Yes! I would frequent a budget site, but we need to define budget, don't you think? I love this forum, however! And I think a lot of you should lighten up! This about travel, not life altering events...I think?

With all due respect Judy, who says travel isn't life altering?

What happened to this idea?
Travelling as a family is expensive and I would like cheap but recommended places to stay. Many on this site seem too expensive for us.

bevzy there's plenty of advice for budget travellers if you text search for it (budget hotels AND paris for example or family rooms AND london). The board at slowtrav.com is also a good place I hear.

I have to agree with at least one of Judy's points and that is the definition of "budget" either by using a monetary value or otherwise.

Someone above, for example, suggested that budget travel might include giving up the private bath. Many people wouldn't call that "budget" but would rather characterize it as downright uncivilized.

My point: the idea of "budget" means different things to different people and since we all KNOW that the so-called "Fodorites" are wonderfully agreeable about all things controversial...well, you get the idea.

Personally, I think you might have better luck trying to start sections for "Whining" and "Soap Opera" and perhaps "Hen Party"...

Can't be all things to all people!

If you are looking for budget advice try sites like: Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree or Rick Steves website. Trusted guidebook series like Let's Go, Rough Guides, etc. do a great job with the topic.

Better to use the resources that are out there than try to change this BB to something that it's not. But hey, anyone with good budget ideas... post away. But don't be surprised when people laugh at the idea of a bathroom down the hall to save money.

>....a bathroom down the hall to save money.<

We did that when we were young, poor and didn't have to go to the WC in the middle of the night.

I'm not convinced the facilities down the hall aren't better than some of the ensuite facilities that have been shoehorned into what started out as a small room. I'm reminded of a wc in a Paris site that was so close to the door that you had to open the door to stand up.

In several long and far-ranging trips around Europe (from Turkey in the east to Ireland in the west), I have rarely stayed in hotels. Our standard is what English call B&Bs, French call chambre d'hotes, and Germans call zimmer frei.
These can range from a spare room or two in a private home (what might more correctly be termed a homestay) to a guest house (what in many countries is called a pension). In really expensive countries we've used youth hostels and university accomm (during the vacation).

I have rarely been disappointed by calling into the town or village Tourist Office upon arrival and telling them what I want and what my price range is. Often an ensuite will be included, but in the small places I'm talking about "down the hall" is never more than a few doorways away.

Not only is this a less expensive way to travel, but it's friendlier and homelier and more conducive to getting into conversation with hosts or other guests who will gladly share their experiences and travel tips with you.

I don't share the bathrooms in my home with strangers and I don't care to while traveling. There are many comforts of home we sacrifice when we travel. Community facilities are going too far for my comfort.

It's a matter of individual preference I guess. And on the price difference. Of course I'm always pleased to get a room with an ensuite if it's within my price range. But if I have to walk a few yards down the hall occasionally, it's no big deal.

Mind you, I'm talking about on-the-move-touring, where I'm staying only a night or 2 (hardly worth unpacking your bags) and then moving on. If I'm staying in a place for 4-5 nights, I'd probably look for an ensuite room.

If you support this idea, PLEASE post a reply to this and encourage others to do so. If enough positive responses are posted, this will be presented to the Fodor's editors in hopes that they'll establish additional forum section(s). Thanks!!!

I'll sign the petition. GracieB

I am young, definitely not poor, but wouldn't mind seeing budget travel ideas Count me in.

With the dollar so weak this is a timely idea.

I'm definitely interested! I do look at Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree but it is geared more to backpackers and hostels and partying. That site is excellent for off-the-beaten-path places, as there's usually not much info here for independent travelers to those (e.g., Central America, Eastern Europe, Africa), but I have to sift through a lot of posts to find something useful.

When I say budget, I mean less than $80/night for a hotel in Europe and less than $40/night in Central America . . . I like to keep meals to less than $20/meal in Europe and $10 in Cent Amer . . . I'm not into fancy, gourmet food (thank goodness).

I'm sure there are other travelers here who travel close-to-the-ground and I would love a chance to get tips from someone closer to my own age.

Sandy (in Denton)

Good "value" travel seems ALWAYS timely. I can't understand the value of segregating away, and this reducing visibility/access of any Europe travel info to "some place else".

Best wishes,

Rex

I agree with rex. I like reading posts and asking questions that range across various budget levels. Anyone who has a low-budget question can ask it here, and likely get as many replies as someone asking a top-end budget question.

We had a budget forum. And a travel agent forum. Hardly anybody posted on Budget, and if yes, mostly got "go to lonely planet".

If that budget forum will be restored people will duplicate the posts. If I'd want to go to Europe on a budget I'd post on both. The same as now with the airline forum, people post the airline questions all over.

I can't see spliting up the forums. If people clearly post their budgets in the original question, I think that takes care of it here on Fodors. I don't see a point in segregating the information.

I do also feel you can get incredible information on Lonely Planet for budget travel, I find it's not only partying backpackers there.

I don't like the idea...what is "budget" for one traveler won't be for another. And many travelers (myself included) mix and match. We stay at 4 star hotels most of the time, but we are also interested in cost-saving transit/museum passes. We'll eat at some inexpensive restaurants, then splurge for a Michelin 2 star. For example, in London this coming week, we're having dinner at Wagamama's on Tuesday, then tea at the Ritz on Friday (Mom's coming to visit for the holidays).
Also, "budget" standards vary from city to city. An 89 euro a night hotel in Paris will probably be fairly modest (unless you've lucked out on Priceline), but in Bourges, it will get you a room in the nicest hotel in town.