Tips To Know for Your First Trip to Europe
Hello!
The end of September and early October was a crazy time for me. After years of manifesting, I embarked on my first trip to Europe. That’s right, I left North America (crazy!). I was gone for 11 days and went to both Paris and London.
And before you ask, no, I did not get bed bugs in Paris. Since I have not written a proper blog post in quite a while, I will share all my suggestions and other things I learned before and during my trip.
Let’s get into it!
The Seine, Paris, France.
Don't assume someone speaks English: Common courtesy goes a long way in Paris. If you don't speak French (which I don't), always ask someone first if they speak English. All you need to say is “parlez vous anglais.” More often than not, they do. It’s not ideal but you should be able to get by even if you don't know the language.
Bring cash and coins: Most establishments take cards, but if you're traveling with other people, it's easier to pay for meals or small purchases with cash (splitting checks isn't a thing).
Moreover, sometimes you have to pay to use the bathroom. I encountered this issue at, of all places, a Westfield Mall in Paris.
Palais Galliera, Paris, France.
Visit your bank before you leave on your trip: Although you can exchange currency at the airport and in Paris, I learned that you will get a better rate if you do it through your bank.
Another thing to note? Make sure to ask your bank what the fee is for using your debit and credit cards in another country. In addition, ask for their sister banks, so you know where to go if you have to use an ATM.
However, to avoid these fees completely, opt for a travel rewards card. I personally bank with Bank of America and have their travel card.
Lastly, I did not have to do this, but depending on your bank, you might have to call before your trip to let them know you will be out of the country. This will prevent them from thinking there’s fraudulent activity.
London, England
Ditch Airbnb and hotels: I traveled with two other people, my friends Claude and Brigitte. While planning our trip, we searched high and low for an affordable Airbnb and looked into hotels. There was nothing in our budget.
At the suggestion of a friend, we went to a hostel, Joe & Joe Paris Nation. We booked a private room with a bunk bed, a twin bed, and a bathroom. Although it was a little cramped, it was exactly what we were looking for.
Joe & Joe felt like a hotel, and all the employees were friendly and helpful. To give you an idea of the cost, we stayed for 8 days and paid $2,000. This included breakfast.
Side note: because I was only in London for one night, I splurged and booked an Airbnb.
If you're traveling with Eurostar, be on time: My friends and I took the Eurostar from Paris to London and back. Both times, we were late to the station (oops). However, the French did let us through and let us cut in line to make our train on time.
On the way back to Paris, the Brits did not. We had to pay $62 each to get on the next train leaving for Paris. It was no big deal, but it could have been avoided. We underestimated traffic and the distance to the stations, so don't make our mistakes.
How to avoid becoming a victim of theft: Paris is notorious for pickpocketers and phone thieves. Before I left, I purchased a phone leash and anti-theft backpack to ensure my valuables were safe. This might seem overkill, but I kept my cash and cards in a bra wallet. It worked; nothing was stolen.
While you can definitely do without these items, they gave me peace of mind. With that said, always be vigilant of your surroundings, and never leave your items unattended.
While I did not encounter any pickpocketers, my friend Claude went to a nightclub after I left Paris and said that he spotted several who tried to take advantage of drunk, unsuspecting tourists.
If you’ve come this far, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post and hope to see you next time on The Leslie Life! If you want to shop my travel must-haves, check out this list I made on Amazon (I do not earn a commission from this).
Bye for now!
-Leslie V
