5 Things to Know Before You Travel to Europe
Europe is a year-round travel spot. But you must prepare to travel abroad for six months to a year ahead. Establishing a travel plan is a great way to begin your preparation.
Before flying to Europe, you need to know that you should:
- Have a Valid Passport
- Fight Flight Stress and Fatigue
- Learn Basic European Words
- Pack an Extra Bag
- Follow Some Tips to Save on Costs
Whether you travel for business, vacation, or wanderlust, read on and explore the five most important things you need to know before flying to Europe.
1. Have a Valid Passport
Do research before traveling to avoid problems. Check whether the EU countries you want to visit need or don’t need a visa for entry. Getting one can take months and can be acquired from the airport.
EU nationals must have their passports/valid ID to travel to EU countries. A non-EU national needs a valid passport for at least three months after the date you want to leave the EU country you are visiting, and it must have been issued within the last ten years.
2. Fight Flight Stress and Fatigue
Jet Lag
Condition your body for travel to fight jet lag. Take a good sleep before your flight, set your watch to the local time when you get on the plane, and eat and sleep when people in your destination country do to get on the local time as soon as you arrive.
Flight Delays and Cancellations
Knowing your air passenger rights, especially during flight delays and cancellations, will help you become stress-free. If these unfavorable circumstances affect your travel, airline companies have set appropriate compensation measures for any air passenger, like the Qatar Airways flight delay compensation.
Note, however, that different airlines of different countries vary in flight delay and cancellation policies.
3. Learn European Words (Charades Too)
A positive attitude is essential when visiting different countries. Don’t expect locals in EU countries to speak English, though some do.
Basic Words and Charades
Learn at least the essential words like “hello,” “thank you,” “please,” and “yes/no” in European languages. Locals appreciate foreigners who speak their language. Be polite, and it will lead you a long way.
Learn charades. You will certainly enjoy your experience with pointing and hand and body gestures when talking with the locals.
Google Maps & Google Translate
Communicate with locals easily. Google Translate can translate 108 languages online and 59 languages offline. Text translation from images with the app also makes reading the street signs and restaurant menus trouble-free. Download them now and practice using them.
4. Pack Light with an Extra Bag
Hotels in Europe don’t have elevators, so packing light is a great relief. You won’t drag anything on train stations or your street walks. Dirty laundry is not a problem because you can do it wherever you are.
Expect to go over budget, and don’t miss the shopping experience and the wine and souvenirs you can only find in Europe. A lightweight duffel or collapsible bag will be very handy. Check the extra suitcase when you have a lot of stuff on your way back. You can even send the extra bag back home ahead. It is safer when you have bought fragile items and is more convenient on the return to your country.
5. Follow Some Tips to Save on Costs
Use Multi-Country Sim Cards
Avoid high phone bills. A multi-country sim costs as low as 10 euros and can give you monthly data for your online needs. Some accessible kiosks and stores sell them, and you can charge them online.
Pay in Local Currency
Avoid overseas scams by paying with the local currency of the country you are in. Stores usually charge a higher exchange fee in foreign currencies.
Validate Public Transport Tickets
Get your eyes to work. Look for ticket validation machines when using public transport and stamp your ticket before getting off the transport facility in many European areas.
Book Off-Season
You can visit Europe year-round but save more on travel prices (flights and accommodations) in autumn or spring (off-season) than around August and summer.
Avoid ATM Fees
Avoid non-bank ATM usage fees, ATM operator access fees, and international conversion fees in another country. To know how much ATM fees to expect and avoid high charges, check with your local bank and use your bank’s international partner ATMs.
Dine at Local Places
Restaurants that display English menus outside and those near major tourist attractions are pricey. Residential places have more authentic cuisines for reasonable prices.
Have a Great Adventure!
Now that you know the five most important things before flying to Europe, it’s time to apply this knowledge. So, map out that travel plan and have a great European adventure!
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