15 Useful Tips To Know Before You Travel To Europe

Although Europe is on many people’s travel bucket list, you probably can’t imagine the number of people I’ve met over the years who had no idea, or false expectations, of what was awaiting them. While there are many similarities between most Western countries, there are also many differences that often surprise, even shock visitors from other continents. So, to smooth your arrival and know what to expect before you land, here are 15 travel tips that every first time visitor to Europe should know!

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1. Buy a SIM card/eSIM

Yes, you can rely on WiFi, although, to be honest, you shouldn’t expect the connection to always be good or to work everywhere. For example, if you don’t have a SIM card or haven’t downloaded the city map, you better be ready to get lost easily, even on public transport, which will have no WiFi or a spotty, unreliable one.

Plus, international data roaming is a bad idea, unless you’re rich and don’t mind your phone bill costing you more than your trip.

So, if you want to save money, don’t forget to grab a SIM card as soon as you arrive, or choose an eSIM if your phone is compatible.

2. Prioritize travel to Europe during shoulder season

I know we all look forward to summer to soak up the sun and enjoy the warm sea, but traveling in Europe in summer means endless crowds and queues, especially in the sunniest countries or regions like Spain, Greece, Malta…, so if you don’t mind being crammed like sardines when visiting a famous monument, then that’s fine, but otherwise prioritize the shoulder season.

You don’t have to come during winter if you hate the cold, but you can opt for spring and autumn, which are also good seasons if you’re looking to take advantage of the pleasant weather without the throngs of tourists.

And if you still want to visit in summer, you can choose the months of June or September, which are usually less crowded but still warm enough to enjoy the seaside and other attractions.

3. Book your tickets in advance

This advice works equally to flight tickets (remember to book at least 2-3 months in advance), attractions and restaurants, and is even truer during peak season.

Don’t expect to be sure of getting into The Louvre in Paris or to avoid long queues if you haven’t booked your ticket in advance. The same goes for the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, because even though you can still buy tickets on the spot at most attractions, you’ll have to queue for a while and risk being refused entry once it’s your turn to purchase a ticket, if they’re all already sold out.

And let’s not forget that a lot of places also started to only sell online tickets, wasting the good mood and time of people who show up on the same day, and had no idea. That’s why you should always check beforehand if the site you want to visit sells online tickets!

Want to dine in a popular restaurant after a tiring day of exploring? It’s the same story! If you don’t want to find yourself wandering around aimlessly at night, trying to find a nice restaurant with available seats, remember to check the restaurant’s website to see if you need a reservation, and if you do, try to book at least 2 days in advance, and don’t hesitate to ask the hotel staff for help if you’re having problems with the language barrier.

4. Learn a few basic local words

This isn’t just a travel tip for Europe, but also for international travels, and it should be on your to-do list when planning your vacation. You know why? Because a simple hello or thank you in the local language will show how interested and respectul you are of their culture, and for that, the locals will be all the more grateful, trust me.

On the other hand, and even though many European countries speak English, at least enough to get around, some simply don’t, I’m thinking of Montenegro where I recently traveled or even France, where, let’s be honest for a second, English isn’t as widely spoken as you might think.

Of course, wherever you go and if you stick to the more touristy areas, you’ll be fine, but the same can’t be said for remote areas or off-the-beaten-path adventures you’d like to experience, and that’s where a few local words and a translation app will come in handy the most.

5. Avoid taxis

Firstly, because they’re crazy expensive, and secondly because the risk of scams is actually pretty high, as taxis are particularly targeting foreigners.

Anyway, while in some countries around the globe, you’ll have to resort to this method to get to and from the airport, in Europe you’ll more often than not be able to get to the city/airport by metro, bus or train, so why not use them and save yourself some trouble and money, as it’s also the perfect solution if you’re on a budget.

The same goes for sightseeing: forget taxis and use public transport, which is economical, practical and reliable!

6. Don’t forget to pack an adapter

This is an essential that you should never forget to pack in your luggage, unless you want to find yourself on your first evening with no means of recharging your phone other than your powerbank and having to head to the nearest store that sells one in the morning, like when I landed in Taiwan and completely forgot this litte detail. Lesson learned!

So inform yourself before your departure on which adapter you’ll need (by the way, in Europe you’ll need types C and F but also G for Ireland) to avoid wasting time and start your journey with one less thing to worry about.

7. Don’t withdraw a lot of cash

Are you used to taking a lot of cash when you travel in Asia? Well, forget about it if you’re planning a vacation in Europe, as not only is it pretty risky to carry a lot of cash (which will make you look like a piggy bank to everyone), it’s also not very useful as the majority of restaurants, cafes and stores accept credit cards.

Of course, you’ll probably need a bit of cash if you intend to go to food markets or take the bus in some countries (Greek islands, Montenegro…), but don’t withdraw a crazy amount because Europeans ATMs already love to give you large denomination bills, which can be hard to break and annoy a lot of cashiers, so try to request for an amount that’s not too high or go inside the bank to ask for smaller bills.

8. Choose a card with no foreign transaction fees

Connected to the previous tip and a great way to save money too, opting for a card with no foreign transaction fees will be one of the best items you’ll be glad to have invested in, especially if you plan to withdraw money a few times during your trip.

Banks love to charge us hidden fees but with that card, say goodbye to useless spendings and hello to savings!

9. Free water? What’s that?

If you’re expecting to walk into a restaurant, sit at your table and get free water, think again! While it’s true that you’ll probably get free tap water if you ask for it, bear in mind that tap water isn’t always the most drinkable option in some countries, and if you really crave it, you’ll have to pay for a bottle (which isn’t cheap, either).

And while we’re on the subject of restaurants, in Europe you won’t see a waiter bringing the bill to your table because it’s pretty much considered rude, and also because Europeans love to spend time at the table. So, if you’re ready to leave, you’ll have to wave to the waiter or ask directly for the bill at the counter.

10. Tipping isn’t customary

Wheher in cafes, restaurants, taxis or even hotels, tipping isn’t customary in Europe. If you keep your restaurant bill, for example, and check it, you’ll see a “service charge” that roughly corresponds to the cost of table service.

Naturally, if the service is exceptional, leaving a small tip will always be appreciated, but don’t rack your brains over what percentage to apply and simply try to round off the bill.

11. Beware of scams and pickpockets

Truth is, I’ve never been more wary of my surroundings than when traveling in Europe, where pickpocketing is quite common, especially around famous attractions and on crowded public transport.

To avoid this kind of scenarios, try not to show your valuables and carry your important documents as well as money in a bag placed in front of you. You can also opt to wear a concealable money belt for added safety.

As far as scams are concerned, there are many, but the main ones I can think of are the ones on the street where people approach you claiming to be offering you a free bracelet (which isn’t free after all, of course) or the similar one with flowers, for example.

When you think about it, it’s the same as not accepting free candy from strangers, so always be wary of people carrying such items and don’t even look at them so you don’t end up with something unwanted and not free!

Click here for my 7 Best Travel Safety Items You’ll Need As A Woman!

12. Choose a comfortable wardrobe

This is actually another travel tip for Europe than can be applied to any country you wish to visit. The struggle of packing your clothes and what you want to bring with you is very real, so why not make it easy on yourself and opt for a comfortable, versatile wardrobe (of course, don’t forget that cute dress or skirt for night out). Plus, if you’re the kind of person who loves to walk, and you’re on a budget, remember that popular attrations are often located close to each other, so what you’ll really need are good shoes and endurance.

There’s nothing worse than spending the whole day in too-tight clothes or uncomfortable shoes that will give you blisters at the end of the day.

And, in the end, being comfortable doesn’t mean you’ll only wear jogging pants, because who says you can’t be both stylish and comfy?

13. You’ll have to pay to use the toilet

Another important tip to know before traveling to Europe is that public toilets aren’t free (€1=~$1 or less). For those of you used to enjoying such luxuries, be prepared to carry a few coins with you, because you’re going to need them!

And if you think that some countries charge you to keep public toilets clean, you’d be wrong as the opposite is often true too, so also carry some wet tissues with you to make sure the toilet seat is somewhat clean if you want to sit down or use my favorite option and do a bit of squat (it’s also a great idea for your leg strength).

Best choice of all: don’t use public toilets unless you really have to, and wait until you go to eat to use the restaurant’s bathroom, or you can also use those at museums and attractions (included in the ticket price).

14. Avoid restaurants near famous attractions

Whether you’re on a budget or not, I’ve often found it best to avoid restaurants, cafes and even food stalls near famous attractions, firstly because I feel they’re a tourist trap where the cost of a meal is so exorbitant that you’ll ruin your budget in a second, but also because they’re more often than not, a bad option in terms of taste.

So unless you’ve carefully perused reviews and articles online or asked a local friend, the best thing to do is to avoid these addresses and go find a nice place to eat elsewhere. It also goes without saying that you’ll find more authentic choices if you get away from the tourist areas.

My rule of thumb: follow the locals. If a restaurant is full of them and there are only a couple of tourists, chances are it’s a hidden gem and on the contrary, don’t go into a place where only tourists are sitting at a table: it’s probably not the best option.
And most importantly, don’t judge a place by its cover: a shabby looking spot doesn’t mean it’s no good – it’s often just the opposite!

15. Be polite, smile and enjoy

Needless to say, a few local words will be a great help, but being polite and smiling will also have a big influence on how the locals perceive you. So, for you to have fun and be appreciated by the people who welcome you to their country, showing good manners is probably the best way to have a pleasant journey.

And don’t forget to inform yourself about local customs, so you can be better prepared and avoid any misunderstandings.

I think that’s it, you’re ready to travel to Europe, and remember that the most important part of your trip is to enjoy it!!

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