“Europe” is an enormous place; a whole continent made up of fifty totally different international locations, every with their very own languages, cultures, and historical past. So to say that many individuals dream of touring to “Europe” is imprecise – nevertheless it’s additionally true!
The ever present “Euro Journey,” or the “dream journey” to Italy or France or Eire is a really actual factor, particularly for the various People who can hint their ancestry to totally different components of Europe.
I have never but traveled to each nation in Europe, however I’ve been to greater than 30 international locations throughout the continent. So I really feel like I am certified to share some basic Europe journey suggestions with you to assist guarantee your first journey to Europe – regardless of which nation you go to – is memorable (in a great way)!
Be aware: Sure, I am conscious that experiences can range from individual to individual and from nation to nation; the expertise of visiting Bulgaria might not be the identical as visiting Norway, which will not be the identical as visiting Spain. Clearly that is true! However the following tips are broadly relevant to most international locations in Europe, in my expertise.
DOs and DON’Ts for a Europe journey
I actually have visited 30+ international locations in Europe, and have spent cumulative months there over time! Listed below are my high suggestions/issues to know for planning an enormous, bucket record journey to Europe.
1. DON’T stress about language limitations
One of the frequent questions I get from readers about touring to mainly any nation that is not English-speaking is: did you might have a tough time speaking?
In some components of the world, language limitations do nonetheless exist. I’ve used my justifiable share of pantomiming all around the globe, earlier than Google Translate turned really easy to make use of.
In Europe, although, you needn’t stress out about potential language limitations. The overwhelming majority of Europeans communicate wonderful English, particularly in larger cities. And in smaller cities or extra off-the-beaten path areas the place English is not as frequent, you will nonetheless discover that most individuals who work in tourism communicate sufficient English to get by.
It is all the time good to study a number of fundamental well mannered phrases (like “good day” and “thanks”) in a neighborhood language, however in the event you stroll as much as the common individual in Germany or France attempting to stumble by means of German or French, it is possible they’re going to simply robotically begin talking to you in English. (And do not imagine every little thing you hear about French folks being standoffish; be sure you greet them with a “Bonjour!,” they usually will not maintain it towards you an excessive amount of if you change to English.)
When you’re in any respect pressured a few language barrier, have the native language of the nation you are touring to loaded up in your Google Translate app. You’ll be able to take a photograph of a menu or street signal and have it immediately translated, or you possibly can even document your self (or another person) talking a phrase and have it translated in actual time. Newer variations of Apple’s iOS even have built-in text translation by means of the iPhone Digital camera app.
(The one situations I’ve encountered in recent times the place somebody I used to be interacting with did not communicate ANY English normally revolved round taxi drivers. And in these instances, you possibly can normally simply present them the handle of the place you need to go; no speaking wanted.)
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2. DON’T wait too lengthy to ebook flights and motels
The unhealthy information in regards to the improve in journey demand for sure locations in Europe is that there is probably not a “off-season” in lots of fashionable European journey locations lately. Wish to wing it in Paris? Go to Rome with out crowds? Good luck.
Except you are going someplace pretty off-the-beaten path, you will not need to go away your flight till the final minute, and it would be best to pre-book your lodging effectively prematurely.
There is not any magic window for flights, however undoubtedly ebook greater than 2 months prematurely. And in the event you’re touring someplace throughout excessive season or round a particular occasion, you will need to ebook motels as quickly as you recognize your journey plans (ebook ones with free cancelation if this makes you nervous!).
I’ve made the error of ready to lengthy to ebook motels many occasions earlier than, and it simply makes every little thing extra worrying. (For instance… planning an Iceland road trip throughout the summer time months? As a result of there aren’t a ton of enormous motels exterior of Reykjavik, loads of motels and guesthouses ebook up MONTHS prematurely!)
3. DO ebook points of interest/eating places prematurely
Talking of reserving issues prematurely, this is applicable to day excursions, museum tickets, and even eating places in fashionable locations. Many museums converted to pre-booked, timed entry throughout COVID, and by no means went again to the previous system of lengthy ticket strains for overcrowded museums/points of interest.
If there are specific belongings you KNOW you need to do in your journey, ebook tickets forward of time. This goes for excursions (I like to recommend GetYourGuide in Europe for day excursions and strolling excursions) and plenty of museum/attraction entries.
A few of these (like museum entry) you possibly can go away till a day or two earlier than your journey. However fashionable excursions (like perhaps a tour of the Vatican, or a day trip to Versailles) must be booked additional out. (And if you wish to go to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland? Higher ebook that one a month forward in the event you can!)
Professional tip: When you want a device that will help you preserve monitor of all these bookings you are making, I swear by the TripIt app for organizing all my journey plans!
And in some cities, making restaurant reservations prematurely can be extremely beneficial. (In Paris, for instance, it is just about required if you wish to dine at a sit-down restaurant for dinner. Use TheFork app to make bookings simple!)
4. DON’T eat close to huge vacationer points of interest
Relating to eating places, you have most likely already heard this tip earlier than: keep away from eating places instantly subsequent to huge vacationer points of interest.
This implies skip the eating places round St. Mark’s Sq. in Venice; spots instantly close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris; the eating places surrounding Praça do Comércio in Lisbon and alongside La Rambla in Barcelona; and so forth.
Eating places in probably the most touristy areas of any metropolis are going to be geared in the direction of vacationers. They will not have nice (or genuine) meals, the costs will likely be increased, and repair is likely to be missing. Skip these spots, and as an alternative head one or two streets over from the vacationer attraction for a lot better meals choices.
5. DON’T be stunned by restaurant variations
The restaurant expertise in Europe is NOT the identical as what you discover in, say, the US. Within the US, servers depend on suggestions for his or her wages, and repair may be very hands-on. You additionally get loads of free issues at US eating places that you simply will not discover in Europe!
Right here are some things you will discover all through Europe at eating places that is likely to be shocking:
- Water is not all the time free – If you go to a restaurant in Europe, you might be requested whether or not you favor nonetheless or glowing water. When you select one among these, you will normally be introduced a bottle of water after which charged for it in your invoice. If you’d like *free* water, you will have to ask for faucet water (which, sure, is secure to drink all through Europe).
- Refills will not be a factor – When you order a soda or different drink off a menu in Europe, you will possible be introduced a bottle of stated drink. Fountain drinks will not be a factor in eating places, and subsequently free refills will not be provided. If you’d like extra Coke, you will should pay for one more one. (Additionally, issues like iced tea and lemonade will not be frequent in Europe.)
- Do not count on ice – Ice in drinks? Probably not a factor in Europe. In addition they are inclined to serve beer at room temperature, which I do know my beer-loving associates usually complain about.
- Servers could not test on you – Servers in Europe typically make a residing wage, and tipping shouldn’t be relied upon (and even anticipated, in some international locations) the best way it’s within the US. Some say this makes servers in Europe much less attentive, however I feel it is only a cultural factor. Your server could not test on you in any respect after your meal has been delivered.
- You may should ask for the test – Nobody will attempt to hurry you alongside at most eating places in Europe. Meals are imagined to take some time in locations like France and Greece and Spain. So if you’re able to go, you will possible have to flag down your server and ask for the test. (After which in the event you’re paying with a card, they’re going to convey the machine proper to your desk.)
Eating out in Europe is a special expertise. It is normally not rushed (some will say service is gradual, truly), and you will not really feel such as you’re being bought to or pressured to depart an enormous tip.
6. DO pay attention to pickpockets
The most important threat in touring to Europe for many vacationers is the specter of petty crime – normally theft by way of pickpocketing.
Crowded trains and areas round well-known vacationer points of interest are sometimes the place the overwhelming majority of pickpocketing occurs, however there are additionally frequent scams to concentrate on in sure cities (like folks with clipboards in Paris, or males handing you flowers on the Trevi fountain) the place theft is the top objective.
Pay attention to your environment, do not preserve your pockets in a again pocket, and browse up on frequent scams within the metropolis/cities you propose to go to so you recognize what you look out for.
I additionally am an enormous fan of theft-proof purses and backpacks (I am a Pacsafe fangirl by means of and thru!), which may help offer you some further peace of thoughts. (This anti-theft purse and this theft-proof backpack are good buys.)
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7. DON’T carry an excessive amount of money
One of the best ways to keep away from being robbed is to not be carrying flashy valuables or an excessive amount of money if you’re out and about. Nobody can steal what you do not have on you. (You additionally needn’t carry your passport round in Europe!)
However greater than this, many international locations in Europe (and particularly in western Europe and Scandinavia) have moved to an virtually cashless society. You need to use contactless cost on the Tube in London, and lots of locations I lately visited in Iceland, Norway, and Finland particularly stated “no money” or “credit score/contactless solely” if you went to pay for one thing.
Having a little bit money on you is likely to be helpful if you wish to purchase a soda or handmade memento, however typically, plastic (bank cards) is king all through a lot of Europe*.
*This is not common in Europe but, although, so you will nonetheless need to do some homework earlier than your journey. In smaller cities in Slovenia final summer time, for instance, money was nonetheless most well-liked!
8. DON’T get caught out on bank card charges
Talking of contactless funds and bank cards, although, do not get caught out with international transaction charges!
Two main bank card suggestions to bear in mind:
- Use the precise bank card – When you do not have already got a bank card that waives international transaction charges, take into account getting one in case your credit score and spending habits permit. Then you definately will not have any shock foreign money conversion costs if you get house. (Bonus in the event you get a journey card that earns you further factors on journey bills! I just like the Chase Sapphire playing cards for journey.)
- By no means convert the worth if you pay – For some transactions in Europe, you will be requested whether or not you need to pay in US {dollars} (or your property foreign money) or the native foreign money (usually Euros in Europe). Do NOT choose the “pay in USD” choice. All the time pay within the native foreign money along with your card that does not have transaction charges. The opposite choice will all the time price you extra.
And in the event you do want money to your journey, keep away from utilizing the foreign money trade counters on the airport. They all the time provide the worst doable trade price.
As a substitute, you possibly can take your money to a neighborhood financial institution to trade, or you possibly can journey with a debit card and use an ATM similar to you’ll at house (simply be sure you alert your financial institution that you will be touring forward of time). You possible will get charged a transaction price when utilizing a debit card, although, so be sure you get out the money you assume you will want unexpectedly.
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9. DO attempt to use public transport
In contrast to in lots of US cities, cities all through Europe have actually strong public transport choices. There is not any want for a automobile in cities like London or Paris or Rome or Dublin or Berlin or Oslo or Budapest or Madrid, and taking a metro or tram or bus will normally be cheaper and quicker than taking a taxi/Uber.
Plus, public transit is so a lot better for the surroundings when in comparison with utilizing a automobile!
I notice that public transport will be daunting if it is not one thing you employ at house. However cities all through Europe provide smartphone apps and contactless cost choices to make it simpler, and you may all the time seek the advice of Google Maps for actually detailed directions on the best way to get from Level A to Level B utilizing public transit.
Attempt it a minimum of as soon as – you might discover it loads much less complicated than it initially appears!
(And in the event you’re touring someplace like Sweden, the Stockholm metro stations are a vacationer attraction in and of themselves!)
10. DON’T select style over perform
Let’s change the topic and discuss what to put on in Europe!
You’ll have heard that individuals in Europe are way more trendy than they’re in, say, the US. And in some methods that is completely true – I do not assume I’ve ever seen anybody procuring in sweats or pajama pants in huge cities in Europe, for instance.
However this does not imply that you need to select style over perform when packing to your journey.
You are going to “appear like a vacationer” it doesn’t matter what you put on, merely since you ARE a vacationer and can possible be doing touristy issues. So who cares what you are sporting?
Pack belongings you’ll be comfy sporting all day whereas out sightseeing. Test the climate forecast earlier than your journey. And DON’T skip out on comfy sneakers! (On this entrance, it is a minimum of good that sneakers are in style in Europe for the time being, so you will not even really feel misplaced!)
11. DO put together to do a ton of strolling
Since you will be sightseeing a bunch and maybe utilizing public transit, you possible will likely be in your toes loads in Europe. Snug sneakers are a MUST. (I am not joking; strolling 20,000+ steps a day in a European metropolis is completely regular!)
The “greatest” shoe for Europe is subjective – simply ensure you convey ones which can be comfy for you!
Professional tip: When you’re shopping for new sneakers particularly for a visit to Europe, be sure you check them out/break them in at house effectively earlier than you journey. No person likes shock blisters on trip!
12. DO attempt to pack gentle
Needless to say cities in Europe are previous. You are going to encounter cobblestones and stairs and generally buildings and points of interest that do not excel in accessibility merely due to once they had been constructed.
Due to this, if you could be shifting your baggage by yourself loads, you are going to need to attempt to pack gentle.
Taking suitcases on trains, rolling them over cobbled streets, and dragging them up resort stairwells (elevators will not be a given in previous buildings!) are only a couple causes smaller baggage are higher in Europe. (Additionally, vehicles are smaller in Europe, so in the event you’re planning any form of street journey, large suitcases will replenish a trunk in a short time.)
Except you want particular outfits for various events throughout your journey, do not pack greater than you really need. Be taught to excellent the capsule wardrobe (i.e. one the place you possibly can combine and match issues), and keep in mind you can re-wear outfits with out anybody figuring out.
It’s also possible to do laundry alongside the best way if you actually need to! (I personally all the time pack some detergent for fast sink washes.)
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13. DON’T count on to pee without cost
I already talked about not getting water or drink refills without cost – however you additionally should not count on to pee without cost in public in Europe!
Inside a restaurant or museum you possibly can count on entry to a bathroom without cost. However public restrooms (like ones at a practice station, or close to a vacationer attraction) in lots of European international locations cost a small price to make use of them. The excellent news is that paid restrooms* are normally cleaner and higher stocked than public restrooms in, say, the US.
The price is normally lower than 1 Euro, and might normally be paid utilizing cash – although I’ve seen contactless cost choices cropping up within the final couple years, too.
*Be aware that the phrase “restroom” shouldn’t be utilized in Europe. “Bathroom” is universally understood, although, and indicators that say “WC” (brief for “water closet”) additionally denote a restroom.
14. DO get an eSIM
Wifi is fairly broadly accessible throughout Europe lately in locations like motels and cafes. In some international locations, you will additionally discover free wifi in museums, on buses, and even in public locations like parks.
Many US cellular firms (like Verizon and AT&T) provide “worldwide plans,” too, normally costing round $10 per day for a set quantity of knowledge utilization.
However in the event you do not need to depend on free wifi zones or pay $10 a day for information, getting a country- or region-specific eSIM to your telephone is one other good choice. Most newer cell telephones can use eSIM playing cards, that are digital SIM “playing cards” that mean you can hook up with a neighborhood cellular community when you journey.
I’ve used Airalo in a number of European international locations, and discover their eSIMs very simple to put in and use. You select the quantity of knowledge you need to pay for, which implies you might have extra management over how a lot you spend. When you will not use your telephone off wifi very a lot, you would probably spend lower than $10 on information to your entire journey!
15. DON’T overlook your journey adapters
Europe makes use of totally different wall plugs and electrical voltage than North America does.
First, you will want an adapter for the wall shops to your chargers. Mainland Europe makes use of a special wall plug than the Eire and the UK, too, so preserve that in thoughts in the event you’re visiting someplace like London or Dublin and likewise a metropolis on the continent.
I normally journey with a universal adapter like this one, however you too can discover region-specific ones that take up much less house, too.
You needn’t fear about touring with a voltage converter lately to your common electronics (like cell telephones, cameras, laptops, Kindles, and so forth.), as most chargers can deal with a number of voltages. However in the event you’re touring with any instruments that conduct warmth (like hair dryers, curling irons, and so forth.), then you definately DO want to concentrate to the voltage – I like to recommend buying a dual-voltage model of your favourite device to tackle a visit.
16. DO handle your expectations
A pattern on TikTok this previous summer time consisted of individuals touring to social media-famous locations in Europe (like Positano) and sharing “Instagram vs. Actuality” movies, suggesting they’d been duped into believing these vacationer hotspots weren’t actually as crowded as they’re.
Newsflash: The favored locations in Europe are fashionable for a purpose, and in the event you journey to them throughout the excessive season, chances are high they ARE going to be crowded!
If you are going to a extremely fashionable place that is additionally fairly small (like Positano or the Cinque Terre in Italy, or Santorini in Greece, or Dubrovnik in Croatia), you undoubtedly will not be the one one who had the thought to go there. So simply attempt to handle these expectations a little bit bit when touring to the favored spots in Europe.
17. DO get off the vacationer path
I am not saying you need to skip the preferred spots in Europe. Go see the Eiffel Tower and the canals of Amsterdam and the London Eye and the Colosseum in Rome. I’m all for being a full-on vacationer, and love seeing all of the well-known websites for myself!
However permit a while to get off the standard vacationer path, too. This may very well be so simple as visiting a quieter neighborhood in a significant metropolis, or as concerned as visiting smaller, extra under-the-radar cities and cities – or full international locations! (Do not sleep on cities like Helsinki, Porto, and Ljubljana, people!)
18. DON’T simply go to in summer time
I do know “spending the summer time in Europe” has turn into such a cliche within the journey influencing house, however you do not HAVE to go to Europe in the summertime! Actually, a few of my absolute favourite journeys have been in any season BUT the summer time!
I really like visiting locations like Eire and the Scotland in spring and autumn; Greek Island hopping was way more laid-back in October; and winter in Norway is magical. (Additionally… Christmas markets, folks!!)
Except college/work schedules dictate that you simply *have* to journey from late June-August, I’d truly advocate fully avoiding these months in most of Europe.
That is in fact not an exhaustive record of Europe journey suggestions, nevertheless it’s a superb begin to make sure that you are ready for an epic journey to Europe.
If you wish to learn extra about my very own journeys to Europe, head over to my Destinations page, the place you’ll find a full record of all of the international locations I’ve visited.
What questions have YOU had prior to now about touring to Europe? When you’ve been already, what are some issues that stunned you?
