International travel is exciting, but it can also be a little different from traveling within the United States. This guide answers many of the questions travelers ask us most often and includes helpful tips to make your journey easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
Your passport is your most important travel document.
Before departure:
Many European countries are part of the Schengen Area, which generally permits U.S. visitors to remain for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a traditional tourist visa.
Europe's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operational for travelers entering participating European countries. The system electronically records the entry and exit of non-EU travelers and may require biometric information at the border.
ETIAS, Europe's upcoming electronic travel authorization, is a separate program. When it becomes operational, eligible travelers—including Americans—will need to obtain authorization before traveling to participating European countries.
Because entry requirements can change, always review the requirements for your specific destination before departure.
We strongly recommend that U.S. travelers enroll their international trip in the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
STEP is free.
Enrollment allows you to receive important safety and security information from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate serving your destination and can make it easier for the U.S. government to contact you during an emergency or crisis.
STEP can help you:
Our recommendation: Enroll every international trip in STEP before departure.
You do not need enough cash for your entire vacation.
For most European trips, we suggest starting with approximately €200–€300 per couple if you would like to have cash when you arrive.
Use credit cards for most purchases and withdraw additional cash from a bank ATM when necessary.
There is generally no reason to travel with a large amount of cash.
Credit cards are ideal for:
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Europe.
American Express is accepted in some locations but not as universally as Visa and Mastercard. We recommend bringing a Visa or Mastercard as a backup payment method.
Whenever possible, travel with a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
We recommend carrying a primary credit card and a backup card and storing them separately.
Cash is useful for:
Most U.S. debit cards carrying a Visa or Mastercard logo can be used at European ATMs.
Before leaving home:
Use your debit card primarily for withdrawing cash from an ATM rather than for everyday purchases.
Use an ATM operated by a major bank, preferably one physically located at or inside a bank branch.
Avoid independent tourist ATMs whenever a bank ATM is available.
Italy
BNL, UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo
Look for bank-operated ATMs marked BANCOMAT.
France
BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, Crédit Mutuel
Spain
Use ATMs located at established Spanish banks.
Greece
National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank and other major banks
Portugal
Look for the MULTIBANCO network at established bank locations.
Germany
Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, ING and established local banks. ATMs may be labeled Geldautomat.
Austria
Erste Bank/Sparkasse, Raiffeisen, Bank Austria and other established banks
Hungary
Erste, K&H, Raiffeisen, UniCredit and other major banks
Netherlands
Look for Geldmaat, the shared Dutch ATM network.
Ireland
AIB and Bank of Ireland
United Kingdom — including Scotland
Barclays, HSBC, NatWest/RBS, Lloyds and other major banks
Switzerland
UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeisen and cantonal banks
Czech Republic
ČSOB, Komerční banka and other major banks
Bank of America has international ATM partners in several European countries, including:
Check your bank's current international ATM partners before traveling, as partnerships and fees can change.
Whether you're at an ATM, restaurant or store, you may be asked:
“Would you like to pay in U.S. dollars or local currency?”
Choose LOCAL CURRENCY.
If an ATM asks you to:
Accept Conversion
or
Continue Without Conversion
choose:
CONTINUE WITHOUT CONVERSION.
Let your own bank or card network perform the currency conversion.
Euro (€): Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Ireland and many other EU countries
British Pound (£): United Kingdom, including Scotland
Swiss Franc (CHF): Switzerland
Hungarian Forint (HUF): Hungary
Czech Koruna (CZK): Czech Republic
Tipping in Europe is entirely discretionary and is not obligatory.
Unlike in the United States, there generally isn't an expectation that you leave a specific percentage.
However, when someone provides exceptional service or exceeds your expectations, a gratuity is always appreciated.
Private Guide
Private Driver
Approximately €5–10 per person for your guide when you are pleased with the experience.
Tipping is not required.
In Italy, you may see a coperto, or cover charge, on your bill. This is not a gratuity.
You may also see servizio, or a service charge. If service has already been included, there is no need to leave an additional gratuity.
For particularly good service, you may round up the bill, leave a few euros or leave approximately 5–10%.
Porter: €1–2 per bag
Housekeeping: €1–2 per day
Concierge: €5–20 for exceptional assistance or special arrangements
No tip is required. Round up the fare or leave a few extra euros when your driver has been especially helpful.
Cash in the local currency is generally preferred for gratuities.
Before leaving home, determine how your phone will work internationally.
Your options may include:
Contact your mobile carrier before departure and understand exactly what your plan includes.
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, airports and other public places.
Avoid conducting sensitive financial transactions over unsecured public Wi-Fi whenever possible.
WhatsApp is widely used throughout Europe for messaging and calling.
Hotels, drivers, guides and other local contacts may use WhatsApp to communicate with you.
Download and set it up before leaving home.
Phones can be lost, damaged or run out of battery.
Keep important hotel addresses, transportation information and emergency contacts somewhere other than only on your phone.
Europe generally operates on 220–240 volts, while the United States uses approximately 120 volts.
An adapter changes the shape of your plug. If you will be visiting multiple countries during your trip, we recommend using a Universal Outlet adapter.
A converter changes electrical voltage.
They are not the same thing.
Many modern electronics—including most phones, tablets, laptops, and camera chargers—are dual voltage and don't require a voltage converter. Check the device or charger for wording such as:
INPUT: 100–240V
If you see this, you normally need only the appropriate plug adapter.
American hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can be problematic because many are not designed for European voltage. If you prefer to travel with your own hair appliances, make sure they are dual voltage devices.
Check the voltage rating before plugging them in.
When possible, use the hair dryer provided by your hotel.
Remember that different European countries may use different plug styles. The United Kingdom and Ireland, for example, use different plugs from Italy, France and many continental European countries.
European travel often involves more walking, stairs, trains, cobblestone streets and luggage handling than travelers expect.
Pack lighter than you think you need to.
Never put prescription medications, passports, cash, jewelry,, or irreplaceable valuables in checked luggage.
Consider placing a luggage tracker such as an AirTag in checked luggage.
Europe involves considerable walking, often over cobblestones and uneven surfaces.
Bring comfortable, broken-in walking shoes.
Carry enough prescription medication for your entire trip plus a small additional supply in case of travel delays.
Keep medications:
Some medications that are legal in the United States are restricted or prohibited in other countries.
Travelers taking controlled substances, injectable medications, or other potentially restricted medications should check the rules for their destination before traveling and carry appropriate documentation.
Never assume that a U.S. prescription automatically permits you to carry a medication into another country.
Your arrival day can be exciting—and tiring.
You will generally proceed through:
Passport Control/Immigration → Baggage Claim → Customs → Arrivals
If you have a private transfer, follow the instructions provided in your itinerary for meeting your driver.
Do not accept unsolicited transportation offers from people approaching you inside an airport or train station.
Many international flights arrive in Europe early in the morning.
Hotel check-in is commonly in the afternoon.
If your room isn't ready, leave your luggage with the hotel and begin enjoying your destination.
Try to adjust to local time immediately.
Get outside and enjoy daylight.
Eat according to local meal times.
Avoid going to bed for the night in the middle of the afternoon if possible.
Stay awake until a reasonable local bedtime.
European hotels can be different from American hotels.
You may encounter:
These differences are often part of the character and charm of staying in Europe.
Air conditioning is not always as powerful as Americans are accustomed to, particularly in historic buildings.
Some hotels operate air conditioning seasonally according to local regulations or weather conditions.
Local municipalities sometimes reguate air conditioning usage, which is controled from the front desk at your hotel. If you are uncomfortable, call the front desk and ask if it's possible to have the temperature in your room adjusted.
King and Queen size beds are not standard in Europe. A European “double” or “king” bed may consist of two twin mattresses or beds placed together.
Dining customs vary from country to country.
Meals are often more leisurely than in the United States.
Most sit down restaurants open at 7:00 PM and serve dinner until 11:00 PM or midnight.
Your server may not bring the check until you ask for it because doing so without being asked can be considered an attempt to rush you.
You may be asked:
Still or sparkling?
Bottled water is commonly ordered at restaurants.
If you specifically want tap water, ask whether it is available.
Ice is optional. Drinks such as water and soft drinks are often served without ide, so you may need to ask for it.
Travelers with serious food allergies should carry a translated allergy card explaining the allergy in the local language.
Do not rely solely on verbal communication when the allergy is severe.
European trains are convenient and efficient, but the boarding process is different from flying.
Arrive at the station with enough time to:
Platforms can change, so check the departure board again shortly before departure.
European trains may stop for only a few minutes.
Be ready to board when your train arrives.
You are generally responsible for carrying, loading and storing your own luggage.
Another excellent reason to pack light.
Some paper or regional train tickets must be validated before boarding, while many reserved electronic tickets do not.
Follow the instructions on your specific ticket.
Use:
Be cautious of individuals approaching you inside airports or train stations offering unsolicited rides.
When using a taxi, make sure the meter is operating where meters are required.
Carry your hotel's name and address with you.
Europe is generally a comfortable destination for travelers, but petty theft can occur in busy tourist areas.
Be particularly attentive:
Use a crossbody or secure travel bag.
Keep bags zipped.
Don't carry your wallet in an easily accessible back pocket.
Don't leave your phone sitting unattended on a café or restaurant table.
Don't hang a purse loosely over the back of a chair.
Keep passports, cash and backup credit cards secure.
Avoid carrying all of your credit cards and cash in the same place.
Be cautious when a stranger creates an unexpected distraction or asks you to sign something, accept a bracelet or participate in a street transaction.
Stay aware—not afraid.
VAT, or Value Added Tax, is included in the price of many goods sold in Europe.
Non-EU residents may be eligible to receive a refund of some VAT paid on qualifying goods that they take home.
If you make a significant purchase:
Rules and minimum purchase requirements vary by country.
Do not pack qualifying purchases deep inside checked luggage until you understand whether customs needs to inspect them.
A VAT refund is not automatic—you must follow the required procedure.
Driving can be a wonderful way to explore the countryside, but European driving rules differ considerably from those in the United States.
Before renting a vehicle, determine whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your U.S. driver's license.
Many historic Italian cities have Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) areas where unauthorized vehicles are restricted.
Cameras automatically record license plates.
Do not drive into a ZTL simply because your GPS directs you there.
Preparation makes unexpected situations much easier to handle.
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
A copy or photograph of your passport can help with the replacement process.
Immediately lock the card using your banking app if available and contact the card issuer.
This is why we recommend carrying a backup card in a separate location.
Use your phone manufacturer's device-location service if appropriate and contact your mobile carrier.
Make sure you know how to access important travel information without your phone.
Report missing luggage to the airline before leaving the airport and obtain a written baggage report/reference number.
Save receipts for necessary replacement purchases.
Contact your travel insurance provider if applicable.
Use the airline's app immediately and monitor your flight status.
If you are traveling on an arranged itinerary, notify the appropriate travel contact if the delay will affect a transfer, tour, cruise or hotel arrival.
Seek appropriate local emergency assistance.
In the European Union, 112 is the universal emergency number and connects callers with police, ambulance or fire services.
Contact your travel insurance provider as soon as reasonably possible if medical treatment, hospitalization or significant expenses are involved.
The nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate can also help U.S. travelers locate medical services.
☐ Passport
☐ Airline tickets/confirmation
☐ Wallet
☐ Primary credit card
☐ Backup credit card stored separately
☐ ATM/debit card and PIN
☐ Some local currency if desired
☐ Prescription medications in carry-on
☐ Phone
☐ Phone charger
☐ Power adapter
☐ International phone plan/eSIM arranged
☐ WhatsApp installed
☐ Travel insurance information
☐ STEP enrollment completed
☐ Airline app downloaded
☐ Bank and credit-card apps accessible
☐ Luggage tags attached
☐ AirTags/luggage trackers activated
☐ Copies of important travel documents
☐ Emergency contacts saved
☐ First hotel address readily available
☐ Transportation arrangements reviewed
International travel doesn't have to be complicated. A little preparation goes a long way.
Travel prepared. Travel informed. Travel with confidence.,