Traveling in Europe is an incredible journey. For most people, it's a trip of a lifetime filled with memories of being one of their best experiences. For others, their trip becomes a memory of a series of travel mishaps and woes. No matter how saavy you are in pulling together travel plans, traveling in Europe requires a little extra know-how to save you from wasting travel time, spending unnecessary money, and experiencing excessive stress.
- Limit the places you plan to visit. With so many fabulous destinations in the European continent, it can be difficult to narrow down which cities/countries to make the priority. Nonetheless, scheduling too many destinations in a one to two week time span will leave you spending most of your time on a train or in an airport instead of enjoying the sites. Think of it this way: would you plan to visit the top 10 major cities across the U.S. in a span of a week or two? Definitely not. Attempting to see and do too much will wear you out, and your budget!
- Plan your route efficiently. It's tempting to fly to a major airline hub for a cheaper flight thinking you will catch a train or low-cost airline to your final destination. In the long run, you may spend more. For example, one traveler was thrilled she saved money by flying to London instead of directly into one of the countries she planned to visit (France, Germany and Switzerland). It was only after spending more than $700 on train tickets that she realized she would have spent less flying directly to one of them. Organizing your trip logistically will not only save you money, but it will save you time.
- Don't rent a car if you don't have to. Driving in a foreign country is difficult and stressful. Rental car employees speaking very little English, road signs in a foreign language, impossible-to-find parking, wasted time being lost, and outrageous gas prices are just a few complaints from fellow travelers. Never mind the additional worries of dealing with an accident (should one occur) where no one speaks English. So, why not take advantage of Europe's excellent public transportation systems. Most major European cities are linked to their airports via subway, tram, train or bus, making cities and your hotels very accessible without needing a car. Once in a city, getting around is easy with metros and buses. The rail system in Europe is quite extensive, allowing you to move easily between cities. With so much to see and do within the reach of public transportation, there is no need to put yourself through the stress of driving on your first European trip. Sit back and just enjoy the scenery.
- Learn how to read a train schedule and metro map before you leave home. A visitor in Paris discovered this valuable lesson only after spending two hours lost on the Metro. Another traveler missed a connecting train because he couldn't make sense of the train schedule. It can be difficult to find English-speaking assistance in train stations. While train and metro travel is generally easy, safe and inexpensive, understanding how to use them before you get there will save you time and frustration.
- Do your homework on rail passes versus point-to-point tickets before you purchase. The idea exists that you can travel all of Europe cheaply with a simple rail pass. While this may be true in some cases, the cost must be weighed with the duration of your travel, the number of destinations you plan to visit, and the location of the destinations. Most often, unless you are planning a month-long or longer trip with extensive traveling across the continent, it probably isn't beneficial to buy a pass. It's a tedious task, but take the time to map out your journey and do the math.
- Learn a few key phrases in the local language. While in Prague a few years back, we witnessed a pedestrian being hit by a motorcycle. The pedestrian was unconscious in the middle of the street. There was so much confusion that no one was doing anything to help the poor girl laying on the ground. While my husband kept the growing crowd at bay, I coaxed the girl awake enough to learn she was Spanish. In my very limited Spanish, I was able to keep her calm while using a few broken Czech words to instruct the motorcycle driver to call the police and ask for an ambulance. Where a few simple words in a foreign language may have saved this girl's life, they may also help you get assistance in a time of need.
- Research local customs. In some countries, waving with an open palm is no different than flipping someone off in the U.S. In a few countries, tipping is considered offensive. In others, tips are included in the bill as required by law. Visiting churches may require a certain dress code. Local holidays may be observed closing museums and other sites you planned to visit. Knowing local customs can go along way in avoiding travel mishaps.
- Research Department of State Travel warnings. With so much economic and religious upheaval across the world today, riots, strikes and other potential dangers could be waiting for you when you land. It is a good idea to check for any travel warnings anytime you travel outside the U.S. and plan for those potential 'what-ifs."
- Learn how to phone home. Even with our IPhones and fancy smartphones, calling internationally can be a challenge, and expensive. Know the available plans offered by your carrier service, sign up for international roaming, and research options for free Wi-Fi. Lastly, know the country codes, city codes and area codes of the destinations you are visiting. You will need to know these numbers to call locally.
- Hire a professional to help you plan the perfect trip. At the risk of sounding self-serving, I can't begin to tell you how many times someone has told me they wished they had hired me after returning from their first trip abroad. A travel professional can help you avoid most of the travel mistakes that can occur on a first-time international trip. A professional will not only make sure your trip logistically makes sense, he/she will likely save you money and equip you with the tools and resources you need for a safe and less stressful journey.
