There are lots of savvy travelers in Pittsburgh who still know how to get the most out of a trip to Europe despite the tanking dollar.

Here's a smorgasbord of tips culled from readers:

• When in Paris, buy a five-day "museum pass" card that allows access to the Paris Metro and numerous tourist attractions for about $200. In general, take mass transit and avoid taxicabs. Also, beginning Jan. 1, 14 French museums and monuments will open to visitors free of charge for six months, including three in Paris: Guimet, home to Asian art; Cluny, which features medieval treasures; and Arts et Metiers, dedicated to scientific inventions. Ordinarily, their full-price tickets range from around $9 to $11.

• Trains aren't always the cheapest way to travel: In northern and southern Europe, low-cost airlines -- RyanAir, EasyJet, Transavia, GermanWings and BMIbaby -- are competitive with train ticket prices.

• Choose the bus: EuroLines is the Greyhound of Europe, with low prices, although they can vary according to the length of the trip.

• Don't just rely on "discount" travel Web sites. Go to the airlines' Web sites, which can offer good deals, too.

• Instead of staying in a hotel, consider renting an apartment with a basic kitchen to prepare some meals. You can greatly cut food bills.

• Ireland off-season provides perhaps the most savings of any country, according to a quarterly report by CheapTickets.com, which said the country offers an average saving of 57 percent this fall compared with summertime travel.

• If traveling to Italy, check out www.agriturismo.org, which lists small farm houses that rent out rooms or small apartments. They're cheaper than hotels and sometimes (but do your research carefully) more charming. Or surf the Internet for "home swap" sites or other alternative accommodations.

• Avoid ordering soft drinks, such as Coke, which sometimes cost as much as the entree.

• Take advantage of prix-fixe meals, especially in more expensive restaurants.

• Visit Eastern Europe or non-euro countries, which are just as beautiful and interesting as France, Germany, Italy or Scandinavia, and have better exchange rates. One reader said a beer in the Czech Republic cost him about $1, compared with $8 elsewhere.

• Avoid the big cities. London and Paris are expensive no matter what the currency. Look for the less-popular destinations for a less expensive way out. Berlin is a notable exception to this: a tremendously interesting city and quite a good value. And avoid Scandinavia unless you don't mind paying $20 for a Big Mac value meal (which you wouldn't, of course, but just to give you an idea).

• When exchanging your dollars for the country's currency, watch out for fees from banks and exchange stations. Credit card users, also be careful: Some cards charge an extra 2 percent every time you use them. Some cards charge less; it may pay to get one before your trip.

• Book a cruise now for next summer's vacation as a hedge against the dollar's fluctuations. Travel agencies have purchased space at today's prices instead of next summer's, which will probably be higher, and cruise lines are rolling out more ships in 2008 to take care of an expected surge of tourists.

• Local bakeries are great places for lunch, often serving sandwiches and other treats at prices far below restaurants/cafes.

• Many Europeans take vacations in "bungalows" -- small, cabin-style accommodations. They're a good choice in warmer weather, although in the off-season they can cost as little as $50 a week, and include kitchenettes, easy parking and (often) water parks or similar family activities.

• If you're really feeling outdoorsy, stay at a campsite. One reader described such a place at an old fort just outside Copenhagen, with electrified lots, showers, laundromat and bus service -- costing about $6 a night, compared with $150 a night for a decent hotel.

• Make use of tourist agencies, state-run offices to facilitate tourism, which can provide discounts and offers that save you a bundle. They can often help you find a better hotel rate than those found on the Internet. Check with the one in the town you're visiting for help.

• Visit Canada. It's still a better deal than Europe.