Advice for Beginner Travelers Going to Europe
Europe is a phenomenal continent to go to as a beginner traveler. It is rich in history, diverse in culture, and exceptionally traveler-friendly. I have done most of my traveling in Europe thus far and learned a few things along the way that made me think, “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?”.
My goal is to be 100% honest on my blog. And honestly, there is no amount of reading you can do to avoid looking like a fool at some point when you’re traveling. Everything is a learning process, and with time you will learn what works best for you. BUT, there are things you can do to make your travels easier when you first start out. This blog will go through my favorite advice for beginner travelers going to Europe while exposing myself as the rookie traveler I was.
Go on Free Walking Tours
I’m embarrassed to admit that it took me 9 countries and a nice, Irish girl to learn about free walking tours. Most major European cities have free walking tours and they’re gaining popularity in other major cities worldwide. The tours are a wonderful way to learn about the history of the city, get tips on where to eat and drink, and any safety or cultural tips. I recommend taking a walking tour early on in your trip to help you find your way around the city. The tours are not truly free per se, but you decide what you can afford to tip the tour guide. Tipping is usually between $5 to $20 (in local currency) per person. As someone who took a few paid walking tours, I can attest that the free walking tours are just as informative, and the guides are extremely passionate about their cities.
Don’t Overpack
This might sound like an obvious tip, but it is way too easy to overpack for a trip. I’ve been guilty of it for sure. But I'm here to tell you that it’s a mistake to pack too much, especially for long trips. As someone who spent 3 months lugging around 35 pounds of stuff on my shoulders, I can tell you it is not worth it. Trust me, nobody cares if you wear the same sweater 3x in a week. If you are traveling for months at a time, pack lightly and book Airbnb's with laundry machines or go to a laundromat. Make sure to plan ahead, check the weather, and know what activities you’re going to do. Planning ahead is essential in avoiding packing too much.
I will be posting a blog in the coming weeks about my best tips to avoid overpacking!
Pack Proper Footwear
Again, this might sound obvious. But as many times as I heard it before I left, I still didn’t pack proper footwear on my last trip to Europe. So if this is the tenth time you’ve heard someone say this, please let it be the last. Bring nice, supportive shoes or purchase inserts that match your foot type. Do what you need to do because traveling in Europe often means a lot of walking on uneven cobblestone. Believe me, there’s nothing worse than sore feet, achy back, and throbbing arches.
Read Travel Blogs and Watch Travel Vlogs
When I first started traveling, I honestly never thought about reading travel blogs or watching vlogs. I figured I could book accommodations, flights, and excursions on my own, so why take the extra time? However, I was completely wrong. I think it was a little before the pandemic that I started watching travel vlogs on Youtube and I became obsessed. I watched hundreds of vlogs and read dozens of blogs which helped me get a really good sense of where I wanted to travel. They also helped me discover places I had never heard of and helped me gain a better perspective on other countries around the world. Even if you feel familiar with Europe because of school or the news, I guarantee there are countless, unexpected destinations within the Continent you have never learned about.
I promise I’m not just saying this so you keep reading my blog. I just realized how helpful they are and I wish I would have figured it out sooner!
Check the US Embassy Website
There is a US embassy in every country that is there to help US citizens that are traveling to that country. Information about safety, economics, and politics are posted on the website. I highly recommend always checking the website before you book a trip and before you leave for the trip.
You can register yourself at the US embassy so they know you are there and can alert you if there is any sort of situation that you need to be aware of. Check the website especially during the pandemic as they give helpful information on whether you are allowed in the country, what the requirements are, and what the restrictions are.
To search for a specific embassy, all you have to do is search “US embassy” in “(country)”.
Use ATM’s
Not everyone realizes they can use ATMs in other countries. I personally think it’s the easiest way to get local money rather than going to an exchange office. It is a good idea to have local currency because not every shop or restaurant will accept credit cards. If you do a little research, you can usually learn if a country is more cash or credit card friendly. If a country uses cash most often, try to plan out how much money you think you’ll spend in that country and take out cash accordingly. If you plan ahead, you can save money on those pesky ATM fees, which can be around $5 per transaction. However, I recommend taking out no more than $200 at a time, just to be safe.
When you are able, use your credit card instead of cash as your foreign transaction fees are likely cheaper than the ATM exchange rate. Also, look into signing up for a free travel credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.
Extra Tip: I didn’t learn this until my 11th country – funnily enough on a free walking tour – that the EuroNet ATMs are the worst to take money from. Unfortunately, that is the ATM I have used the most, partly because they are the most available. BUT, if you can use a local bank ATM, they have much better exchange rates. Now you don’t have to go on a free walking tour to know that. Congrats!
Learn Phrases in the Local Language
As a native English speaker, I am very fortunate that many countries teach English to their citizens at a young age. I actually haven’t come across many situations in which a European person didn’t know English. However, it feels much more polite to greet and thank people in their native language, since you are the guest in their country.
I made the mistake of being lazy with my English early on in my travels. I am sad to admit that during my month-long study in Greece, I didn’t learn any Greek, except what I thought was the word for “hello”. (Two years later I figured out I was saying it wrong). My second time in Greece, I wanted to do better, so I decided to learn a few phrases and it made for a whole new experience. The locals were happy to hear an effort being made and it helped me gain confidence in my abilities to pick up phrases in another language. In my opinion, the best phrases to learn are: Hello, good morning, please, and thank you. If you can master more, that’s great!
And remember, the most important language is body language. Stay positive and friendly, and a smile can go a long way (depending on the country).
Tipping
Before I started traveling, I always heard people say “the US is the only country that tips”. So when I started traveling, I just assumed I didn’t have to tip anywhere. This was wrong to assume though, as I quickly learned that many countries do tip. The difference is that the waiters don’t depend on tips for their income. It’s also not expected that you tip 15-20%, but more around just $0.50-2, as a show of appreciation. Of course, this is dependent on the country as some truly don’t expect any kind of tip. Long story short, research what the tipping standards are in each country before you go.
