The 36 Best Tips for Travelling in Europe

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The 36 Best Tips for Travelling in Europe
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• Europe has so much history, a variety of
  cultures, languages, food, people that there
  really is no reason not to visit. But with so
  many travellers visiting Europe East, West,
  North, South, and Central, the region is changing
  rapidly and has sure evolved quicker than I could
  have imagined since I first visited over 7 years
  ago. So, here they are, Tips for Travelling
  Europe

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Research Planning is key

• If I could take back the 400, 8 hour drive
  from Romania to Serbia, I would. Sadly I
  foolishly led myself to believe there just must
  be a train I could catch, instead of doing a
  little research to find out well in advance.
  Europe is a tricky one because the West is so
  crowded with visitors and the East is still so
  difficult to travel throughout in comparative
  terms.

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• I love a challenge, so I love venturing East
  just be sure to do your research and planning in
  advance. Especially taking into consideration
  that during winter, almost everything in Europe
  changes opening (or more appropriately closing)
  hours weather light in a day and so on and so
  forth

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Book everything in Advance

• For normal holidays, it is more than
  sufficient to book your airfares and
  accommodation, and merely turn up to see what
  takes your fancy / where youll spend your time.
  But for Europe, especially during March (spring
  break) or Summer (June, July, August), youll
  often be stuck without a bed or disappointed to
  miss one of the top attractions if you do not
  book in advance.

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Dont book through third party sites for
attractions activities

• Sites like Viator are a great place to
  start when researching the various attractions
  and activities you can enjoy in a new city, but
  theyll also charge you up to double the amount
  for the bookings. Instead, go directly to the
  attractions website to book or for activities, a
  quick Google search will take you there.

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Dont let anyone help you with your bags on
trains especially

• The old saying goes if something seems too
  good to be true, it probably is. And alas, in
  most circumstances it is. Anyone offering to help
  you with your bags will proceed to demand cash
  from you so to avoid the hassle, keep a tight
  grip on your bags.

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• On that note, make sure you watch your bags
  when you depart each station as they might just
  so happen to wander off with another passenger.

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Cheap airlines vs. National Carriers

• The age old debate to save a few bucks and
  take the risk of paying the price of a new limb
  just for overweight bags, or to book with an
  established airline and save the hassle? If
  youre going to fly with a cheap airline, be sure
  to take portable scales around with you theyll
  save you hundreds of dollars.

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• Similarly, consider your luggage constraints
  in advance and book the necessary weight for your
  limit, rather than handing over hundreds of
  dollars for slightly overweight bags.

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Choose the Right Credit Card

• Do yourself a favour avoid fees wherever
  you can. They add up. 28 Degrees Mastercard has
  always been my go-to card, but on the 1/1/2014
  they introduced cash advance fees on withdrawals.
  Thus, the new best credit card in Australia is
  the Citibank Travel Card. On that note, dont
  forget to ring your bank to inform them of your
  travel plans!

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Seize the Day

• Big cities in Europe (Im talking London,
  Paris, Rome, etc) are always heaving with
  tourists. And I mean always. To see the city a
  different way (and often more enjoyable), start
  your day early and finish when you pass out on
  your bed, unable to exert even an ounce of
  energy.

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Skip the Line Passes

• Dont like waiting? Nor do I when my time is
  limited! Many European cities offer skip the
  line passes which allow you to do just that
  skip. the. line. Amazing!

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Walk Everywhere

• Not only will you save money, but you will
  also see more of the city, the more you explore
  on foot.

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Dont exchange cash, Instead opt for the ATM

• Cash exchanges were the in thing about a
  decade ago. Nowadays it is much cheaper and
  easier to simply stick your card in the ATM and
  withdraw the cash you need in the local currency.
  

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Carry some Euros, Always

• While not all European countries are on the
  Euro (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark,
  Hungary, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the UK), it
  still pays to always carry some cash around with
  you. Euros will get you by in most countries, and
  in others you will need to withdraw a little cash
  on arrival.

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• Save yourself the hassle of not being able to
  buy lunch because you couldnt read the cash
  only sign.

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When Packing, Consider the Cobblestones

• Summer in Europe provides ample opportunity
  to dress up and enjoy the sunshine. Winter is
  even more of a trap with all your clothing items
  suddenly being x10 heavier i.e. coats, jeans,
  boots, etc.

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• But when you pack, consider the cobblestone
  streets and walkways youll be dragging that 25
  kilogram case over it aint easy! Save yourself
  the dead arms and always pack less, never more
  and hardly ever enough. What you dont need, you
  can always buy there.

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Avoid Restaurants with Pictures of Food

• This is a general rule to follow across the
  globe, because quite frankly there could be
  nothing more off putting than choosing your food
  based on a photograph. Usually (if not always)
  these places are a dive. Avoid.

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High Speed Trains Use Them

• While they may put you a few extra dollars
  out of pocket, they will work wonders in terms of
  getting you from A to B in much less time, giving
  you more time to explore your next destination.
  Youve come all this way on a timeframe (be it 3
  weeks or 3 months), so make the most of every
  moment.

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Do try the Local Cuisine

• On my first trip to Europe I was almost
  petrified of eating anything I hadnt seen
  before. What was it? Whats in there? I would
  visually dissect any pastry or pizza and convince
  myself it just wasnt worth the worry.

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• But nowadays, things have changed. I TRY
  EVERYTHING and so should you. There will be
  nowhere in the world that serves pasta like the
  italians, no better chocolate than in Belgium and
  Switzerland, and no better excuse to eat copious
  amounts of gelato for every meal of the day. Go
  all out!

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A note on House Wine

• It is cheap. and scrumptious.

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Eat as Far Away from the Major Attractions as
Possible

• And/or research great eats before you go. If
  you have food intolerances, you should make an
  extra effort to find a number of places you can
  eat throughout the city and save yourself the
  hassle of walking for hundreds of metres to no
  avail.

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Allow yourself a mix of Tourist Traveller

• Im always reading how important it is to be
  a traveller and not a tourist but Im going to
  make a bold claim here and say it is entirely
  okay to be both. Having a blend of both major
  attractions and off the beaten path experiences
  will give you a well-rounded experience of a new
  city.

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When in London

• There are many great free attractions on offer,
  especially by way of museums! Check out how to
  experience London on a budget to cut down the
  costs of one of the worlds most expensive cities
  to visit.

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When in Rome

• The Roma Pass is entirely worth your while if
  you plan on visiting loads of the sights and
  attractions in Rome (honestly, who doesnt!?), as
  well as giving you free metro transport
  throughout the duration you purchase. It also
  allows you to use a much shorter access line
  saving a lot of time and trouble.

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When in Paris

• Youre allowed to drink alcohol in public
  areas in Paris, I repeat alcohol. public. areas.
  So youre looking for the perfect picnic!? Grab a
  bottle of French champagne, cheese, bread, and
  head for the Eiffel Tower. You wont regret it.

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When in Amsterdam

• The best way to get around Amsterdam and feel
  like a local is to hire a bike for the day. If
  you want to take it one step further, consider
  renting a houseboat for your stay (there are a
  few on offer through Air BnB).

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When in Berlin

• Just because German food is traditionally
  heavy carbs meat, does not mean you have to eat
  this way in Berlin! Quite the contrary! Berlin is
  incredibly vegetarian vegan friendly, even
  having a fully vegan supermarket! There are some
  fantastic smoothie bars on offer, as well as
  plenty of options to eat and stay healthy.

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When in Venice

• A gondola seats six, so pack yourself in
  like sardines as the price is per gondola, not
  per person. Dont use a map in Venice ever.
  Half the fun of this city is to get lost. Dont
  skimp out and only visit for one day, this city
  deserves at least two.

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When in Copenhagen

• Copenhagen is expensive theres no denying
  it. But many of the top attractions are free to
  see and experience, even museums on Wednesdays!

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When in Prague

• Dont miss the chance to catch a 2.5 hour bus
  to Cesky Krumlov, arguably the prettiest town in
  all of Europe!

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When in Lisbon

• Take to the streets and explore Alfama
  neighbourhood on foot. It is here where you will
  find the most authentic and accurate reflection
  of Portuguese way of life, as well as many great
  cheap eats options.

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When in Budapest

• Dont miss your chance to bath in Europes
  largest thermal bath, Szechenyi, for around 12
  for the day.

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When in Vienna

• Head to the Opera an hour or more earlier and
  take the side entrance. It is here where you will
  be able to purchase standing only tickets for a
  few euros, much cheaper than the 60 euros price
  tag on regular tickets.

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Swap Driving for Trains

• Driving in Europe is a nightmare,
  particularly if youre crossing into other
  countries and trying to drive a rental car
  one-way. The easiest way to travel throughout
  Europe has always been to use the train network.
  A great option is to invest in a travel pass to
  ease the paperwork.

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Come Prepared

• This is a bit of an odd one to talk about,
  but certainly worth mentioning. Imagine yourself
  in India eating plenty of spicy foods your body
  is not used to, and imagine what would happen as
  a result when you rush to the bathroom.

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• Then imagine this is reverse when considering
  all the bread and pasta your body is likely to
  consumer in Europe then imagine the reverse
  effect. Yup, come prepared with medicinal help to
  avoid trying to ask for them at the chemist
  counter.

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Night Trains

• Are a great way to save money on
  accommodation for the evening and are often
  cheaper than trains during the day. Book in
  advance to save money as prices typically hike
  nearer to the date.

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Ski in Cheaper Locations

• Plan on skiing in Europe during the winter?
  So do many others! If you head to the French or
  Swiss alps, youre gonna have to be prepared to
  hand over the big bucks. Alternatively, consider
  the likes of Slovenia or Poland for cheaper but
  still great slopes.

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Be Aware of Political Unrest

• Political unrest in Europe is not uncommon,
  so be sure to check online before and during your
  trip incase any arises.

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Festivals

• Europe has some fantastic festivals on offer
  that will make your experience all the more
  enjoyable and memorable. Consider The running of
  the bulls (Pamplona, Spain), St Patricks Day
  (Dublin, Ireland) and Kings Day (Amsterdam)
  among many others.

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Carpe Diem!

• and perhaps the most simple tip of them all
  never forget to seize the day.

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