For starters — read through our guide!

Using data? Get a plan.

If you’re an AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile/Sprint iPhone customer and are planning, at any point during your trip, to use a data network to access the web or use emails, you are strongly advised to get some sort of plan (unless you plan to buy a SIM card in Europe for your phone). Otherwise, it will cost you. (AT&T, for example, charges a hefty $2.05 per MB without a plan. Sure, that sounds like pennies, but it gets ugly quickly!)

Click through to read more about international data and phone plans for AT&T customers and for Verizon customers.

T-Mobile (and former Sprint) customers who have signed up for one of the carrier’s “Go5G” plans are in much better shape, as the carrier offers free text messaging and data use throughout Europe and phone calls for $0.25 per minute. Note that T-Mobile does not have individual plans for international use. Instead, its usual “Go5G”, “Go5G Next”, or “Go5G Plus” plans are suitable for using abroad for data, texts, and calls and are already set for international roaming.

If you are a T-Mobile customer with a Go5G plan, congrats. You don’t really need to follow the rest of this article or change the way that your phone is set up. Just know that those phone calls will be billed at an additional $0.25 per minute.

How much data do you need?

Let’s imagine that you’ve signed up a plan that comes with 1 GB of data, unlimited texting, and phone calls at $0.35 per minute. What exactly does 1 GB represent?

As I mention in this post, here are some data use estimates:

• Sending or receiving an email (without attachment): Approx. 20 KB per email; (with attachment) Approx. 300 KB per email

• Loading 1 webpage: 1 MB per page

• Streaming music: 500 KB / minute (30 MB / hour)

• Streaming video (standard quality): 2 MB / minute

I’m going to assume that we’re all steering clear of streaming music and video while traveling (when not connected to Wi-Fi), and that your data use primarily consists of checking emails, using Google Maps and pulling up an occasional web page.

If you just stick to emails (and don’t open any large attachments), you could download or send thousands of normal-sized emails with the 1 GB plan! That’s, um, quite enough for me (especially while on vacation!).

But hey, everyone’s data needs are different. Check out AT&Ts handy data calculator to estimate how much data you require. This is especially handy if you plan to browse the web or (heaven forbid!) fire up your apps.

How to set up your iPhone for international travel

Okay, you’re ready to configure your phone. The following is how I set up an older iPhone for travel. Note that new phone models may have different locations for some of the settings listed below. We’ve included instructions for older and newer models.

Also, please note: Buying a European SIM card for your phone or an unlocked phone you purchase for travel is a relatively simple and cheaper alternative to all of this. Be sure to read our guide to this option, as well.

1. Turn off data roaming.

First things first. Turn off your data roaming to stop your phone from hooking up with a data network while traveling.

Chances are your carrier doesn’t operate cell towers in the country you’re visiting. Thus, if you need to access a data network, your phone will need to roam around and find a network with which it can work. By turning this off, you’re effectively blocking your phone from joining these partner networks.

Note: When you do want to use your data plan and access these data networks, you’ll flip this button back on. But remember, as a default, it’s best to keep this off.

Older iPhones

Go to: Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming. Turn off.

(To make it easy, the iPhone even says “Turn data roaming off when traveling to avoid charges when web browsing and using email and other data services.”)

Newer iPhones

For newer models, go to: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming. Turn off.

2. Turn off Cellular Data.

When I’m traveling in Europe, I usually turn off my cellular data, as well. Even if I’ve been assured many times by AT&T that I only need to turn off Data Roaming, I still turn off cellular data, just to make sure that my phone is blocked from using data until I want it to use data. (Apple also suggests turning both off when traveling abroad.)

By turning off your cellular data, you effectively block your phone from accessing all data networks, restricting its use to placing calls and sending SMS text messages, although you can use all of your other features (apps, email, Internet, iMessage) when you connect it to a Wi-Fi network.

Note that if you flip the order of #1 and #2 here, turning off your cellular data first, your data roaming will also turn off. You can’t roam for data if you’ve already turned off your phone’s access to data.

As with data roaming, if you want to use your data package, you’ll need to turn cellular data back on, then turn on data roaming.

For both old and new iPhone models, go to: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Turn off. (Note that “Enable LTE” will also disappear as soon as you turn off Cellular Data.)

3. Cut off your apps’ cellular data connection.

Your apps can’t work without a data connection or a Wi-Fi network. Even so, you should go in through your cellular settings and manually turn your apps off to prevent them from hogging your data plan.

But wait, if you’re planning to already turn off your cellular data (by following the two previous steps), isn’t this a bit redundant? Not necessarily.

Don’t forget that many of us allow our apps to send us push notifications and to run on their own in the background. If you keep all of them activated, the moment that you turn on your data roaming in Paris to check your emails, they could kick into gear, tearing through your data allotment.

To prevent this, take a moment to scroll through your list of apps and turn off their data connection, one by one. (Note that you’ll need to do this prior to turning off your cellular data, as turning off your cellular data makes these buttons inaccessible.)

Once these apps have had their cellular data access turned off, they will still be usable over a Wi-Fi network. If you wish to use cellular data for these apps (for example, using Google Maps over cellular data, which I do all the time from abroad), simply turn them back on when you need them!

Older iPhones

Go to: Settings > Cellular > Use Cellular Data For. Turn off apps, one by one.

Newer iPhones

Go to: Settings > Cellular. Scroll down past the “Add eSim” section to the apps. Turn off apps, one by one.

4. Reset your statistics and monitor your data usage.

This one is fun and essential. At the very bottom of the “Cellular” page is a simple little link that states, “Reset Statistics”. Once you’ve arrived abroad, click this link and start tracking your international data usage. You’ll see your total data usage and your telephone usage at the top of the “Cellular” page (under “Cellular Data Usage”).

Keep track of your usage here and you shouldn’t come home to any unpleasant billing surprises, especially if you’ve purchased the right data package for your trip.

The only hiccup with this, unfortunately, is that the stats aren’t always totally up-to-date. It turns out that AT&T can have delays in reporting international data usage (as international carriers are actually providing you with the network and then, later, reporting it back to AT&T). I’d suggest erring on the side of caution here.

For both older and newer iPhone models, go to: Settings > Cellular > Reset Statistics. Click it.

5. Turn “Fetch New Data” to “Manual” to stop automatic email downloads.

When I’m traveling, I also turn off my phone’s ability to automatically check and download emails. Even if my data roaming is almost always set to “off” (preventing me from accessing emails), I still don’t like my phone automatically fetching anything the moment I turn the data roaming to “on”.

Older iPhones

Go to: Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data. Switch “Push” to “Off” and click “Manually” at the bottom of the screen under “Fetch”.

Newer iPhones

Go to: Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data. Switch “Push” to “Off” and click “Manually” at the bottom of the screen under “Fetch”.

Once switched to “Manually”, you’ll be able to check and send emails by turning on your data roaming and cellular data, then opening your mail program. Simple.

6. Turn off iMessage.

This one drives me crazy. iMessage has made it quick and easy to send messages to other iMessage users on Apple devices over a Wi-Fi network without being charged for sending a text. That’s great, but iMessage uses a Wi-Fi network to send and receive your messages, so if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, it won’t work. Your message will just sit out there, and not get delivered until you connect to Wi-Fi.

The solution? I choose to send old fashioned text messages (through SMS) when traveling. AT&T’s International Pass includes unlimited SMS texting, so these texts don’t cost me anything extra to send.

To force your phone (any model) to turn off iMessage, go to: Settings > Messages > iMessage. Turn off.

Note that you might still encounter iMessage problems, even with it turned off. Others might send you an iMessage, but it won’t be delivered until you connect to a Wi-Fi network. When I’m traveling and expecting a text from a friend and suspect that iMessage is to blame, I sometimes send them a text to say, “If you’re trying to text me, make sure your iMessage is turned off!”

Call home for pennies (or free) with the Skype iPhone app.

7. Paranoid? Put your phone in airplane mode.

If you’ve followed the steps above, you’ve now turned off your data roaming, cellular data, apps and email from running in the background. What’s still working?

Well, for starters, your phone! You will now still be able to make and receive telephone calls (provided that you’ve called your carrier and have activated your phone for international use). You will also be able to send and receive regular old SMS text messages (if you’ve turned off iMessage).

However, this might still make you uncomfortable. Perhaps you don’t want people to be able to get in touch with you. (Don’t forget that you’ll be charged for incoming calls and for listening to your voicemail.)

If this is you (and it was me for many years, so there’s no shame), you can place your phone in “airplane mode” and simply rely upon Wi-Fi networks to use the web, send emails, and use apps. This is a great solution if you want to place calls through your Skype app, for example, and never want to pay for a call.

Traveling through Europe on airplane mode does offer peace of mind, as it takes away any insecurity that your phone is secretly drinking up your data plan. However, it can also feel quite limiting, as you won’t be able to send and receive text messages in real time (except through iMessage or Facebook Messenger when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network), or place standard phone calls.

If this is for you, go to: Settings > Airplane Mode. Turn on.

If using your phone in Airplane Mode, note that you’ll need to then switch “Wi-Fi” to “On” and choose a Wi-Fi network.

Also in our Guide to using an American iPhone in Europe

Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke

Tips for AT&T Customers

Tips for Windows and Android Customers

Tips for Verizon Customers

AT&T vs Verizon: A comparison of international plans

Note: This article was updated in December 2024 with extensive new information.

The post How to set up your American iPhone when traveling in Europe to avoid a billing “surprise” appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I spent most of August 2021 traveling in France with my family, and have collected a few tips to share with other American travelers about how to prepare for an upcoming trip to France and what to expect once you arrive.

11 Tips for Traveling in France during Covid

Note: Most of these tips (such as those about the Pass Sanitaire) apply to everyone in France. Other tips, such as those regarding quarantining, are specific to a visitor’s country of origin. Be sure to check with your country’s embassy in France for specific advice before departure.

1. Get fully vaccinated before arriving in France, or face a quarantine.

The rules are always changing, but as of September 12, 2021, fully vaccinated American travelers, ages 12 and up, may enter France without restrictions. As long as you’re two weeks out from your second shot (or four weeks from your Johnson & Johnson single shot), you may enter. Bring along your CDC vaccination card for proof.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result (either a rapid Antigen test taken within 48 hours of your flight or a PCR test taken 72 hours before your flight). Note that you will be given a second test in France at the airport upon arrival.

However, unvaccinated travelers will also need to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival and will need to undergo another test following this quarantine. (Read all requirements here.)

In short: Get vaccinated.

2. Children may enter France freely with their vaccinated parents.

Children under 12 are not subjected to these rules, as they are not yet able to be vaccinated in the US. Thus, they may enter the country with their vaccinated parents.

As for older children, according to the US Embassy in Paris, “travelers ages 11 through 17 are treated as vaccinated if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.” However, “travelers in this age group traveling independently must meet the rules applicable to adult travelers.”

3. Fill out a health declaration before departure from the US.

Travelers will also need to bring along a signed declaration (or “attestation”) stating that they are healthy, free of COVID-19 symptoms, and haven’t recently had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

You can download this form on the French Diplomacy website.

4. Bring along extra masks for the flight.

Imagine this: You’ll put on a mask as soon as you enter your departure airport in the US. And then you’ll basically keep it on, with small breaks for eating and drinking during the flight, until you step out of the airport in France. It’s a long-haul, folks.

For this reason, I recommend bringing along a few extra masks. On my flight, Air France distributed “health kits” to all passengers, which included hand sanitizer, a mask, and hand wipes. But it would be a good idea to have some extra masks on hand, in order to freshen things up a bit as the voyage drags on.

And yes, you’ll keep your mask on throughout the entire flight, except when eating and drinking. This includes when sleeping — or trying to sleep. Young children are not required to wear a mask, although we made sure that our four-year-old kept his on.

A blue-vested controller scans a passenger’s Pass Sanitaire prior to boarding trains in the Gare de Lyon. (Photo: Tom Meyers)

5. Here’s how to get a “Pass Sanitaire” as an American tourist. You’ll need it for… everything.

The “Pass Sanitaire” (health pass) is a French-issued document that proves one of the following:

• You’re fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Covidshield, R-Pharm, Fiocruz or Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen)
• You’ve just had a negative COVID test (less than 72 hours)
• You’ve recovered from COVID-19, and can show a positive test result dated at least 15 days prior (but no more than six months)

According to the French government:

From early August [2021], you will also need to present a pass in bars, restaurants, malls, hospitals (except if you are admitted for urgent care), retirement homes, residential care homes, and for long-distance travel by plane, train or coach. For campsites, and other holiday accommodation you will need to present a pass once, on arrival.

In other words, you’ll need to show your pass in order to take the TGV, eat in restaurants and cafes, visit the Louvre, and take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and more.

I was in France when the health pass went into effect in early August 2021. There were grumblings and, of course, some protests, but the positive effects were noticeable immediately. Vaccinations immediately increased, and over several weeks, confirmed cases plummeted.

The pass had a positive impact on my trip, as well. Knowing that everyone had a health pass on them made me breathe more easily on the TGV. It made me more comfortable in the elevator going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It even made me more comfortable using the bathroom at McDonald’s!

But how do you get a Pass Sanitaire if you’re American, Canadian or other nationality?

The French government has streamlined the process for obtaining a health pass through their FranceConnect system. You simply create an account and then upload proof of vaccination (in most cases, a scanned image of your CDC vaccination card). Once verified, you will then receive a digital Pass Sanitaire.

Will my CDC-issued vaccination card work as a Pass Sanitaire in France?

No. The French Pass Sanitaire contains a special QR code that will be scanned in order to take transportation, enter restaurants and museums, etc. Even if your CDC card contains a QR code, your vaccination wasn’t registered in the French system. Thus, Americans must apply to the French government (see above), providing proof of vaccination, in order to get a Pass Sanitaire.

How do I get a health pass if I’m already in France and need one now?

Head to a pharmacy and get tested. Your negative test result will serve as a temporary Pass Sanitaire valid for 72 hours. In some cases, you may also be able to have a pharmacist manually add you to the French system, upon presentation of your CDC card.

Do children need a Pass Sanitaire?

Children under the age of 12 do not need a Pass Sanitaire. Teenagers, ages 12-17 will need a Pass Sanitaire as of September 30, 2021.

6. Download the #TousAntiCovid app to store your Pass Sanitaire

So you’ve gotten your Pass Sanitaire — now what? Although you can print it out and carry it around with you, we strongly recommend downloading the official #TousAntiCovid app, which will store the certificate for you and make presenting it easier.

How does the Pass Sanitaire work?

Once the app has stored the digital certificate on your phone, you will simply take out your phone and open the app whenever asked to present your Pass. In two taps, your Pass opens up. It’s simply a QR code with your name under it. Whoever is asking to see the Pass (a waiter, a security guard, a flight attendant, etc.) will then scan your code and a green light will flash on their scanner to indicate that your Pass is valid and that you may enter.

I think you’ll quickly find that opening your #TousAntiCovid app and showing off your Pass Sanitaire is not a hassle at all. A whole table at a restaurant can be scanned in about 30 seconds or a minute. And in fact, it offers quite a bit of peace of mind afterward. It might make lines a little slower to snake into the Louvre as you wait to be scanned, but once inside it allows you to relax a bit. Look around — everyone has a health pass.

A sign in an outdoor cafe in Sète, France announces you’re entering a “Pass Sanitaire” controlled zone. Get ready to show it! (Photo: Tom Meyers)

7. Embrace outdoor cafe culture.

Fortunately, France’s outdoor cafe culture makes it easy to enjoy coffee, drinks and meals outside in the fresh air. Note that presenting your Pass Sanitaire is still required by law for anyone being served at an outdoor cafe or restaurant.

However, whether or not your waiter asks to scan your Pass Sanitaire is another question. During my trip, I’d say that adherence to the law ran about 50% early on, although the local authorities started undercover crackdowns on cafes that were not abiding by the law and I definitely witnessed an uptick.

In short: Be ready to show your health pass for all dining, indoor and outdoor.

8. Carry a mask with you.

Of course, even with your Pass Sanitaire, you’ll still need to wear a mask when riding on public transit (where you don’t need to show a Pass), and when inside most public buildings and shops.

I noticed that while some Parisians still wore masks outside walking around on the streets, most were not masking up. However, everyone had one ready to put on once they stepped inside a store or descended into the Metro.

Testing tents are everywhere, including along the Champs-Élysées. (Photo: Tom Meyers)

8. Get tested before your return flight to the United States.

So far we’ve discussed French laws and regulations. However, those flying from France back to the United States must also get tested for COVID-19 and prepare some paperwork before returning.

According to the American Embassy in Paris:

All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.

Where can Americans get COVID-19 tests in France?

Fortunately, getting tested in France is simple, fast, and cheap. Many pharmacies perform the tests, which costs 25€ for a rapid Antigen test and 43,89€ for a PCR test.

The process is simple: You walk into the pharmacy, fill out some information (including your email) and pay, then step aside to get tested. Most pharmacies in Paris offer testing in tents outside on the sidewalk. (In some neighborhoods, it feels like there’s a testing tent on every other block!) You’ll also find testing tents near popular attractions, like the Eiffel Tower and along the Champs-Élysées (photo, above).

In my case, I received my results by email less than 15 minutes after getting my nose swabbed on the sidewalk.

Can I get tested at the airport?

Yes — there’s a pharmacy at CDG Terminal 2E that offers rapid antigen tests in the check-in area. However, note that you’ll need to complete the test before heading through security. I noticed a line of very anxious passengers waiting to get tested before passing through border patrol (which was also moving very slowly). Save yourself the stress — get tested a day or two before departure!

What do you do with your test results?

The email that you receive with your test results will include instructions for uploading the results to your #TousAntiCovid app, although you could also show the email or print it out. That’s it. You may then show your results at the airport before flying home.

In my case, nobody asked to see these results until we arrived at the gate for boarding. There, a flight attendant was checking test results for each passenger before allowing them onto the plane.

9. Fill out the US health declaration for each passenger.

Every passenger over the age of 2 years old must hold a completed Passenger Disclosure and Attestation to the United States of America in order to board a flight to the US.

In my case, I had forgotten to fill this out, but was able to fill it out at the gate before boarding. I’d recommend filling this out in advance to avoid a little last-minute stress!

10. Relax. It’s not really that complicated.

I know. This all sounds like a lot of planning and anxiety. And yes, it certainly requires more planning than, say, staying home and not traveling. But once you check these items off your list, you’ll be free to travel again!

And if you ask me, it’s worth it. Once you’re on your way, and you realize that everyone around you has cleared the same hurdles, you’ll relax. And then suddenly, once the realization hits that you’re actually traveling to France again, you’ll be ready to reclaim some of the joys of traveling that have been missing for so long.

11. Check these resources for up-to-date travel information.

This situation is fluid and requirements and rules are subject to change. Be sure to stay up to date by visiting the following resources:

US Embassy in France: Covid-19 information

CDC: Information and Advice for International Travel

Air France: TravelDoc Search (helpful document search even if you’re not taking Air France)

#TousAntiCovid App information

Pass Sanitaire / Health Pass application for non-French citizens (in English)

The post Traveling in France During Covid: How to Get a Pass Sanitaire, Testing, and More appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The tipping culture throughout Europe varies quite a bit from Paris to Amsterdam, and Sweden is no different. And a trip to Stockholm can add up fast if you don’t watch your budget. There are plenty of free museums in Stockholm and some great budget hotels, but everything else, from restaurants to taxis, will be higher than in most places in Europe.

However, knowing how the tipping culture works in Sweden can save you some money in Stockholm and beyond, while still keeping you in the good graces of your host nation.

Swedish tipping etiquette

In Sweden, service charges are almost always included in the bill — and keep in mind that the person waiting on your table at the restaurant is making a living wage without your tips. Of course, no one will be insulted if you leave a tip. Or if you don’t leave one, for that matter.

Understanding the bill

Despite the lack of social stigma towards not tipping, receipts tend to give you the choice. If you paid with a card, you’ll receive your bill with the total amount owed, as well as a couple of empty lines, one to fill in the tip, and one to fill in the final total.

Note: If you are in an upscale restaurant, there might be an extra line to fill in. Don’t. That line is for leaving a tip at the coat check, and unless you are visiting in winter, there tends not to be much coat checking going on.

Tipping in general

In the US, there are plenty of opportunities to tip. Those same opportunities can be found in Sweden, although, tips are not expected. Haircuts (no tip necessary in Sweden), hotels (no tip necessary in Sweden), bathroom attendants (never even seen one in Stockholm, so definitely no tip necessary), and of course, the two most common tipping opportunities – restaurants and taxis.

Tipping for restaurants and bars

Tipping when drinking and dining out has been changing recently. It is still completely acceptable to leave no tip or to only round up. A stor stark (strong beer) for 58 SEK will become 60 and everyone is happy.

However, ask around and you’ll hear that tipping is becoming more and more common in recent years. Not gratuitous tipping by any means, but a 5-10 percent tip is considered good form. Especially if you were pleased with the service.

Tipping for taxis

There are ways to avoid using taxis (public transportation in Stockholm and taking the train from Arlanda Airport, for example), but you may find yourself in a situation where you can’t avoid taking a taxi ride. If you’re traveling with luggage a tip of 10 percent is pretty standard. If you’re traveling without luggage, just round up a few SEK and thank your cab driver.

Stockholm is an expensive city to visit and by no means should you feel obligated to leave a tip. Whether it is for the taxi driver or the bartender, tips are not expected. Instead, save your money and grab another beer or check out just one more museum.

The post Stockholm: When (and when not) to tip in Sweden appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That said, the line can be long, the temperatures inside less than appealing, and the entry fee isn’t exactly cheap.

More Florence travel tips:
• Best budget hotels near the Uffizi Gallery
• 10 Days in Italy: An itinerary through Rome, Florence & Venice

10 Tips for saving time and money at the Uffizi

So what’s a cheapo to do? Here are our best tips to make the most of your time and your euros at the Uffizi.

1. Get tickets from the official museum site

There are a lot of middleman and third-party sites advertising museum tickets in Florence. If there’s nothing available, and you’re desperate to go, by all means, you should consider it. Just note that you’ll pay substantially higher booking fees. The official site at firenzemusei.it is a bit more difficult to use, but you’ll get the best price. Middleman sites like Florence.net, charge an added commission.

2. Go early

If you’re willing to risk not getting a ticket for the added flexibility and a few euros in savings (€4 to be exact), be prepared to get up early and be in line at least 30 minutes before the museum opens at  8:15 am. Don’t try this during high season, as you’re unlikely to get a last-minute ticket for any time during the entire day, much less that morning.

3. Reserve in advance

Go ahead and spend the extra €4 and book a ticket online. You’ll get in guaranteed, and you’ll also get to spend your time in the museum — as opposed to in line. Just remember to show up at least 15 minutes before your ticket time.

4. Go on a free day

In Italy, state museums are free of charge on the first Sunday of every month. If you can, arrange your Uffizi visit around these dates, but expect to brave the crowds (inside and out). Go early, and bring a book and a beverage to make the most of your time in the line.

The outdoor space between the two wings at the Uffizi. Photo: Andy

5. Time your visit for off-season

From November 1st through the end of February, tickets cost approximately half as much as during peak season. Compare €12 per person for a full-price ticket in late fall and winter to the €20 rate that reigns during the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, there’s no discount in book-ahead fees. They’re always €4 per person year-round.

6. Bring the kids

Kids under 18 accompanying their families visit the museum for “free.” Why is “free” in quotation marks? Because if you reserve your tickets ahead (and you should to avoid waiting in line with your little ones), you’ll still have to pay the €4 reservation fee.

7. Explore conscientiously

The Uffizi is packed with world-class art around every corner. But even if you were an art history major, you may not be interested in absolutely everything. To save yourself from wandering around aimlessly, check out what interests you online before your visit to come up with a game plan.

Or if you want some general advice, head to the top floor where you’ll find treasures by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and “The Birth of Venus,” and then work your way back down to the exit. Seeing everything is overrated, especially in summer, when the Uffizi is that particularly lovely combination of crowded, hot, and stuffy.

Exploring a hallway in the Uffizi Gallery. Photo: Larry

8. Come with the shirt on your back

Don’t drag extra jackets, bags, or really anything unnecessary into the museum. It’ll save you time from having to dump your bag/coat/umbrella before your visit and collecting everything when you’re ready to leave. Of course, if you can’t avoid it, the good news is the coat check here is free.

9. Skip the audio guide

Unless you’re a huge fan of audio guides in general, skip it. For €6 extra, we’d rather read up on the official website over a cappuccino just before our visit in a café with Wi-Fi, but it’s up to you.

10. Buy a Firenze Card

Let’s face it — if you’re interested enough in art to visit the Uffizi, you’re probably also on board to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and a few other museums and sites around town. The Firenze Card will get you out of reserving ahead or waiting in line pretty much everywhere but the Duomo.

At €72, the price is up there, but it includes admission to up to 72 sites in the city in a 72-hour time frame. It’s well worth it if you plan to see three or four museums, especially during high season when entry fees nearly double. To fit in as many museums as possible, add the Firenze Card+ for €5 more so you can hop on transit and get around in a hurry.

Bonus Tip

If you find yourself in Florence and no tickets are available online, either call the Uffizi’s official reservation line or head to Orsanmichele Church (Monday-Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm) and ask if there are short-notice tickets available. You’ll still have to pay the €4 reservation fee, but you won’t have to wait in line.

Uffizi Gallery

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6
Hours: 8:15 am to 6:50 pm (Closed Monday)
Website: www.uffizi.it/en/

Have you been to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? Share any tips or comments in the section below.

The post Florence: 10 Tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Before you start throwing everything you own into a bag, take a moment to think about strategy. With a few easy steps, you too can be hitting the road in Europe like a budget travel pro.

I’ve been traveling light since I was a teenager. And if you find the following advice too limiting, know that it could be much, much worse. My mother once traveled from Germany to Paris for a weekend carrying just a small purse!

Packing advice for a two-week trip to Europe

1. There’s no need to check a bag

Find a medium-sized carry-on bag. This is what you’ll be taking with you to hold most of your stuff. Everything you need for a two-week trip will fit into the carry-on bag (such as a duffel bag) and a modest backpack.

Related: Airline baggage fees for US to Europe carriers

Don’t try to remember everything in your head. A list keeps your packing system on track. Photo: Steve Hodgson

2. Make a list and check it twice

Catalog what you think you’ll need. Lay it all out, every last t-shirt, sweater and pair of jeans. Haul everything out and line up items next to each other: clothing, toiletries, books, electronics.

3. Condense your clothes

Now take an axe to your clothes. Reduce everything down to the following: eight shirts or blouses, two pairs of trousers, dresses or skirts, a sweater or sweatshirt, eight pair/sets of underwear, eight pairs of socks, and one pair of shoes. Wear a light jacket on the plane to save space in your bag, and you’re good to go. That’s it. You need to be a good editor.

Interlude

Get a hold of yourself. Breathe deeply. To answer your first and most pressing question, you’ll wash your clothes along the way, in your hotel sink or at a laundromat. You might even splurge and arrange laundry through a service. Just trust me.

4. Don’t overdo the toiletries

Reduce your toiletries as well, and keep in mind size limitations for international travel. Separate your toiletries into two categories: liquid and non-liquid, and place the liquid toiletries in a transparent plastic bag with a seal. Your non-liquid toiletries (toothbrush, dental floss, pills, etc.) do not need to be stored in close proximity to your liquid toiletries.

I turned to beauty blogger and travel publicist Lynda Daboh for cosmetics advice. Her two cents: “decant, get free sample sizes, and use powder products where possible to minimize spillage and maximize space.”

Think carefully about what you’ll need on the road. It may be less than you think. Photo: CalypsoCrystal

5. Do you really need that laptop?

Think about your electronics. Do you need your laptop? Do you need your camera? Will your smart phone do the trick of staying in touch and documenting your travels adequately? Among my admittedly tiny professional tribe of travel writers, I’ve noticed a slow but unstoppable trend toward leaving bigger equipment at home.

iPhone and iPad cameras are as good as many digital cameras as far as quality is concerned, and they allow you the opportunity to post and edit photos on the fly whenever you have access to WiFi. Reduce your electronics, and you’ll stand to benefit.

6. Don’t bring a whole library of guidebooks

Which books do you need? Many guidebooks can be transported digitally; relevant chapters of monster-sized guidebooks can be torn out and placed in a folder to reduce weight. Books for leisurely reading can be read on devices to save space again. (I’m old-fashioned and prefer to read books made out of paper, myself, but there it is.) For recording observations, a nice notebook is good to have.

7. Plastic bags can be your friend

Slip one in your bag for dirty clothes. Take another for transporting a second pair of shoes or flip-flops. And take an extra just in case. These will come in very handy.

You can never be too organized when it comes to travel documents. Photo: media.digest

8. Organize your documents.

Even the most technologically advanced traveler can benefit from having hard copies of tickets, itinerary suggestions, general information and a photocopy of your passport or any visa documentation on hand. Organize this into a folder, chronologically if it makes sense to do so.

9. Leave a little space for souvenirs

Leave room in your bags for treasures. Do you plan to do some shopping? If you do, make sure you have room for your loot.

Related: Check out these cheapo souvenir ideas in Paris, Amsterdam, and Florence

10. Everyone has different needs, so plan ahead

You can be forgiven of thinking of the practical last, but now it’s time to turn your mind to questions of utility. First of all, remember that many objects of daily use (hand sanitizer, tissues, many toiletries) can probably be purchased on the road.

Will your plugs work or will you need an adaptor? (Quick answer: You’ll likely need an adaptor.) Will you have language difficulties? If so, consider a phrase book, and consider familiarizing yourself with the language in advance by listening to it. But there are also the intangible valuable things whose value only you can determine. Will you need multivitamins? A favorite snack? A favorite pen?

Think ahead, dear Cheapos, and you are on your way to a fun two-week adventure.

The post Packing Advice: 10 tips for a two-week European jaunt appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. “I’ll have a pint.”

Dutch beer culture is all about quality, not quantity. The classic Heineken and other pilsners are poured in small glasses to ensure your brew never goes flat. Belgium beer glasses are also similar in size and vary in shape, but overall stick to bottle-size portions when drinking in bars. (Into beer? Read my picks for the city’s best beer bars.)

2. “Psst! Where are the coffeeshops?”

While the Red Light District is a neighborhood known for a specific kind of “sultry sin,” other vices like coffeeshops are spread out around Amsterdam like other shops. Just under 300 coffeeshops are scattered throughout the city, most of them within the city center in all directions. Just walk around and look for the signs that read “coffeeshop” (NOT “cafe”), and that’s your spot. (Confused by the “coffeeshop” vs “cafe” distinction? We can clear it up.)

3. “Do you have gluten-free pancakes?”

The latest health diets and specialty eating fads are just picking up on the European continent. While a few shelves in supermarkets may be friendly to non-dairy drinkers, gluten-free foodies and veg heads, restaurants are a different story. Expect a few vegetarian options when eating out, but don’t push it. Gluten-free pancakes? I don’t think so. However, if you are seriously into pancakes, here are three joints with great cakes.

4. “I’ll have a glass of tap water.”

I don’t know why, but most European cities are SO not into H2O handouts. (Paris is a notable exception!) Cafe owners are annoyed with the request, servers are confused, and customers are disappointed when they’re either turned down or met with a measly four-ounce kid’s size cup of water.

Solution: Keep a bottle in your bag at all times, and refill in the bathroom sinks.

5. “Do you speak English?”

Like Scandinavia, the Benelux region is very fluent in English. Amsterdam, in particular, is a hub for international activity and tourism, and its cosmopolitan residents are bi- or even tri-lingual. For the Dutch, English is a cinch, so just approach conversation like normal. No need to ask.

6. “I’d like a doggy bag.”

The Dutch are familiar with the term because of American films, but they don’t put it into practice. If you want to order out, go specifically to restaurants that say “take away.” Otherwise, finish your meal. Here’s a list of some great snack joints that are especially good for late-night revelers.

7. “Could you put that out?”

A ban on smoking inside was passed in The Netherlands in 2008. But this is a smoker-friendly country, and NEVER will you find an outdoor area with a nonsmoking sign. Expect whiffs of tobacco to be all around outdoors, from the streets to the cafe terraces and patios.

8. “Can I get cash back?”

As convenient as cash back can be at supermarkets and bars when paying with a debit card, the Netherlands just isn’t into it. Thankfully ATM machines are aplenty in Amsterdam, and fees to withdraw cash from a foreign bank account never exceed €5.

9. “They speak Danish here, right?”

For first-timers to Europe, and those “geographically challenged,” here’s the scoop: The Netherlands are Dutch and speak Dutch. Just above are the Danish living in Denmark, and the Germans next door speak “Deutsch” in the country they call “Deutschland.” Phew!

10. “Where is Manneken Pis?”

It’s in Brussels. Yes, I’m positive.

What would you NOT say in Amsterdam?

Have something to add to our list of phrases to avoid when visiting Amsterdam? Share with us in our comments section below.

The post Amsterdam: 10 phrases that tourists should never say appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While walking down Avenue Montaigne in Paris and checking out the Chanel and Givenchy shops, I get self-conscious. This is why I rarely walk down that particular street. Fashion is a quintessential part of Parisian culture, whether we like it or not.

Alas, if I’m not going to wear designer clothes in Paris, I should at least make sure that the clothes I do wear are clean. Tourists making their way across Europe will often feel the need to stop in at the local laundry facility after hours spent on planes and trains, but there are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Know the difference between “laverie” and “pressing.”

I have never dry-cleaned anything in Paris, but if I wanted to, I’d go to the pressing. Here you can also pay a premium and let someone else do all of the dirty work, while you hit the Louvre and pick it up later.

Otherwise, if you want to do it yourself, you’re looking for the laverie. These laundromats can be found in every neighborhood, are full of washers and dryers, and are usually open from the morning until around 7 or 8 p.m. Ask at your hotel for the nearest laverie.

2. Bring along some patience.

One thing to keep in mind is that a wash cycle in a front loading French washing machine will take a while.  Count on 40-50 minutes of washing followed by 20 minutes of drying. Every laverie varies slightly.

Weekends are an especially busy time to do laundry, so if you can, think about going during a weekday morning to avoid the locals who are getting errands done while not at the office over the weekend.

The wait for a dryer can be particularly painful in the wintertime when hanging clothes out to dry is hardly a possibility. Otherwise, skip the dryers and hang up your linens back in the hotel if you have the opportunity. In the summer they’ll be dry within hours.

3. Be prepared to pay.

Unfortunately there are no passes or discounts when it comes to doing laundry. We’re all equal in the eyes of the laverie. Prices for washing will depend on the size of the machine you use, with larger ones costing up to €6 or €7 for a wash.

Drying is usually by the hour, so expect to pay about a euro for 5-10 minutes of hot air and tumbling. It can all start to add up, so come with plenty of coins!

4. Buy detergent there or at the supermarket.

Depending the laverie, detergent is usually available from a dispenser. If you need other products, however, the supermarket does sell both liquid and powder detergent relatively cheaply. Look for the word “lessive,” which means detergent. Common brands are Skip and Persil, amongst others.

If you want fabric softener, which is the only way to make your clothes feel like they actually got clean, a bottle will set you back a few euros but it will last a long time. It might be worth asking your hotel or hostel desk if they have any, to avoid buying a whole bottle for one load. Look for the brand “Cajoline” (Snuggle, in English) to find the other assouplissants.

5. Be smart and safe.

Keep in mind that laundromats are public places where anyone can enter and that there are rarely any personnel present. In the winter, these auspiciously warm indoor areas can attract some unsavory characters looking for a respite from the cold. While usually harmless, these loiterers hanging out in laveries, especially if drinking, could be intimidating, so keep your wits about you.

Also, if you are going to take a walk while your clothes dry, be sure to set a timer so you return before the dryer stops. Some impatient locals will have no problem taking out your fresh clothes and plopping them on top of a dirty machine. It’s also impolite to keep other people waiting for a machine.

Your laundry tips

Have any advice or questions about doing laundry in Paris? Share with us in our comments section.

Also in our guide: If you’re also looking for advice on affordable places to sleep while you’re in Paris, be sure to read through our editors’ picks. Each of our picks has been visited, inspected and approved by EuroCheapo. Read more in our Paris guide and be sure to see our advice on where to stay during your visit.

The post Paris: 5 tips for doing laundry in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you’re trying to decide between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile as carriers for your iPhone or other unlocked smartphone, consider the differences in their rate plans for using these devices in Europe.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences. (Rates updated in April 2015.)

AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile: iPhone Abroad Comparison

This chart is an overview of the differences in plans offered by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile for American customers using their smartphones in Europe.

For much for on this subject, read our articles below:

Our Guide to using an American smartphone in Europe

Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke

How to buy a SIM card in Europe for your phone

Tips for AT&T Customers

Tips for Verizon Customers

Tips for Windows, Android and Blackberry Customers

Setting up your phone to avoid a billing “surprise”

The post iPhone in Europe: Comparing AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile’s plans appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Verizon customers heading to Europe with their smartphones have similar options to AT&T customers. Verizon offers two main international bundles, priced at $10 a day (per line) or $100 per month (per line).

Verizon’s two bundles

Some notes

A few notes on these international bundles:

• For trips longer than 10 days, the monthly plan can be a better deal but will have more limits on texts, calls, and data.

• If you plan to use any data at all during your trip (even quick email checks), we’d strongly suggest at least getting the daily bundle, as the data charges for “pay as you go” are very expensive.

• Note that prices are per line, so if you’re traveling with a significant other or family, the costs will quickly go up when you add more people.

• For the daily plan, you are only charged on days you use your phone to call, text, access data, or listen to voicemails.

• Check out this page on Verizon’s website for more information on these plans.

• Prices and plans above, as of October 14, 2021

Will your phone work in Europe?

Before leaving home, you should contact Verizon to make sure that your phone is able to work abroad. Some older phones (specifically those that are “CDMA only”) are not “global ready” and therefore will not work on Europe’s network. If your phone is built with global-friendly technology (for example, 4G LTE), it will be able to work, once it’s activated.

To determine whether or not your phone will work, answer these questions on Verizon’s trip planner website.

Note: Even if your phone is technically “global-ready”, you’ll still need to call Verizon before you leave to make sure that it’s been activated for international dialing. Don’t just head to Europe assuming that you’ll “pay as you go”. Call first to make sure your account has been cleared for international use.

Help, I can’t use my phone!

If you’re one of the unlucky ones who can’t use your Verizon smartphone in Europe, we feel your pain.

However, using Wi-Fi networks will still work. The best bet is to put the phone on “airplane mode” and turn off data roaming just in case. Then, surf away on free Wi-Fi networks. I know, it’s not great (you can’t really text or make calls, except on Skype), but it’s something.

Verizon’s “Trip Planner”

The best bet is to use the trip planner service on Verizon’s website for exact rates, plans and availability.

Also, remember to cancel the monthly international plan as soon as you return. The daily plan should only activate when you use your phone in Europe, but check for any surprise charges upon your return home. Otherwise you could be paying a hefty price for services you aren’t using.

Scrap all this… and buy a SIM card in Europe

Instead of buying a special international plan for your phone, you could also buy a SIM card in Europe (a small electronic card that’s inserted into your phone that controls your phone number). Buying a SIM card from a European carrier is a very cost-effective way to use your phone abroad, although it requires an unlocked phone (most Verizon smartphones are unlocked, but you should check) and will mean that your phone number will change (unless you bring along another phone specifically for use with the SIM card).

Read all about this in our guide to buying a SIM card in Europe.

Our Guide to using an American iPhone in Europe

Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke

Tips for AT&T Customers

Tips for Windows, Android and Blackberry Customers

Setting up your phone to avoid a billing “surprise”

AT&T vs Verizon: A comparison of international plans

The post iPhone in Europe: Information for Verizon customers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you’re an AT&T customer planning to use your smartphone abroad, you have some choices to make before you leave home. These will impact how you use your phone and how much you’ll be charged. These choices include whether or not you expect to use your iPhone abroad to:

• Phone: place and receive international phone calls

• Text: send and receive text messages

• Web: browse the web and check emails on your phone

• Apps: use iPhone applications.

AT&T offers one comprehensive “package” to address each issue. Note that AT&T recently made some big changes to their international offerings when they introduced the add-on International Day Pass package. If you were used to the old options (separate packages for texting, calling, data, etc.), you’re in for a surprise, as they’ve all been bundled together.

Also, please note: If you’re serious about smartphone savings while traveling, be sure to read our guide to buying a SIM card in Europe for American phones. Using a European SIM card requires you to unlock your phone (or bring along a cheapo unlocked phone to use), and can lead to big savings.

AT&T’s International Day Pass

AT&T offers one add-on plan, called the International Day Pass, for international usage. This package is added on top of whatever monthly charges you currently incur. To get these rates, call AT&T before taking off and have them add the package to your plan. You may also log in to your AT&T account and add the International Day Pass yourself. It is possible to have them add the plan from abroad, but it’s a better idea to set it up before taking off.

(Note: This package does not expire. Instead, it only activates when you use your phone outside of the U.S. However, double check once home to make sure that the plan has paused and that you’re not still paying for it!)

Here are the details for AT&T’s International Day Pass plan for iPhone and Android phone use throughout Europe:

• Price: $10 per day for up to 10 days, and 50% off each additional line. After 10 days, each additional day is free so long as you are within one billing cycle. The pass resets during a new billing cycle.
• Text: Unlimited SMS
• Calls: Unlimited to the U.S., within the country you are located, and countries included in the International Day Pass list
• Data: Unlimited if you have an unlimited plan, otherwise, it’s the same amount as your current data package

Note that the International Day Pass charges you $10 each day that you use call, text, voicemail, or data features on your phone. Once the 24 hours are up, it resets and will only charge you another day if you access those features. You won’t be charged if you take a digital detox for part of your trip.

Another crucial thing to note is that this pass works with your billing cycle. If you pay for a full 10 days and then your billing cycle resets and you use the International Day Pass for another 10 days, the cost will apply to each billing cycle.

For more information on the International Day Pass stipulations, check out this FAQ from AT&T.

Making telephone calls from abroad

If you plan to use your phone to make and receive calls, the International Day Pass allows unlimited free calls to the U.S., within the country you are staying, and to more than 100 countries included on this list.

Cheapo tips

• Placing and receiving: Don’t forget that you’ll be charged the International Day Pass daily fee for placing and receiving calls. Even if you answer the phone and say, “Don’t call me, I’m in Florence! (click),” you’ll be charged $10 for the following 24 hour period.

• Voicemail: Yes, listening to your voicemail will cost you, as you’ll need to connect to your carrier.

• Use Skype instead of calling: For calling home, I prefer to use the Skype app on my phone when I have a free Wi-Fi connection. Using Skype (or other apps, such as Google Talk), you can call another user for free, or call a telephone for just pennies per minute.

• Texting: I recommend using text messages in place of short phone calls, whenever possible, but note that the International Day Pass includes unlimited SMS texts only, not iMessage. Using iMessage on your iPhone will count toward your data package, which may or may not be unlimited depending on your usual plan. More details on this below.

• Data roaming: If you don’t want to be charged the $10 fee for the International Day Pass on certain days, don’t forget to deactivate your data roaming. (See more tips for how to set up your iPhone when traveling abroad.)

Sending and receiving text messages

As for texting, without a plan, it costs $.50 to send text messages throughout much of Europe ($1.30 if the message includes a photo or video). However, AT&T’s package offers free unlimited texting. This is good news for those of us who rely upon texting to communicate while traveling.

What about receiving text messages? You’ll pay for these just as you would for receiving a text message back home. If you have unlimited texting, you’ll be able to receive unlimited texts abroad at no extra charge.

Cheapo tips

• Using iMessage: What about just using iMessage or another messaging app to send text messages while traveling? You could do that, but don’t forget that you’ll only be able to send and receive these messages when you’re running the app. Thus, either you have to fire up the app and use expensive data (not recommended unless you have an unlimited data package and thus unlimited data for the International Day Pass), or you’ll have to connect to a Wi-Fi network. The latter option will work, but it prevents you from sending and receiving when you’re out and about, resulting in delays in receiving messages.

Using email, browsing the web, and using apps

If you plan to send and receive emails, browse the web or use applications (such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), you’re going to want to have the International Day Pass, as you’ll be using data. If you don’t have a package, then you’re strongly cautioned to only use these features when connected to a Wi-Fi network!

AT&T’s International Day Pass offers the same amount of data you have on your regular phone plan. If you have unlimited data, no problem. If you only have a certain amount, here are some estimates of the amount of data required to:

• Send or receive an email (without attachment): Approx. 20 KB per email

• Send or receive an email (with attachment): Approx. 300 KB per email

• Load a webpage: 1 MB per page

• Stream music: 500 KB / minute (30 MB / hour)

• Stream video (standard quality): 2 MB / minute

Cheapo tips

• Using data? Get a package: If you plan to at least check your email every once in a while (without a Wi-Fi connection), I recommend getting the International Day Pass. Checking your email even occasionally without a package will quickly become very expensive.

• Maps use data to load: Maps are confusing, as they require data to initially load, but your GPS location can load without data. Got that? For example, using Wi-Fi, you could load up a map of your neighborhood in London and then, without any data use, pull up that map later and see your location. However, to load a new map with a Wi-Fi connection (or do a search or zoom in), you’ll need to use data. I find this one of the handiest data uses, and another good reason to sign up for the International Day Pass.

Sticking to Wi-Fi

Of course, if you just stick to Wi-Fi for the duration of your trip, you don’t need to add on the International Day Pass. For years I traveled in “Airplane” mode, with my telephone basically disconnected, but my Wi-Fi fired up. This allowed me to use emails, maps, Facebook, Skype, and the internet only when I was connected to a free Wi-Fi network.

That’s still an option. However, be aware of the obvious drawbacks of relying on Wi-Fi: You’re lost without a connection.

These days I opt for the International Day Pass, take advantage of the unlimited texting, make infrequent and short phone calls, and use data to check emails (but never open attachments) and use Google Maps. And I never open other big apps (like Facebook, Skype or Twitter) unless I’m connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Monitor your usage

Even if you opt for the International Day Pass, it’s a very good (even critical) idea to monitor how much data you use, especially if you do not have an unlimited plan for data. Checking data usage is easy on an iPhone. You can see your Cellular Data Usage by clicking into “Settings” –> “Cellular”. Once abroad, the first thing you should do is scroll to the bottom and click on “Reset Statistics”.

You’re set — now stick to your plan, or upgrade if you’re about to go over!

Also in our Guide to Using an American iPhone in Europe:

Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke

Tips for Verizon Customers

Tips for Windows, Android and Blackberry Customers

Setting up your phone to avoid a billing “surprise”

AT&T vs Verizon: A comparison of international plans

The post iPhone in Europe: Information for AT&T customers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.