Q. What does it cost to travel to Europe?
A. If you are traveling on a budget, you will need an estimated average of about INR 4000 to 6500 per day if this is in Western Europe. The average will be slightly lower if you were to pick Eastern Europe. However, be mindful of the fact that this does not entail the cost of your air tickets or any other form of transportation.

Q. Would I require a travel insurance?
A. While it is not a necessity, it is however better to have one. Your OTA from whom you buy your Europe holiday package can arrange the same for you.

Q. Should I be carrying my Euros and Pounds before leaving for the trip?
A. Do not carry too much cash in hand when starting your journey because your local bank may not be able to provide you with the best exchange rate. About 200 Euros are good to begin with. But once you arrive in Europe and you begin to withdraw the cash from ATMs, you are expected to get a better currency valuation. A multi-currency card always comes in handy and is a good idea to carry one on your trip.

Q. What is a better way of getting around, a debit card or a credit card?
A. It is just to carry both provided they are put to different uses. Limit your debit card usage to only ATM withdrawals because the card can get easily copied or skimmed. The chances of theft of debit card money is also averted by doing so. A credit card, on the other hand, works better for paying for your purchases unless of course you decide to use cash. It is good to carry a couple of credit cards in case one doesn’t work.

Q. Is it good to have a rail pass for my train travels?
A. Rail pass gives you the flexibility to travel whenever you wish. Get yourself a single ticket for a high-speed train as it works out cheaper than buying rail tickets about a couple of months ahead. A rail pass is always the more economical option in case you are buying your ticket a couple of days in advance or even on the day of the journey.

Q. Is train or flight a better and cheaper way to travel around in Europe?
A. The railway connectivity across destinations in Europe is stellar and is most definitely the better way of travelling across the continent. Also, railway stations are always in the city centre and from one city centre to the other in under five hours is not a bad way of getting around. Add to it the stunning scenery along the way. But for very long journeys, opt for a flight as it is would be more economical, and any day faster. There are several budget airlines operating flights within Europe and you can conveniently fly one of them.

Q. How about driving around in Europe?
A. Roads across Europe are in great condition and offer an unparalleled scenery. It is in fact the best way to get to smaller towns, hill stations and the countryside. However, you must avoid driving in main, big cities because of the chaotic traffic, when a train or a bus is a better way of getting around. You will need an international drivers licence to be able to drive around in Europe. Also you need to study the driving rules of different European cities thoroughly before getting behind the wheel and zipping through.

Q. Is it safe to leave my backpack or luggage behind during the day on a hostel stay?
A. Yes, most hostels provide lockers for you to stash your belongings because only you would have the key to that lock. There are several hostels that have luggage rooms allowing you to keep your belongings in case you arrive ahead of your check-in time. Even hotels have this facility including letting you keep your bags for a while after you have checked out.

Q. How much should I be packing for my Europe trip?
A. The adage ‘pack light’ does indeed hold water and makes your travelling around easier and more comfortable. Mostly it depends on the season in which you are visiting. For example, a winter visit warrants heavy jackets, windcheaters, waterproof shoes, a raincoat for the occasional rainfall, mufflers and caps. Summer destinations are best explored in light cotton clothing, but make sure you have a bottle of drinking water and a sunscreen lotion tucked away in your bag.

Q. Would I need a separate phone number in Europe?
A. You can buy a local SIM or get an international plan worked out by your service provider in your home country. But when buying data card etc you would need to produce valid documents such as passport at the point of sales.