Europe Travel Guide

Cash and Currency

Many countries in Europe use Euros (EUR) as their official currency, including Austria and the Netherlands. You can buy Euros from money exchanges in most cities, large towns and at airports. Credit cards are also widely accepted, although there may be an exchange rate fee or foreign transaction charge.

If your trip includes a visit to Hungary, note that Euros aren’t widely accepted there. Instead, exchange your money for Hungarian Forint (HUF) once you arrive. HUF bank notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000. 

Similarly, the Czech Republic has its own currency, the Czech Crown (CZK) which is issued in 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 denominations. You may find that some hotels, restaurants and attractions will accept Euros, however it’s worth having some CZK just in case.

The UK’s official currency is the Pound Sterling (£), and the exchange rate fluctuates daily. While Northern Ireland used the same currency, the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro.

The official currency of Russia is the Ruble, which replaced the Soviet Ruble in 1991.

Languages

Every country in Europe has its own official language that is spoken by the majority of its people. In most countries, English is part of the official curriculum and in major cities that receive a lot of tourists, you will find that most people speak English and many signs are also in English.

It’s well-worth learning a few key phrases for each one you visit or purchasing a phrasebook. If you are traveling outside the cities, there are fewer chances of meeting English-speaking people. In some countries such as Russia, the sign boards are in the Cyrillic alphabet.

Health Information

While the majority of the countries in Europe are considered safe to visit and have no major infectious diseases to worry about, it’s still worth knowing how to contact their emergency services in case you become ill or are involved in an accident. 

The European emergency number is 112 and this can be used to contact the police, fire department or ambulance services of every country within the European Union, in addition to a few non-member states. 

Vaccinations 

Regardless of where you’re vacationing, it’s best to refresh any out of date routine vaccinations at least a month before you fly. If you take any regular medication, make sure you take more than enough to cover your trip just in case anything delays your return.

Tipping

Tipping for good service in a restaurant, hotel or bar is entirely at your own discretion in most European cities. Most workers earn decent wages and don’t rely on tips for income.

Service charge is often added automatically, so you may not want to pay any extra on top of it unless you’ve had an exceptional experience. If you would like to tip, between 5% and 15% of your final bill is acceptable and it’s best to leave it in cash rather than paying by credit or debit card. 

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