You’re probably so excited because you’re planning that trip to Europe you’ve always wanted! Now that time is here, you’re realizing there is so much you don’t know and there are so many questions you have. Research on the Internet is helpful … but then again, there’s so much you don’t know what to actually trust.
I remember feeling the exact same way you are when planning my trip to Europe. August 7th through the 23rd my sister and I embarked on our first trip abroad, visiting three European countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. I did so much research, but there are some things I think people forget after their travels and only remember how wonderful it was. Let me tell you, it is wonderful! But I can also tell you I learned a lot and while nothing was detrimental, I made a list of 10 things we wish we knew about traveling in Europe. Additionally, I have a list of 15 things we did right immediately after. I don’t pretend to know everything, but hopefully what I have here will help you as you begin to plan your trip abroad!
10 THINGS WE WISH WE KNEW ABOUT TRAVELING IN EUROPE
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Public Restrooms are not as public as you’d think. They are few and far between. If you do find one, be prepared to pay a small fee, usually no more than one euro. The likelihood of finding a free bathroom is zero to none.
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Vendors are annoying, but you can get souvenirs cheaper from them and bargain for a lower price.
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Almost everywhere you go you will undergo security checks.
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Pack VERY light, including a small day pack. We had a carry-on and personal item and we could’ve packed even lighter still. You won’t need or want as much as you think you do. You can find ways to do laundry too, so just pack less because when you have to travel on public transportation, you want to carry less, not more.
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Train tickets work like plane tickets. The further in advance you purchase them, the cheaper they’ll be. This is particularly applicable to Italy and Switzerland, or any travel between countries.
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Norwegian Airlines has a weight carryon limit. Make sure you know what it is and pack within that weight. Again, if you’re packing SUPER light, this won’t be a problem.
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Transportation stops after 11PM. It’s possible you can catch a ride, but you’ll be waiting for HOURS, in which case you will have to walk or take a Taxi, so just plan ahead and you’ll be good.
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Finding drinking fountains is exceptionally difficult, especially in France. Italy actually had quite a few and getting water from there was easy. In Switzerland, we may have found two drinking fountains? Basically, you’re going to have to buy water.
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Most places don’t take Discover, finding a place that does is very rare. Visa cards are universally accepted so they’re the best way to go. American Express and Master Card are accepted pretty much everywhere as well.
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Breakfast equals pastries and coffee for most folks, so be prepared to eat a lot of sugar for breakfast!
15 THINGS WE DID RIGHT TRAVELING IN EUROPE
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Bringing Visa Credit Cards was the best choice we made because it was the one type of card that was accepted everywhere. There is a 1% transaction fee, but that gets balanced with your credit card if it’s got rewards.
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We kept a looser schedule so we didn’t get exhausted. This also allowed us to enjoy more of what was around us, discover little gems, and even meet people.
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Wearing Chacos as footwear was the best. They’re comfortable, sturdy, and can be worn in rain or shine.
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Bringing a pair of pants, a sweater, and a rain jacket was a smart move because we had several cold and rainy days during our travels.
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Even though it’s hard to find drinking fountains, bringing a Thermos Waterbottle like Takeya or Thermoflask is still a good idea. You can order these online or go to Costco where you can usually find them even cheaper. Traveling in the summertime it can get really hot and being able to pour your cold bottled water into something that will keep it cool all day if needed is the best. No one likes to drink warm water!
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As a girl, having travel-sized dry shampoo was a lifesaver! (You can purchase this at your local Walmart.) Especially on days we were traveling. We even had a few places that we stayed in which didn’t have hot water … and while we braved the cold several times, sometimes it was nice to just have that dry shampoo.
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We brought our own adaptors and that was a smart move on our end. I’m sure we could’ve found somewhere to purchase some while we were out there, but that was just one less thing we had to worry about.
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Having locks for our bags was nice. In each country, you get warned about pick-pocketers. While we never ran into any, it was nice to be able to relax on transportation because we knew our stuff was safe.
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Sometimes, the best way to get food that’s affordable and fresh is by going to the grocery store. Salami and cheese sandwiches quickly became a favorite travel meal, especially once we added pesto once we reached Italy. We would also buy fruit at grocery stores because other countries seem to find fruit to be a dessert item … and it’s totally overpriced.
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Initially, we were worried when we didn’t purchase a Eurail, thinking maybe we’d made a mistake. In the end, not buying one was the best choice for us! It’s all going to depend on your type of travel, but not every train line accepts Eurrail and you are charged extra fees when reserving a seat on trains. There is an app we discovered called Trainline that is a MUST HAVE for purchasing your train tickets.
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When packing for our trip, we packed some things that we wanted to throw away by the end of the trip. For me, this was a pair of shoes, a couple of shirts, and even a skirt I had brought to wear to church services on Sundays. This helped save space for souvenirs later.
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Planning the trip for 2 ½ weeks was the perfect amount of time for all the places we were going. I am someone who would rather hit two or three countries and spend several days in each one than hit a bunch of different ones and barely get to take in the experience. The 2 ½ weeks did just that for me.
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Spending 3-4 days per area was the way to go. This helped keep things new and exciting. It also helps prevent you from getting bored or exhausted because traveling can be draining.
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Being okay to try lots of food and spend that money is all part of the experience! Expect to spend an additional $1-1,500 in-country and you shouldn’t have a problem.
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Last but not least was bringing a small First Aid Kit. We actually didn’t end up needing it until the last day … when I somehow fell on my razor and seriously cut myself. My hand was gushing blood and I had to wrap it up, a bandaid wasn’t enough. I laughed then and I laugh now, but there was a reason I brought my First Aid Kit!
Oh and 16! Making these lists while traveling so we wouldn’t forget when we got home.
If you have any questions you would like to ask me, please feel free to comment, email, or follow one of the social links to reach out and I will respond as quickly as possible!