Europe is wonderful. It’s a continent full of culture, amazing places to explore, so many different countries close to each other, each with their own unique charms. It’s easy to get around and easy to travel to, but it’s also a place that might be different in certain ways than our home countries (particularly if you’re from the States). So it’s important to remember to adapt and to bring things with you when traveling to Europe that will help you have a better trip there all around. Here’s my top 5 items that will help you have a successful trip to Europe!
Credit Card with Chip
One of the biggest differences with how to pay for things in Europe versus the US is that they use the chip method on their credit cards. Honestly I don’t know why the US hasn’t switched to this yet (they are supposed to in the next couple years) because it’s way safer and easier. Make sure you have a credit card with a chip in it before heading to Europe. All you have to do is call your credit card companies and ask them to send you the chip version of the cards you already have. It will make a big difference, particularly when using kiosks in Europe, which many of them will reject a standard credit card.
Reusable Bag
Europe is wonderful for markets and amazing shopping in smaller situations than large malls and many of these smaller shops or markets don’t offer bags, you have to bring your own. So be sure to pack an easy to fold up reusable bag on your trip. I use mine all the time when in Europe for random things to carry around and it makes it that much easier.
Camera
You really can’t forget your camera on your trip to Europe! There are so many gorgeous sites to see and commemorate, you’ll want to be snapping away you’re entire trip. Whether it’s just your phone with a camera or a big DSLR, don’t forget it!
Data plan or a City Map
Many of Europe’s cities are well known for being maze-like and without a lot of street signs, so to find your way around, it’s important to either have a physical city map with you at all times (I recommend Streetwise maps which are laminated and easy to read) or an international data plan on your cell phone so that you can get on and look at where you are on Google maps on there. We usually do a combination of both of these methods. We try to use the physical map, but if we get really lost or turned around, we’ll turn the data on our phone and use the GPS to see where we are.
Cash
I never carry cash at home in the States mostly because I don’t have a need to, everywhere takes card. But in Europe, this is often not the case and many places, particularly smaller towns or smaller shops or restaurants may only take cash or prefer it. We always make sure we have cash when we travel in the local currency, it makes things so much easier when you end up eating at that little adorable restaurant and find out they only take cash.
Hannah Webb says
Yes all so true! The cash thing drives me crazy, I even have to make sure I always have coins for tram tickets so annoying.
With the data pan/city map, if you’re in wifi area you can load google maps on your phone for the area/city(e.g. keep zooming in and out and moving around so you get all the detail) then when you are out and about without internet it will still be loaded and somehow can still show your blue dot location!
Casey says
Totally! And yes, you’re right, that’s a good comment on the GPS … though I have had issues with that not always working in certain places so a good old fashioned map is a great backup!
Kati Rose says
The biggest is the maps. We under estimate if you’re an American how well streets will be marked. Wrong wrong wrong. Europe has so many winded and curved cobblestone streets that suddenly become another – it’s crazy and complicated. A actual map is a lifesaver no matter how good your sense of direction is.
Casey says
Totally!!! Europe is so different than what many people expect in terms of getting around so a great map makes all the difference!
Laura @ Laughter is Catching says
city map is a must have – im always getting lost!
Casey says
Totally! I always have maps!!!
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
Yess– camera and map for sure!! Wandering and taking photos is great, but I don’t love getting lost for hours…. And we usually use cash when paying for things in Europe, but having a card is great too.
Casey says
Yea we try to pay for almost everything with cash while traveling but it’s a great backup to have a card for things like kiosks or such that might not take cash.
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
Credit card with a chip, so true, that has gotten me a few time!
Casey says
Totally! It makes a huge difference and is more and more of an issue each time we go to Europe… I can’t believe the US hasn’t switched yet!!! It’s so much safer too!
julia says
The best advice is the CC with chip .. had that “issue” many places especially in London !!
Emma @LWL says
Definitely maps and cameras… and batteries for your camera!! (or your charger). I’ve been on trips where I’ve run out of battery and it’s the most frustrating thing. Thanks for the tips!
Casey says
Totally! I let Nick take care of packing the batteries and chargers for all the cameras, but that’s so important!!!
Chalsie says
Great tips! How strange the US hasn’t moved onto the chips in cards yet. Usually Australia is quite behind on these kinds of things, and we’ve been using them for a year or so now!
Something I feel a lot of people forgot to bring when travelling is a power board. Super handy when you have multiple electronics to charge at the same time.
Chalsie | The Workshop Co. x
Casey says
I know! I’m so surprised we haven’t moved to the chip and pin yet but supposedly next year they are supposed to start transitioning. It’s so much safer too! And yes, a great multi-outlet plug in is a great addition to the list!
Jamie G @ SnapGinger says
The credit card tip is a great one! Thanks!!!
Casey says
It makes a big difference!!!
Camila says
Great list! Definitely an adaptor would be useful too! And also I would advise that if you can’t have a map – use the hotel wifi and then screenshot the map of where you’re heading 🙂 And if I could add one last thing I would also advise against bringing an american express card in Europe for the American travellers. 🙂
Casey says
Yes, an adaptor is is always in my bag for wherever I go!
Sara says
These are all great tips! Definitely had problems without a chip and pin card in the past. I would say the other thing I’ve been carrying around with me at all times is an umbrella, though this might vary a little throughout Europe. (Especially living in Paris – it’s a must!)
Casey says
Yes! And I always have a coat with a hood too so I don’t have to lug an umbrella around! 🙂
Angie says
I still do not understand why there isn’t chips in the CCs here in the US. It makes so much more sense!
Casey says
I know!!! They just need to switch, it’s so much easier and safer!
Christina McCall says
I get that the chip cards are safer … but for the handful of stores that currently have the readers for them here stateside, they are a proverbial pain in the *bleep* and SLOW to process transactions. Not to mention, it looks like I’m using a food stamp card at WalMart because they use the same slot!
(nothing against food stamps, but the dirty looks I get from people behind me …)
Casey says
Yea, the whole point is to be faster which they are in Europe and elsewhere in the world… we don’t have the pin set up service yet in the States (even though they accept the chip) so I think when they do that part of it, it will get super fast!