Expensive Cities You Think You Can't Afford to Visit

As with London, it's possible to save a lot of money getting here due to the volume of air traffic. After arrival, consider that some of the best New York experiences are free: window shopping on Fifth Avenue, a ride on the Staten Island ferry, or a visit to the set of your favorite television show. Read five pages of money-saving tips that will take a bite out of Big Apple expenses.

Paris has a somewhat deserved reputation for expensive food. But that food is often of such high quality that the relative costs are not really that outrageous. Enjoy the experience as you save money on transportation, because Paris has one of the world's greatest mass transit systems. You can cover a lot of ground in a short time and at a reasonable cost. Among our other money-saving tips is this: The best view of Paris is available to you free of charge.

Airport shoppers can choose a number of money-saving options here, and some of America's best free attractions are found in Southern California. Want examples? Drive the Coastal Highway, peruse the Hollywood Walk of Fame and visit the spectacular Getty Museum without spending a dime.

Rome tends to be expensive because it offers so much to see and do. Longer stays are necessary to accomplish your travel goals. Offset those costs by staying in a clean, convenient convent and eating in neighborhood trattorias that offer hospitality and huge portions at reasonable prices. There are also plenty of budget hotel options in Rome. Among other money saving tips for Rome: Take time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

London's notorious hotel costs are offset somewhat by the huge selection of airfares. There are no less than six major airports serving London, and many travelers are able to piece together a strategy that allows them to take advantage of special offers and budget airlines that abound here. Read more about saving money on a visit to London with tips, hints and recommendations.

Business travelers visit Chicago quite a bit, but so do people in search of a nice weekend escape. It's possible to sample the city's famous deep-dish pizza, take in a game at Wrigley Field and see one of the world's greatest museum districts without breaking the bank. Consider some ways to save on transportation, accommodation and food during your stay in the Windy City.

Berlin offers so much: Enough museums to visit a different one each day for six months, enough recent history to stagger the mind and enough culture to please the most demanding patron. It's the gateway to Eastern Europe, and yet it is not a major air hub. That will change in time, but it makes getting here more expensive. Cut your costs by taking advantage of an outstanding transportation system, a host of low-cost lodgings and quite a few free attractions.