comes to money, Lynette advises: "Use credit cards or travel cards so that you're not paying expense fees for money conversion (on cash or travellers cheques)."
At the same time, Choice magazine says using your credit card abroad can be convenient, it can also be expensive due to high transaction or foreign exchange fees - typically about three per cent for purchases made overseas or on foreign websites.
It suggests considering fee-free credit cards as a better option, some of which also come with no annual fee.
For cash withdrawals abroad, it's better to use a travel debit card or travel money card.
Meals can leave a hole in your wallet in Europe. Lynette also suggests having a good breakfast if it's included in the hotel price.
"Then you don't need very much for lunch," she said, suggesting "maybe a piece of fruit or a drink or whatever you usually find. Then you worry only about your meal at night."
"And use credit cards or travel cards so that you're not paying expense fees for money conversion [on cash or travellers cheques]."
Other seasoned travellers suggest looking for set meals.
Many restaurants offer fixed-price menus or menu of the day options, especially during lunchtime. If you help yourself, avoid paying for entrees.
Eat inside restaurants to avoid extra charges for outdoor terraces.
A good tip is to follow the students: cafes near universities often cater to the impecunious! Also, save on coffee by standing at the bar instead of sitting at a table.
If you would rather do it yourself, shop for food at the local grocery stores, markets and supermarkets, and enjoy a picnic in a park or other scenic spot.
Despite all of the above, there are some free things to do in Europe.
In Paris, all 14 city-owned museums are free. They include lesser-known sites such as the Musée Carnavalet - Museum of the History of Paris and the Liberation of Paris Museum.
In the UK, the British Museum, National Gallery and the Victoria & Albert are similarly gratis (bearing in mind that, as at home, temporary exhibits may have a fee.
With the money you've saved, spend up at one of the hundreds of markets found in cities throughout Europe. Some date back centuries, such as the labyrinthine Great Bazaar in Istanbul, where meeting the sellers is as much fun as buying their wares.
And look for free walking tours. Generation Tours (www.generationtours.com) is one such outfit, offering guided perambulations of Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Dublin and Prague.
