First time visiting Europe? You’re far from the only American taking this trip of a lifetime and you’re definitely not the only traveler with questions.
Trainline’s got your back: here are some travel tips for Americans visiting Europe for the first time.
What do I need to know before traveling to Europe?
There are no hard and fast rules to traveling Europe, beyond the obvious expectation that you should always be a polite and respectful visitor. You’ll see similarities between countries, such as drinking ages between 16 and 18, Sunday store and restaurant closures, and more locals smoking both at restaurants and outdoor public spaces.
Here are a few common occurrences you should keep in mind:
- The toilet tax: There are public restrooms in many European cities, but you’ll have to pay to use them. They might only cost £1 or €1, but most require coins, not plastic.
- The taxi is taxing, too: In Europe, taking a cab is common yet costly. Most European cities have reliable, far-reaching public transport options like buses, metros, streetcars, and trains that will get you where you want to go for a fraction of a cab fare.
- Customer service is curtailed: Remember that the United States has a culture of customer service built on exceeding reasonable expectations (and, of course our tipping culture). Don’t expect that other organizational cultures will bend over backwards simply because you’re a paying customer.
- Learn basic phrases: Download Google Translate or another offline translation tool and take advantage of it. Learning basic phrases like hello/goodbye and please/thank you are helpful. It wouldn’t hurt to learn “I’m sorry, my [language] is limited, do you speak English” in the local tongue, either.
Europe Travel Tips for Americans
3 Paris travel tips for Americans
- Parisians are polite: So you should be, too. Always say “bonjour/bonsoir (good day, good evening)” as a greeting and “s’il vous plait/merci” (please, thank you). Simple, yet often forgotten, conversational skills will make all of your interactions in Paris more positive.
- Make restaurant reservations: If you’re visiting to dine on immaculate French cuisine, you won’t be the only foodie in France. Dining rooms at the Michelin-starred and adjacent joints fill up fast, so book a booth in advance so you don’t miss out.
- Get off the tourist track: Paris is amazing, and you should definitely see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the other classic landmarks you’ve dreamed about. But this isn’t Emily in Paris: you’ve got the whole city as your setting so seek out less-crowded gems like Eglise St. Sulpice or the Montmartre Cemetery.
3 Tips for Americans traveling to Italy
- Eating at a piazza’s restaurant: Yes, they offer splendid views and people watching, but stopping at the first restaurant you see is a no-no. Italy’s cuisine needs no introduction, though you’ll likely get a cheaper meal at a more concealed restaurant that isn’t actively trying to get tourists through the door.
- Cover up at religious sites: Particularly in Vatican City but applicable throughout Italy, it’s wise to dress respectfully when entering religious sites. You don’t need to be dressed to the nines, but it would be considered rude wearing your swimsuit or gym shorts into a 500-year-old cathedral.
- Don’t skip the islands: Italy’s islands are closer than you realize, and if The White Lotus showed us anything, it’s that places like Sicily should be on your itinerary.
3 Tips for Americans traveling to England
- Get your geography correct: Save yourself some geographical grief. England is a country. England, Scotland, and Wales make up Great Britain. Northern Ireland joins the list to complete the United Kingdom.
- Pay attention to plug sockets: Your USA plug sockets are types A and B. Mainland Europe uses type C plus, but the UK uses type C plugs.
- Don’t line-hop: It’s a pet peeve amongst many Americans and doubly so for the polite people of England. Skipping someone in line, or cutting the queue as they may call it, is quite a rude gesture that you’ll have multiple opportunities to avoid at museums.
Trainline’s travel tips for Americans visiting Europe
We know a thing or two about traveling Europe, especially by train:
- Book train tickets in advance if possible. Prices get higher the closer you get to departure. Do your budget a favor and buy them cheap ahead of time.
- But leave yourself open for adventure, too. You don’t need to prebook every part of your trip. In fact, you’ll be surprised at how amazing it is to book a last-minute ticket to a destination that you hadn’t even heard of until minutes before.
- Worry about luggage logistics, not limits. Many trains have flexible luggage limits compared to air travel, but keep in mind that you’ll still have to lug them around. Pack efficiently so you can enjoy traveling light.
- Download the Trainline app. Seriously, it’s like a tiny train concierge in your pocket. You can browse routes and purchase e-tickets instantly, even before you reach Europe.
Looking for more travel tips and inspiration? Check out Trainline’s Travel Journal.