You Ask, We Answer

If school-age children aren't dictating your travel dates, your best bet is always a location's "shoulder season," that period just before or just after the high season, when the weather is still good but crowds have departed and prices have dropped. You'll have to do location-specific research to pinpoint a shoulder season at a particular place, but common sense will get you started. Cities in Europe, for example, obviously get the most visitors in summer. Prices start dropping in September, although airlines in recent years have held off on major sales until at least October. To find fairly exact dates for a shoulder season, check a hotel that gives date ranges for high-season rates; the dates just before and after make up the shoulder season.

What are some cheap hotels in Paris? In London? In New York?

The range of lodging options in these cities is as vast as the Atlantic, and what one traveler considers "cheap" might be pricey for another. In general, however, to find lower-priced accommodations, start with online hotel discounters. For a broad sampling, go to Kayak ( http://www.kayak.com) or SideStep ( http://www.sidestep.com), aggregators that link to the sites with the most competitive rates. Also try Quikbook ( http://www.quikbook.com) or Hotels.com ( http://www.hotels.com). For hostels, check Hostels.net ( http://www.hostels.net).

For Paris, London and other European cities, HotelsEurope.com ( http://www.hotelseurope.com), EuropeHotelsOnline.com ( http://www.europehotelsonline.com) and Venere ( http://www.venere.com) are well worth a look, as are such stalwarts as Orbitz ( http://www.orbitz.com) and Expedia ( http://www.expedia.com). Budget Travel magazine ( http://www.budgettravelonline.com) and Lonely Planet guidebooks ( http://www.lonelyplanet.com) often have good suggestions for low-cost guesthouses, B&Bs and hostels. Also check the city's tourism office for specials. And if you don't mind a bit of mystery, Hotwire ( http://www.hotwire.com) offers discounted hotels but keeps the name secret until after purchase, and Priceline ( http://www.priceline.com) lets you set your own price.

Other cost-cutting tips: Look for hotels outside the city center, and consider booking an air-and-hotel package. For more ideas, see our budget lodging story on Page P6.

What can I do in . . .?

Don't waste time huddled in your hotel room with guidebooks when you could be out exploring. Go to the library and check out guidebooks ahead of time. Or download onto your iPod or other gadget guidebooks by Rough Guides and Lonely Planet. For more personal recommendations, log on to Trip Advisor ( http://www.tripadvisor.com), which posts reader reviews of hotels, restaurants and attractions in cities worldwide. You can also post questions. Urban guides by City Search ( http://www.citysearch.com) also can be fruitful (check out the "Best of" lists), and at Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum ( http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree), receive advice from those with firsthand experience.

For restaurant reviews, see the Zagat Survey ( http://www.zagat.com) or Chowhound ( http://www.chowhound.com), or buy/download a Zagat guidebook for the city you're visiting. Also peruse local newspapers and magazines, such as Montreal's Hour ( http://www.hour.ca) or any Time Out title ( http://www.timeout.com). Finally, consult the city's tourism office for info on attractions, events and discounts.

Can I take my eyedrops (juice box, hair spray, baby formula) in my carry-on?

The Transportation Security Administration's rules allow liquids, gels and aerosols through airport security if they're packed in a three-ounce or smaller container, then placed in one quart-size, zip-top clear plastic bag. The few exceptions are baby formula, breast milk, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, essential liquids for disabled passengers and other medical-related items. (Eyedrops and juice are considered exceptions if they are for medical purposes.)

If you're carrying any of these exempt products and they exceed the three-ounce limit, pack them in a separate plastic bag and declare them to TSA officials at the checkpoint. Keep medications in their original packaging and include the prescription or other medical documentation.

As long as toiletries, food and drinks fit the size parameters, you can tote them in your carry-on in that zip-top bag. That includes snacks from home. However, half-empty containers larger than three ounces are banned, even if they squish to three ounces.