Last minute tips for European travel...?

[A930Rocket]

I think we have most of our bases covered for our daughters travel to Spain for school, but wanted to ask for any last minute tips and ideas for while she is there from those that have travelled there and elsewhere.

Spending money
Debit card
Cred card
Cash
Travel within Europe

She has friends going as well, so that'll help.

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[Neilk]

Skype account with some money in it so she can call a regular phone number. What about an unlocked cellphone? There are some dirty cheap plans available in Europe.

[LakeCleElum]

Cash from local ATM - I usually get the max allowed of $300 or $400 Euro......Don't want to carry more than that anyhow...Don't count on free Wi-Fi as we know it in the US.....

I'm poor at languages, so: Before I left, I translated common questions in several languages and put in a word Doc on my tablet. Then, even w/o Wi-Fi, I could walk up to someone and point to the question. Worked well....

[recycled sixtie]

This is somewhat unrelated but it is worth scanning her passport and then she has a copy if she loses the original. Put the copy in her suitcase in case she loses her other bags/purse etc.

[A930Rocket]

Thanks everyone!

I ordered an ulocked phone and will set up an international account with T-Mobil with Un mited data and text I think it was.

Will that work through out Europe?

Should she take her regular phone too?

We have visa and passport copies here and for her luggage. Scanned as well.

I was going to give her a CC of mine that has a chip. I think her debit card has one as well. I'll verify.

Is Visa or Am Ex better?

When you pay, I've heard they might ask dollars or euros. Which is better?

She took years of French. Maybe that'll help in Spain!

[Neilk]

Pay in the local currency and perhaps see if you have a credit card that doesn't charge ForEx fees which are about 3%. If you pay in dollars, they often mark it up 5% +. At Heathrow's Duty Free they will ask what currency you want to pay in, I remember the mark up to be quite high compared to what the fees would be.

Lastly, tell her not to get 20 Euros at a time since you a pay an ATM fee each time. My cousin learned that the hard way.

[David]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

pin to go with the chip credit card.

I asked my bank for a pin to go with the chip and they said they weren't that far along yet. And it's a very big bank

As long as the card has a chip, they should be fine. Even without they'd be OK but sometimes it doesn't work quite right.

WiFi is pretty easy to find so Facetime or something like that is easy to use if they have an iPad, iPhone, tablet, etc.

I've never gotten pick-pocketed or had my girlfriend's purse stolen but you can see guys who look like they're looking for a target so don't be one. No phones left laying on a table, purses carried in front, purses in your lap in an outdoor restaurant, wallets in front. It's not bad but don't make it so easy they can't resist. Especially the big imprompto performances on the street with a lots of people around with they're backs away from the crowd.

Enjoy the markets and venture into new and unusual foods!

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

pin to go with the chip credit card.

I've never used a CC that needed a pin. I'll have to see if I can get it.

[David]

If she's with a guide the language shouldn't be much of a problem but I was surprised by how many people didn't speak English. A notepad and pin to write down where they're going to show a cab driver helps. Or do like my girlfriend did and write down every restaurant we might visit with their address and hours to show the cab driver.

It's really strange for us Americans but large tipping is not needed or expected. An extra Euro or maybe two at most is more than enough.

[A930Rocket]

Just checked with Visa and Am Ex.

Visa card charges 3% on every transaction.

Am Ex has no charge. I've added her to the account.

[Tanick]

Not sure if they are available in the States, but I have both a pre-loaded Euro Mastercard. Living so close to, but outside, the Eurozone its invaluable for booking holidays and travelling. I just go online and put what I want on it before I pay and get a very good exchange rate too.

Mine's with fairfax.com. Not sure if they have a US equivalent.

[Paco Anton]

Most everywhere in Spain will accept Visa cards but AmEx is not generally accepted (high end hotels and restaurants will carry them but regular places won't).

Chip + PIN cards are the most used cards but se will be able to swipe and sign if no chip. Get Euros from any ATM with a card with PIN (chip or swipe).

As for local phone have somebody buy her a prepaid pone and card. They are cheap and easily recharged.

I am in Madrid. PM me so I can give you my contact detalles for emergencies or just questions about life here.

[Cajundaddy]

Skype, ATM card, access to reliable internet, and always carry a card with her residence address for a cab driver if there is a language barrier. Always travel in pairs and never, ever leave your wing man.

This advice is consistent with our experience. Disposable phone for local calls and Skype to phone home.
http://www.bu.edu/madrid/life-in-madrid/technology/cell-phones/

Exciting trip! One of my daughters lived 2 years in France studying French and playing professional water polo. An experience of a lifetime.

[wdfifteen]

If some guy miraculously finds a gold ring and starts talking to her about it, tell her to turn her back and walk away. It's a common scam and they like to use it on first timers.
Use a debit card account that you can add to. Keep only a week or so worth of cash in it, so if the card is hacked/stolen you aren't out much.

[A930Rocket]

Excellent advice everyone.

I've not traveled outside the US so I have no experience. My wife has traveled extensively, but it's been years.

Paco, thanks for the heads up on the Am Ex and the emergency contact. I'll PM you.

I'll give her both the Visa and the Am Ex, plus she will have her debit card.

[wayner]

Tell your credit card company that the card will be used in those countries otherwise they will flag them as stolen.

Never log in to an email account etc from a public computer. Many have key loggers to steal your password then they email people in your contacts as you claiming to need money to get out of trouble.

[petrolhead611]

The phone company 3 doesn't charge extra for cross border cellphone calls, all the other do.

[madmmac]

Send back the unlocked phone and unlock her own phone. Buy the Sim card at the airport.

Do not take a debit card. Use a credit card only for the extra protection.

RFID slips, purse/wallet for chipped cards and magnetic stripped cards.

If not fluent in the language, an app for voice translations and an app translator for reading signs, menu's...etc.

Not sure if they are driving or Spains requirements, but they may need a International Drivers Permit. You can get them at AAA places in about 10 minutes.

Health and dental cards.

As noted, copy of Passport to leave or place somewhere else so if 1 gets lost/stolen you have proof to make it much easier to get replaces.

Be always aware and have fun!

[David]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

I have a chase card that works with pin.
Sometimes folks seem to get a little grouchy when they have to print and get you to sign.

Strange. I asked Chase specifically about a pin for my chipped CC card and they said they could not provide one yet. This was 4 months ago tho.

[Arizona_928]

+1 on Amex. Visa as a back up, and a linked bank account. (can transfer funds directly to the account from anywhere)


The T-mobile is a good deal. I racked up 10 gb in data, and prolly a few thousand texts while I was in DE. I had better reception in the middle of the country side then I do in most states.



Edit. You'll need a 4 digit pin for the atm's. As for the chip, most gas and large retailers have machines for both chip and swipe cards...