10 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in EUROPE | Things to Know Before You Visit Europe

Summary

This video script offers valuable tips for travelers heading to Europe, highlighting common mistakes to avoid. It emphasizes the importance of efficient cash withdrawal, learning basic local phrases, utilizing public transportation, and not overstuffing itineraries. The speaker advises respecting local customs, tipping appropriately, and embracing local experiences. The video also dispels the myth of Europeans being rude towards tourists, encouraging travelers to approach with humility and openness.

Takeaways

• 💰 Avoid using airport currency exchange for better cost efficiency.
• 🏦 Use ATMs at local banks in your destination country to withdraw cash and consider banks with no international fees.
• 💳 Be cautious with Dynamic Currency Conversion and opt for local currency transactions.
• 🗣️ Learn basic phrases of the local language for a smoother and more immersive experience.
• 🚉 Embrace public transportation as it is efficient, economical, and offers an authentic travel experience.
• 🗺 Plan your itinerary with a focus on quality over quantity to truly experience each destination.
• 📅 Research and book tickets and reservations in advance to avoid missing out on popular attractions.
• 🌍 Expect and embrace cultural differences such as meal times, tipping customs, and local etiquette.
• 🧳 Pack appropriately and consider the type of experiences you want to have during your trip.
• 👨‍🏫 Leverage local guides for unique and authentic experiences that go beyond typical tourist activities.

Q & A

What is the first major mistake to avoid when getting cash in Europe?

Avoid using the currency exchange at the airport upon arrival, as they often charge high fees. Instead, withdraw money from an ATM at a bank in the destination country.

How can one minimize ATM fees while traveling in Europe?

Make large withdrawals to reduce the number of transactions and consider opening an account with a bank that offers zero international ATM fees, such as Charles Schwab Bank.

Why is it important to use a bank ATM rather than a Euronet ATM?

Euronet ATMs are often a scam with higher fees. It's better to use a bank ATM for security and better exchange rates.

What are some basic phrases to learn when visiting a foreign country?

Essential phrases include 'Hello', 'Goodbye', 'Please', 'Excuse me', and 'Where is the toilet?'. Learning these can improve communication and interactions with locals.

How can language learning apps like Duolingo and Pimsleur help travelers?

These apps aid in learning basic phrases and pronunciation, focusing on listening and speaking skills which are crucial for real-life conversations during travel.

Why is it beneficial to use public transportation in Europe?

Public transportation in Europe is comprehensive, efficient, and cost-effective. It allows travelers to experience the local way of life and can be more economical and convenient than renting a car or using taxis.

What is a common mistake travelers make with their itinerary?

Overstuffing the itinerary by trying to visit too many places in a short time can lead to a rushed and unsatisfying experience. Focusing on fewer areas for longer periods can lead to a deeper and more enriching travel experience.

Why is it important to research and plan ahead when traveling to Europe?

Many popular tourist attractions require advance ticket purchases which can sell out quickly. Planning ahead also helps with logistics, timing, and avoiding long queues at popular sites.

What should travelers expect in terms of differences when visiting Europe?

Travelers should expect differences in customs, meal times, tipping practices, and even the availability of free refills and public restrooms. Being prepared for these differences can prevent disappointment and cultural misunderstandings.

How can trying local cuisine enhance the travel experience in Europe?

Exploring local food offers a unique insight into the culture and enhances the overall travel experience. It's an opportunity to embrace the local way of life and enjoy the diversity of flavors.

What is the importance of respecting local customs and etiquette while traveling?

Respecting local customs and etiquette shows respect for the host culture and can lead to more positive interactions with locals. It also enriches the travel experience by providing a deeper understanding of the place visited.

Why should travelers engage with local guides and experiences?

Local guides can provide authentic experiences and insights that are not accessible to independent travelers. Engaging with them allows for a more immersive and memorable travel experience.

What is a common packing mistake made by travelers?

Travelers often bring the wrong type of luggage or pack inappropriate items for their trip. It's important to research what to pack based on the destination's climate, culture, and activities planned.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes in Europe

This paragraph discusses the importance of avoiding common mistakes when traveling to Europe, such as using airport currency exchange, not learning the local language, and overstuffing the itinerary. The speaker, Nick, shares his experiences and offers practical advice on how to save money, adapt to local customs, and make the trip more enjoyable. He emphasizes the value of using ATMs at banks instead of airport exchanges, learning basic phrases in the local language, and planning itineraries that focus on quality over quantity.

05:00

🚉 Embracing Public Transportation and Local Customs

The second paragraph highlights the benefits of using public transportation in Europe, which is efficient and cost-effective. It also touches on the importance of not overstuffing the itinerary and instead focusing on a few key areas or regions. The speaker shares his personal experiences and suggests that travelers should plan their trips around specific regions or topics for a more fulfilling experience. Additionally, the paragraph addresses the common mistake of not having a game plan, emphasizing the need for research and advance planning to avoid disappointment at popular tourist sites and restaurants.

10:01

🌍 Adapting to Differences and Exploring Local Cuisine

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of being prepared for differences when traveling to Europe, such as paying for water refills and bathrooms, and adjusting expectations. The speaker encourages travelers to be adventurous with local cuisine and to embrace the unique aspects of the culture. He also discusses the significance of understanding and respecting local customs and etiquette, including meal times and tipping practices. The paragraph dispels the myth that Europeans are rude towards Americans and instead highlights the value of approaching travel with an open mind and humility.

15:02

🎒 Packing Smart and Leveraging Local Experiences

The final paragraph focuses on the common mistake of packing inappropriately for the trip and not utilizing local guides and experiences. The speaker shares his fond memories of engaging in authentic local experiences, which were enhanced by the guidance of local hosts or experts. He suggests using platforms like Airbnb Experiences or Viator to find guides and recommends asking for personal recommendations to enrich the travel experience. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to pack smartly and to be open to learning from the locals to make the trip more memorable and meaningful.

Keywords

💡Currency Exchange

Currency exchange refers to the process of converting one country's currency into another's. In the context of the video, it is advised to avoid using airport currency exchanges due to high fees and instead use ATMs at banks in the destination country to get local cash.

💡Dynamic Currency Conversion

Dynamic currency conversion is a method used by some ATMs and businesses where the transaction is converted into the customer's home currency rather than the local currency. The video warns against using this option due to significant fees and advises sticking to the local currency for transactions.

💡Language Learning

Language learning involves acquiring new language skills, which can greatly enhance travel experiences. The video emphasizes the importance of learning at least basic phrases in the local language to improve communication, gain local credibility, and enrich the travel experience.

💡Public Transportation

Public transportation refers to the system of vehicles available for use by the general public, including buses, trains, trams, and metros. The video highlights the convenience and cost-effectiveness of using public transportation in Europe, as opposed to renting a car or using taxis.

💡Itinerary Planning

Itinerary planning involves creating a structured plan for a trip, including the destinations, activities, and timeline. The video advises against overstuffing the itinerary to allow for a more immersive and less rushed travel experience.

💡Local Customs and Etiquette

Local customs and etiquette refer to the traditional practices, manners, and behaviors that are considered acceptable in a particular culture or location. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting these to avoid misunderstandings and to foster positive interactions with locals.

💡Local Guides and Experiences

Local guides and experiences involve engaging with local individuals who can provide unique insights, knowledge, and activities that are authentic to the destination. The video encourages leveraging local guides for memorable and enriching experiences.

💡Travel Mistakes

Travel mistakes are errors or oversights made by travelers that can lead to wasted time, money, or negative experiences. The video aims to help viewers avoid common pitfalls and make their trips to Europe more enjoyable and efficient.

💡Cultural Differences

Cultural differences refer to the variations in practices, beliefs, and social norms between different cultures. The video stresses the importance of being open to and embracing these differences for a more rewarding travel experience.

💡Travel Tips

Travel tips are pieces of advice or recommendations designed to help travelers have a more enjoyable, efficient, and culturally sensitive trip. The video is filled with such tips aimed at avoiding common mistakes and making the most of a trip to Europe.

💡Packaging Essentials

Packaging essentials refers to the process of selecting and organizing the necessary items to bring on a trip. The video touches on the importance of bringing the right bag and packing appropriate items to ensure a smooth and well-prepared journey.

Highlights

Avoid using currency exchange at the airport due to high fees.

Use ATMs at banks in the destination country to withdraw cash.

Consider opening an account with a bank that offers zero international ATM fees, like Charles Schwab Bank.

Do not use Euronet ATMs as they are often scams.

Avoid dynamic currency conversion when withdrawing cash.

Always choose the local currency when paying at restaurants to avoid extra fees.

Learn basic phrases of the language in the country you're visiting to improve your experience.

Use language learning apps like Duolingo or Pimsleur method for language preparation.

Download Google Translate and the language of the country you're visiting for offline use.

Public transportation in Europe is efficient and cost-effective; consider using it over renting a car.

Avoid overstuffing your itinerary; focus on fewer places for a more enriching experience.

Plan your trip at the region level rather than the country level for a more focused experience.

Have a game plan but also leave room for spontaneity during your trip.

Research logistics and timing for tourist sites as many require advance ticket purchases.

Expect differences in customs and practices; be open to new experiences.

Try local cuisine and embrace the unique differences in food and culture.

Research local customs and etiquette, including meal times and tipping practices.

Europeans are not rude towards tourists; be respectful and considerate as a guest.

Leverage local guides for unique and authentic experiences.

Choose the right bag and pack appropriately for your trip to avoid common packing mistakes.

Transcripts

in this video I'm going to share 10 big

mistakes you want to be sure to avoid on

your trip to Europe mistakes that will

cost you money waste your time and even

make you look rude without you even

knowing it

hey guys Nick here from away together my

wife Ali and I have traveled extensively

throughout Europe and we've had the joy

of introducing several other travelers

to Europe and European culture and I've

noticed some commonalities along the way

in terms of questions and mistakes being

made so the purpose of this video is to

help you avoid those mistakes and

hopefully give you some useful tips

along the way so noteworthy things we're

going to talk about are money

Transportation how to design an

itinerary and a few other blunders that

you want to avoid now just a quick note

before we get started this is not meant

as a harsh criticism of tourists or of

Americans in general it's all in the

spirit of Love okay but don't at me when

we get to points six seven and eight

you'll see what I mean the first big

mistake revolves around how to get cash

for your trip to Europe you definitely

don't want to use the currency exchange

at the airport when you arrive at your

destination they charge crazy fees and

it's going to cost you big time what I

always tell people people to do and what

I always personally do myself is go to a

bank in my destination country and use

their ATM now depending on where you

Bank back home there is probably still

going to be a small ATM fee associated

with using that bank's ATM and I try to

circumvent this in two ways the first

way is by making a large withdrawal I

tend to maybe only make one to two

withdrawals from an ATM per trip if it's

a 10 day to two week type trip to Europe

the second way you could circumvent this

is by opening an account with a bank

that offers a checking account with zero

dollar International ATM fees Charles

Schwab Bank is one example of these now

this is super important not all ATMs are

created equal use an ATM at a bank do

not use one of those euronet ATMs those

things are a complete scam if you're

ever stuck without options and a Euro

net ATM is your only the option okay go

ahead I've had to do that before but do

not I repeat do not use Dynamic currency

conversion when you're making your

withdrawal you will have the option to

choose between leaving it in the

currency of your destination country

versus withdrawing it in your home

currency and that may seem like really

nice but there are massive massive fees

associated with it I repeat this is a

complete scam and another Pro money tip

when you pay for a meal in a restaurant

if they do accept card they may ask you

if you want to pay in dollars or Euros

or whatever the local currency is always

just choose the local currency the same

kind of thing is going on there and you

will end up usually paying more if you

ask to pay in your currency the next big

mistake I see people make when they

travel to Europe is not trying to learn

at least a little bit of the language

learning at least a few basic phrases of

the country or countries you'll be

visiting can make life a lot easier

you'd be surprised how much learning

just a handful of phrases can improve

your confidence speed things up for you

and increase your street cred with

locals some great basic phrases to learn

in any country that you're going to

visit Hello Goodbye please excuse me

toilet is a great word to know how to

order your favorite beverage one that I

find that comes up a lot actually is how

to ask for the check in a restaurant the

reason why that's kind of shocking you

know in the USA a lot of times

somebody's bringing you your check and

kind of shoeing you out of the

restaurant in Europe man they're like

you actually have to beg to get the

check so knowing how to ask for the

check in the local language can be very

helpful there are tons of ways to dip

your toe in the water with learning the

language Duolingo Babel probably my

favorite and the method that's worked

best for me is the Pimsleur method which

I think it was really effective because

it revolved around hearing and speaking

rather than reading and writing which

makes sense right on your trip you're

probably not going to do a whole lot of

writing in the local language you'll

most likely be doing a little bit of

listening and speaking one thing I loved

about the pimsler method which by the

way isn't a sponsor or anything I just

found it really useful is the first

thing they taught me how to say was I

don't understand Italian

and how to ask if the other person knew

English

I found that even knowing those phrases

and how to pronounce them correctly

helped me so much the thing is many

Europeans are multilingual and a lot of

them especially in more popular

destinations speak at least some English

thank you imperialism I guess but

it's still very helpful

to it

you're gonna

learn it's fun it adds to the adventure

one last tip about language make sure to

download Google Translate before your

trip and it's super helpful to download

the language of the country that you're

visiting before you leave that way if

you're ever without signal or whatever

you've got it pre-baked in your app and

man that app is loaded with a bunch of

useful features a tremendous mistake

when visiting Europe is ignoring public

transportation Europe has an amazing

comprehensive and generally efficient

Transportation network with trains buses

trams metros that can get you around

pretty quickly and cheaply opting for

public transport is often more

economical and convenient and it also

gives you the authentic experience of

traveling like a local speaking as an

American I think there are many cases

where we're just used to renting a car

or having to get a taxi or an Uber it's

just the default but in Europe there

could only be some cases where that's

your best option in fact in many cases

it's going to be the worst option in

cities parking is really hard to come by

and it's ridiculously expensive in a lot

of cases a train is going to be a pretty

affordable way to get around not always

a bus very cheap way to get around and

look there are definitely cases where

the car is gonna be your best option you

want to take this side trip or this day

trip but my advice is just don't go in

assuming that if you want to go

somewhere you have to have a car and in

those cases where you want the car for

the day trip consider only renting it

for the day that you need it and not

your entire trip to Europe a big mistake

to avoid when traveling to Europe is

overstuffing your itinerary it can be

really tempting when you first visit

Europe to try to go everywhere and see

everything but it's just a recipe for

disaster my very first trip to Europe I

visited like 9 or 10 countries trees in

32 days which is an average of like

three days per country and in some

countries I visited more than one city

which is even less time let me ask you

would you try to visit all 50 U.S states

in 50 days like other than for the

achievement of doing that no probably

not why because you wouldn't actually be

seeing those places you'd be seeing the

inside of your car or a plane and the

same is true I find when people visit

Europe they want to spend one day or

maybe two days per City move quickly

between all the major sites and they

really just don't leave enough time to

B now I understand we've all got limited

vacation time most likely and I'm all

about maximizing my time when I'm on a

trip however I do believe that you'll

have a deeper richer and more fulfilling

experience generally if you slow down

and as Rick Steve says assume you'll

come back nowadays when I plan a

European itinerary for myself or for

someone else I actually don't tend to

even plan at the country level I tend to

plan at the region level for example a

Northern Italy trip or a Bavaria trip I

find that when you can Center your trip

around a region or maybe a topic it can

just give you such a more fulfilling

experience and as you close in the

parameters you can really just get so

much more out of it the same approach

can be said when you're on the ground in

the cities that you're visiting avoid

making minute by minute itineraries that

can and every tour and every Museum and

focus on the essentials and the areas of

high interest to you now the flip side

of all of this is not having a game plan

at all and that's actually a mistake I

see all too commonly as well I know

people who have literally spent

thousands of dollars on plane tickets

and lodging only to go to a new

destination and sit in a bar and drink

all day long like you literally could

have stayed in your hometown to do that

now maybe you do actually have

intentions to go out and see something

but you haven't researched the logistics

or the timing of how or when to do those

things many of the major tourist sites

in Europe sell tickets in advance and

many of them sell out weeks or even

months in advance so it's best to do

your research way ahead of time and

don't assume you'll be able to just show

up and walk in I like to try and get

those skip the line tickets in advance

in anyways because I don't really like

standing in line in that same vein it's

also always worth it to research and try

to get reservations for any of the

restaurants that you might care about

dining at and in a lot of cases that

doesn't have to happen way way in

advance like we always like to ask our

host if we're staying in an Airbnb where

they would recommend so a lot of times

it's like the day we arrive in a new

city we try to make a reservation for a

place for dinner later that week our

personal philosophy here at away

together is striking a balance between

seeing those important cultural and

historical sites and leaving plenty of

room for freestyling and hey if you're

getting value out of this please hit

that like button so YouTube will know to

suggest it to other Travelers like you

another big mistake I see when people

visit Europe especially for the first

time is not expecting things to be

different I don't mean knowing every

little thing that will be different I

mean not expecting that some things will

be different for example you're usually

going to have to pay for water refills

free refills not really a thing ice is a

possibility but you're usually going to

have to ask for it if you're from the

USA this one's going to feel really

weird to you but you're gonna have to

pay for bathrooms a lot of times am I

telling you that I love all of these

things no not necessarily but I am

trying to save you some heartache I've

been around people who were visiting

Europe for the first time who I feel

were kind of expecting to find America

in Europe well I don't know if you know

how expectations work but in my opinion

it's on them that they didn't have a

good time another unfortunate way I've

seen this play out is when people don't

get at least a little bit adventurous

with the local Cuisine and then they

subsist on a diet of like McDonald's and

Starbucks and Hard Rock Cafe I think

part of travel at least European travel

right because we're not just going and

staying at a beach resort in Florida

make an effort to try the local food and

embrace the unique differences even if

you don't love all the nuances and

idiosyncrasies think of it like a game

even a trip to the grocery store in a

new country can be exhilarating and fun

in my opinion your trip and your life is

too short to get been out of shape over

minor things a big mistake Travelers

make when visiting Europe is not taking

time to research the local customs and

etiquette a great example of this is

meal times in Spain if you're trying to

eat lunch at noon you're probably going

to be eating alone lunch is at 2PM

dinner is going to be starting around

like nine tipping is a perfect example

of this in many table service

restaurants across Europe tipping is

much more modest than what you might be

used to usually wait staff is much more

fairly compensated so tipping is more of

a nice gesture than it is a necessary

piece of their economic survival or it

can commonly be an easy way to settle

the build you're just rounding up but

this varies highly depending on country

and sometimes even in the distinct

region so be sure to do your research

oftentimes the service charge will

actually be built into your bill and

it'll even say this on the menu or the

receipt now in more touristy areas and

restaurants sometimes it will say in

English tip not included when in fact

the service is already built in we've

even had the waiter kind of cajole us

about tip in those situations before in

other countries like Iceland zero tip is

expected you might even get weird looks

if you leave a tip and in other places

it seemed rude to leave just a single

Euro like it would be better to leave no

tip at all or to Euro but leaving one is

like a slap in the face somehow I hope I

have it thoroughly confused you about

tipping the point here was to show you a

bunch of examples not explain how

tipping in Europe works the point is to

do your research and to try to respect

the local way of doing things you're a

guest here another huge mistake I see is

assuming that Europeans are rude or that

they don't like you this is completely

false as a U.S traveler I would say one

of the top five questions I am always

asked by people who live here is if

people were nice to us while we were

gone like there's this prevailing belief

that the entire world just hates America

and I'm not saying that we don't have

enemies but there's this common fear

that American Travelers are just

despised this couldn't be further from

the truth in my experience traveling

Europe the truth is what Europeans don't

like is tourists who are loud rude and

disrespectful if you're a European

watching this I would love to hear your

thoughts in the comments below but in my

experience we have never met someone

that was rude or mean to us simply

because of our nationality abroad that

said when you travel to Europe you

should act like you're a guest in

someone else's country be kind smile be

humble if there is one virtue to

cultivate as a traveler and maybe life

in general it's humility leave your

arrogance at home part of being a

traveler is saying hey maybe my way of

life isn't the only way and I find that

when you carry humility with you the

people that you encounter are much more

likely to treat you with respect and

kindness and Hospitality a big mistake I

see Travelers make when they visit

Europe is not leveraging local guides

and experiences some of my Fondest

Memories from all of my European

Adventures come down to authentic local

experiences I couldn't have otherwise

had without an experienced guide or

teacher from seeing how

Parmigiano-Reggiano is made in Italy to

paragliding in Innsbruck Austria to

learning to make pierogi in Krakow

Poland to creating authentic ceramic

Pottery outside Florence in montelupo

fiorentino these are unique and

memorable experiences that I will truly

never forget and I think there's more

multiple cool things at play here first

of all you get to meet a real local

person and get to know them and kind of

understand their way of life and second

you get to break out of the monotony of

only seeing things with your eyes you

get to actually experience it and be a

part of it yourself there's lots of

great ways to find guides I usually use

Airbnb experiences or Viator just be

careful to read the reviews I would not

be the first person to do an experience

if it's got zero reviews there are scams

out there and make sure to ask your

guide or your host questions things like

where they like to eat or even to take a

look at your itinerary and see maybe

what else you should do or what you

could skip I find that these folks

really do want to help that's why

they're in the hospitality business in

the first place a lot of times the final

mistake is bringing the wrong bag and

packing the wrong stuff and in this

video I share my exact recommendations

on mistakes you should avoid and what to

bring with you instead thanks so much

for watching see you next time