Travel Information Europe

You need to have some practical travel information

Europe has fundamentally different basic systems from those found in the United States. Time, the phone systems, power current, and measurement systems are all very different.

Time

World timezones are a way of organizing time so that people living in a large area (country, part of continent) share the same time.

There are 25 standard world timezones around the world. They use a 24 hour clock and begin in Greenwich, southeast of London.

If you are going east from England, you will add one hour for each timezone. For example, if you are in Paris it will be one hour later. So if it is 10:00 AM in London it will be 11:00 AM in Paris, 12:00 noon in Athens and 13:00 or 1:00 PM in Moscow.

Going west from England you subtract one hour for each timezone. So in New York it would be 7:00 AM and 4:00 AM in San Francisco when it is 10:00 AM in London.

This map shows the timezones in Europe.

Remember while most European countries (Iceland is the exception) observe Daylight Savings Time (they call it Summer Time), they don't necessarily change their clocks the same time in the Spring and Fall as the United States.

Emergency Numbers

Emergency telephone numbers for police, fire, and medical assistance are different depending on what country you are in. 112 is the most common number so if you are not sure what the number is try that.

Here are a few that are different:

Albania - 127 for medical, 128 for fire, 129 for police

Belarus - 103 for medical, 101 for fire, 102, for police

Bosnia and Herzegovina - 124 for medical, 123 for fire, 122 for police

Croatia - 112 for medical and fire, 92 for police

England - 999 for police, fire, and medical (112 also works)

Estonia - 112 for medical and fire, but 110 for police

Finland - 112 for medical and fire, but 10022 for police

Slovenia - 112 for medical and fire, but 113 for police

Mobile phones can be used in countries with different emergency numbers. A traveler visiting a foreign country does not have to know the local emergency numbers, however. The mobile phone and the SIM card have a pre-programmed list of emergency numbers. When the user tries to set up a call using an emergency number known by a GSM or 3G phone, the special emergency call setup takes place.

Electrical System

The voltage is also different ( 220 volts instead of 120 volts). Most newer electronics or travel appliances (laptops, battery chargers, and hairdryers) will convert the voltage automatically. Check the label on the item or on its plug. If it indicates a range of voltages from 110 volts to 220 volts it will work in Britain and Europe.

If you have older electronics, you will need to purchase a power converter either before you leave home or at your destination.

Discounts

Metric System

• The metric system is a decimal system of weights and measures in which the gram is the unit of weight, the meter is the unit of length, and the liter is the unit of volume.
• The European Union (EU) has declared that all its members will use the metric system of measurements.
• Britain is an EU member but still retains a few things with the same names as used in the United States. Road signs are still in miles and ale is still served by the pint (the imperial pint though) in pubs.
• People in Britain weigh themselves by the stone (14 pounds) at least that was the measurement before the metric system took over.

Metric System Conversions

Conversions between the two systems (US and Metric) are not simple so here are some rough equivalents.

about 30 grams = 1 ounce

1 kg = 2 lb

100 grams = 1/4 lb

1 liter = 1 qt or 1/4 of a gallon

2.5 centimeters = 1 inch

30 centimeters = 1 foot

1 meter = 1 yard

1 kilometer = .6 mile

Temperature

To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit multiply the Celsius temperature by 1.8 and add 32. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and then divide by 1.8.

That's alot of math so here's a chart with some useful travel information

Europe's temperatures are shown on the first line.

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Tipping

Restaurants

• In Europe, the service may already be included in your bill at a restaurant. Check and see if there is a service charge on your bill usually about 10% - 15%. The service fee should be mentioned on the menu also.
• In France, it is called "service compris". The service may not necessarily go to the waitstaff though.
• Read your bill carefully. Unfortunately, in rare instances there may be errors (either intentional or accidental).
• If the service is not included, you might want to leave a tip. 10% if the service was OK and 15% if the waitstaff provide excellent service. Of course, if the service was poor leave nothing.
• If the service was extraordinary you might want to leave a tip even though service was included in your bill.
• If possible leave the tip on the table (leave it on the little dish the bill comes on) or hand it to the waitstaff personally (in a smaller restaurant) rather than putting it on your credit card.
• Generally, waitstaff are paid more in Europe than the US and are less reliant on tips so tipping is not as necessary or as widespread.

Taxis

It is not necessary to tip a taxi driver alot, round up to the nearest euro or local currency. If the driver is friendly and helpful you might tip a little more.

Hotels

• Again check if there is a service charge included. If not you might leave something for the maids. Generally a couple of euro, depending on the length of your stay and if they provided any extra services.
• If the receptionist or someone else helps you resolve a problem, you might want to give them a small tip.
• If a bellboy or porter helps you with your luggage, then 1 euro per bag is generally sufficient. (Europeans tend to carry their own bags most of the time unless they are disabled.)

In many public WC, you have to leave a tip (50 cents to 1 euro), normally there is a table with a lady or sometimes a man collecting coins.

The table may be inside or outside the WC. If inside, the attendant will usually hand you a towel to dry your hands and/or perform other services. They also ensure that the WC is clean.

Tour Guide/Bus Driver

If you are on a package tour, the tour company will often provide tipping guidelines.

Normally tipping is per person/per day.

10% - 15% of the cost of the tour for the tour guide if it is one day or less and a smaller amount for the bus driver. Again it depends on the quality of the service.

Other Service

If you have a haircut or massage, you might want to give a tip but it is not necessarily expected.

For more information on tipping, check Magellan's Worldwide Tipping Guide

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VAT Refunds

Again some more money saving travel information

Europe's VAT or Value-Added-Tax is equivalent to the sales tax in the United States. The VAT is refundable under certain circumstances and the process is fairly simple.

Making a Purchase

• The hardest part is to remember to ask for the appropriate documentation when you purchase something. Sometimes the merchant will take off the tax at the store. You must have your passport with you and ask very politely.
• If the merchant ships the purchase to you at home, they will usually take off the tax.
• There is usually a minimum purchase (ranging from $20 to hundreds of dollars depending on the country) required from one merchant before you are eligible for the refund.
• Smaller shops may not be as familiar as larger stores with the VAT refund process and documentation. Not all stores participate in the VAT refund since it is voluntary not mandatory.
• When you make your purchase, have the retailer fill out the necessary refund document, called a "cheque." Look it over carefully and make sure you understand everything on it.
• You will need this document at the airport or border crossing to claim your refund.

You are not supposed to use the items you purchased before you have your VAT refund. It's best to pack them in your carry on so they are easily accessible.

Processing Your Documentation

• If you make purchases in multiple EU countries, claim your refund in the last country. If the currencies vary, (not all EU countries use the Euro) you may have to pay a conversion fee.
• Once you arrive at the airport (be sure and come early)find the customs official responsible for VAT refunds and get your documents stamped.
• Return the document to the retailer or their representative at the airport, port, or border crossing. Many work with a service such as Global Refund or Premier Tax Free.
• Present your documents at their office and they will deduct a fee (usually 4 %) for their services. They'll give you your refund sometimes in the currency of your choice, immediately.
• Otherwise, they'll credit the refund to your credit card but it may take a little while.
• If the merchant doesn't work with a service, you will have to contact the merchant for your refund. You can mail the documents from home, or quicker, from your departure point(using a stamped, addressed envelope that's been provided by the merchant, hopefully.) You might have to wait months for your refund.

Sometimes, even though you followed all the rules the process just doesn't work for whatever reason. It's worth it to try if you have made large purchases. You have to decide whether it is worth the hassle.