18 Hacks for a Fairly Pain-Free Trip Across Europe
Introduction
If you’re planning an extended trip through Europe, getting around can be one of the most frustrating parts. Don’t worry! We’ve got a few tips that’ll help you travel without breaking the bank on international data usage:
Get an EU SIM card.
If you want to go SIM card-free, there are a couple of ways to do it. You can buy one and pop it in when you arrive at each new destination. Or, if you’re traveling with a friend or partner, one of you can keep the SIM card from your current country while the other takes theirs with them as they move around–and then swap at each stop. If neither of these options works for your situation (or if they sound like too much work), consider getting an EU SIM card that’ll work throughout Europe (and beyond).
The first step is finding out which countries’ networks offer coverage where; this map by OpenSignalMaps should help:
Make your phone work for you.
Smartphones are the ultimate travel tool. Use them to help you plan your trip and navigate through unfamiliar cities, stay in touch with friends and family while traveling (and even find new ones), find places of interest, and find good food.
Here’s how:
Use a portable battery pack to charge your phone and other devices on the go.
A portable battery pack is a great tool to have on hand, as it can be used to charge your phone or other devices while you’re out and about. Portable battery packs are perfect for long flights, where you may not have access to an outlet or plug-in charger. They also come in handy if you’re traveling with multiple people who need charging at different times–just swap out the batteries!
If your phone has a removable battery (or if the manufacturer sells an external one), consider bringing along a spare so that you don’t run out of juice while exploring new places or taking photos.
Learn how to use Google Translate offline.
Google Translate is a great tool to have on hand while traveling in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter. You can download the app and use it offline by following these steps:
- Open up your phone’s settings menu and select “General”
- Tap “Language & input”
- Select “Google Translate” from the list of options (you may need to scroll down)
Download offline maps so that you don’t have to use data while traveling in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter.
If you’re planning on traveling through Europe (or anywhere else), download offline maps. Not only will this save you money on data, but it can also make sure that if something happens to your phone and its GPS signal, at least one person will be able to find their way back home.
Downloading maps for the cities where you are going and even some surrounding areas is highly recommended so that if anything goes wrong with the GPS signal or if there is no service at all, there is still a map available which can help guide people back home safely.
Learn how to use Google Maps offline by going through these steps.
The first step is to download the map for your destination. If you haven’t already done this, go to Google Maps and click on “Make a Map” in the top left corner. From there, choose “Offline Areas” and click on “Show All.” Then just click on any area of interest on that screen (such as Paris) and drag it over into your downloads folder if you want all of France downloaded at once or just select one city at a time if you only want Paris’ maps saved offline.
Once that’s done, open up Google Maps again and open up its settings by clicking on three dots in top right hand corner of screen under account information icon at bottom left corner of screen next to search bar where user name appears next time after signing into account without logging out first; then choose Settings followed by Offline Areas where users can refresh content periodically but won’t have access unless there’s internet connection available during travel period!
Like Google Maps, Citymapper is one of those apps that’s worth downloading before your trip, even if you’re not going anywhere near a city like London or Paris. It works just as well offline as it does online, so you can plan out your trip ahead of time – though not necessarily route yourself in real-time .
Citymapper is a great app for planning your trip ahead of time. You can use it to plan your route before you leave, or even while you’re on the go. The app will show you how long it will take to get from point A to point B, and whether there are any delays along the way (it’s currently only available in some major cities).
If Google Maps isn’t working for some reason – say, because someone stole your phone at an airport bar – Citymapper has got your back: it works just as well offline as it does online, so even if there aren’t any Wi-Fi hotspots around (and trust me: there won’t be), this app will still let you navigate through town like a pro!
Download offline versions of maps for places like London and Paris, and then use them on your phone once you arrive at the train station or airport. This way, you won’t be paying for data when all you want is an easy way to find your way around town!
If you’re traveling abroad, it’s important to know how to find your way around. Download offline versions of maps for places like London and Paris, and then use them on your phone once you arrive at the train station or airport. This way, you won’t be paying for data when all you want is an easy way to find your way around town!
If this sounds familiar: “I’ve downloaded Google Maps but I still get lost.” Well now there’s another option: Citymapper (iOS/Android). It will give directions in English based on what mode of transportation–walking or public transit–you select; plus it has a cute little emoji face next to each step along with estimated walking time between points A and B so there won’t be any surprises when it comes time to get off at stop #5 instead of stop #4 because apparently everyone else decided today was an excellent day for sightseeing!
The best part about using Citymapper for this purpose is that it’s free, so there’s really no reason not to give it a try — particularly if you’re planning on visiting one of Europe’s major tourist destinations where getting lost would be extremely annoying!
The best part about using Citymapper for this purpose is that it’s free, so there’s really no reason not to give it a try — particularly if you’re planning on visiting one of Europe’s major tourist destinations where getting lost would be extremely annoying!
Citymapper works offline and has a ton of features that make it great for tourists. You can use it to plan your trip, find out what the weather will be like, see what times public transportation runs, and more.
Conclusion
So there you have it! With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy your next trip across Europe without worrying about running out of data or having trouble finding your way around.