I’ve been traveling to Europe for nearly 20 years, but these Europe travel tips are what I wish I had known before I went that first time.
Since my first trip, I’ve visited 14 European countries (largely as a solo female traveler) and have spent a cumulative 6 months on the continent. In this time, I’ve made a TON of mistakes (I’ll tell you about getting dropped off on the side of the road in Bordeaux, France, at 2 am sometime). So, I know that avoiding some common travel mistakes will make your trip so much more enjoyable.
From one Europe-loving traveler to another, here are my top travel tips for Europe for first-timers!
Travel Tips for Europe
Travel in the Off-Season
I’m going to be honest with you; I like to avoid summertime in Europe. Summer is by far the most popular time of year for people to travel to Europe, and it’s crowded, expensive, and largely booked out. Plus, much of Europe experiences extreme heat in the summer, and many accommodations lack air conditioning.
Have I sold you on not traveling to Europe in the summer yet?
Personally, I almost always plan my European trips in the shoulder seasons. In general, spring and fall are my favorite times of year to go. However, if you still want that warm summer heat, choose June or September. The crowds won’t have totally descended yet, but you can still have a warm “summery” vacation.
Travel by Train
There are plenty of ways to get around Europe; buses, budget airlines, cars, and boats included. But what’s the best way to get around Europe? That’s easy… by train.
Europe has an extensive train network that covers the continent. The trains are efficient, comfy, and reliable. Plus, they’re iconic. Like, what’s a better way to romanticize travel than by train?
Just be sure to validate your ticket at the kiosks before you hop on, or you could get a fine.
📚 Keep Reading: 23 Must-Know Budget Travel Tips
Bring a Travel Adapter & Extension Cord
Getting to your hotel and realizing you can’t charge your electronics is a real bummer. So, before you travel to Europe, make sure to get a universal travel adapter so you can plug in your gizmos and gadgets while you’re there.
Another thing I always travel with when I go to Europe is an extension cord. Often, you’ll need multiple plugs to charge your stuff, and the plugs aren’t always beside the hotel room bed. I personally use this Unidapt European Plug Adapter that has USB and USB-C plugs.
Book Hotels & Transport in Advance
Booking your Europe hotels and major transportation in advance is imperative. Flights and hotels can book out way in advance, and leaving either until the last minute could land you in a major pickle.
Personally, I always book tours in advance, too.
Once, on a 5-month trip to Europe, I naively thought I could arrive in Bordeaux without a hotel booked and figure it out from there. Well, my bus into town ended up being very late, and I found myself on the side of the road at 2 am with no plan and no bed. I wandered the streets until I found a Novotel, but take it from me, have a plan!
Learn Tipping Etiquette
Tipping etiquette in Europe is very different from that in North America. In general, mandatory tipping is not very common in Europe, and definitely not the 15-20% standard in North America.
First, restaurants in tourist-heavy locations may already include a mandatory service charge on your bill. Always look at this before you leave a tip on top of your tip.
Secondly, if you do want to leave a tip, look up the customs based on the exact country you’re visiting. Some countries view tipping as a slight, as in, you don’t think they make enough money in their work, and you need to supplement them. Other places accept a 5-10% tip as a sign of appreciation.
Be Vigilant Against Pickpocketing
To be honest, most of Europe is very safe, and you’re likely not going to have any problems visiting. I’ve traveled Europe many times as a solo female traveler and have never been scammed or stolen from.
However, I’m vigilant about protecting my belongings, and I never leave anything unattended or even momentarily out of my sight.
Pickpocketing is by far the most common “theft” in Europe. It generally happens in crowded squares, trams, and at events. Always keep an eye on your things, never put your wallet in your pocket, and keep your purse in front of you.
Bring a Slash Resistant Travel Bag
Speaking of pickpockets, I think having a secure travel bag is one of the best things you can do to keep your things safe. I personally use a TravelOn Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag.
It’s RFID-blocking, has locking compartments, is generally pretty water-resistant, and the straps are slash-proof. I’ve taken this bag everywhere, from Colombia, Thailand, Italy, and beyond.
Learn About Common Scams to Avoid
On the topic of having your things stolen, you definitely need to be aware of common scams in Europe. Ones I’ve personally seen are: being hounded with petitions (often for data collection or pickpocketing purposes), gambling games that you just can’t win (I saw this on the streets of Berlin), and unsolicited gifts (where someone gives you a small “gift” and then demands money).
Taxi overcharging used to be a common issue, but it has largely been thwarted by rideshare apps.
Use a Mix of Cards and Cash
At home, I rarely have cash on me anymore. However, in Europe, I always carry a mix of cards and cash. Most big purchases can be made using credit cards. However, for small vendors and markets, cash is widely used.
Carry a mix to keep your options open.
Bring a Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees
Do you just love spending your hard-earned money on foreign transaction fees? If yes, then continue on. But if you’re like the rest of us, then make sure you get a credit card with no foreign transation fees.
This is something to look into when you’re signing up for a credit card. Some credit cards are more travel-friendly than others, and will either reimburse foreign transation fees or just don’t have them altogether. Make sure you know what your card will charge you before you go.
Download WhatsApp Before You Go
As soon as you travel outside of North America, you’ll realize that almost everyone will ask you for your WhatsApp. From tour operators to friends you meet abroad, WhatsApp is the gold standard for communication.
Wear Very Comfortable Shoes
Compared to North America, Europe has incredibly walkable cities. Cute city centers, river walks, and old towns galore. Safe to say you’re going to be walking a LOT.
Bring well-worn, comfortable shoes that you know you can stroll around in for hours on end without your feet getting hurt. Again, on that 5-month Europe trip, I brought awful shoes and ended up with a stress fracture (!!) in Prague that plagued me for months.
Get an eSIM
When you’re in Europe, you need data on your phone. For using WhatsApp, calling a rideshare, using maps, all of it. You need data these days.
Gone are the days of walking into a data shop and purchasing a physical SIM card (and then trying to keep yours from home safe in the meantime).
I’ve used Nomad eSIM more than once, and I find it flawless to use. Most recently, I used it on my trip to Venice and topped it up as I went.
Pack Light
Packing an incredible amount of stuff has been my entire travel Achilles’ heel. And let me tell you, there’s nothing like lugging a 50+ lb suitcase up 4 flights of stairs at a hostel in Lisbon (I actually made a friend this way, though lol).
These days, though, I live and die by packing light. On my most recent trip to Europe, I took my Nomatic convertible backpack and my Level8 carry-on luggage. I was there for 16 nights, and it was more than enough stuff.
Dress Smartly
Dressing smartly in Europe means two things:
- Dress well so that you don’t look like a shlub and stick out as an obvious tourist (feel good in your clothes!)
- Don’t wear clothes that are impractical for the region, weather, and situation.
About the first one, Europeans tend to dress well. They don’t wear athleisure as everyday wear, nor will you find them outside in sweatpants, and you’ll often find people wearing nice and simple clothes that fit their bodies well.
Carry a Collapsible Water Bottle
The first surprising thing about water in Europe is that you can pretty much get it anywhere and everywhere for free. There are water fountains scattered around cities that offer drinkable water for you to refill a bottle on the go. For this reason, I recommend bringing a collapsible water bottle so that you can stick it in your day bag once it’s empty.
The second surprising thing about water in Europe is that restaurants WILL CHARGE YOU money for ordering it. When you order water – doesn’t matter if it’s sparkling or still – they’ll likely bring you a glass or plastic water bottle. In some places, this can run you as much as 7 or 8 euros. I’m not kidding.
I recommend skipping ordering water at restaurants if you can. Just refill from water fountains, and you should be good to go.
Oh, and don’t expect restaurants to serve you a ton of ice in your water either! That pebble ice really is a North American thing.
Double-Check Hair Tools from Home
Most of your North American hair tools will not work in Europe. In order to use North American hair tools in Europe, the device must be dual voltage (100 – 240 V). If it’s not, it will almost instantly fry/burn out the motor when you plug it into a European outlet.
To be honest, I just leave my hair tools at home when I travel. With my hair, I can get away with using a round brush and the hotel’s blow dryer for a quick and easy style. I do always bring hair spray, though (the non-aerosol kind!)
Take Photos of Your Passport
A very practical tip for you: take high-res photos of your passport and store them online in an encrypted (or password-protected) folder. That way, you don’t have to carry your passport around with you, but are covered in case you lose it. It’s one of those things that you likely won’t need, but will be very happy about if you do.
Smoking is Relatively Common
One thing that always catches me off guard when I visit Europe is the prevalence of smoking. Where I live in Canada, smoking is almost non-existent outside of nightlife situations. But when you sit down on a patio across much of Europe, chances are someone will be smoking nearby.
And to be honest, this is something you kind of just have to get used to. It’s rude to ask someone in Europe to stop smoking, and they probably won’t stop just because you asked. If you have asthma or are really bothered by it, you can always ask for an inside table or move spots.
Don’t Assume Air Conditioning (or Prioritize it)
Think every hotel or apartment rental in Europe is outfitted with air conditioning? Think again! So many buildings in Europe are very old, and air conditioning in Europe can be somewhat hard to come by.
Personally, I find it very hard to sleep if I’m too warm, and I generally prioritize finding accommodations with air con. Most big hotels will have it, but boutiques and apartment rentals may not. You’ve been warned!
Slow down and Enjoy!
Honestly, I think one of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors to Europe make is moving too fast. They want to see everything on a two-week vacation and end up running themselves ragged (and not diving into any specific place deep enough).
Slow down. The essence of Europe is spending long, lingering afternoons sipping drinks by a river. Peep in the local shops, make casual conversation with passersby, journal on benches by pretty old churches.
Enjoy yourself!
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Thanks for reading my 21 tips for traveling in Europe! Have Spain on the brain? Read my 20 Spain travel tips before you go!
