How to Travel In Europe!
Train:
We are big fans of European trains, and if we’re going to be travelling around a bit, we always get a pass. Before you buy your pass, think about how long you’ll be travelling, how many days within that time you’ll be travelling, and whether you’re going to multiple countries or staying in one.
Also, keep in mind that sometimes you’ll need to reserve your seats in advance, which you’ll have to do with each national train company. But, often too, you can just show up and get on a train and show your pass to the conductor. If you have to take the train after landing at the airport to go to another place, I suggest that you reserve your train seat before you leave home.
Lesson learn here. We did not on our last trip, and the train was booked solid. If your plane arrives at 7 am and the next train is at night!!! It is a very long day to wait.
Lodging:
Hotel.com or Booking.com:
We use these booking sites regularly: Both are excellent and both have their advantages. We check both for the best price. One thing we like about Hotels.com, in particular, is their 10 percent booking bonus. You get rewards with both of them.
We find some hotels that will give you the same deal if you call or email them.
Credit Card- VPN-Travel Insurance
Credit Cards
We have several credit cards, but the one we use the most for travel is the Visa for travelling. Depending on the card, the benefits include, among other things, the ability to sit a the lounge, get rewards points and more. Shop around for what you will need the most from a card. Some cards are not that useful if you don’t take advantage of ALL the benefits.
We find out that most places don’t use American Express.
VPN:
You should be concerned about the security of your browsing and identity when you are travelling and using public wifi. Be safe, use a VPN. They are easy to set up, and once you do, they automatically protect you. They’re also useful for connecting to a site in your home country, which you may need to do at times for certain websites.
With Norton, I am protected on all my devices.
Travel Insurance:
You always need travel insurance. Now some companies will cover Covid.
If you don’t have travel insurance, you are asking for trouble.
Canadian health doesn’t cover you when you are out of the country. Travel insurance is a cheap peace of mind, especially in pandemic times. If you get stuck somewhere because of Covid restrictions, who is going to pay for that?
**Many to choose from, shop around for the best price.
Cell Phone
Having fast, reliable cellular data on your mobile phone is a must when travelling Europe or the world.
You can use your phone and your own plan, but it might be very expensive and get dinged pretty hard with unwelcome roaming fees from your cell phone plan.
We use our smartphone and buy a local SIM card and make sure your phone is unlocked. Most new phones now are unlocked.
*Another way, If you want to avoid expensive roaming fees, you can remove your phone’s SIM card and replace it with a European carrier’s SIM card. For most of us, this may be the best way to use our phones.
*If you remove your phone’s SIM card, you’ll no longer be able to make phone calls or use your cellular data plan, but you can still use your phone in a Wi-Fi area.
*We usually stop at a café and use their wifi, most places will let you use them.
*The European SIM card, will give you a European cell number and data plan (assuming the data is included).
*We use this app often for free calling. WhatsApp.
With voice calls, you can talk to your friends and family for free*, even if they’re in another country. And with free* video calls, you can have face-to-face conversations for when voice or text just isn’t enough. WhatsApp voice and video calls use your phone’s Internet connection, instead of your cell plan’s voice minutes, so you don’t have to worry about expensive calling charges.
This September in Bruges, we bought a sim card, for cheap and it will last up to two trips depending on how much you use it!
More:
Places with entrance fees
Buy tickets for places you know you want to visit online before you leave home. Or ask the concierge at the hotel to book them.
By buying in advance you’ll be able to skip more lines and find more deals targeted toward you.
Bring all your gadgets.
You will be glad to have them with you. Chargers, adapters, cables, clothing, tablet, books, you name it.
Download movies, music
Apps I like to use.
**I like to use these apps on my phone while travelling.
https://www.rome2rio.com/ is very useful for travelling by plane, train, or bus, You get the time and the prices.
**Google travel app. This one gives you things to do where you are visiting. Places to see.
**GPSmycity app. A self-guided walk sightseeing. Or you can print a map at home if you prefer.
Before you travel: Essential information about Europe