Sometimes no matter how much you plan things go wrong. There are events that are out of our control. But sometimes they are mistakes travelers make that can be avoided once you know what you are looking for.
These are the most common mistakes I see in travelers coming to Europe for the first time.
Mistakes travelers make #1. Trying to do too much
This is the number one mistake that comes up again and again. Travelers often think that Europe is easy to get around, that you can hop from one country to the next as though it is a large Epcot type theme park. One country per day and by the end of the week you have seen all of Europe. Then of course they are disappointed to not be able to see everything on their list, to only get a glimpse of the Eiffel tower from a moving bus, or only have time to take a cable car up a mountain take a picture and then go back down again.
I am exaggerating to some extent, but most itineraries I see are way too optimistic and the result is normally a disappointing trip at best, or total exhaustion at worst. I have talked about this before here: . You will get so much more out of a trip to Europe by doing less. You will see more and enjoy it more.
Mistakes travelers make #2 Not booking tickets in advance
Many of the large attractions across Europe need to have the tickets booked in Advance. In some cases it has been true for many years, in others the rules came in with Covid to restrict visitor numbers and they never left.
Imagine booking your dream trip only to turn up the Alhambra palace to find that you should have booked your tickets months ago. Popular restaurants also sometimes need to be booked months in advance.
Mistakes travelers make #3. Not checking passport validity or visa requirements
Not only should you check if your passport is in date, but you need to check how much time on your passport you need for the countries you are visiting. For the Schengen zone, for example, your passport should have 3 months validity left by the END of your trip. Other countries have different rules but I advise having six months left on your passport just to be sure.
You need to check visa requirements for the countries you are visiting, preferably before you book your flight. If all the countries you are visiting are in the Schengen zone then you only need one visa, but you should know that not all countries in Europe are within this zone.
Another common mistake is not checking the name or the date on the visa. If these are not correct you will not be able to fly.
Mistakes travelers make #4. Not paying enough attention to your belongings
Unfortunately, pickpockets and thieves make the most of your lack of attention, particularly in crowded tourist areas and on public transport. While you have google maps out on your phone trying to work out where to go your wallet may have disappeared without you. Don’t keep wallets or phones in back pockets, back packs or bags without a zip or fastening. Pay attention around you. If you do need to check you phone step away from the crowded areas. Be aware of people pushing past you or bustling you for no reason. Thieves often pray on the confusion of tourists, so work out where you are going ahead of time and look confident.
Mistakes travelers make #5. Credit card and currency conversion mistakes
This is actually several mistakes all in one, which I will treat in detail at a later date. The first mistake is assuming you can use an American Express (AmEx) card. AmEx is not widely accepted in Europe outside of internation hotel chains. Diners club even less so, it’s best to leave that at home. Visa and Mastercard are accepted all over Europe. Whether you use Apple pay, google pay or the chip on your card, contactless payment is widely accepted, although there are some occasions where a physical card is required and relying only on your phone would be a mistake.
In terms of currency conversions the mistake is to not check your card conditions before you travel, and to use any ATM you see. Taking money from and ATM within a bank or post office is often the best way to get local currency, but beware ATMs outside of banks especially if labelled Euronet, as you can end up with a very defavourable exchange rate.
When using your card it is a mistake to use your currency when asked, use the local currency to get the best exchange rate.
Mistakes travelers make #6. Phone and Wifi mistakes
It is a mistake to think that your phone will work for internet data in Europe, and an even bigger mistake to think that it won’t cost much. International roaming charges can be very expensive, I have heard of many cases of people ending up with thousands of Euros on their phone bill because they didn’t turn off their data roaming. It is also a mistake to think that you can use the free WiFi at the hotel, or that free WiFi is readily available. Most hotels do have WiFi, but its not always quick and reliable, especially in older stone buildings. It is also likely that you will need access while you are away from your hotel.
The best way to get around this is to order an Esim before you travel. This will act like a local sim card, giving you access to the local networks for a fixed price.
Mistakes travelers make #7. Not checking opening and closing times and days
This is one I’ve been caught out with. It’s not enough to assume the museum, shop, restaurant or attraction will be open at the times you are used to. You need to check for each Museum, and check what the local norms are.
It is normal in much of Europe for places to be closed for at least one day a week. For shops this is usually a Sunday, but Museums and other tourist attractions often stay open at the weekends and close for one day during the week instead. Public holidays can mean things are closed, but can also mean the opposite. This is where I got caught out. The (rather fabulous) Archeological museum in Naples is closed on Tuesdays, unless the Tuesday is a public holiday in which case it is closed on the Wednesday instead. Obviously I chose the Wednesday to go, I have learnt my lesson.
This is where travel planning becomes important. If you are travelling to a destination for a particular museum or attraction and are only planning on being there for a day you should always check the opening days when you are at the planning stage.
Shops are another place travelers get caught out . Opening and closing times vary hugely from one country to the next. In the UK for example small shops are often open 9am to 5:30pm and are open for shorter hours on a Sunday. German and French shops may stay open until 7pm but not open on Sundays. French stores often close for lunch between 12 and 2pm whilst smaller Spanish stores close from 2pm to 5pm for a siesta but stay open much later into the evening. Tourist areas sometimes have more flexible opening times and days but it pays to be aware, especially if you are including a shopping day in your European trip.
Restaurants also open and close at different times depending on the country and the local customs. Varying from the common all day opening in the UK to the strict 12-2pm and 7pm-9pm of many French restaurants. Whist you might be able to get and early (6pm) dinner in northern Europe, restaurants in the Southern European countries will not be open at that time. These timings can often catch first time travellers unaware.
Mistakes travelers make #8. Overpacking
Whilst it seems like a good idea to bring lots of clothing options just in case, large suitcases are not well adapted to a multi city European trip. You may have to wheel your suitcases along cobblestones, or up and down stairs. You may have to lift your large suitcase onto a train and then try and find somewhere to store it. And if you are taking short flights within Europe you may find the luggage allowance is not as generous as you are used to.
Keeping your luggage to a minimum will make your life immeasurable easier as you travel across Europe. Pack light and plan on doing laundry. Bring practical, versatile clothes that can cover most eventualities.
Mistakes travelers make #9. Not taking out travel insurance
It is a common mistake to think that you don’t need special travel insurance if you are traveling to Europe. This possibly ought to be mistake number one simply because of the long lasting impact it could have. Many assume that their own health insurance is enough. I recommend that the first thing you do after you have booked your trip is to organise your insurance. Not only is this important from a healthcare perspective, your immediate health needs may be covered by other insurance and national agreements, but not necessarily the very expensive (often tens of thousand of Euros, repatriation costs if needed.
Travel insurance will cover you in other ways, if you or a travelling companion fall ill before the trip you can be reimbursed, if you miss a flight connection due to delayed public transport alternative flights can be found and paid for or accommodation costs can be reimbursed if flights or trains are cancelled. Travel insurance can make the difference between a bad event totally ruining a trip (as well as draining your bank account) or just being a mild inconvenience.
Mistakes travelers make #10. Plug adapters and voltage errors.
It is a mistake to thing that your electrical and electronic devises will work in Europe or than one plug adapter will cover you for the whole continent.
European countries electric systems run on 220-240V and 50Hz. The U.S., parts of the Americas, Japan, and a few other countries run on 110–120V so visitors from these countries need to check appliance compatibility carefully. Laptop and phone chargers are often dual voltage so will work, but high wattage appliances such as hair dryers, straighteners, and other single-voltage devices may need a voltage converter in addition to a plug adapter.
There are several plug types used across Europe, depending on which countries you are visiting, notably C, E, F and G. Without an adapter it is likely that you won’t be able to plug in your devises or charge your phone. Do not rely on your hotel being able to provide you with an adapter or think that USB connections will be available. It is wise to bring a universal adapter.
Should I be concerned about travelling to Europe.
Travelling to Europe should be an exiting time, you shouldn’t be worried about these mistakes. Knowing about them in advance can help you avoid them to make your trip go easily and smoothly.
If you choose to use my services as a travel planner to get a personalised itinerary you will also get additional guidance to make sure you don’t make these common mistakes and so you can have the most fabulous trip possible.
If you are planning your first trip to Europe then make sure your read How to plan a trip to Europe: the 3 essential first steps
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