European Union and United Kingdom

The European Union and the United Kingdom sit side by side, but they follow different entry rules, so build this into your planning. Many visitors can enter the Schengen Area (most EU countries) visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while the UK has its own allowances and, for many nationalities, a separate Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Always check official government sites for your passport before booking flights.

When sketching your route, think in clusters rather than countries: combine Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam by high-speed train, or London–Edinburgh in the UK before flying to Barcelona or Rome. Use Hello’s trip planning to keep flights, train tickets and hotel bookings in one place, and to layer in day-by-day ideas like “morning at the Louvre, evening in Montmartre” or “Thames river cruise then West End show.”

Border checks are usually quick, but allow extra time when crossing between the EU and UK. Keep accommodation details and onward travel to hand, as you may be asked to show them. With a clear itinerary saved in Hello, it’s easy to pull up confirmations offline at immigration counters or when a train conductor asks for your seat reservation.

In both the EU and the UK, trains are often the most comfortable way to move between cities. High-speed routes like Paris–London, Madrid–Barcelona, or London–Edinburgh can be faster and less stressful than flying once you factor in airport transfers. Book in advance on national rail sites for cheaper fares, especially in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK.

Budget airlines connect almost every major city, but watch for extra fees on baggage and airport transfers. A €25 flight (about US$27) can double in cost once you add luggage and a bus from a distant airport. Save boarding passes, booking codes and airport directions in your Hello trip planning so you’re not scrambling at 5 a.m. in an unfamiliar terminal.

On arrival, most cities have excellent public transport. In London, get an Oyster card or use contactless for the Tube and buses. In cities like Berlin, Vienna or Lisbon, day passes are often cheaper than single tickets if you ride more than three or four times. With Hello eSIM connectivity, you can instantly check local transit apps, live departure boards and walking directions without worrying about roaming charges.

You’ll juggle at least two currencies: the euro (€) across most EU countries and the pound sterling (£) in the United Kingdom. Some non-euro EU states, such as Denmark and Hungary, use their own currencies, so check before you arrive. Card payments are widely accepted, including contactless, but it’s smart to keep a small amount of cash for markets, rural areas, and older cafés.

ATMs usually offer better rates than airport exchange kiosks; decline “dynamic currency conversion” if a card terminal asks to charge you in your home currency instead of local funds. With Hello’s budget tracking, you can log expenses in euros and pounds to see how much that London pub night or Amsterdam museum crawl really cost in local terms.

Tipping customs vary: in much of continental Europe, service may be included; rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is common. In the UK, 10–12.5% is typical in restaurants if not already added. When traveling with friends, use Hello’s expense splitting to share costs for rental cars, apartments, or group dinners, so no one has to chase down who paid for the last round of tapas or that shared canal cruise.

Strong connectivity makes it easier to dive into local life, from tracking buses to translating menus. Buying and activating a Hello eSIM before you land means you’re online as soon as the plane touches down, whether you arrive in Lisbon, Prague or London. That’s useful for ride-hailing, navigating from the airport, or messaging your host when your train is delayed.

To experience culture beyond the main sights, look for local events: a Premier League match in Manchester, open-air cinema on a Berlin summer night, or a traditional fado performance in Lisbon. Book ahead for big-name attractions like the Colosseum, Sagrada Família or the British Museum’s special exhibitions, adding reservation times into your Hello trip planning so they sit alongside your transport and hotel details.

Food is a gateway to culture: try cicchetti in Venice, pintxos in San Sebastián, herring in Copenhagen, or a curry on London’s Brick Lane. Use your connectivity to check opening hours, reserve popular spots, and navigate to lesser-known neighbourhood bakeries or wine bars. With everything stored in Hello, you can focus less on logistics and more on enjoying slow evening walks along the Danube, the Thames, or the Seine.