Frugal living and the practical side of cheap travel: what it costs, where to book, what you can take on board, and how to get through Switzerland without spending like a tourist.
Free tools for your trip
No sign-up and no app. Official prices, official shops.
- VAT refund calculatorNewTax-free shopping in Germany, Austria, France and Italy: what comes back and what Swiss customs charges.
- Export stamp finderNewThe customs offices at the Swiss border that stamp your tax-free form, with hours and which are open now.
- Halbtax or GA calculatorNewSingle tickets, Halbtax, Halbtax PLUS or GA: what pays off for how you travel in Switzerland.
- Tourist tax calculatorWhat you pay on top of the room price in 96 European cities and regions.
- Train delay compensationHow much the railway owes you when your train is late, from Switzerland to Britain, and where to claim.
- Swiss customs calculatorThe CHF 150 limit and the allowances for meat, wine and tobacco, for your whole group.
- When tickets go on saleSale dates and official shops for the Colosseum, the Last Supper, the Alhambra and 27 more.
- Split trip costsWho owes whom after a group trip, in 36 currencies, with the fewest payments.
- Cabin bag checkerWill your bag fly free under the seat? Sizes of 27 airlines, from Ryanair to SWISS.
- Free museum daysWhat is free on your dates, in 18 countries.
- Entry rules checkerETIAS, EES, UK ETA, ESTA and Canada eTA at the official price.
- Flight delay compensationDoes the airline owe you €250 to €600? Find out in a minute.
- Vignette and toll checkerVignettes and tolls for road trips in 27 countries.
- Colosseum and Roman Forum mapA free phone map with routes and opening hours.
- Pompeii mapA free phone map with routes, entrances, water and toilets.
Free museum days in Europe
Which museums are free on your travel dates: first Sundays in Italy and France, free evenings at the Louvre and the Prado, and the museums that are always free, in 18 countries, with a map and a calendar.
Flight delay compensation calculator
Late, cancelled or bumped off a flight? Find out in a minute if the airline owes you €250 to €600 under EU, UK or Swiss rules, with the claim letter ready to send in English, German, French or Italian.
Colosseum and Roman Forum map
A free map of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine for your phone: what is open now, which ticket each site needs, entrances, toilets and water, and three walking routes along the real paths, one of them free.
Pompeii interactive map
A free map of ancient Pompeii for your phone: the 12 must-sees, which houses are open, entrances, toilets and water, and three walking routes along the real streets.
What means frugal and how do I become frugal
Let me explain what living frugally means, what the benefits are and show you a few examples on how to reduce cost. Be frugal!
How to travel frugally? Top websites to consider when travelling on a budget.
Let me show you several sites which are really helpful in saving a ton of money if you plan and take a trip somewhere.
Best ways to save money
I will show you where you probably spend a lot of money and also list a few tips on the best ways to save money.
Save money and eat healthy, the guide – Yes, it’s possible
This article helps you to save money when buying food and shows you that super healthy food is actually very affordable. Be smart!
Maximum weight and size of carry-on luggage on budget airlines
I will show you the requirements for your carry-on luggage on the most budget airlines. In addition, you can compare them for the best value.
How to save money when travelling in Switzerland
This article helps you to save money when travelling in Switzerland. Here are several tips and ideas that help you avoid wasting money!
All articles in this section
Including the ones not pictured above.
- 10 things I don’t buy – be frugal, don’t waste money
- Being frugal in real life – what’s it really like
- Best ways how to save money – live frugally
- Blocking ads in 2026: what works on Android, PC, iPhone and the TV
- Book-ahead checker: when tickets go on sale
- Cabin bag checker: will your bag fit?
- Colosseum and Roman Forum map
- Entry rules checker: ETIAS, EES, UK ETA and ESTA
- Extreme minimalist and light Travel Packing List
- Flight delay compensation calculator
- Free audio transcriber
- Free CV builder
- Free museum days in Europe
- Free travel tools
- Frugal Living Ideas and Tips: Waste Less and Gain More!
- Frugal living tips with a big impact on your finances
- Half Fare or GA calculator
- How to save Money during Inflation
- How to save money when travelling in Switzerland
- How to travel frugally? Top websites to consider when travelling on a budget.
- Inflation and what to do against it
- Maximum weight and size of carry-on luggage on budget airlines
- Pompeii interactive map
- Save money and eat healthy, the guide – Yes, it’s possible
- Swiss customs calculator: what you can bring in free
- Tourist tax calculator: city tax in 96 European places
- Train delay compensation calculator
- Trip cost splitter: who owes whom
- VAT refund calculator for shoppers from Switzerland
- Vignette and toll checker for Europe
- What goes with it: outfit helper
- What means frugal and how do I become frugal
- Where to get the export stamp: customs offices at the Swiss border
Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Trajan’s Markets by NikonZ7II, Seville airport by SVQAeropuerto and the Colosseum by FeaturedPics, all CC BY-SA 4.0; the Forum of Pompeii by Gary Todd, public domain.