Save with Your Next Desination's Local "City Card"

The hardest part when attempting to create the perfect travel itinerary is finding a starting point. For me, my starting point has consistently been browsing VisitACity.com and TripAdvisor.com. If you don't already know, these websites will list the top sights, hotels, and restaurants according to ratings and reviews. They give me ideas of what I want and should add to my itinerary right away. Knowing that many of these websites' top picks and attractions' entrance fees, good review hotels, and best restaurants can be the most expensive (duh!), my next step would be to find out if the city in which I am traveling has a local "City Card." If the destination offers a city card, look into its deals and perks. These cards will offer discounts (and maybe even free admission) to some places on your itinerary. Not all of your picks will be discounted or free, though. At that point, you will have to do the math and decide whether purchasing the card will be worth the cost. I have found that many times it is, with out a doubt, worth the buy. Here are more reasons (other than discounted or free entrance) why "City Cards" are an awesome idea:

1) Free or discounted transportation. With the experiences I have had with "City Cards," free or discounted transportation is by far the best perk. With every "City Card" I have purchased, the cost of the card alone has paid solely for what transportation would have cost! Many "City Cards" will have free, unlimited transportation. In most cities, you will wish you had this. If I could only count how many times I took the bus and water taxi in Copenhagen...and the water bus in Venice...subway in Barcelona, etc. Each round-trip ticket would have cost up to 7 US dollars, depending on the city. (Calculating it in my head). For some cities that means over $100 just on transportation without the card.

2) Food discounts. I love the "City Cards" for food and restaurant discounts. You most likely already know or have researched the top attractions in the area. When it comes to top, as in good and local food, and maybe not so much popular restaurants, it may not be so easy to find. In fact, many of the restaurants that locals visit often (which is where I will always recommend), will definitely not be listed online. With the "City Card," you will get ideas of great places to eat AND at a discounted price.




3) More ideas for your itinerary. Many of the places on these cards, may not be a top attraction, but there could be something that sparks your interest...and turn out to be an amazing pick. Just because some sites, restaurants, museums, entertainment, tours, day trips, etc. may not be listed on the popular websites, doesn't mean they can't end up being the highlight of your trip.  Barcelona was a perfect example. On our last day, we decided to take a visit to the City Museum of Barcelona History only because it was on our Barcelona
Card.  The museum itself never popped up on our radar while we were planning for our trip. But, boy, were we happy we took the time to visit. The museum ended up being one of our favorite attractions in Barcelona.  Even now, the museum is still a topic of conversation we bring up often when we reminisce about our favorite places.

4) Skip lines at many attractions or museums. No matter how long the line, skipping lines are always a plus. It's even more of a bonus when you're able to skip lines at top attractions where huge lines are always likely.

5) No need to carry as much cash. Since you will be using your card a lot, there will be no need to carry as much cash. You will be able to relax a bit and not fear the "what ifs" running through your head about all the cash you have in your pocket while walking around the city. Side note: Be sure to have a little cash on hand, though. Many places in Europe are still "cash only," including restaurants.

Be able to see and do everything (and more) you want with a "City Card" with out going over your trip's budget. And, hey, you may even spend less than what you had anticipated... and that's the best feeling ever! In this case, put that extra money in your piggy bank for your next trip! What "City Card" will you use next?