Welcome to How to Travel Europe
Your source for Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for European Travel
You’re in the right place if you want to know:
- How to use the transit system
- How to choose the right hotel
- Whether you need cash, Euros, Pounds, or just a credit card
- How to stay connected with your phone and the internet
- What to do if something goes wrong
- How to save time, money, and unnecessary stress
- The things nobody tells you
You’re in the wrong place if you want to know:
- What sights you should see
- Recommendations for places to visit
- Which restaurants have the best food
- Which museums have the “must see” collection
- What to see and do in Rome, or Paris, or anywhere
- Our top ten list of European cities
- There are already thousands of excellent websites that recommend destinations. That’s not what we do. We explain how traveling in Europe actually works.
Europe is easy—once you understand how it works
Everything You Need Before You Go
Top Surprises we identify
- Pharmacists and Doctors are unfamiliar with Rolaids, Tums, Tylenol
- Even if your hotel has an elevator you STILL may have steps to negotiate
- Some buses only accept cash
- Trains can change tracks/platforms at the last minute
- Not all EU countries use the Euro as their main currency
- Your credit card may not work at every ticket machine
Top Questions we address
- How can you buy Metro tickets
- How to get an urgent care appointment
- How to find a restroom
- Where to eat
- Who to call in an emergency
European Transit System
Metro and buses • Trains • Rental Cars
Learn how to buy tickets, read departure boards, and travel confidently across Europe.
Hotels
Choose the right hotel • Necessary Amenities • What to expect
European hotels can be very different from what you’re used to. Learn what to expect before you book.
Healthcare and Emergencies
Urgent Care • Pharmacies • Police
Need a doctor? Looking for a pharmacy? Learn what happens when you need medical care in Europe.
Travel Technology
Stay connected in Europe with power adapters, translation apps, GPS, mobile data, and internet access. We sort out the technology hairball so everything just works.
Why we NEVER check luggage
The Benefits • The Issues• Our Solution
Travel lighter, move easier, and spend your vacation enjoying Europe instead of hauling luggage.
The 55+ Crowd
Walking • Hotel • Train Stations • Mobility concerns
Learn how to make Europe easier, safer, and less physically demanding.
Food and Drink Surprises
Coffee, bottled water, restaurant customs, and grocery stores may be different than you’re used to. Learn what to expect before you go.
Paris Police on patrol during May Day
Travel Safety
Walking • Inside the Hotel • Hotel Surroundings
Learn simple ways to stay safe and what to do if something goes wrong.
Money and Credit Cards
Cash • Credit Cards • PINs • Paying for things
Learn when you need cash and when you can use your credit card.
Passports, Visas, and what happens when you arrive
New Visa requirements • Copies of your passport • Exiting Customs
Learn what you now need to enter Europe and the Customs process
