European Union and United Kingdom

Travelling through the European Union and the United Kingdom on one trip is entirely doable with a bit of smart planning. Distances can be short but borders now matter more than they used to, so always check visa rules, entry requirements, and any post-Brexit regulations before you go. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out key hubs: Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona in the EU, then London, Edinburgh, or Manchester in the UK.

High-speed trains like the TGV, ICE, and Eurostar link major cities efficiently, while budget airlines are useful for longer hops (just factor in airport transfer time and luggage fees). Aim to cluster destinations: for example, combine Barcelona, Marseille, and Milan, or Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris, before or after a UK segment.

Book popular sights such as the Colosseum in Rome, Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and the Tower of London in advance, especially in summer. Use Hello to keep bookings, train times, and museum slots in one place so you’re not digging through email at the station. Build in at least one buffer day per week for slower exploring: local markets, neighborhood walks, and spontaneous café stops are where European trips often feel most memorable.

Europe’s transport network is one of the easiest ways to experience the region. In the EU, long-distance trains connect most major cities; booking ahead often gives better fares, especially for high-speed routes like Paris–Lyon or Madrid–Barcelona. In the UK, trains link London with cities like Oxford, Bath, Edinburgh, and York, but prices can be high, so advance tickets are helpful.

For day-to-day movement, rely on:

• City metros and trams in places like Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Prague.
• Contactless cards or transport passes in London (Oyster or contactless bank cards) and many EU cities.
• Walking in historic centers like Florence, Bruges, or Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Having a Hello eSIM ready before landing means you can instantly check timetables, book rideshares, and use navigation apps without hunting for Wi‑Fi or worrying about roaming charges. In rural areas of Scotland, the Greek islands, or parts of Portugal, buses may be infrequent, so download offline maps and confirm return times. If you’re renting a car, compare toll costs and parking restrictions, and remember that driving styles and road signage vary widely between, say, rural Ireland and inner-city Rome.

Travelling across the EU and UK means juggling multiple currencies. Most EU countries use the euro (EUR), but you’ll encounter Swiss francs (CHF) in Switzerland and local currencies in places like Poland (PLN) or Czechia (CZK). In the UK, it’s pounds sterling (GBP). A simple café breakfast might be around €6–10 (USD $7–11) in many EU cities, while a pub meal in London could be £15–20 (USD $19–25).

Card payments are widely accepted, often via contactless, but it’s smart to carry a bit of cash for markets, small bakeries, and older establishments. Hello’s budget tracking helps you see spending in local currencies so you can adjust quickly if a city turns out pricier than expected. For group trips, use Hello’s expense splitting when sharing apartment rentals, car hires, or big dinners—especially handy after nights out in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto or at craft beer bars in Manchester.

To save, look for:

• Lunch menus or “menu del día” in Spain.
• Set menus in Paris bistros.
• Meal deals or early-bird offers in UK pubs.

Always check if service is included before tipping; customs vary by country.

One of the joys of crossing the EU and UK is watching the culture shift with each border. You might start your day with pasteis de nata in Lisbon, enjoy tagliatelle al ragù in Bologna, and end the week with fish and chips by the pier in Brighton. In the UK, explore the contrast between London’s multicultural food scene, Edinburgh’s whisky bars, and the cozy tearooms of the Lake District. In the EU, savor tapas in Seville, cheese and beer in Brussels, or market lunches at Barcelona’s La Boqueria.

To get beyond the tourist layer:

• Join a walking tour in cities like Prague or Dublin.
• Visit local markets such as Mercato Centrale in Florence or Borough Market in London.
• Time your trip with festivals, from summer music events in Germany to Christmas markets in Austria.

Use Hello’s trip planning to pin food spots and cultural venues you discover along the way—bookings for Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen or West End theatre in London often need advance reservations. With Hello eSIM, you can read menus, translate signs, and book last-minute tickets on the go, making it easier to say yes to spontaneous concerts, gallery nights, or that hidden bistro down a side street.