What Have I Forgotten? Month in Europe Coming Up.
Apr 25th, 2015, 12:09 PM
#21
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HeySkippy
In addition to having a paper copy of your passport, I would also photocopy the fronts and backs of the credit cards you are taking. If they get lost or stolen, you will have the numbers to call as well as all the card information when reporting an incident. And for anyone who is really concerned, leave a copy with someone you trust in the States.
I don't remember you mentioning Electrical adapters. Plugs can differ from country to country and some US electrical devices will need a converter as well.
Depending on what if any GPS you use in the States, you could get a chip for that which might end up cheaper than using a phone. Regardless, make sure you have good maps for the places you will be driving. And some cities require stickers to drive in them on certain days, though I don't know if that applies to rental cars.
In addition to having a paper copy of your passport, I would also photocopy the fronts and backs of the credit cards you are taking. If they get lost or stolen, you will have the numbers to call as well as all the card information when reporting an incident. And for anyone who is really concerned, leave a copy with someone you trust in the States.
I don't remember you mentioning Electrical adapters. Plugs can differ from country to country and some US electrical devices will need a converter as well.
Depending on what if any GPS you use in the States, you could get a chip for that which might end up cheaper than using a phone. Regardless, make sure you have good maps for the places you will be driving. And some cities require stickers to drive in them on certain days, though I don't know if that applies to rental cars.
Apr 26th, 2015, 05:11 AM
#22
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't bring any high amperage equipment (hairdryer etc), all you should need is plug adapters for phones, iPads, cameras and the like.
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/converter.htm
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/converter.htm
Apr 26th, 2015, 07:01 AM
#23
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some great tips, thanks to all. First time here, not the last.
We're leaving on our first European trip soon, including lot's of train travel. Some of the things I've found helpful...
1) Check out http://www.seat61.com/ for lots of info on train travel. We've had to make changes/corrections to purchased tickets, will limit future purchases to company that has telephone customer service, as opposed to email only.
2) Barclaycard has a"chip and pin"card. No foreign transaction fees.
3) Schwab has a banking account which has no minimums, free checking, bill pay.Their ATM card has no foreign transaction fees and no ATM withdrawal fees, worldwide. Disadvantage is there are limited "brick and mortar" locations. Daughter has used it in multiple countries in recent months, no fees anywhere.
4) Our daughter has also been using a TMobile phone (postpaid plan only)with USA number, for several months, again has worked in multiple countries. Free data, free texting, twenty cents minute for phone calls. Service is probably better there than here.If you know anyone who has a TMobile plan, ask if they will add a line for you for a month. Nokia Windows phones are pretty cheap.If you don't know anyone, it may still be cheaper to get your own plan for a month, then cancel.
Have a good trip!
We're leaving on our first European trip soon, including lot's of train travel. Some of the things I've found helpful...
1) Check out http://www.seat61.com/ for lots of info on train travel. We've had to make changes/corrections to purchased tickets, will limit future purchases to company that has telephone customer service, as opposed to email only.
2) Barclaycard has a"chip and pin"card. No foreign transaction fees.
3) Schwab has a banking account which has no minimums, free checking, bill pay.Their ATM card has no foreign transaction fees and no ATM withdrawal fees, worldwide. Disadvantage is there are limited "brick and mortar" locations. Daughter has used it in multiple countries in recent months, no fees anywhere.
4) Our daughter has also been using a TMobile phone (postpaid plan only)with USA number, for several months, again has worked in multiple countries. Free data, free texting, twenty cents minute for phone calls. Service is probably better there than here.If you know anyone who has a TMobile plan, ask if they will add a line for you for a month. Nokia Windows phones are pretty cheap.If you don't know anyone, it may still be cheaper to get your own plan for a month, then cancel.
Have a good trip!
Apr 26th, 2015, 08:13 AM
#24
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
heyskippy,
I would also suggest detailed paper maps since your trip has a lot of driving. GPS is great, but it doesn't always work in ancient, tiny towns. It can't tell the difference between a stairway with a name and a street, or a small street that dead ends and continues further on.....it also can't "recalculate" or give verbal directions quickly enough to drive in cities.
It's very helpful to have a good sense of your route in advance. Know the names of larger cities/towns along the way so you will stay on track through the roundabouts.
Have fun!
I would also suggest detailed paper maps since your trip has a lot of driving. GPS is great, but it doesn't always work in ancient, tiny towns. It can't tell the difference between a stairway with a name and a street, or a small street that dead ends and continues further on.....it also can't "recalculate" or give verbal directions quickly enough to drive in cities.
It's very helpful to have a good sense of your route in advance. Know the names of larger cities/towns along the way so you will stay on track through the roundabouts.
Have fun!
Apr 26th, 2015, 12:44 PM
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, lots of replies. Based on what y'all have said, today I made reservations for the car (Kemwel), and both trains (Southwest Trains, & Eurostar).
I'm amazed at how inexpensive the car is (less than $300 for 17 days) and I read the terms & conditions for both the car rental and my credit card to be sure I'm okay declining their CDW.
I'm amused that the train fare from London to Paris using the middle price fare column is more than the airfare from Montpellier to London. I understand the train ride will probably be more pleasant than the EasyJet flight, but still it's kinda funny.
About my French lessons, while I'd like to talk, being able to read and understand what others are saying has got to be useful. I figured for that last week at the beach I'd be more likely to have a chance to yak it up with locals or French vacationers. More so than in Paris, anyway.
Thanks for the replies so far. This place is very helpful!
I'm amazed at how inexpensive the car is (less than $300 for 17 days) and I read the terms & conditions for both the car rental and my credit card to be sure I'm okay declining their CDW.
I'm amused that the train fare from London to Paris using the middle price fare column is more than the airfare from Montpellier to London. I understand the train ride will probably be more pleasant than the EasyJet flight, but still it's kinda funny.
About my French lessons, while I'd like to talk, being able to read and understand what others are saying has got to be useful. I figured for that last week at the beach I'd be more likely to have a chance to yak it up with locals or French vacationers. More so than in Paris, anyway.
Thanks for the replies so far. This place is very helpful!
