European Travel Tips
If you find
errors or have additions, please
email
mike.weinberg@cox.net * Rev June
10, 2006 |
Book Eurostar Chunnel online
early!
Like an airline
reservation, cheap seats get sold
early. The longer you wait, the more
you'll pay. Even if there are empty
seats on the day of travel, you'll
pay a steep premium for a ticket.
www.eurostar.com |
Buy non-flexible Eurostar
tickets.
Although it's a little unnerving
non-flexible tickets won't let you
change your travel dates/times (use it or
lose it!), they are much
cheaper than flexible tickets. Note: Seniors get lower
rates and sometimes more
flexibility. |
Use restroom before
getting off train.
Restrooms at the British Waterloo
station cost 20 pence (~40 cents);
at the Paris Gare du Nord station,
they cost 1 euro (~$1.25)! |
Trip Interruption Insurance
If you're
concerned about missing a plane,
train, or ferry, buy insurance that
covers you for the cost of missed
connections due to illness or
injury. It's cheap!
www.travelguard.com |
Book ferry trips online.
Take the
fast ferry. It's not much more
expensive and gets there in almost
half the time.
www.stenaline.co.uk
|
No Paper Towels
Most restrooms have hot-air blow
dryers but no paper towels. Unless
you have the patience for air
drying, be prepared to dry your
hands on your pants. |
Beware of backwards maps.
"You are Here"
maps may be facing the wrong way. If
you're not sure, before going too
far, ask someone if you are on the
right path. |
Ask more than one person for
directions.
People mean well,
but they may give incorrect
directions. After traveling a block
or two, ask another person to verify
you're going the right way. |
Use ATMs to Get Foreign Cash
Using your debit card
at ATMs avoids expensive exchange
commissions, although your bank
may charge a 1% transaction fee
(e.g., $1 per $100).
Don't forget
your PIN number! |
Smoking Bans
Ireland: no
smoking in pubs, restaurants, hotel
rooms.
U.K.: no smoking areas in
restaurants; nonsmoking rooms in
hotels. Plans an Ireland-type ban in
2007. Paris: no bans; does
have nonsmoking hotel rooms. |
English or Irish?
English: bloody,
lovely, brilliant
Irish: glorious, no hard "th" (e.g.,
turty for thirty). |
Your tip here! |
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