Ready, Set, Europe! Top Ten FAQs Answered By Travel Experts
Traveling to Europe is a dream for many, full of historic cities, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable culinary experiences. But let’s be honest: the logistics of international travel can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time crossing the Atlantic.
At Vacations to Remember, we’ve guided thousands of travelers on their European adventures. Over the years, we’ve noticed that our clients, no matter their destination, tend to have the same few, very practical questions as their departure date approaches.
To help you feel completely prepared for your journey, we’ve compiled the top ten questions we are asked before clients travel to Europe, along with our expert answers. Consider this your pre-trip cheat sheet!
1. What type of adapter will we need?
This is our number one question! Your American devices will not plug into European outlets.
The Continental Europe Standard: Most of Europe (think France, Germany, Spain, Italy) uses the Type C or Type E/F plug (two round prongs). We recommend buying a simple, universal "Europlug" adapter.
The UK and Ireland: If your itinerary includes London or Dublin, you will need a completely different adapter: a Type G plug (three large, rectangular prongs).
A Word on Converters: Most modern electronics (phones, laptops, cameras) are dual-voltage, meaning they only need an adapter to change the shape of the plug. Do not plug in non-dual-voltage items (like some older hair dryers or curling irons) without a voltage converter, or you will blow a fuse or destroy your device.
2. How much currency should we take individually?
This depends heavily on your travel style and itinerary, but a good rule of thumb is to start with €100–€200 per person (or the equivalent in British Pounds, Swiss Francs, etc.) in cash before you leave.
This isn’t your spending money for the whole trip; this is your "landing cash." It’s for immediate expenses where cards might not be accepted or convenient, such as:
Taxis from the airport if you opted not do arrange a private transfer. (Some take card but not all)
Snacks or bottled water upon arrival.
Public transportation tickets.
Tips for the hotel porter.
For the rest of your trip, rely on your credit card for major purchases (hotels, meals, train tickets) and use local ATMs to withdraw more cash as needed. Remember, AMEX is not widely accepted so always have a back up card.
3. Where is the best place to get this currency?
We highly recommend getting your "landing cash" from your local bank at home about two weeks before you depart. They can order the currency for you at a fair exchange rate. (Some banks, like credit unions, do not offer this service. Be sure to call ahead and ask!)
Avoid: Airport currency exchange kiosks (like Travelex) at both your home airport and your arrival airport. Their exchange rates are notorious for being very poor, and they often charge high fees.
The Best Strategy: For the bulk of your cash needs during the trip, use a standard bank ATM (known as a Bancomat in Italy or Distributeur in France) once you arrive in Europe. You’ll get the "interbank" exchange rate, which is the fairest rate available. Just be sure to notify your home bank of your travel dates so they don't freeze your card.
4. Will there be a hair dryer in our hotel room?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Nearly all 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotels in Europe provide hair dryers as a standard room amenity.
Our Advice: Save the valuable space and weight in your luggage and leave your American hair dryer at home. The voltage difference makes them risky to use anyway, even with a converter. If having a hair dryer is absolutely essential to you, feel free to ask us, and we can confirm the amenity with your specific hotels.
5. Do we have a weight limit for our luggage?
Yes, absolutely. And European airlines are often much stricter about this than American carriers.
Checked Luggage: For international flights departing the US, the standard weight limit is usually 50 lbs (23 kg)for one checked bag per economy passenger. However, if you have an intra-Europe "puddle jumper" flight on a budget airline (like Ryanair or EasyJet) as part of your trip, their checked bag limit can be much lower, sometimes as little as 33–40 lbs (15–18 kg), and they will charge you heavy fees if you are over.
Carry-On: Budget European airlines also have very strict size and weight limits for carry-ons. Many allow only one small personal item that fits under the seat for free; a standard overhead roller bag must be pre-booked and paid for.
6. How much should we tip drivers, tour guides, and in restaurants?
Tipping in Europe is not as automatic or as generous as it is in North America, as service staff are paid a higher base wage. A simple round-up is often sufficient.
Restaurants: Check your bill for phrases like service compris (French) or servizio incluso (Italian), which mean the service charge is already included. If it’s not included, or if the service was exceptional, a tip of 5–10% is appreciated. You often cannot add a tip to a credit card; it must be left in cash.
Drivers (Taxis/Private): For a taxi, it's standard to simply round up to the nearest euro. For a pre-arranged private transfer driver, €5–€10 is appropriate, depending on the length of the journey.
Tour Guides: This is where you should be the most generous. For a full-day group tour, €10–€20 per person is a fair tip for the guide. For a small-group or private guide who provided a fantastic experience, €20–€50 for the group is a wonderful gesture.
Questions for Those New to International Travel
If this is your first major trip abroad, you probably have deeper concerns about navigating a new culture and system. Here are four common questions from our clients who are "rookies" to international travel:
7. Do I need to learn the language of every country I visit?
Not at all. While we encourage you to learn a few key phrases like "hello," "please," "thank you," and "the check, please," you will find that English is widely spoken in the tourism and hospitality industry across Europe.
The Key to Navigating: In major cities, at tourist sites, in hotels, and at train stations, you will have very little trouble getting by with English. Don't let a language barrier prevent you from exploring. A friendly attitude and a simple, polite approach (and maybe a translate app on your phone!) will get you 95% of the way there.
8. Is it easy to use public transportation, or should we plan to take taxis everywhere?
Using public transportation is one of the best ways to experience Europe! Their systems are, in general, fantastic, efficient, affordable, and safe.
Go Public: European cities are incredibly well-connected by subways, buses, and trams. If you are adventurous, we recommend trying this out. It’s much faster than sitting in city traffic, and it will save you a fortune. But often, walking is easy and free!
When to Taxi: Taxis are useful for getting from the airport with all your luggage, or for getting back to your hotel late at night. For daily sightseeing, try the metro or walk if you want to keep costs down.
9. Will my cell phone work, and how can I avoid massive roaming charges?
Your phone will work, but if you just turn it on without a plan, your home carrier will charge you extortionate rates for every text, call, and megabyte of data. Be sure to call your carrier ahead of time, to see what their options are.
Option 1: The International Plan: Most major US carriers offer an international day pass (around $10-12/day) that allows you to use your existing plan’s talk, text, and data in Europe. This is the easiest, but potentially most expensive, option.
Option 2: The eSIM: If you have a modern, unlocked phone, you can buy a data-only eSIM card online before you leave (like from Airalo or Holafly). This gives you a specific amount of cheap data (e.g., 10GB for $20) for your trip. You can still receive texts on your US number (over Wi-Fi) and use data for maps and translate.
10. Do I need any special documents besides my passport?
For US citizens traveling to most parts of Europe for a standard vacation, your valid passport is your most crucial document.
The 6-Month Rule: Crucially, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area (which includes most of the EU). If your passport expires in three months, you will likely be denied boarding at the airport.
A Note on Visas: For US citizens, a tourist visa is not currently required for visits of up to 90 days. However, be aware that the EU is in the process of implementing a pre-travel authorization system called ETIAS, which will likely go into effect in late 2026. This is not a visa, but an online registration you will need to complete before you travel. For travel to the UK, an ETA is required and can be obtained here.
The team at Vacations to Remember is here to make your European vacation everything you’ve dreamed of. We don't just book your travel; we provide the expert advice and peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy the journey.